Perry's Persistence Pays Off Once More with 3rd Finals Championship
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
March 2, 2024
DETROIT – As his sophomore season was being derailed by injuries, Coy Perry vowed to keep going.
Two years later, he left Ford Field as a three-time Division 4 Individual Finals champion.
“It’s unreal, I don’t know,” Perry said. “It’s crazy.”
The Hudson senior defeated Blake Sloan of Manchester 1-0 in the 144-pound Final on Saturday to wrap up his high school career as a four-time placer. The one non-title year was 2022 when he finished seventh at 135 pounds in Division 3 while wrestling for Clinton, where he spent the first two years.
He won Division 4 titles at 112 in 2021 and 144 a year ago. He was also part of three team titles, winning with Clinton in 2021 and Hudson each of the past two years.
“Hopefully I’ll have kids one day, and it’ll be awesome to show them some of the stuff I’ve done,” Perry said. “Hopefully it sets an example for a lot of people, especially my brother (Colt, who placed second Saturday).”
Perry, who was one of four champs from Hudson, claimed title No. 3 by beating a good friend in Sloan, which is something he would rather not have had to do.
“I can’t explain how bad it is knowing he’s your friend, too,” said Perry, who had to defeat a teammate in the Final as a freshman. “You kind of have to change your entire offense, everything. It’s nuts. That’s not the first 1-0, either.”
106
Champion: Logan Gilbert, Climax-Scotts/Martin, Jr. (52-3)
Decision, 5-2, over Jordan Zambon, Riverview Gabriel Richard, Fr. (45-7)
Gilbert put himself back on top of the podium after coming up one match short a year ago. He was the 103-pound champion in 2022.
“Especially after last year, it just drove me to get better and get back on top,” he said. “When I lost, I thought ‘Nobody thinks I’m a legitimate state champ,’ so I had to put my head down and go to work and prove to them that I’m still one of the top wrestlers in the state at lightweight. That’s a phenomenal wrestler I just wrestled, he’s going to be a state champ in the future, no doubt about it.”
113
Champion: Alex Rodriguez, St. Louis, Soph. (48-2)
Fall, 3:16, over Austin Garcia, Lawton, Jr. (47-4)
After finishing as runner-up a year ago, Rodriguez was emotional following his first Finals victory. After leaving the mat, he quickly met with his teammates to receive congratulations, and then sprinted to the Ford Field stands to find his dad.
“Last year I lost in the state finals, and it was a hard month after that,” he said. “I could barely sleep and stuff. Came back here tonight and did what I had to do.”
Rodriguez is at the center of St. Louis’ climb to the top of Division 4, as he and his teammates were team runners-up to Hudson a week ago. He’s been training in the Sharks’ room since he was in third grade.
“Just knowing that we’re a part of that, and what we can do, it’s huge,” he said.
120
Champion: Nicholas Sorrow, Hudson, Soph. (52-1)
Technical fall, 16-1 (4:18), over Colt Perry, Hudson, Soph. (22-8)
Sorrow didn’t mince words after claiming his second Finals title in as many tries. He’s coming for four.
“I’m trying to get four,” he said. “I’m looking ahead, I’m not going to look back.”
He had to get through his teammate to claim title No. 2, but said he and Perry are able to separate their friendship from the mat.
“It’s always tough wrestling a teammate,” he said. “Colt’s a good guy, we’re friends off the mat, we’re buds. But, for me, whenever we step on the mat, put the ankle bands on and shake hands, you kind of forget about all that.”
126
Champion: Julien Kimling, Hudson, Jr. (42-10)
Decision, 7-4, over Sammy Stewart, Manchester, Soph. (55-3)
It was an emotional title for Kimling, who lost his grandfather to cancer a year ago, something he learned while at the Finals his sophomore year.
So, despite facing a 2023 champion in Stewart, he wasn’t going to let anything get in his way.
“It means everything,” he said. “I was at this tournament last year when I found out my grandfather passed of cancer, right up in Section 124. And I told him I’d get it for him this year. I didn’t get there last year, I was fourth, and I told him I’d get it for him. This was all for him. All glory to God, God has kept me connected to my grandpa through it all. And I couldn’t have done it without them.”
132
Champion: Haylen Buell, Climax-Scotts/Martin, Soph. (45-4)
Fall, 2:24, over Logan Mears, Union City, Jr. (35-3)
Buell became the first wrestler to claim a title on the night, winning by fall early in the second period.
It was the first Finals title for the sophomore, who was runner-up at this weight a year ago.
“I was so excited,” he said. “I’m glad I didn’t freeze. It feels great, it was against the same team.”
138
Champion: Cole Marry, Hudson, Sr. (48-8)
Decision, 5-0, over Jacob Gillison, Benzie Central, Sr. (46-9)
Marry claimed his first Finals title and 150th career win with the victory. He broke the match open in the second period with a pair of nearfalls.
“I just went out there wanting to have fun and wanting to go get it,” said Marry, who has been part of the past three Team Finals titles at Hudson. “It feels awesome. I came out here with my buddies, our coach told us to come out here with the same mentality that we had last weekend, which I think we all did.”
150
Champion: Montana Connell, Union City, Jr. (41-8)
Decision, 6-2, over Gabriel Erwin, Bronson, Soph. (42-7)
Connell was an afterthought heading into the postseason, sitting outside the rankings. He didn’t advance to the Individual Finals a year ago, after going 0-2 here as a freshman.
So, following his unanticipated victory, he was understandably emotional.
“It just meant a lot the whole time,” said Connell, who allowed himself to believe he could win it all after winning his second-round match against Grason Weber of Leslie. “That was a really big win for me and helped me mentally get here.”
157
Champion: Gavin Schoff, Niles-Brandywine, Sr. (49-0)
Decision, 1-0, over Layne Knisely, Bronson, Soph. (51-7)
It wasn’t until a year ago when he placed third at the Individual Finals that Schoff allowed the thought of being a Finals champion enter his head.
Now it’s a reality.
“I never thought I’d be a state champ,” Schoff said. “It was never even in my thought when I was younger, like a freshman, I never thought I’d be able to make it to this high of a level. I saw him at Regionals, but I was able to pin him in the first. He knew that I wanted to go upper body with him, so he wasn’t staying in the tie-up at all.”
165
Champion: Sebastian Martinez, Riverview Gabriel Richard, Jr. (54-0)
Major decision, 9-1, over Fulton Stroud, Iron Mountain, Sr. (36-3)
Martinez stayed on pace to become the state’s 38th four-time champion, claiming his third Finals title in as many years.
He won at 145 as a freshman and 157 a year ago. Stroud, meanwhile, was a runner-up at 165 in 2023.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Martinez said. “There’s a lot of pressure to be a four-timer, but it’s a good step toward that goal and I’m just grateful I got to be here and compete.”
Winning four is something Martinez said started to enter his head after his freshman year, but the pressure is something he welcomes.
“You can only make diamonds in pressure, so it’s good,” he said.
175
Champion: Brady Jess, Charlevoix, Jr. (54-1)
Major decision, 13-2, over Caleb Lane, White Pigeon, Sr. (49-2)
Jess wasn’t going to hide it after winning his first Finals title: This is tough work, even when you win in a dominant fashion.
“I’m really tired, but it felt good,” Jess said. “I don’t even know, it felt unreal.”
He actually trailed in the match, 2-0, as Lane got a takedown 36 seconds in. But Jess countered with eight points to close the period and was on his way to a major decision.
190
Champion: Colton Symons, New Lothrop, Sr. (47-5)
Fall, 2:46, over CJ Copeland, Lakeview, Jr. (46-6)
Winning matches at the Individual Finals is a tradition for the Symons family. Now Colton gets to join his older brother Caleb as a Finals champion, even using a cradle to get the pin, something else that ran in the family.
“It’s something my brothers were really good at, so I knew if I got on top, that’s the move I had to go for,” Symons said before rattling off what his brothers had accomplished before him. “Four team state championships, two runner-ups, one state championship and I think nine all-state appearances. I think I felt (pressure) my entire life. When people are successful before you, you want to do the same, and I always want to do better.”
215
Champion: Landon Swanson, Charlevoix, Sr. (49-2)
Decision, 9-3, over Cameron Doody, Perry, Sr. (47-5)
Not long after watching his good friend Jess win a title, Swanson got the chance to do it himself, and he made the most of the opportunity.
“My adrenaline was through the roof,” Swanson said. “It’s crazy. He’s been my best friend since I can remember, so it’s great having us both win one.”
The Central Michigan football signee broke the match open by scoring seven points in the third period.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “Senior year, finally getting there after being here for the third time, it’s just amazing to come out on top, finally.”
285
Champion: Zachary Hayes, Bangor, Sr. (51-1)
Decision, 4-0, over Chaz Underwood, White Pigeon, Jr. (43-8)
Hayes and Underwood had met multiple times during the season, so the Bangor senior knew what to expect and how dangerous his opponent from White Pigeon could be.
“Really all upper body,” Hayes said. “Getting under the arms, trying to do lat drops, headlocks, stuff like that.”
The match was scoreless going into the third period, but Hayes got an early escape and a stalling point before a late takedown closed the victory.
“Once I got my point, I think I really thought I could secure the match,” he said. “I’m pretty good in the up position, and I feel like I can stay up. I was pretty confident by that point.”
PHOTOS (Top) Hudson’s Coy Perry, right, wrestles Manchester’s Blake Sloan during Saturday’s 144-pound title match. (Middle) Charlevoix’s Landon Swanson, right, works to keep leverage against Perry’s Cameron Doody. (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 both last year and 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 junior (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.)