Roseville's Williams Earns Elusive Title with Explosive Finals Flourish

By Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com

March 1, 2025

DETROIT – Jay’Den Williams almost got too amped up Saturday.

The Roseville junior, who had much of Ford Field in awe with his big-move ability, nearly got put to his back in the 165-pound title match at the Division 1 Individual Wrestling Finals. 

But he shook it off on his way to a 23-8 technical fall victory against Temperance Bedford’s Zach Miracle to claim his first championship.

“You see, I got too excited,” Williams said with a laugh. “I was excited and tried to force things. But my energy went up after that.”

Williams finished off a perfect season (53-0) after placing second the past two Finals. He became Roseville’s first champion since Bobby Nash won in 2009.

“I’m building up a lot of awards, a lot of records, and I got a little brother (Kyrie), he’s going to be coming in,” Williams said. “I want him to be the one to beat it, so I’m going to set it high.”

Williams won all four of his matches on the weekend by technical fall, ending the first three in the first period, before going 1 minute, 22 seconds into the second against Miracle.

He came out aggressive in the Final, getting three takedowns in the opening 1:16 before hitting a seven-point throw late in the period and drawing a large reaction from the crowd.

Not long after that, Miracle (57-4) was able to score a takedown and nearly get nearfall points, but that was all the offense he’d be able to get as Williams closed the match out with a pair of takedowns in the second period.

“It feels amazing,” Williams said. “Coming out here, being able to win a state title in front of all these people, knowing that you just came off a runner-up, it feels amazing.”

106

Champion: Cyrus Woodberry, Detroit Cass Tech, Fr. (51-2)
Decision, 2-1 (OT), over Jameson Wood, Brighton, Soph. (45-3)

Woodbury became the first Finals champion in Cass Tech history with a dramatic overtime victory.

After riding Wood out in the first 30-second frame, he scored an escape 12 seconds into the second to claim the victory. All three points in the match were scored on escapes, as neither wrestler was able to break through the other’s defense.

“It’s indescribable – it’s great,” Woodbury said. “I always thought I’d be here. I didn’t know how much time was left on the clock, I just thought about all the years I prayed for this, and just had to become a dog.”

113

Champion: Layne Martin, Rockford, Soph. (48-3)
Major Decision, 16-4, over Brice Lafleur, Saline, Jr. (47-3)

Martin fell behind early in the first period before putting on a dominant performance on his way to a first Finals title.

He scored the final 15 points in the match, helping make up for what he felt was a disappointing freshman year, which ended with him outside the top eight.

“I was just like, ‘Stay calm,’” Martin said. “I knew I could get some of my offense, work him on top. (A second period nearfall) was really big, really good for my mind to know I could give up a few points if I needed to.”

120

Champion: Wyatt Lees, Detroit Catholic Central, Jr. (38-5)
Decision, 3-0, over Ryan Totten, Detroit Catholic Central, Soph. (47-11)

Lees got all he could handle from his teammate, clawing his way to a third-straight Finals title. He had won at 106 in 2023 and 113 in 2024.

“It kind of sucks having to wrestle your teammate,” Lees said. “I think both of us out there didn’t care who it was, we were going to wrestle the same. At the end of the day, we’re still brothers. We both know what the other person wants. It’s been the same match the last three weeks, kind of.”

The only points in the match were scored when Lees got a takedown midway through the first period. The two Shamrocks fought to a draw from there, but it was enough for title No. 3.

126

Champion: Archer Anderson, Clarkston, Sr. (46-2)
Decision, 14-9, over Deacon Morgan, Rochester Adams, Soph. (45-6)

A year after wrestling one of his Clarkston teammates to claim his first Finals title, Anderson had to square off with a club teammate Saturday.

As he did in 2024, the Clarkston senior came out on top in this one, winning the final two periods 10-3 to pull away for the victory.

“As a freshman, I didn’t really expect it to go like this,” said Anderson, who was runner-up at 113 as a sophomore. “Funny joke, I go to the same club as (Morgan), so he is a teammate. I can’t get away from teammates. I think I spent the night at his house like a week ago. We knew – I knew he was going to be at the Finals. He’s great; he’s probably going to be a champion next year.”

132

Champion: Bohdan Abbey, Hartland, Jr. (49-1)
Technical Fall, 18-3, over Dominic Perez, Davison, Sr. (27-12)

Abbey returned to the top of the podium with a dominant performance. The junior was a champion at 113 as a freshman before finishing second at 126 a year ago.

“It was a hurting feeling for a while, so it’s good to kind of get my get-back, but not really,” he said. “But it feels good. I made sure I took in the moment and didn’t take it for granted this year.”

Abbey finished with four technical falls in the tournament.

138

Champion: Jace Morgan, Rochester Adams, Sr. (47-0)
Major Decision, 10-0, over Preston Lefevre, Clarkston, Sr. (48-2)

Morgan closed out a perfect season with a dominant performance Saturday. A takedown 37 seconds into the match set the tone, and he kept pushing the rest of the way against LeFevre, who was also a runner-up a year ago.

“Throughout my whole career, they’ve been with me, my teammates, helping me and pushing me,” Morgan said. “They’ve been helping me get better, helping me get to this point and achieving what I have today.”

Morgan became the first Adams wrestler to win a title since 1999.

144

Champion: Grayson Fuchs, Detroit Catholic Central, Soph. (42-2)
Major Decision, 14-2, over Tanner McDunnah, Davison, Sr. (34-9)

In a matchup of finalists from a year ago, Fuchs put his foot on the pedal and didn’t let up.

The now two-time Finals champion scored a takedown 13 seconds into the match, and only allowed a pair of escapes against McDunnah, who was runner-up at this weight a year ago as well.

Saturday’s match was a far cry from a week ago, when Fuchs won a tight decision at the Division 1 Team Finals.

“I was pushing the pace more, getting to my ties,” Fuchs said. “Last week, I was more wrestling into his ties and he was holding onto me. This time, I was just moving my feet more, getting my ties, my shots, moving him. I was moving my hands and my feet more, that was pretty much it.”

Fuchs, who won at 126 a year ago, got to the Finals with a trio of technical falls in the opening three rounds.

150

Champion: Dallas Korponic, Hartland, Jr. (50-4)
Decision, 1-0, over Julius Pacheco, Davison, Soph. (34-9)

Korponic claimed his second-straight title with a second-period escape holding up as the match’s lone point.

“It feels pretty good getting a second one,” he said. “It means just as much as the last one. I’ve been working all year for it, so it felt good. I know my conditioning was going to work for me. I was looking for another opportunity to score, but also just keeping that win.”

Korponic, who won at 132 pounds as a sophomore, cruised to the Finals, winning by technical fall in each of his first three matches. 

157

Champion: Braylenn Aulbach, Rockford, Sr. (49-2)
Decision, 9-8, over Kyle Jelinek, Davison, Sr. (31-7)

Aulbach battled back in the third period, scoring seven points after falling behind 7-2. Jelinek suffered a leg injury late in the match, but continued on.

“He was dealing with something with his knee, which sucks,” Aulbach said. “It’s kind of mean, but you have to take advantage of that kind of thing. He’s long. I struggled to get to his legs, and he’s easily going to grab mine. I think it just comes down to pace.

“As a freshman, I never really thought I’d get to this point. This year, it was really like, ‘Wow, I can do it.’ To get it done and beat a good kid, it’s a dream come true.”

Saginaw United’s Michael Baldwin, top, takes Oxford’s Luke Johnson to the mat at 175 pounds.

175

Champion: Michael Baldwin, Saginaw United, Sr. (33-2)
Decision, 7-6 (UTB), over Luke Johnson, Oxford, Sr. (45-4)

After splitting their matches in the District and Regional Finals, Baldwin and Johnson put on a classic Saturday night.

Baldwin won on a technical point, as Johnson grabbed his singlet in a last-gasp move during the ultimate tiebreaker period. 

“It’s unreal,” Baldwin said. “My family’s here, it feels like half of my city is here. It’s like we did it, we finally did it. It’s the first year with the new school, I’m the first-ever state champ. I set the standard, doing the right things, leaving it all out on the mat. I want another kid to come through and do the same thing.”

Johnson had forced overtime with a third-period takedown, and held off a Baldwin attempt at the buzzer.

190

Champion: Lee Krueger, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (41-8)
Major Decision, 11-0, over Thomas Jaynes, Romeo, Jr. (53-7)

Krueger has watched as so many Catholic Central wrestlers have won Finals titles, so to join that group was a special moment.

“It’s surreal,” he said. “Four years I’ve been here and watched guys I’ve looked up to do it, and now it’s finally my time and I did it. It’s completely surreal. As a freshman I was like a JV, borderline varsity guy, but my coaches and my teammates pushed me all the way up to where I am now.”

Krueger broke open what was a tight match with a takedown and nearfall late in the second period to take an 8-0 lead into the third.

215

Champion: Connor Bercume, Detroit Catholic Central, Sr. (48-0)
Major Decision, 10-2, over Sean O’Keefe, Brighton, Sr. (38-2)

Bercume closed out his illustrious Catholic Central career with a third Finals title. He also helped the Shamrocks win the past three Division 1 team titles.

“It feels pretty awesome,” he said. “I can’t believe how blessed I am to be part of this team for four years and have all these great teammates. I just feel really honored to be part of such a great program with such a great legacy.”

The Harvard-bound senior scored three takedowns in the first period to blow the match open, and controlled O’Keefe over the final four minutes to win title No. 3.

285

Champion: Logan Tollison, Grand Ledge, Jr. (45-0)
Decision, 8-1, over Anton Barynas, Jenison, Sr. (35-5)

After finishing as runner-up at 215 a year ago, Tollison had offseason surgery on his shoulder.

Those setbacks set up an incredible comeback, and he finished off an unbeaten season Saturday with his first Finals title.

“I’ve worked hard this season, so I deserved it, I think,” he said. “I was really driven, especially since I had to take six months off after I had shoulder surgery, so I had to really get after it when I got back.”

Tollison led 2-0 heading into the third period against Barynas, who was the runner-up at 285 a year ago. But the Grand Ledge junior scored a pair of takedowns in the final two minutes to pull away for the victory.

Click for full results.

PHOTOS (Top) Roseville’s Jay’Den Williams, right, locks the legs of Temperance Bedford’s Zach Miracle during their championship match at 165 pounds Saturday. (Middle) Saginaw United’s Michael Baldwin, top, takes Oxford’s Luke Johnson to the mat at 175 pounds. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)

D3 Preview: Powering Up for 4-Time Fame

March 5, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Sean Spidle is back where he started this run, and with an opportunity to finish it among the all-time greats in MHSAA wrestling history.

The Flint Powers Catholic senior, along with two others this weekend, will wrestle at Ford Field to become the 27th to win four MHSAA Individual Finals titles.

His first two were won in Division 3, at 103 pounds as a freshman and 112 as a sophomore. But Powers was Division 2 a year ago, and so Spidle claimed his second 112 championship against a different group of contenders. But he’ll be back in Division 3 this weekend, sharing the 119 bracket with the opponent he defeated to win his first title.  

Below, we look at Spidle and nine more contenders to watch in Division 3, plus list all of the top seeds heading into this weekend. Of course, we likely missed a few who will end up among the biggest headliners Saturday – but come back to Second Half early Sunday as we’ll interview and report on all 56 champions.

The “Grand March” on Friday begins at 11 a.m., with five rounds wrestled throughout the day including the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Wrestling picks back up with consolation rounds at 9 a.m. Saturday, and concludes with the championship matches that afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

Follow all matches on a subscription basis live on MHSAA.tv, and click here for results at MHSAA.com.

112 Jordan Rodriguez, Chesaning senior (37-1) – After finishing third and then seventh at 103 his first two seasons, Rodriguez powered into the championship at 112 in 2019 before falling 6-2 to Hunter Assenmacher (see below). He’s the top seed at this weight, with his only loss this season to 125 qualifier Aidan Bernard of Montrose.

119 Hunter Assenmacher, Ida senior (44-1) – After falling to Spidle in the 103 championship match when both were freshman, Assenmacher may see him one more time – but now after winning titles at 103 in 2018 and 112 a year ago. His only loss this winter was to Macomb Dakota’s Brendan Ferretti, the Division 1 top seed at this weight, by 5-3 decision.

119 Sean Spidle, Flint Powers Catholic senior (33-0) – Last season’s Division 2 champion at 112 pounds also won 112 in Division 3 as a sophomore and 103 as a freshman. He will continue at Central Michigan.

135 Casey Swiderski, Dundee sophomore (35-1) – Last season’s champion at 103 made a big jump in weight and hasn’t missed a beat. His only loss came to an out-of-state opponent in December, and four of his wins came against Division 1 contenders including 125 top seed Andrew Chambal of Davison.

140 Christian Killion, Dundee senior (42-6) – The three-time placer and two-time runner-up is hoping to end his high school career with his first title win. Killion was fourth at 119 as a freshman, second at 130 (to four-time champ Jarrett Trombley of Lake Fenton) as a sophomore and just missed claiming the championship last year with a double-overtime loss in the title match at this weight.

145 Tyler Swiderski, Dundee junior (43-3) – Few of late have been able to claim a tougher-luck pair of past runner-up finishes. As a sophomore he fell to Spidle at 112, and last season Swiderski had to take on senior teammate Jonathon White in the final at 135 and lost 1-0. This season, his only in-state defeat came to Division 2 contender James Fotis of Lowell, and in sudden victory.

160 Stoney Buell, Dundee junior (41-3) – Buell is potentially on a four-title track, having won at 135 as a freshman and 152 last season and earning the top seed in this weekend’s bracket. Only one of his defeats this winter was in state, to Division 1 Manuel Rojas of Detroit Catholic Central by a point.

171 Dillon Kroening, Gladwin senior (48-1) – He’s back as the top seed at this weight after falling in last season’s championship match, and is a combined 98-3 over the past two seasons. Kroening’s only defeat this winter came in sudden victory in December against Division 4 contender Jacob Cassiday of Beaverton, whom Kroening had defeated a week earlier.

215 Luke Davis, Richmond senior (38-2) – Last season’s 215 runner-up fell just short a year ago losing in a 3-0 decision, but he’s back as the top seed. His only in-state loss this winter was a 3-1 decision to reigning Division 1 champion Brendin Yatooma of Detroit Catholic Central. Since that defeat, Davis has pins in 17 of 19 matches.

285 Grant Clarkson, Lake Odessa Lakewood senior (36-0) – He’s back as the top seed in this bracket after finishing third at this weight in 2019, his first as a Finals placer. He’s pinned all of his opponents but one this season (and not counting a handful of matches won by forfeit).

Other 2019 runners-up: 112 Hunter Keller, Richmond junior (34-4, 103 in 2019); 125 Brendan Connelly, Yale senior (45-5, 119 in 2019); 135 Mac Breece, Birch Run senior (40-2, 125 in 2019); 135 Luke Mahaney, Williamston junior (27-4, 130 in 2019); 152 Max Halstead, Grayling senior (22-1, 145 in 2019).

Additional No. 1 seeds: 103 Braeden Davis, Dundee freshman (34-4); 125 Aidan Davis, Dundee freshman (39-4); 130 Brock Holek, Durand junior (42-0); 152 Dominick Lomazzo, Dundee junior (20-4); 189 Jonathan Clack, Lake Odessa Lakewood senior (48-0).

PHOTO: Flint Powers Catholic’s Sean Spidle (far left) stands atop the championship podium for the third-straight season in 2019 after winning a Division 2 title at 112 pounds. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)