Division 3 Team Previews

11/24 - This year's Division 3 team race may be the most competetive in the state with a handful of teams that could all be among the best in any division.  Last year's finalists Goodrich and Dundee both return some firepower, however, the talk of D3 this preaseason is Swan Valley who graduates virtually nobody from their team that advanced to Battle Creek last year and brings in a few new faces who will make an immediate impact.  Another team to watch in this division is Allegan, who won the Division 2 title two years ago and is looking to return to championship form in their first year competing in Division 3. 

The district/regional pairings


THE FAVORITES

#1 – Swan Valley
Returning state qualifiers: 6
Wrestlers currently ranked: 10 - Jared Flores (103), BJ Suitor (112), Darius Wass (119), Jared Germaine (125), Chris Theile (130), Troy Lamson (140), Jake Jeske (145), Matt Beebe (152), Branden Bell (160), Jake Schirmer (160)

Key losses: none
Impact Newcomers: Jared Flores (103), freshman; Troy Lamson (152), transfer

Outlook: Swan Valley emerged as a contender in Division 3 last year, advancing to the team state tournament and putting together some impressive individual performances at the Palace.  They return all their studs from last year and with the addition of some more all-state contenders this could be the year for Swan Valley to win it all.  From 103 through 160 they are as tough as any team in the state led by their big three Suitor, Wass, and Germaine.  Suitor is a 2x state champ, Wass made the finals last year and Germaine has been on the brink of a state title throughout his career.  All three of these guys could be considered as the favorite to win their respective weights this year.  Jake Jeske was a runner-up last year as well and put on a show in the finals, barely losing to Donnie Corby. After a strong freshman season Chris Thiele could breakthrough this year as one of the top wrestlers in the state as well.  But wait...theres more: state placer Matt Beebe returns and D2 state placer Troy Lamson transferred from Kearsley to provide even more firepower in this lineup.  If things go right for SV they could easily have 4 or more state champions this year to go with a team state title.



#2 – Goodrich
Returning state qualifiers: 6
Individuals ranked preseason: 7 - CC Weber (103), Kirk Britton (130), Joe Hopkins (145), Drew Weil (160), Kyle March (171), Kyler Elsworth (189), Mike Lasinski (215)

Key Losses: Grant Overcashier (130), Mark Weber (135)
Impact newcomers

Outlook: The returning champs return alot of talent and strength from their champsionship squad of a year ago, however, they will have their hands full with a tough Division 3 field this year.  They graduated their leaders Overcashier and 4x state champ Mark Weber, however, they return arguably the best upperweight in the state in Kyler Elsworth along with state title contenders March and Lasinksi at 171 and 215 as well.  With Joe Hopkins and Drew Weil coming back as well, their upperweights may be the toughest not only in D3, but in the entire state.  CC Weber is one of the nation's top female grapplers and will continue to be one of the best 103lbers in the state.  In addition, Kirk Britton should be in the hunt for a state title at 130 and David Garr is a returning state qualifier who should be one of the top 125lbers in the state.  They definitely have the ability to put up big points on any team in the state and while Swan Valley enters the season as favorites to win this division, don't count out the returning champs as they are more capable of repeating.



#3 – Dundee
Returning state qualifiers: 5
Individuals ranked preseason: 7 - Joey White (103), Nate Jaworski (103), Chris Rau (112), Joe Rendina (125), Pete Rendina (135), Josh White (140), Justin Heiserman (189)

Key losses: Chris Eggert (160), Jimmy Rowe (215)
Impact newcomers: Justin Heiserman (Transfer-189)

Outlook: One of the only teams in the state with lightweights that can compete with Swan Valley is Dundee.  The Rendina and White brothers, along with Chris Rau are all capable of winning state titles.  Dundee is a tradition rich program that has alot of depth and could have some current unknowns waiting in the wings to breakthrough this year as well.  Justin Heiserman transfered in from Ida and should boost their thin upperweights as well.  While they definitely have the big names and talent down low to contend, Dundee will need some middle and upperweights to step up and contribute this year if they want to knock off Goodrich and Swan Valley. 

#4 – Allegan
Returning state qualifiers: 5
Individuals ranked preseason: 6 - Taylor Simaz (119), Steve Poffenberger (125), Matt Smith (140), Colin Smythe (145), Jon Christman (160), John Rizgallah (171)

Key Losses: Steve Krchatovich
Impact Newcomers: Taylor Simaz (119-freshman); Taylan Knoblach (130-transfer); Garrett Smith (135 - freshman)

Outlook: In their first season competing in Division 3 Allegan will look to throw themselves into the the state title picture right away.  With all the hype that Swan Valley, Dundee, and Goodrich get in this division many people are overlooking Allegan right now, however, they have been a D2 powerhouse for the last decade and may have one of the most well rounded teams in the state with alot of talent and depth from the top to bottome of their lineup.  Rizgallah and Poffenberger return after falling just short of D2 state titles a year ago and will be looking to win it all this year in Division 3.  Matt Smith is a returning all-stater as well and freshman Taylor Simaz and Garrett Smith are talented youngsters who could make an immediate impact this year in the state title picture.  2007 state placer Taylon Knobloch will be wrestling for the Tigers as well after transfering from Plainwell and Colin Smythe and Jon Christman should be solid spots in their lineup as well.  Allegan is a strong, well rounded program and coach Murray Rose traditionally puts solid kids on the mat at every weight, so keep an eye out for Allegan.








TOP CONTENDERS

#5 – Corunna
Returning state qualifiers: 4
Individual ranked preseason: 4 - Matt Rayin (103), Tyler Rosser (125), Luke Perrin (135), Scott Robbin (215)
Outlook:  With four returning state qualifiers from a team that advanced to the state quarterfinals last year, Corunna will look to remain among the powerhouses in D3 this year.  They lost a close dual to runners-up Dundee last year that came down to the final bout, and this traditionally strong program should be right back in the hunt this year.  They have Goodrich in their regional and while they will be underdogs, they are definitely capable of giving them a run for their money.

#6 - Remus Chippewa Hills
Returing state qualifiers: 3
Individuals ranked preseason: 5 - Devane Dodgens (103), Elvis Peacock (130), Brandon Lange (160), Billy Fate (171), Colt Miller (189),
Outlook: Last year's D3 coach of the year Nate Ethridge has done a great job turning Chippewa Hills into one of the premier programs in D3 and this year should be no different.  Last year they gave Swan Valley all they wanted, losing by one point in the quarterfinals, and this year they should be strong again with good upperweights led by Lange, Fate, and Miller.  In addition, freshman Devane Dodgens should be a solid spark at the top of their lineup.  They will have some question marks in their lineup, but things appear to be going in the right direction at Chipp Hills.

#7 - Richmond
Returning state qualifiers:3
Individuals ranked preseason: 3 - Casey Martin (103), Brian Henke (130), Roger Crump (171)
Outlook: In the last 8 years Richmond has advanced to the D3 team state finals 5 times, bringing home three state titles.  This year not many people are expecting a state finals run out of them, however, you can never count these guys out.  They always seem to reload with tough, hard nosed kids and this year return one of the top sophomores in the state in Brian Henke, who surprised alot of people by finishing 4th at 125 as a freshman last year.  In addition Casey Martin should have the size to contend at 103 this year and Roger Crump is a talented upperweight.  As of right now they don't appear to have an intimaditing team on paper, however, they will likely peak towards the end of the season and you can bet Richmond will be in contention for another trip to Battle Creek.


Others to watch:

Durand - Durand came back as one of the top teams in this division last year and this year they should still be prominent this year as well.  Roger Wildmo was the MI Grappler Freshman of the Year last year after winning the D3 state title at 112lbs and Eric Telford should also be in contention for a state title.  They also bring back state qualifiers Logan Dean and Josh Roddy, as well as Phil Telford who had a solid freshman campaign at 103 last year.  Durand will definitely be solid this year, however, with Corunna and Goodrich in their regional they will need close to a miracle to make it to Kellogg.


Lakewood - You can't talk top teams without mentioning Lakewood.  Coach Bob Vietch has been putting solid squads on the mat year in and year out for the past decade and this year should be no different.  Kurtis Powell and Ryan Steverson should one of the best 215/285 combos in the state and as usual, they will be dangerous throughout their lineup.


























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D3 Team Preview

What team will win the Division 3 State Championship this year?
Swan Valley
Goodrich
Dundee
Allegan
Corruna
Chippewa Hills
Richmond
Durand
Lakewood
Other

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