MI GRAPPLER TEAM PREVIEWS - Division 1
10/24 - The Division 1 team race appears to be up for grabs this year with
no clear cut favorites. Holt stormed through three Division 1 powerhouses
last year at the state meet, beating Hartland, Davison, and Temperance
Bedford on theirway to their 3rd state title under coach Rocky Shaft. After
graduating a loaded senior class, however, the door appears open for
someone to step up and knock Holt off.
The usual suspects appear to be the favorites this year as Rockford and
Temperance Bedford return some big guns and should contend. It is
impossible to predict how teams will develop and where kids will shake out,
but Rockford, Holt, and Bedford appear to be the favorites, with Hartland and
Davison close behind. Oakland County rivals Rochester Adams, Clarkston,
and Lake Orion should be in the picture as well. For a closer look at
Division 1's top teams, read below...
TOP CONTENDERS
#1 – Rockford
Returning state qualifiers: 7
Individuals ranked preseason: 7 - Kyle Waldo (119), Jake Byers (125), Zach Johnson (140), Jake Dorulla (160), Jake Johnson (171), Joe Stefanski (215), Jesse Somsel (285)
Key losses: Ian Martin (125), Ben Bennett (171)
Outlook: Even with the loss of National Champ Ben Bennett, Rockford returns as
much firepower as anyone in the state. They feature 7 returning state placers who
all have legitimate shots at winning a state title this year. This is a team of mostly
upperclassmen with more big match expierence than any team in the state. The
question mark for Rockford will be filling in around their studs. If they get some
guys to step up and fill the gaps then they may be bringing home their 2nd state
title in three years come March. With Waldo, Zach Johnson, and Somsel
graduating after this year this may be longtime coach Don Rinehart's last chance
to win it all.
#2 – Holt
Returning state qualifiers: 4
Individuals ranked preseason: 7 - Freddie Rodriguez (103), Ben Matthieson (112), Koort Leyrer (152), Josh Shaw (171), James Mireles (171), Mike Andring (189), Corbin Boone (215)
Key Losses: Corey Leonard (112), Grant Ankney (130), Zack Shaw (152), Mitch Zajac (215), Curtis Ferguson (285)
Impact newcomers: Freddie Rodriguez (Freshman-103), Michael Jones (Transfer-125)
Outlook: After winning the Division 1 title last year Holt graduated a deep senior class, including
4 state placers. They still return some firepower with state placer Matthieson and qualifiers
Leyrer, Shaw, and Boone. Freshman 103lber Freddie Rodriguez finished runner-up in Fargo last
summer, is currently ranked 20th in the nation, and should vy for a state title this year as a
freshman. The addition of Michael Jones, who reportedly transferred from Sexton, should also
bolster the Rams' lightweights. While Holt may not return the horses like Rockford, the thing
that makes them a threat is the the same thing that won them the title last year: depth. They
have a deep squad and the ability to put solid wrestlers on the mat at every weight. Besides
their four returning state qualifiers they also return 4 regional qualifiers in Kyle Hanton, Zac
Seyka, Mireles, and Andring. Then you throw in the addition of Rodriguez and Jones, and Holt is
not looking so depleted and a repeat not so unlikely.
#3 - Temperance Bedford
Returning state qualifiers: 4
Individuals ranked preseason: 5 - Billy Osborne (135), Aaron Jeffrey (145), TJ Romijn (152), Nick Whitenburg (189), Mason Cole (285)
Key Losses: Pat Nusbaum (152), Alex Ortman (160)
Outlook: Temperance Bedford was the surprise of the D1 tournament
last year, knocking off Rockford en route to the finals. This year they
wont be surprising anyone as they return nearly everyone from a year
ago, including 8 regional qualifiers. Bedford, much like Holt, doesn't
have alot of big names - Nick Whitenburg and Billy Osborne are their
only wrestlers currently ranked in the Top 5 of their respective weights.
However, they are very solid from top to bottom. Aside from their 4
state qualifiers, they have Tom Fox, Mike Peck, and Ian Kohlofer
coming back after nearly missing the state finals a year ago, along
with Bryan Gibbs who put together a solid freshman campaign last year with over 40 wins at 125lbs. They seem to have a good blend of upper-classmen leadership and depth, which makes Bedford a serious threat to win the D1 title this year.
#4 – Hartland
Returning state qualifiers: 3
Individuals ranked preseason: 6 - Chase Snider (103), Spencer Hellner (112), Nick Monitz (112), Jeffrey Lopez (125), Sean Hultberg (145), Kyle Summerfield (171)
Key losses: Jeremy Bommarito (145), John Corder (215), DJ Charneski (285)
Impact newcomers: Jeffrey Lopez (125-transfer)
Outlook: Coach Todd Cheney is developing a dynasty in Hartland as they put solid teams on the mat year in and year out. They have graduated alot of studs in the past couple years, yet somehow Hartland continues to reload and remain among the top of Division 1. They only return three state qualifiers, but the addition of state qualifier Jeffrey Lopez at 125/130 should give them some additional firepower. They should have great lightweights with Snider, Hellner, Monitz and Lopez, however, they don't appear to have as much up top besides Summerfield who is one of the best 171lbers in the state. They have a fairly harmless road to Battle Creek so Hartland should definitely be around in the end, but if they want to contend for a state title they will need some role players to step up.
#5 – Davison
Returning state qualifiers: 4
Individuals ranked preseason: 5 - Cody Robbins (119), Zach Davis (130), Zack Labelle (140), Talon Hodgeson (140), Josh Connell (189)
Key Losses: Bryan Rickard (119), Ryan McKenna (130), Justin McDermitt (140), Jared Cowan (285)
Outlook: After retiring then un-retiring last spring, coach Roy Hall is back this year at the helm of Davison for another go-round. This year may be Hall's most challenging in a while as he lost another solid class of seniors last year and doesn't appear to have many new faces coming in. In addition, the loss off 2x state placer Richard Kirksey, who moved out of state, will take its toll on the Cardinals' upperweights. They do return state placers Robbins and Davis, along with Labelle who placed as sophomore and Hodgeson, who came on strong last year and should be ready to step up this year. In addition 2007 state qualifier Brandon Shuart may be back this year at 112/119 after missing last year due to an injury, which should bolster their lightweights. Roy Hall has created a championship tradition in Davison with their hard-nosed, attacking style, so it is hard to count them out. However, unless they have some young guys step up it appears that they will not have the horses to run with Rockford, Holt, Bedford, etc.
DONT FORGET ABOUT....
#6 – Lake Orion
Returning state qualifiers: 3
Individual ranked preseason: 5 - Doug Mack (119), AJ Fligger (135), Justin Ruddy (145), Jake Arnold (152), Evan Gros (189)
Key Losses: AJ Pratt (135), Jake Varilek (152), Joe Graffeo (160)
Outlook: Last year Lake Orion emerged as a major player on the Division 1 scene as they advanced all the way to the State Semifinals before bowing out to Bedford. They lost a few talented seniors, including state champ Jake Varilek, however, the attitude in Lake Orion seems to be changing as they are now a team to reckon with in D1.
#7 - Rochester Adams
Returing state qualifiers: 6
Individuals ranked preseason: 6 - Drew Raftopoulus (112), Ross Drouillard (130), Tyler Bunting (130), Kurtis Davenport (140), Matt Hart (152), Jason Finney (215)
Key Losses: None
Outlook: A possible sleeper in the D1 team picture is Rochester Adams, who returns all 6 of their state qualifiers from a year ago. They are easliy over looked because they lack the household names, however, this program is rich with tradition and appears to be back as a contender in this division.
#8 - Clarkston
Returning state qualifiers: 4
Individuals ranked preseason: 4 - Matt Dietz (130), Alex Popp (135), Evan King (135), Sloan Hadsall (215)
Key Losses: Adam Lauzun (171), Bryant Craft (189)
Outlook: You can't discuss D1 teams without mentioning Clarkston. They aren't as intimidating as in years past, but they do return some studs in Dietz, Popp, and King, and when it is all said and done Clarkston always puts a quality squad on the mat.
#9 - Detroit Catholic Central
Returning State Qualifiers: 3
Individuals ranked preseason: 4 - Alec Mooradian (103), Doug Eldridge (125), Trevor O'Connor (140), Shea Hasenaur (145)
Key Losses: Stefan Gatt (160), Matt Aubrey (189), Joe Kinville (215), Mike Martin (285)
Impact Newcomer: Mike Mooradian (Freshman-103/112)
Outlook: Coach Mitch Hancock appears to have a good thing going at CC as continues to rebuild the storied program. They graduated their entire upperweight fleet, however, the Shamrocks usually have the athletes to reload. Hasenaur should be in the state title hunt after finishing runner-up a year ago and Eldred and O'Connor will be in all-state contention as well after making it to The Palace last year. Justin Melick should be ready to breakthrough after a solid freshman season last year and the addition of freshman Alec Mooradian should bolster their lightweights as well.
#10 - Jenison
Returning State Qualifiers: 0
Individuals Ranked Preseason: 6 - Samuels (103), rqWyngarden (125), rqBoblydye (125), Falbe (135), rqStrelecki (145), rq Alveraz, Basset (285)
Key Losses: Josh Meinzer (171), Nick Raimer (189)
Outlook: With no state qualifiers coming back from last year it is hard to imagine Jenison contending this year in D1, however, they may surprise some people. They return 4 regional qualifiers as well as Nate Falbe, who was 3rd in the state two years ago and a legit state title contender last year before suffering a season-ending injury. In addition, freshman 103lber Trent Samuels should give them a spark at the top of the lineup and if they can get some contribution from a few others then Jenison could make Rockford's road to Kellogg a little tougher.
Others to watch:
Anchor Bay - Anchor Bay has got some horses who will compete for a state title, however, they may lack the depth to keep up with the elite squads in Division 1. Robbie Bidlingmaier (119), Steve Sattler (135), Joey Yost (160), and Nick Licari (171) are all favorites to contend in their weight classes this year and make Anchor Bay dangerous.
Canton - First year coach Cory Mancuso will look to continue what Casey Randolph has started in Canton. They are starting to emerge as a top program in D1 and with state title contenders Watkins and Winecoff coming back Canton should remain as one of the better teams in the state. However, they don't appear to have the firepower to run with the big dogs.
East Kentwood: With 5 wrestlers ranked in the preseason poll, East Kentwood might surprise some people this year. They may not have the depth or power to knock off Rockford, but with guys like Kam Olsen, Nick Bohn, Deshawn Nelson, and the Vilker bros., East Kentwood will be capable of winning some matches and making things interesting with just about anyone.
Grandville 4 wrestlers ranked: Scholten, Sabin, Rivera, Bonham. Coach Richardson usually puts solid guys on the mat at every weight, Grandville will likely be tough again this year. Same story though for Grandville - Rockford in their regional makes a state title trip improbable.
Highland Park HP's first year in Division 1 they may be capable of making a run coming out of the east side with DCC as the only real power program in their Region. They have alot of athletic, strong, fiery wrestlers coming back like Dezmond Jones, Queon Smith, Jalen McCoy, and Timothy Scott...and this year their coaches should be around for postseason competetion, which always helps.
Copyright 2007-2008 Michigan Grappler LLC
