Grand Rapids Catholic Central's Gant Adds Name to 4-Time Champions List
By
Drew Ellis
Special for MHSAA.com
March 8, 2026
Grand Rapids Catholic Central senior Dale Gant became the latest member of the exclusive Individual Wrestling Finals four-time champion club Saturday.
Gant took home the 138-pound title in Division 3 at Ford Field with a 10-4 win over Constantine senior Bear Geibe.
Following the victory, Gant displayed a picturesque backflip in celebration.
“I can tell you that I’ve felt every emotion leading up to this point,” Gant said of the pressure of going for a fourth-straight title. “I was happy, sad, scared, nervous, angry – I was everything. Just to be able to get that over, it is like a weight I just lifted off my shoulders, and it’s just a great, great feeling.”
Gant (40-1) won titles at 113 pounds, 120 pounds, and 126 pounds before completing his run Saturday at 138. In the final he scored a takedown in the second period to get a 3-1 lead, then added two more in the third to hold off his opponent.
“I was just sticking to myself and remembering all the training that I’ve done and knowing that I’ve worked for this,” Gant said. “It was just about staying composed and just wrestling.”
106
Champion: Dylan Phillips, Laingsburg, Fr. (52-1)
Decision, 9-2, over Dom Sindone, Dundee, Fr. (34-9)
The Laingsburg freshman was in control throughout his 106-pound final, using a six-point second period to keep Sindone at bay and win his first championship.
“I’ve put in a lot of work for this and have trained hard every day with a lot of great partners,” Phillips said.
The freshman suffered just one loss on the year and finished with 52 wins to establish himself as a strong threat in the future.
“I just stayed focused and didn’t put any of my opponents on a pedestal,” Phillips said. “I was confident that I was the better wrestler and relied on my training.”
113
Champion: Braxton Shaffer, Ida, Soph. (53-4)
Fall (4:00), over Jude Rosas, Blissfield, Sr. (42-13)
Shaffer made the most of his opportunity, as a reversal in the second period led to him scoring a pinfall right as the frame concluded.
The two were tied 0-0 after one period and neither was gaining an advantage until Shaffer turned up the effort when he saw an opening, securing his first Finals title.
“I saw there were only 10 seconds left and I was getting my (chicken) wing early in the match, and I didn’t want it to get to a third period,” Shaffer said. “I wasn’t even sure the mat slap was for me when it happened. I looked around to make sure it wasn’t another mat. I was just really excited when I realized it was for me.”
120
Champion: Mason Haines, Dundee, Sr. (40-7)
Decision, 1-0, over Danny Vaneeckhoutte, Erie Mason, Jr. (42-9)
In a battle of 2025 champions, Haines repeated at this weight with a hard-fought win over the 2025 106-pound champion.
Haines would be the first of eight champions on the night for Dundee, matching an MHSAA record the program also set in 2021 and 2025.
“I knew it was going to be a tough match and I just knew I had to play it smart and not be too aggressive and put myself in a bad position,” Haines said. “It was about winning and making sure I did what I had to do.”
Haines got the lone point in the third period on an escape after he rode Vaneeckhoutte for the entire second period.
126
Champion: Bryan Sterling, Dundee, Sr. (40-6)
Technical Fall (2:30), 18-3, over Mackey McClelland, Yale, Soph. (55-7)
Sterling closed out his Dundee career with his first individual title, doing so in convincing fashion.
He scored five takedowns in the match to earn a technical fall early in the second period.
“I knew with this being my last year, I wanted to get it done, and that has been my mindset all season and all weekend,” Sterling said. “Last year I let myself get lazy and I knew that I could win (a state title), so I stayed focused and didn’t let myself slip up.”
132
Champion: Mason Katschor, Dundee, Jr. (42-7)
Decision, 4-2, over Logan Rhodes, Yale, Jr. (50-8)
Katschor earned his third championship, this time doing it at 132 pounds after winning at 113 pounds in 2025 and 106 in 2024.
The match was tied 1-1 in the third period before Katschor scored the lone takedown and then kept Rhodes from matching him the rest of the way.
“The first two titles were great, so every time I get another one, it feels even better,” Katschor said. “I knew this one was going to be a grind and I needed to do a better job of moving my feet, but it’s a tough environment to compete in.”
144
Champion: Braden Broderick, Dundee, Sr. (45-7)
Decision, 1-0, over Ryan Woods, Belding, Sr. (57-2)
Broderick won his second consecutive title Saturday after winning at 132 pounds a year ago.
He scored the lone point with an escape in the second period, then rode Woods for the entire third to hang on for the win.
“We do a lot of extra work at the end of practice so you can dig deep in those close moments,” Broderick said. “I told myself it was going to take a little something extra in that third and I dug deep, and it paid off. It feels great to be able to go out with another state title.”
150
Champion: Stone Redmon, Dundee, Soph. (23-4)
Decision, 18-6, over Van Wirtz, Olivet, Jr. (48-5)
After dealing with a hip injury during parts of the season, Redmon overcame adversity to earn his first Finals title after finishing runner-up at 144 pounds in 2025.
“It’s a true blessing, and I’m grateful to be in this position,” Redmon said. “I worked hard to come back strong after the hip injury, and it feels great to be able to keep adding to the success of the Dundee program.”
Redmon had four takedowns in the first period and controlled his match throughout.
157
Champion: Blake Cosby, Dundee, Sr. (44-2)
Technical Fall (5:46), 21-5, over Grason Weber, Leslie, Sr. (57-7)
Cosby closed his prep career with a third individual championship after winning at 144 pounds in 2024 and 150 pounds in 2025.
He had three takedowns in the first period to set the pace of the match and continued to add to his lead throughout until scoring the tech fall late.
“I’ve been here and I’ve done this, so I didn’t have many nerves for this one,” Cosby said. “I just went out and wrestled. It means a lot to be able to go out on a high note.”
165
Champion: Donny Beaufait, Dundee, Sr. (38-1)
Technical Fall (2:34), 16-1, over Carson Warner, Napoleon, Jr. (42-4)
Beaufait secured his second-consecutive title, repeating as the 165-pound champion.
He was relentless from the start, scoring 10 points in the first period and quickly wrapping up the match in the second.
“I knew what it takes to get to this point, and it was just about putting in the work all season,” Beaufait said. “There’s a standard that is set at Dundee, and it’s been fun to be part of that and have the success we’ve had.”
175
Champion: Fred Hammond, Otisville-LakeVille Memorial, Sr. (55-0)
Decision, 2-1 (2 OT), over Max Sundquist, Kingsford, Jr. (25-2)
After winning the 165-pound title in Division 4 last year, Hammond moved to Division 3 and still came home with a championship thanks to an escape during the second overtime.
“I wasn’t worried about moving up a division, I was focused on getting in the gym and getting better each day,” Hammond said. “I knew if I put in the work, things would work out like they did.”
The two were tied 1-1 after three periods with each earning an escape. The first overtime didn’t result in any points and then Hammond got the escape in the first of the two 30-second sessions of the second overtime. Hammond closed out the match by riding Sundquist for the final 30-second period.
“(Sundquist) is a great wrestler and very strong, so I was trying to keep the pace going in those gut-wrenching overtime periods,” Hammond said. “I just wanted to use my endurance.”
190
Champion: Layne Knisley, Bronson, Sr. (55-3)
Decision, 11-5, over Alex Schram, Saginaw Swan Valley, Sr. (51-3)
Knisley used a 7-0 start in the first period to ride his way to a championship.
“My mindset was to go out and do what I do best and get the job done,” Knisley said. “I was really excited early and made a few mistakes, but once I settled in, I felt confident in myself and it feels awesome to be a state champion.”
Schram managed to cut the lead to 7-5 entering the third period, but Knisley got near-fall points in the third to put some cushion on his lead.
215
Champion: Rocco Redmon, Dundee, Sr. (35-11)
Decision, 2-1, over Brady Warner, Napoleon, Sr. (37-5)
Redmon closed out the eight-championship night for Dundee by earning his first title after finishing runner-up at 190 pounds in 2025.
Redmon got a reversal in the second period while on bottom to take a 2-0 lead on Warner. The Napolean senior would get an escape in the third, but couldn’t answer with a takedown.
“(Warner) is a bigger guy, so I knew I had to move my feet and be quick,” Redmon said. “I knew this one would be a grinder, but we put in the work at Dundee, so we get what we deserve.”
285
Champion: Mitchell Swift, Delton Kellogg, Sr. (53-3)
Decision, 5-4, over Dylan Boone, Brooklyn Columbia Central, Sr. (46-6)
After finishing fourth at last week’s Regional, with a 9-8 loss to Boone, Swift rebounded this week with his first Finals championship thanks to a 1-point win in his favor this time around.
“I was just wrestling bad last week and didn’t feel good on the mat last week. This week, I got the nerves out and just stuck with what my coaches have told me,” Swift said of the turnaround. “I just came out with the mindset that I had to win, and it feels amazing to be a state champion.”
Swift got a takedown in the first period to lead 3-0, then added an escape in the second to go up 4-0. Boone got an escape and takedown in the third, but Swift answered with an escape late to earn the narrow victory.
PHOTOS (Top) Grand Rapids Catholic Central's Dale Gant, right, prepares for his next move against Constantine's Bear Geibe during their Division 3 championship match Saturday at Ford Field. (Middle) Delton Kellogg’s Mitchell Swift, top, works toward his first championship against Columbia Central’s Dylan Boone. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)
Preview: Trio of Contenders Aim for Highest Achievement on State's Biggest Stage
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 27, 2025
The largest MHSAA championship event – competed in the largest arena to host one – begins again today, with 1,120 wrestlers taking the mats at Ford Field for the Individual Wrestling Finals.
There are at least that many storylines swirling as first-round matches get underway. But three in particular are likely to gain statewide attention as they begin final drives to join an elite group.
Lowell's Jackson Blum, Riverview Gabriel Richard's Sebasatian Martinez and Fowlerville's Margaret Buurma could bring the total of four-time champions in Individual Finals history to 40 by Saturday night – and Buurma could become the first four-time girls champion since the MHSAA added that division in 2022.
The Grand March begins at 10 a.m. today, with wrestling through semifinals this evening. Wrestling begins again at 9 a.m. Saturday, with championship matches at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets may be purchased from Ford Field. All matches will be broadcast live on MHSAA.tv, and we’ll talk to all 14 champions in each division for our coverage published later that evening and overnight. See the MHSAA.com Wrestling page for more information and to follow results this weekend.
Following are glances at just some of the many contenders who will compete this weekend.
Division 1
120 Wyatt Lees, Detroit Catholic Central junior (34-5) – The top seed at this weight has won championships at 106 and 113 pounds over his first two seasons, respectively.
120 Steve Vaughn, Davison sophomore (28-10) – He started his high school career with a championship at 106 last season.
126 Archer Anderson, Clarkston senior (42-2) – Last season’s champ at 120 – defeating teammate Preston Lefevre in overtime – and the 113 runner-up in 2023 is the top seed in his bracket.
132 Bohdan Abbey, Hartland junior (45-1) – The top seed at this weight is a combined 102-2 over the last two seasons, coming off a runner-up finish at 126 after winning 113 as a freshman.
144 Grayson Fuchs, Detroit Catholic Central sophomore (38-2) – Last season’s champion at 126 is the top seed in his bracket as he pursues a second title.
150 Wyatt Hepner, Grosse Pointe South senior (43-1) – The reigning champion at 138 is seeded second at this weight and also was the runner-up at 126 as a sophomore.
150 Dallas Korponic, Hartland junior (46-4) – He claimed the title at 132 last season with a third-period comeback and is seeded first in his bracket this weekend.
165 Jay’Den Williams, Roseville junior (49-0) – He’s seeded first at this weight after finishing runner-up last season at 157, when he faced DCC’s eventual four-time champ Darius Marines for the title, and at 144 as a freshman.
215 Connor Bercume, Detroit Catholic Central senior (44-0) – He’s seeking his third championship at this weight and has entered as the top seed all three seasons.
285 Logan Tollison, Grand Ledge junior (41-0) – Last season’s runner-up at 215 hasn’t lost since that championship match and is the top seed in his bracket.
Other 2024 runners-up: 120 Matthew Quigley, Traverse City West sophomore (44-1, 113 last year); 138 Preston Lefevre, Clarkston senior (45-1, 120 last year); 138 Josh Vasquez, Grandville senior (37-3, 132 last year); 144 Tanner Mcdunnah, Davison senior (31-8, 144 last year); 285 Anton Barynas, Jenison senior (32-4, 285 last year).
Additional No. 1 seeds: 106 Cyrus Woodberry, Detroit Cass Tech freshman (47-2); 113 Layne Martin, Rockford sophomore (39-3); 138 Jace Morgan, Rochester Adams senior (43-0); 157 Braylenn Aulbach, Rockford senior (45-2); 175 Luke Johnson, Oxford senior (42-4); 190 Lee Krueger, Detroit Catholic Central senior (37-8).
Also undefeated: 144 Ian Cook, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer senior (48-0).
Division 2
113 Jarrett Smith, Lowell junior (38-3) – He defeated teammate Cole Cichocki at 106 to win his first championship last season and is the top seed in his bracket for the second straight.
120 Devan Garcia, Battle Creek Harper Creek junior (32-1) – The top seed at this weight won at 113 last season and is a combined 79-2 over the last two.
126 Carter Cichocki, Lowell senior (33-10) – He won 120 last season and finished runner-up at 113 as a sophomore.
132 Jackson Blum, Lowell senior (43-0) – He’s won titles at 112, 120 and 132 and is a combined 78-1 over the last two seasons.
144 Jaron Bensinger, Gaylord junior (43-0) – The top seed at this weight is seeking to take the next step after finishing runner-up at 126 last season.
150 Lane Button, Wayland senior (48-0) – The reigning champion at this weight, he’s seeded first again and has built a combined 96-0 record over the last two seasons.
165 Owen Segorski, Lowell senior (41-4) – He’s seeking to graduate with three championships after winning 125 as a freshman and 144 last year, and placing second at 138 as a sophomore.
165 Zane Willobee, Gaylord junior (29-1) – A bit of an unexpected champion as the sixth seed last season at 157, he’s the second seed in this weekend’s bracket.
175 Zachary Taylor, Gibraltar Carlson senior (50-1) – The top seed in this bracket in Division 2 suffered his only loss last season in the 165-pound final in Division 1.
215 James Mahon, Goodrich senior (30-3) – The champion at 285 the last two seasons, last year with a 9-8 decision after trailing 5-0, has dropped down a weight this winter.
Other 2024 runners-up: 120 Cole Cichocki, Lowell sophomore (24-15, 106 last year); 120 Cristian Haslem, St. Clair junior (37-0, 113 last year); 138 Dominic Gumtow, Warren Woods Tower senior (20-1, 120 last year); 138 Trendon Bashore, DeWitt senior (55-1, 132 last year); 144 Buddy Leonard, Freeland senior (43-2, 138 last year competing for Alma); 165 D’Marion Erlenbeck, Clio junior (41-2, 157 last year); 175 Fabian Facundo, Freeland senior (39-1, 150 last year); 215 Case Johnson, Greenville senior (54-1, 215 last year).
Additional No. 1 seeds: 106 Tyler Sage, Linden freshman (56-1); 126 Jeremiah Brown, Flint Kearsley senior (21-0); 138 Trenden Bashore, DeWitt senior (55-1); 157 Tyler Bashore, DeWitt sophomore (51-0); 190 Casey Engle, Lowell senior (38-8); Charles White, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s senior (20-2); 285 Adin Young, Plainwell senior (42-0).
Also undefeated: 120 Joshua Ledford, Zeeland East sophomore (46-0); 157 Jacob Chase, Hamilton senior (50-0); 157 Ayden Tatum, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s junior (32-0).
Division 3
113 Mason Katschor, Dundee sophomore (30-5) – Last season’s champion at 106 is the top seed in his bracket for the second-straight year.
120 Haydn Nutt, Dundee junior (28-6) – He’s a top seed for the third-straight season after winning 106 as a freshman and finishing runner-up last year at 113.
126 Dale Gant, Grand Rapids Catholic Central junior (36-1) – He’s seeking a third title to go with championships at 113 as a freshman and 120 last year, and also is a top seed.
132 Braden Broderick, Dundee junior (31-10) – Last season’s runner-up at 120 enters this weekend as the top seed in this bracket.
144 Mikey Wilson, Grand Rapids Catholic Central senior (42-1) – The reigning champion at 138 is the top seed at this weight and a combined 60-1 over the last two seasons.
150 Blake Cosby, Dundee junior (33-0) – He went from runner-up at 144 as a freshman to champ at that weight last year, and he’s the top seed at this weight and a combined 77-1 over the last two winters.
165 Donny Beaufait, Dundee junior (43-1) – He finished runner-up at 150 last year, losing an ultimate tie-breaker to teammate Trey Parker, and enters this weekend as another Dundee top seed.
175 Kole Katschor, Dundee senior (41-4) – He’s won at 150 and 157 the last two seasons and is the top seed in this bracket.
190 Gavin Craner, Whitehall senior (54-0) – He’s a combined 108-0 over the last two seasons, having won 175 a year ago and also finishing runner-up at 175 in 2023.
285 Wyatt Spalo, Reed City senior (47-4) – Last year’s runner-up at 285, by a 3-0 decision, is the third seed in his return.
Another 2024 runner-up: 113 Kaleb Reese, Frankenmuth senior (43-5, 106 last year).
Additional No. 1 seeds: 106 Brody Ashley, Coloma freshman (55-2), 138 Wyatt Burns, Dundee sophomore (34-9); 157 Jeremy Amrhein, Dundee junior (41-6); 215 Wyatt Jenkins, Whitehall senior (49-3); 285 Reid Hiltunen, Algonac senior (51-1).
Also undefeated: 190 Trevor Thorbahn, Gladstone junior (21-0).
Division 4
120 Logan Gilbert, Climax-Scotts/Martin senior (40-5) – The second seed at this weight is looking to finish with a third title to go with wins at 106 last year and 103 as a freshman, and also a runner-up finish at 106 as a sophomore.
120 Alex Rodriguez, St. Lous junior (49-4) – He’s the third seed in this bracket after winning 113 last season and finishing runner-up at that weight as a freshman.
120 Sammy Stewart, Manchester junior (47-1) – He finished runner-up at 126 a year ago but is the top seed in this strong bracket looking to add to his title at 113 from 2023.
126 Nicholas Sorrow, Hudson junior (49-1) – He’s looking to add a third title to championships won at 120 last year and 106 as a freshman, and is a top seed for the third-straight year as well.
138 Julien Kimling, Hudson senior (23-2) – The reigning champion at 126 edged Stewart in that final last year and will look to emerge from the middle of this bracket.
144 Haylen Buell, Climax-Scotts/Martin junior (50-4) – He’s a top seed and seeking a second-straight title after winning 132 last year and finishing runner-up at that weight as a freshman.
150 Blake Sloan, Manchester junior (47-3) – He finished runner-up at 144 last year and 138 as a freshman, and is hoping to emerge from the middle of this bracket.
157 Montana Connell, Union City senior (21-7) – He’s also seeking a second-straight title, after winning 150 last year, and positioned in the middle of his bracket this weekend.
165 Layne Knisely, Bronson junior (44-2) – He missed out on the championship last season at 157 with a 1-0 loss, and he’ll pursue again entering as the second seed in this bracket.
175 Sebastian Martinez, Riverview Gabriel Richard senior (41-2) – He’s won championships at 145, 157 and 165 and is the top seed in his final high school bracket.
Other 2024 runners-up: 106 Jordan Zambon, Riverview Gabriel Richard sophomore (35-2, 106 last year); 126 Austin Garcia, Lawton senior (49-4, 113 last year); 132 Colt Perry, Hudson junior (38-10, 120 last year); 138 Logan Mears, Union City senior (37-3, 132 last year); 157 Gabriel Erwin, Bronson junior (36-4, 150 last year); 175 CJ Copeland, Lakeview senior (45-8, 190 last year); 190 Bryce Randolph, Clinton senior (38-5, 175 in Division 3 last year); 285 Chaz Underwood, White Pigeon senior (49-3, 285 last year).
Additional No. 1 seeds: 106 Jordan Zambon, Riverview Gabriel Richard sophomore (35-2); 113 Owen Fogel, St. Louis junior (44-2); 132 Braylon Long, Clinton senior (34-3); 138 Luke Harrington, Riverview Gabriel Richard junior (40-4); 150 Dalton Birchmeier, New Lothrop senior (47-2); 157 Jericho Holmes, LeRoy Pine River junior (42-2); 165 Fred Hammond, Otisville LakeVille Memorial junior (50-1); 190 Bryce Randolph, Clinton senior (38-5); 215 Landen Johnson, Lakeview senior (51-1); 285 Mitchell Swift, Delton Kellogg junior (37-6).
Also undefeated: 113 Kolton Burns, Decatur sophomore (30-0); 190 Rowan Bradford, Decatur junior (49-0).
Girls Division
100 Madison Nieuwenhuis, Plainwell junior (22-0) – She’s the top seed again as she wrestles for her third-straight championship in this bracket and to finish a second-straight undefeated season.
105 Natalie Gibson, Remus Chippewa Hills senior (16-2) – The reigning champion at this weight will need to emerge from the middle of the bracket to repeat.
110 Nakayla Dawson, Westland John Glenn junior (8-0) – She’s a top seed again as well pursuing her second-straight title at this weight and third overall after winning 105 as a freshman.
125 Lola Barkby, Sturgis senior (19-1) – She’s seeded second in this bracket after winning at 120 a year ago.
145 Margaret Buurma, Fowlerville senior (34-3) – She could become the first four-time champion since the MHSAA Finals added a girls division, as she won 135 last year, 125 as a sophomore and 115 as a freshman.
145 Belicia Manuel, Romeo junior (27-2) – Last season’s champion at 140 is the top seed in this bracket and a combined 50-2 over the last two seasons.
155 Kaili Manuel, Romeo sophomore (38-0) – The reigning champion at 145 also is top-seeded in this bracket and a combined 64-1 over the last two seasons.
155 Maddison Ward, Niles senior (27-0) – The reigning champion at 170 is a combined 64-1 over the last two seasons and seeded second in this bracket.
170 Maddie Hayden, Caledonia junior (18-1) – Last season’s champion at 155 is the top seed at this weight and is wrestling for her third title after also winning 155 as a freshman.
190 Madasyn Frisbie, Belding senior (20-1) – She won titles at 235 the last two seasons after finishing runner-up as a freshman, and she’s seeded third in this bracket as she goes for a third championship.
Other 2024 runners-up: 115 Gracey Barry, Grand Haven senior (30-1, 115 last year); 120 Cheyenne Frank, Oxford junior (22-0, 110 last year); 125 Jamie Cook, DeWitt senior (39-3, 125 last year); 130 Faith Burgess, Grand Blanc senior (31-1, 120 last year); 135 Isabella Cepak, South Lyon East senior (14-0, 130 last year); 145 Rihanna Venegas, Riverview Gabriel Richard senior (19-1, 145 last year); 190 Heaven Cole, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (18-0, 170 last year); 235 Braelyn Flemming, Spring Lake senior (6-2, 235 last year).
Additional top seeds: 105 Tatianna Castillo, Lowell freshman (24-0); 115 Kennedy Perez, Livonia Franklin senior (13-0); 125 Cecilia Williams, Mason junior (6-0); 130 Faith Burgess, Grand Blanc senior (31-1); 135 Isabella Cepak, South Lyon East senior (14-0); 140 Mackenna Webster, Bronson junior (30-0); 190 Heaven Cole, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (18-0); 235 Annmarie Green, Clare junior (23-8).
Also undefeated: 115 Zionah Gardner, Homer senior (9-0), 115 Harmony Gonzales, Oxford freshman (13-0); 130 Elyse Morales, Mattawan junior (30-0); 235 Isabel Anaya, Holland West Ottawa senior (29-0); 235 Mya Brandenburg, Allen Park junior (22-0).
PHOTOS (Top) Lowell's Jackson Blum, left, wrestles Fowlerville's Caleb Cyman during last Saturday's Division 2 Team Final. (Middle) Riverview Gabriel Richard's Sebastian Martinez, right, holds up three fingers on both hands after winning his third Finals championship last season. (Below) Fowlerville's Margaret Buurma, left, wrestles Clarkston's Paisley Denault last season on the way to winning her third championship. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)