Division 4 Team Previews
11/27 - The Division 4 team race will be led by the
usual suspects - Hesperia and Hudson. Heperia
finally won their first D4 title last year, ending the
3 year Addison reign atop the division and they
will be favored to repeat again this year with
many studs returning, including state champ
seniors Yates and Zeerip.
Hudson looks to be the toughest challenge
standing in Heperia's way this year and they will be looking to finally make the state finals after having solid teams almost every year for the past decade. They return a fleet of talented kids as well led by 2008 state champ Zeb Hilyard and 2007 state champ Derrick Marry.
After Hesperia and Hudson the D4 race appears wide open. New Lothrop returns a solid squad with some big time studs, including 2x state champ Allen Krupp. Clinton and Addison should remain solid as well and Montrose will be coming down to D4 after being a D3 powerhouse for the past decade. Bronson should also be back as one of the top teams this year with a few new faces in their lineup and Dansville will be looking to throw their hat in the ring as a contender in this division as well.
Read below for team-by-team previews...
THE FAVORITES
#1 – Hesperia
Returning state qualifiers: 7
Wrestlers currently ranked: 7 - Jordan Bosma (119), Collin Zeerip (130), Jordan Bates (130), Adam Wiseman (140), Malcom Martin (140), Brandon Zeerip (152), Dan Yates (160)
Key losses: Jon Hren (119), Rudy Spaulding (285)
Outlook: Hesperia has developed into the gold standard of Division 4 wrestling in Michigan and they have done quite a bit to prove themselves as much more than just a good D-4 team, enjoying a lot of sucess against higher division schools. This year they should be the heavy favorites and team to beat in D4 once again with a handful of the division's most talented grapplers, including Yates and Brandon Zeerip, who are a couple of the best wrestlers in the entire state. Collin Zeerip won his first title last year at 103 and has gained a considerable amount of weight and the sophomore duo of Bosma and Bates should be primed to come into their own this year. Hespiera has some question marks up top and down low, however, they will likely have a couple youngsters stepping up this year to fill in and thei studs make them tough to beat.
#2 – Hudson
Returning state qualifiers: 6
Individuals ranked preseason: 7 - Dakota Kelley (112), Zeb Hilyard (119), Kevin Vanderpool (119), Derrick Marry (135), Kyle Benschooter (171), Gabe Elliot (215), Joe Beubieun (285)
Key Losses: Taylor Smith (125), Kyle Hillard (171)
Impact newcomers: Devon Marry (140)
Outlook: Coach Scott Marry should field yet another deep, talented squad this year as Hudson has been one of the elite teams in Division 4 consistently over the past decade or so. The past couple years they have been right on the brink of breaking through, but have been knocked off by D4 powerhouses like Addison and Hesperia. This year may be the Tigers' year as they return most of their talented squad from a year ago, including 2008 state champ Zeb Hilyard and 2007 state champ Derrick Marry. In addition, Dakota Kelley and Gabe Elliot are returning state placers who should be right in the hunt as well as 2007 all-stater Kevin Vanderpool and state qualifier Joe Beubian at heavyweight. Devon Marry, Derrick's younger brother, should be an impact freshman to keep an eye on in the Hudson lineup as well in the D4 individual picture. Hudson definitely has the horses to run with Hesperia, will this be their year?
TOP CONTENDERS
#3 - New Lothrop
Returning state qualifiers: 5
Individual ranked preseason: 5 - Justin Krupp (112), Allen Krupp (125), Blake Birchmeier (130), Kelly Krupp (135), Marc Confer (189)
Outlook: New Lothrop still remains as one of the premiere squads in Division 4. They fell in the last year's semifinals and gave Hesperia their closest dual of the state tournament. This year they return a lot of firepower, led by 2x state champ Allen Krupp as well as brothers Justin and Kelly, who are both ranked and should be on the podium in March also. 2x state placer Blake Birchmeier is another very talented athlete in this lineup who, along with state qualifier Marc Confer, will be leaders on this NL squad. If they can reload and fill the holes in their lineup, New Lothrop definitely has the talent to compete with Hudson and Hesperia.
#4 - Clinton
Returing state qualifiers: 4
Individuals ranked preseason: 4 - Scott Noble (125), Connor Koeter (135), Jesse Sexton (145), Andrew Clice (215)
Outlook: Clinton made some early season noise last year by knocking off Manchester before Christmas, however, they fell to Manchester at districts and their season was ended early. This year they will look to return the favor as Clinton/Manchester are slated to meet in the districts again. Clinton returns 4 state qualifiers, led by Scott Nobles who finished 5th at 119 last year. They also have regional qualifier Andrew Clice coming back in their upperweights. If they can get past Manchester this year then Clinton should go deep into the team tournament.
#5 - Addison
Returning state qualifiers: 3
Individuals ranked preseason: 3 - Andrew Scoby (112), Zak Stoner (140), Brandon Douglass (145)
Outlook: After winning three straight D4 titles from 2005-2007, Addison's reign was ended last year when they fell at regionals to Hudson. They graduated 4 of their 7 state qualifiers from that squad, so it appear that coach Sherry's team will lack the firepower they have had over the past few years. State placers Andrew Scoby and Brandon Douglass should provide leadership and programs like this usually reload, but they will need a lot of guys to step up if they want to be in the top 3 or 4 of this division.
Don't forget about....
#6 - Montrose
Returning state qualifiers: 3
Individuals ranked preseason: 3 - Brad Smith (112), Cody Wray (130), Corey Madden (135)
Outlook: Montrose, who was one of the most dominant dynasties Michigan has ever seen in Division 3 a few years ago, will be moving to Division 4 this year and expect them to make an immediate impact. This is a program rich with tradition that knows how to win meets. Keep your eye on Montrose this year as a contender in D4 and be ready for their district matchup with #3 New Lothrop, it should be a good one.
#7 - Dansville
Returning state qualifiers: 4
Individuals ranked preseason: 5 - Nick Vanduine (119), Cody Mulhollond (125), Ben Breslin (135), Taylor Trim (171), Grant Cook (189)
Outlook: A team to watch out for this year in D4 could be Dansville. They are flying under a lot of radars, however, with 4 returning state qualifiers and two wrestlers currently ranked #1 in their weights, the Aggies are dangerous. Trim and Cook are two of the most talented upperweights in D4 and if they can fill in around their studs, Dansville could be capable of making a run this year.
#8 - Bronson
Returning state qualifiers: 3
Individuals ranked preseason: 5 - Preston Lucas (130), Zach Chantrenne (135), Shayden Weaver (152), Travis Gump (171), Neil Hyaska (189)
Outlook: Bronson may be a sleeper this year in D4. Brad Losinkski, Lucas, Weaver, and Gump are all solid returners who may end up placing top 8 in the state. In addition, former all-stater Zac Chantrenne returns for his senior year after wrestling out-of-state last year and talented big man Dave Severn, son of Dan "The Beast" Severn, transferred in from Coldwater and should be a contender immediately in Division 4.
Others to watch:
Manchester - After making a great run to the state final last year, Manchester will have some major shoes to fill as they graduated 5 state qualifiers and 4 state placers from last year's squad. They do return all-staters Ryan Obrigo, Jimmy Hamilton, and Cevin Walker down low, however, their upperweights appear to be a little depleted. Unless they have some tough wrestlers waiting in the wings it is hard to see Manchester back near the top again this year.
Iron Mountain - Iron Mountain may be the top team in the UP this year and they could also contend to be one of the bests teams in D4 as well. They return 5 state qualifers, including Joe Wollum who took 4th last year and was one of the highest placing upper penisula wrestlers in any division. In addition, they are expecting big things out of freshman Ryan Gauthier at 103lbs. They have a winnable road to Battle Creek, so Iron Mountain may get a shot at the top teams in this division in March.
Ithaca - Ithaca returns quite a bit of talent down low with 4 state qualifiers at 103-125 this year. Brenan Lyon is finally over 100lbs and as a senior at 103 may be one of the best in the country. James Carey's only loss at last year's state tournament came to Lyon and he will be a favorite this year to win it as well. They may have some holes in their lineup up top, but Ithaca has the talent and expierence in the lower weights to put up points on anyone.
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