Individual State Finals Recap
2009 MHSAA Individual State Finals
Palace of Auburn Hills - March 12-14
DIVISION 3
103 -- Prior to this year few people knew who Nate Jaworski was, however, he was there - waiting in the wings at Dundee behind two of the top 4 103lbers in D3 last year. This year his spot finally opened up and Jaworski capitalized, not losing a match all year long. The Viking senior finished up 61-0 after beating Bryan Reatini in the finals 3-2. Jaworski scored a close 4-3 win over CC Weber in the quarters, and Weber was one of the storylines of the tournament as she battled back to finish 4th, the highest ever for any female wrestler in the state of Michigan. Freshman Nick Ross of Comstock Park put on a good showing, finishing 3rd and beating Weber in the consolation finals.
112 -- BJ Suitor made it three and took a big step by winning his 1st state title up above 103lbs last weekend. The only time that Suitor was in trouble all weekend was when he faced a loss via default against Zach Corcoran, however, they let Suitor advance and he never looked back, shutting out Joey White in the semis and dismantling previously undefeated Shane Dutton in the finals 14-5. Suitor is now a 3x champ and will look to follow Kyle Waldo by becoming the 15th 4x state champ in Michigan history next year.
119 -- You just cannot bet against Nick Smith. After coming out of nowhere to win this weight a year ago - he did it again. Many people considered Darius Wass the favorite to win this weight, however, Smith downed Wass in the finals to repeat as 119lb D3 champ. Smith could possibly be the most quiet, under the radar 3x state champ in history if he wins it again next year. Smith suffered a few defeats at 125 this year, however, his performance at 119 in Auburn Hills was impressive to say the least. Wass is now a 2x runner-up and he will have just one more shot next year at taking that final step on the podium.
125 - Possibly the most impressive performance in all of division 3 - JT Gustin. After being overlooked by many (including MI Grappler) for the likes of Rendina and Germaine, Gustin knocked them both off in dramatic fashion with first period falls. Germaine (wrestling for EMU next fall) and Rendina entered the tournament a combined 121-1, with Germaine's only loss coming to Rendina, and it took Gustin exactly 2:00 of mat time all together to dispose of them both. Germaine now graduates and may always be looked at as one of the most talented wrestlers to never win a title. Gustin graduates as well, however, the 3rd/4th place finishers - Chris Thiele and Rendina - are only sophomores and should both contend for titles the next couple years.
130 - This weight featured one of the most anticipated matchups of the whole weekend with undefeated and returning state champs Roger Wildmo and Ryan Nieman squaring off in the finals. The finals match was close throughout before Nieman caught Wildmo on his back midway through the final period and eventually put the Durand sophomore away. For Nieman it was his 2nd state title and he should be mentioned among the state's top recruits next year. Don't be surprised if Wildmo finds his way back to the top of the podium before it's all said and done. This was a very deep weight as both Nieman and Wildmo had close matches to get to the finals. Allegan freshman Garrett Smith turned some heads, finishing 5th in this weight.
135 - After falling short last year, Dundee senior Pete Rendina got back to the top of the medal stand this year. Rendina, a state champ in 2007, scored a huge win in the semifinals over returning champ Andrew Schutt of Yale 6-3. After that he made routine work of Eric Telford in the finals to win his 2nd state title and go out on top. Next stop for Rendina - Ann Arbor as he will be wrestling for Joe McFarland and the Wolverines.
140 - Seth Schaner took care of business here as he finally got a Schaner to the top of the podium after him and his brother came up short a year ago. Schaner's closest match came in the semis as he appeared to be operating at a different level than his competetion in this weight. Richmond sophomore Brian Henke continued to impress, making the finals as a sophomore is not too shabby.
145 - Jake Jeske got it done this weekend - after finishing runner up last year to Donnie Corby the Swan Valley senior stormed through this year's state tournament to bring home the gold. Connor Baker of Belding was one of the biggest surprises of the tournament as he came from being 4th at regionals to making the state finals. In the first round Baker knocked off Yale's 51-1 David Hill, then in the semis Baker used a last second peterson roll to defeat returning runner up Garrett Schaner of Big Rapids. His luck ran out saturday night as Jeske tore him up 14-1. Hill knocked off Schaner in the wrestlebacks in a match that could happen again next year.
152 - One of the most intriguing finals matches was here with Calib Rought of Fremont, who moved from Shelby where he was a state champ last year, against Shelby's Sean White. Two former teammates going at it for the state championship. In the end Rought won 3-2 to repeat as champion. We have received no word on Rought's post-high school plans, however, he has the credentials to wrestle in college so stay tuned. Highest placing non-senior: Matt Beebe of Swan Valley (3rd)
160 - Chris Brown made a beleiver out of many this weekend as the Kellogsville junior ripped apart Roger Crump in the finals to win his first state title. Brown showcased his impressive strength and athleticism as he knocked off another tough junior in Aaron Risch in the semis 6-4, then downed Crump 22-9 in the finals. Lookout next year, the top three (Brown, Crump, Risch) are all back next year.
171 - A very highly anticipated finals matchup between two of the state's top 171lbers lived up to the hype. Trailing late 3rd period 2-1, Curby scored a last second takedown to secure the win, 3-2. Both Curby and Rizgallah are top juniors and will likely be top recruits in next year's class. Curby had the toughest road possible to the finals as he defeated the eventual 3rd and 4th place finishers in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
189 - Kyler Elsworth of Goodrich left little doubt as he dominated his way through this chart en route to his 2nd straight title. Elsworth 3 falls and a 7-0 semifinal shutout on his way to the title and as of now he is arguably Michigan's top recruit yet to committ. If Elsworth chooses to wrestle at senior nationals he should fare well and enter as a favorite to place high. Two solid sophomores to look at in this weight - runner up Justin Heiserman of Dundee and Drake Renas of Big Rapids, who advanced to the semifinals and was the only wrestler to go three periods with Elsworth.
215 - Jeff Beebe vs Mike Lasinkski was one of the big matches to watch this weekend at it was Allendale's Beebe who came away with the win. Neither wrestler had much trouble getting to the finals and there finals match was uneventful as Beebe won 1-0. Tyler Havens of Morley Stanwood was the only non-senior to place here.
285 - Ethan Lambes of Onsted spent just 51 seconds on the mat in his semifinal and final matches combined last weekend on way to winning the state title at 285lbs. Lambes pinned Frank Taylor of Morley Stanwood in just 9 seconds in the finals. I am not sure, but that has to be close to some sort of finals record - a 9 second pin in the state finals...amazing! This weight was pretty wide open and very even as there were probably 5 or 6 guys with good shots at winning the weight, but when the dust settled it was Lambes coming out on top.
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