Dawson, Nieuwenhuis Claim 4th Individual Titles, Romeo Wins Girls Team Final
By
Scott DeCamp
Special for MHSAA.com
March 8, 2026
DETROIT – Madison Nieuwenhuis has big plans in her future as it relates to wrestling, including competing in the World Team Trials and heading to the University of Iowa.
First, the Plainwell senior was looking to etch her name into the MHSAA record book Saturday at the Girls Wrestling Finals at Ford Field.
Nieuwenhuis became the second girls wrestler in MHSAA history to win four individual championships as she pinned Howell freshman Olive DiMassa in the 105-pound bout in 1:34.
Two matches later, Westland John Glenn senior Nakayla Dawson joined that select company with her fourth-straight title on a technical fall (5:30, 17-1) at 115 pounds against Frankfort senior Isabella Crompton.
Last year, Fowlerville’s Margaret Buurma became the first girl to capture four MHSAA Individual Finals titles.
“I’m super excited,” Nieuwenhuis said. “I’ve had this goal for, I don’t even know how long it is, and it’s finally come true. I’ve worked so hard, and I’m so happy right now.”
Said Dawson: “It is very satisfying because at the beginning of the season I wasn’t doing my best when I first got my (knee) injury. People thought I was going to lose states – they (weren’t) going to take the title from me.”
For the second time, the MHSAA recognized a girls team champion based upon individual points and places scored by each school.
Romeo was the team champion with 80 points, pushed by Oxford at 78.5. Plainwell was third (64), followed by Yale (55.5), Lowell (53.5), and Allen Park (47) among the top six.
“It was a really close race. Hats off to Oxford – they wrestled really well this weekend and I’m glad our girls could pull it off,” said Romeo coach Stephen Manuel, whose daughters Belicia and Kaili won individual titles in consecutive matches at 155 and 170, respectively. “We were behind going into the finals and we had to score 12 points, so they had to bonus and they did.”
100
Champion: Lillee Denson, St. Clair Shores Lakeview, Sr. (22-1)
Technical Fall (5:16) 22-6, over McKenzie Mantei, Dundee, Soph. (31-4)
Wrestling was a gradual progression for Denson, who didn’t begin the sport until her sophomore season.
“I started my sophomore year, and I didn’t even make it to state,” said Denson, who is a Northern Michigan University commit. “My second year, I just had to change my mindset and I ended up getting runner-up last year, so just short of state champion. And this year, I won it all because of my support system.”
Denson lost at last year’s Finals at 105 against Lowell’s Tatianna Castillo, who won the title at 110 on Saturday.
105
Champion: Madison Nieuwenhuis, Plainwell, Sr. (28-0)
Fall, 1:34, over Olive DiMassa, Howell, Fr. (40-2)
It was an emotional end to Nieuwenhuis’ high school career, as she sprinted toward the Division 2 boys mat immediately following her victory over DiMassa. She was a nervous wreck watching sophomore brother Dylan Nieuwenhuis win at 113 pounds.
First, she had to take care of her business, which she did with no problem.
“I’m super pleased with my performance. … I’ve got a lot bigger things coming, so I’m glad I got to check this part and pull it off,” Nieuwenhuis said.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it without the Plainwell community. There’s no one better than the Plainwell community. My parents have stuck by me and my brother. They’re there every single step of the way. They’ve done so much for us. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”
110
Champion: Tatianna Castillo, Lowell, Soph. (34-1)
Fall, 5:10, over Rylee Nidiffer, Riverview Gabriel Richard, Fr. (32-4)
Castillo collected a second-straight title, this one at 110 after winning 105 in 2025.
The Lowell boys team won its 13th-straight Division 2 team title last weekend, and the Red Arrows have had numerous wrestlers bring home individual championships.
Castillo is hoping that the Lowell girls can establish a rich wrestling history of their own. They’re off to a good start.
“I think we kind of trained to live up to the boys’ expectations, even though we’re our own kind of section,” she said. “I think it’s so, like, amazing to bring the girls something bigger into Lowell. Lowell isn’t really known for the girls (program), but being a state champ and helping other girls come, I just feel like it’s so amazing to be able to be a part of that.”
115
Champion: Nakayla Dawson, Westland John Glenn, Sr. (15-0)
Technical Fall (5:30), 17-1, over Isabella Crompton, Frankfort, Sr. (48-2)
It wasn’t the easiest of seasons for Dawson, despite her perfect record, as she was hampered by a knee injury to start.
Dawson remained inspired, however, to the point where she said she’d like to coach wrestling some day and teach others what she’s learned.
Dawson said she is considering Indian Hills Community College in Iowa for her next wrestling stop.
“It means a lot because just from me winning my first state title and everything like that, more girls have moved into wrestling, especially at my school and everything,” she said. “They wanted to learn, wanted to wrestle, because of me.”
120
Champion: Cheyenne Frank, Oxford, Sr. (39-0)
Technical Fall (4:40) 16-1, over Alexander Stiltner, Battle Creek Harper Creek, Sr. (40-2)
Frank capped her perfect senior season with a dominant win and a second-straight title. If that weren’t enough, she did backflips on the mat immediately following – just because.
“I just felt like kind of doing that. I just felt loose, you know,” Frank said with a big smile.
Frank was a Finals runner-up as a sophomore and placed fifth as a freshman as a four-time all-stater.
“This means a lot to my community, my team, like all my great coaches,” Frank said. “I’m just glad I got to do this, this last year with them and be surrounded by people I love and care about.”
125
Champion: Adriana Murray, Yale, Soph. (39-3)
Fall, 1:57, over Haley Stenz, Alpena, Soph. (32-2)
If you saw Murray’s vertical leap when she jumped into her coach’s arms after winning her first Finals title, then you may not believe she is coming off significant surgery during her freshman year.
Murray was at a loss for words Saturday, expressing gratefulness to be able to return to the mat.
“I got injured last year. I had surgery on both of my legs on my birthday, and it was supposed to be my last year (wrestling),” Murray said. “I won’t lie, it was miserable. I can’t sit here and tell you all the perfect stuff and that it was great and it’s easy to work through because it’s not. I couldn’t walk for nine months. I had to miss a little bit of school. I wasn’t walking. I wasn’t moving.”
130
Champion: Kassie Sapp, Whitehall, Soph. (39-1)
Decision, 6-4, over Cecilia Williams, Mason, Sr. (21-1)
When Sapp was trailing Williams 4-3 late in their match Saturday, she couldn’t help but think of her 4-3 loss to Grand Haven’s Gracey Barry in last year’s 115-pound title bout.
Even though Williams entered as a favorite, seeking her third Finals title after winning 125 last year and 120 in 2023, Sapp was determined to flip the script. She did so with a takedown during the final seconds.
“I mean, I just dug in, I really did. I don’t even know,” Sapp said. “I just found it within myself and I was like, ‘I’m not going to lose. I’m not going to do what I did last year.’ I was like, ‘I’m not going to lose 4-3 again. There’s no way.’”
135
Champion: Angellaya Burden, Mio, Jr. (28-0)
Fall, 3:33, over Paisley DeNault, Clarkston, Sr. (22-1)
After winning her second-straight championship, Burden admitted she’s not always fond of practices. She finished fourth in the state as a freshman, so somebody must be doing something right.
“I have to thank my coaches, even though sometimes I don’t like them,” Burden quipped and then laughed. “Definitely my teammates, too – even though I feel like quitting, they keep pushing me.
“I definitely struggle a little bit wrestling at practice, but I know at the end of the day it’s making me better – even when I’m wrestling my brothers,” she said, turning and looking toward her coach with a raised eyebrow.
140
Champion: Alexis Lazar, Brighton, Sr. (27-0)
Fall, 1:44, over Kylee Mollow, Olivet, Jr. (44-5)
Lazar has been wrestling for six years. She’s in her first year attending public school after previously being homeschooled.
In her first season competing in an MHSAA sport, she moved to the head of her class.
She kept her cool.
“I didn’t get in my head. I had fun the whole time. I just went out there and did what I had to do,” said Lazar, a Grand Valley State University commit.
145
Champion: MacKenna Webster, Three Rivers, Sr. (42-1)
Fall, 6:00, over Brynna Alwell, Allen Park, Sr. (31-5)
Winning her first Finals title was a big deal for Webster, after she lost in a championship match last year and finished sixth as a sophomore. But being a positive role model may rank higher on her list.
“Honestly, it’s everything. I’m always (trying to set an example) for the girls after me, to be able to leave my mark for those girls,” Webster said. “I just feel so completed. The girls after me, my little girls … they’re why I do it. They’re always pushing me all the way. I’m so glad that I could do it for them.”
Webster plans to attend Davenport University.
155
Champion: Belicia Manuel, Romeo, Sr. (50-0)
Fall, 1:03, over Aaliyah Langell, Big Rapids, Fr. (27-2)
Manuel seized her second title, adding to the one she captured at 140 as a sophomore. She finished runner-up at 145 last year when she lost to four-time champ Margaret Buurma of Fowlerville.
Watching sister Kaili win a championship at 170 immediately after she clinched hers, Belicia was very satisfied with the way her high school career wrapped up.
“It was really nice. It was really fun, especially winning it my last year together (with her sister),” Manuel said.
She plans to attend Northern Michigan University, where she is looking to wrestle.
170
Champion: Kaili Manuel, Romeo, Jr. (48-1)
Technical Fall (2:30) 23-7, over Adelaide Holderman, Middleville Thornapple Kellogg, Jr. (25-3)
Moments after big sister Belicia won her second title, Kaili followed suit with another of her own. This was her third championship, as Kaili won at 155 last year and 145 two years ago.
Belicia’s match was so quick, Kaili pretty much missed it.
“Honestly, I looked at the beginning, I did like a lap and then I looked back and it was over. I was like …,” she paused, then gestured with applause to acknowledge her sister for a job well done.
When Kailia was asked if she and Belicia tangle at home, she came back with an amusing reply.
“It’s mainly my other sisters that fight,” she said. “I’m more of, like, a talker and not a fighter.”
190
Champion: Olivia Kemp, Carleton Airport, Jr. (25-1)
Decision, 4-2, over Kanata Richardson, Bloomfield Hills, Sr. (30-3)
Richardson was seeking a second-straight title, but Kemp had other plans – even if it looked bleak for her during a large portion of the match.
It was such an emotional finish for Kemp, she still had tears in her eyes several minutes after her match ended.
“I just looked over, saw my coaches – I thought of all the hard work I put in through the season, knowing I couldn’t beat her the last time I had a bum shoulder,” said Kemp, who placed fifth last year. “This time, I’m all healed up and ready to go. There’s no excuses.”
235
Champion: Halle Spears, Midland, Sr. (33-0)
Fall, 1:42, over AnnMarie Green, Clare, Sr. (27-2)
Spears finished runner-up at 190 last season, so all she had on her mind this year was to win the prize.
“It’s so great. I’ve waited so long for this. It feels really good to come back and get what I wanted last year,” Spears said.
A Grand Valley State University commit, she was overcome with emotion when she thought about her brother being in her corner at the Finals. Their celebratory embrace was accompanied by tears of joy.
“Have fun and do what you know,” she said. “I think when you’re wrestling, you should just always do what you know and wrestle how you know you have to wrestle.”
PHOTOS (Top) Westland John Glenn's Nakayla Dawson, left, and Plainwell's Madison Nieuwenhuis have their hands raised in victory after earning their fourth MHSAA Finals championships Saturday at Ford Field. (Middle) Romeo's Belicia Manuel, right, and Big Rapids' Aaliyah Langell prepare to face off. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)
With Final Takedown, Goodrich's Phipps Arrives at Championship Destination
By
Drew Ellis
Special for MHSAA.com
March 4, 2023
DETROIT – A journey that had been 13 years in the making finally ended with a dream come true for Goodrich junior Easton Phipps.
Since he began wrestling at age 4, Phipps had been focused only on winning a state title.
At Saturday’s Division 2 Individual Finals, Phipps (41-4) had to tap into everything he had worked for to win the 190-pound championship.
After a 1-1 tie through three periods with Clio’s Jacob Marrs (37-5), the two remained tied after the sudden victory stage.
Things came down to the ultimate tiebreaker, which saw Phipps score a takedown to win.
“That state title is what was pushing me,” Phipps said. “I wanted to avenge all my teammates that didn’t get the shot to get a state title. I worked for them and the whole town. I get my picture on the wrestling room wall now.”
The junior said his championship match just came down to will power, as the two cancelled each other out in skill.
“I don’t really know what to say; the skill wasn’t there, it was just about toughness when it got into overtime,” Phipps said.
106
Champion: Brady Baker, Stevensville Lakeshore, Soph. (48-2)
Major Decision, 9-1, over Cristian Haslem, St. Clair, Fr. (46-2)
Baker had control throughout the whole match as the sophomore took home his first Finals championship.
He hit multiple takedowns and a reversal to keep Haslem from getting into the match.
“Things played out well,” Baker said. “I was getting into my attacks, scoring early and often. That’s what you have to do if you want to win.”
Baker failed to place at last year’s Finals and was motivated all season because of that. That motivation pushed him to a championship.
“It means a lot to not place last year and come in this year and win a state title,” Baker said. “It had been on my mind a lot, but there’s still bigger things to come.”
113
Champion: Malachi Kapenga, Hamilton, Soph. (48-4)
Decision 6-4 (OT) over Carter Cichocki, Lowell, Soph. (31-9)
The longest seconds of Kapenga’s life occurred as he awaited a referee’s decision at the end of the third period.
Trailing Cichocki 4-3, Kapenga managed to score an escape as the round ended, but also looked as if he may have had a takedown. Referees conferenced on whether he escaped in time, or even potentially won.
After ruling Kapenga got the escape point, he then went on to score a takedown in sudden victory to win his first Finals championship.
“I just was waiting and praying that they would at least give me one point,” Kapenga said. “I knew if I got the one point, I was at least still in the match. I was expecting a win or a loss, so getting the point, I was happy to at least be going into overtime.”
The match with Cichocki was back-and-forth, with both wrestlers holding leads during the first three rounds.
“It was a hard-fought match, and I had to be smart with my shots,” Kapenga said. “To win feels amazing. I have been working very hard toward it.”
120
Champion: Jackson Blum, Lowell, Soph. (39-3)
23-8 Technical Fall (4:52) over Tayden Miller, Mason, Sr. (37-2)
Blum was very workmanlike in winning a second championship.
The Lowell sophomore scored takedown after takedown to pick up the tech fall victory in the third period.
“There can be some built-up anxiety as you approach the match, but it’s just about getting into what you know you can do and the pressure goes away,” Blum said.
The pressure of a second consecutive title never seemed to get to Blum during the season, as he kept his focus on getting better each day.
“You feel that pressure, but you just have to block it out and do what you do in practice each day,” Blum said. “If you put in the work, the rest takes care of itself.”
126
Champion: Marcello Milani, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Sr. (50-0)
Decision, 3-0, over Bryce Shingelton, Linden, Sr. (45-3)
Milani had to wrestle a flawless match to get past Shingelton.
A first-round takedown got him off to a good start, and an escape in the third was the insurance point he needed to grind out the victory.
“I was just trusting in my wrestling, trusting in what I could do,” Milani said of what carried him through the match. “I have trained for this and had to trust that I did the work.”
The Orchard Lake St. Mary’s senior was able to cap off his career with a perfect 50-0 record on top of the title.
“This is something I really wanted since I was a freshman,” Milani said. “I am really glad I got to close it out this year.”
132
Champion: Grant Stahl, Mount Pleasant, Sr. (41-0)
Decision, 12-9, over Aaron Lucio, Stevensville Lakeshore, Sr. (49-2)
The long road to a Finals championship brought a lot of tough moments for Stahl, but it paid off Saturday.
The Oilers senior finished his career with a perfect season record capped by a 12-9 thriller against Lucio.
“This means everything. I had finished second and third and missed a year because of COVID,” Stahl said. “I have given everything to get this, and it feels incredible to finally get it. I wanted it so bad.”
Stahl was able to go up 8-1 thanks to a set of near-fall points early in the third period. He then had to fend off an aggressive Lucio to hang on for the championship.
“(Lucio) just shot in deep and he was sitting there, so I just reached back and hooked his arm, tilted him up and that was the difference,” Stahl said.
138
Champion: Jayden Schwartz, Charlotte, Sr. (52-2)
Decision, 11-5, over Owen Segorski, Lowell, Soph. (29-7)
Trailing 4-2 going into the third period, Jayden Schwartz knew it was time to go into overdrive.
Trusting in his stamina, Schwartz came out aggressive in the third and scored nine points to get past Segorski, a 2022 champion.
“All the work I have put in over the last few weeks, it was all for that third period,” Schwartz said. “I knew I had the stamina for the third to really push the pace.”
The top-seeded Schwartz finished with 52 wins while ending his prep career as a champion.
“This feels amazing,” Schwartz said of the title. “It hasn’t really hit me yet, but all the hard work really paid off.”
144
Champion: CJ Poole, Lowell, Sr. (31-8)
Injury Stoppage (5:00) over Louden Stradling, Gaylord, Sr. (50-1)
The final match of the night ended with unfortunate circumstances.
Tied 1-1 in the third, Poole shot in for a takedown on Stradling. The two collided heads and the impact from the shot, which finished out of the circle, left Stradling unable to continue.
Stradling suffered a head injury, and the match was ruled over and awarded to Poole.
“He’s a back-up-and-shoot kind of wrestler and I saw he was backing up and getting ready to shoot, so I shot for a double. He lowered his level and we hit heads and I was just trying to drive through on my shot,” Poole said.
The way the match ended wasn’t likely how Poole envisioned it, but he’s still grateful to be a champion.
“It still feels amazing,” Poole said of the title. “It’s been a lot of work.”
150
Champion: Trevor Swiss, Petoskey, Sr. (47-0)
Decision, 10-4, over Jack Conley, Lake Fenton, Sr. (31-3)
Swiss completed an unbeaten season, and the Petoskey senior never trailed in this match.
Going into the third period tied 4-4, Swiss picked up the pace and outscored Conley 6-0 to secure the championship.
“I knew I had to work, so I just came out knowing I needed to make something happen,” Swiss said. “I was able to capitalize when he got off-balanced, so I managed to put him on his back.”
Despite the unbeaten season, it was the Finals title that Swiss had been craving all year, fulfilling a childhood dream.
“This is what I have been dreaming of since I was in first grade,” Swiss said. “It feels amazing, and I really can’t put it into words.”
157
Champion: Cory Thomas Jr., Pontiac, Jr. (26-0)
Decision, 5-1, over Zach Jacobs, Jackson Northwest, Sr. (39-3)
After a scoreless first period, Thomas Jr. managed to ride out Jacobs in the second period to keep the match at 0-0.
In the third, Thomas Jr. knew he had put himself in position to win, which he did with an early escape and two takedowns during the closing two minutes.
“I work really hard at home, and I think that showed in being able to get those late takedowns,” Thomas Jr. said. “I was able to just keep pushing through.”
Thomas Jr. placed third at the 2021 D1 Finals at 125 pounds wrestling for Detroit Catholic Central, but being able to come back this year to win a title for Pontiac was even more rewarding.
“It’s been a crazy journey. I’m just so happy to be able to experience this,” Thomas Jr. said.
165
Champion: Philip Lamka, Fenton, Jr. (44-2)
Decision, 6-5, over Max Macklem, Goodrich, Soph. (33-5)
After placing third at last year’s Finals, Lamka wouldn’t let himself experience disappointment again.
He trailed Macklem 5-4 in the third period, but scored a late takedown to edge his opponent by one point.
“I’ve worked so hard for this all year,” Lamka said. “After last year, this is all I wanted. Coming up short in the semifinals in overtime to the eventual champ (in 2022) was hard. Coming in, I had one job to do and that was to win. I got it done.”
Following the victory, Lamka dropped to his knees and took in the moment.
“This is everything I have worked for my whole life,” Lamka said. “After coming up short before, (the emotions) just flood you.”
175
Champion: Brayden Gautreau, Gaylord, Sr. (52-1)
Decision, 3-1 (OT), over Carson Crace, Lowell, Sr. (33-6)
For Gautreau to come up with a second-consecutive championship, he needed a little more time. The senior was tied 1-1 with Crace through three periods after each scored an escape.
In OT, the past champ showed his mettle and came through with a takedown to earn the victory.
“I was on my stuff,” Gautreau said of the OT period. “(Crace) did a good job of keeping me off during most of the match. I just kept attacking, and it eventually paid off.”
Gautreau won the D2 171-pound title last year but said he never felt a lot of pressure to repeat.
“I didn’t feel a lot of the pressure. I just love wrestling, so I just love being able to compete,” Gautreau said. “You put in a lot of work for these moments, and this is where champions shine.”
215
Champion: Adam Haselius, Jackson Northwest, Sr. (50-0)
Decision, 5-1, over Joey Scaramuzzino, Croswell-Lexington, Jr. (51-4)
Haselius likes to be consistent, and he was very consistent Saturday night.
The Jackson Northwest senior claimed a second-consecutive Division 2 title after winning at 189 pounds in 2022.
“It feels great to repeat,” Haselius said. “Obviously that has been the goal since last year. It just comes down to consistency for me. Nobody that wins a state championship believes that they can’t win it again.”
Haselius never trailed, as he set the tone early with a takedown and added another in the second period before grinding out the victory in the third.
“I just wanted to keep myself in good positions,” Haselius said of the match. “Once I got the lead, I knew it was on him to bring the pressure, so I just had to wrestle smart.”
285
Champion: James Mahon, Goodrich, Soph. (14-0)
Decision, 5-4, over Aaron Holstege, Allendale, Sr. (49-1)
Battling through a labrum injury, Mahon managed to ride out Holstege for the final minute to secure a one-point victory.
“In a lot of my matches this year and last year, I’ve had to find ways to win 1-0 or win by one point,” Mahon said. “I’ve always found ways to get it done.”
Mahon trailed 4-3 in the third period, but scored a takedown with a minute left to go ahead and then worked on his top game to earn his first Finals title as a sophomore.
“I really expected this the whole year,” Mahon said. “It was never in doubt for me. Now I have to go and get two more.”
PHOTOS (Top) Goodrich’s Easton Phipps takes a champion’s photo at Ford Field. (Middle) Jackson Northwest’s Zach Jacobs, front, works to break the hold of Pontiac’s Cory Thomas Jr. on Saturday. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)