2010 MHSAA Individual State Finals
MICHIGAN GRAPPLER INDIVIDUAL STATE PREVIEW
Division 3
103
Frontrunner: Stephen Ireland (Richmond)
Top contenders: Travis Sproles (Dundee), Zack Cooper (Chippewa Hills), Kody Hukill (Otsego)
Darkhorse: Josh Hobson (Birch Run)
Outlook: Very evenly matched weight here with a few tough little guys trying to put themselves on the map with a state title this weekend. Sproles is the current #1, however, he fell 8-6 to Ireland in the D3 Finals and also got pinned by Cooper in the Team State Quarterfinals, so this weight is anyone's to win. Hukill is another tough freshman with a great record, however, he comes from arguably the weakest region so we will see if he is the real deal or not. Ireland and Cooper will meet in what should be the better semifinal in this weight and Sproles and Hukill should meet in the semis on the other side in a battle of top freshman.
Early matchups to watch:
Quarterfinals -#1 Sproles vs #6 Hobson - Hobson lost in overtime to Ireland at Regionals, Sproles lost 8-6 to Ireland last weekend. Therefore, these two should be pretty evenly matched. The winner of this match sits in good position to move on to the finals.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Sproles over Hukill, Ireland over Cooper
Finals - Ireland over Sproles
112
Frontrunner: Brandt Welcher (Hamilton)
Top contenders: Bryan Reatini (Allendale), Devane Dodgens (Chippewa Hills), Will Foster (Shelby)
Darkhorse: Jared Flores (Swan Valley)
Outlook: Reatini was the man to beat here after finishing runner-up last year at 103, however, Welcher, who is back after finishing 8th at this weight last year, knocked him off in overtime at Regionals. Dodgens is quick on his feet and capable of challenging here as well. He lost to Reatini earlier this year in a close match. Will Foster has split with Dodgens this year and Regional Champs Dominic Caterra of Richmond and Cody Petit of Goodrich have looked good all year as well. Welcher should be able to get through the top half, and the bottom half of the bracket will feature a good semifinal with Reatini and Dodgens likely meeting again.
Early matchups to watch:
1st round - #2 Reatini vs #9 Flores - These two are both returning state placers from 103 last year. Reatini took 2nd and Flores was 7th. Flores will have to be on his game to pull of an upset here and if he does fall, he will have to scratch and claw back if he wants to make the podium again this year.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Welcher over Caterra, Reatini over Dodgens
Finals - Welcher over Reatini
119
Frontrunner: Nick Smith (Ida)
Top contenders: Joe White (Dundee), Buddy Poyner (Lake Fenton)
Darkhorse: Zachary Case (BC Pennfield)
Outlook: This was going to be one of the most anticipated weights across all divisions, however, 3x state champ BJ Suitor getting beat out of regionals takes most of the allure out of this weight as we will not get to see the Smith-Suitor matchup that has been talked about all year long. Smith, who is a 2x state champ, now becomes the monstrous favorite to win this weight and become a 3xer. White, Poyner, as well as Andy Brown of Bullock Creek and Josh Rivard of RIchmond are all returning state placers that make this a deep weight, however, Smith will likely be in his own world here. The bracket fell somewhat nicely, with the exception of the tough 1st round draws, as White, Poyner, and Josh Rivard are all on the top away from Smith.
Early matchups to watch:
1st round - #2 White vs #6 Kyle Henderson (Freeland) - Very tough 1st round draw here for #2 White, who lost to Smith at Regionals. Henderson took 3rd out of that super tough regional that Suitor didnt make it out of. If the state tournament was seeded like a traditional bracket this would be more like a quarterfinal or semifinal matchup, but with the formula system we get to see these two studs with 101 wins amongst them go at it Thursday afternoon.
1st Round - #3 Poyner vs #5 Josh Rivard (Richmond) - These two are both returning state placers from last year - Poyner took 3rd at 112 in D2, Rivard was 5th at 112 in D3. Rivard just lost a last second thriller to White at Team States which shows how competetive he is at this weight. The winner of this match will have a realistic shot at making a finals run with Smith on the other side and this should be an absolutely amazing first round match between two returning all-staters.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Rivard over White, Smith over Brown
Finals - Smith over Rivard
125
Frontrunner: Chris Rau (Dundee)
Top contenders: Will Jensen (Allendale), Justin Russo (Richmond), Chris Thiele (SV)
Darkhorse: Ian Leavey (Williamston)
Outlook: Team States was like a mini-preview for this weight class as the top 4 guys were all in attendance. Rau, who is a 2x state placer, is the favorite to win this weight with only one loss this year coming to Tyler Keselring up at 130 and a handful of big wins wrestling anywhere from 125 to 135. While Rau is no doubt the guy to beat - the others are capable of giving him a run for his money. Last weekend Jensen kept it within 2 against Rau losing 4-2. Thiele is back at this weight after finishing 4th a year ago and Russo knocked off Thiele at Regionals. You cannot forget about Matt Morrill of Three Rivers, who was 5th at 119 in D2 last year and has only lost to Jensen and James Cusin this year. Rau, Jensen, and Theile are all on the top, which opens the door for Morrill to make the semis and maybe the finals if he can knock off Russo.
Early matchups to watch:
Quarterfinals - #1 Rau vs #4 Thiele- Big time matchup of two of the state's top 10 juniors. Rau beat Thiele 3-1 earlier this year and should be favored to win again, however, this will be very competetive. These guys are both very well rounded wrestlers who are good on their feet and also good on the mat which should make for an entertaining battle of two studs.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Rau over Jensen, Morrill over Russo
Finals - Rau over Morrill
130
Frontrunner: Joe Rendina (Dundee)
Top contenders: Darius Wass (SV), Zachary Corcoran (Lake Fenton)
Darkhorse: Pat Baruth (Richmond)
Outlook: Joe Rendina is looking to finally win a state title after being hurt his freshman year and getting caught in a throw last year by JT Gustin in the semifinals, which was his only loss of the season. This year he comes in undefeated again and on a collision course to meet 2x finalist Darius Wass in the finals. Wass will have to get through Corcoran in the semis, whose only loss of the season was a 7-3 decision to Rendina at Regionals, but if he does it will make for one of the more enticing D3 finals matches as they both look to finally win a state title - Rendina after injury and upset and Wass after two unsuccesfull trips to the finals. Luke Faultersack of Coloma, Corey Alegria of Alma, and Steven Ruppert of Kent City all come in with 3 or less losses as well.
Early matchups to watch:
Quarterfinals - #3 Faultersack vs #4 Corcoran - These guys should feel happy to be away from Rendina, but upset to be seeing each in the quarterfinals. The winner of this match will meet up with Wass in what should be a good semifinal match. Both returning state placers, Corcoran didnt lose until Regionals and Faultersack has wins over guys like Simaz and Bosma this year with one of his two losses coming to Tyler Keselring.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Wass over Faultersack, Rendina over Baruth
Finals - Rendina over Wass
135
Frontrunner: Ryen Nieman (Bullock Creek)
Top contenders: Austin Dingeldine (Newaygo)
Darkhorse: Liam Grantham (Dundee)
Outlook: This is one of those weights that is almost over before it starts. Dont get me wrong anything can happen, but it is very difficult to see anyone making Nieman sweat this weekend. The 2x champ is currently the #1 ranked 135lber in the country by InterMat and this weight features 0 other returning state placers. If anybody keeps him within a decision they should consider themselves victors.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Treend over Dingeldine, Nieman over Sanchez
Finals - Nieman over Treend
140
Frontrunner: Roger Wildmo (Durand)
Top contenders: Josh Headworth (Belding), Elvis Peacock (Chippewa Hills)
Darkhorse: Bryce Montgomery (Goodrich)
Outlook: Much like 135 this weight should be all Wildmo. The junior has been to the finals both years so far of his career, winning it as a freshman and losing to Nieman in a great finals match last year. This year he and Nieman are separated and they should both be equally dominant this year in victory.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Wildmo over Headworth, Peacock over Burch
Finals - Wildmo over Peacock
145
Frontrunner: Garrett Schaner (Big Rapids)
Top contenders: Brian Henke (Richmond), Travis Jaster (Caro), Matt Beebe (SV), John Tanner (Coloma)
Darkhorse: Brandon Desbrough (Dundee)
Outlook: Schaner is the favorite to win, however this is a deep weight with a few guys capable of challening the Stanford-bound senior. Henke was a runner-up last year and has scored big wins this with an undefeated record. Beebe and Tanner are returning placers as well and Jaster placed two years ago. Henke and Tanner should meet in the semis for a shot at Schaner, who will have to get through Jaster in the quarters.
Early matchups to watch:
1st Round - #4 Beebe vs #6 Terner Gott (Otsego) - Tough first round draw with returning placer Beebe and Gott who qualified in D2 as a freshman last year. These two are completely opposite in terms of style. Beebe is short, stout and wrestles like a bull where Gott is long, more methodical, and relies on good mat wrestling to win many matches.
Quarterfinals - #1 Schaner vs #3 Jaster - Big matchup here with the #1 and #3 wrestlers at 145. Schaner has never won a state title and his road to winning this year will not be an easy one as he will likely have to go throught #3 Jaster, #4 Beebe, and #2 Henke en route to the title unless one of those guys get knocked off. Jaster was 5th in the state two years ago, however, he failed to qualify last year so he will be looking to get back to the podium this year.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Henke over Tanner, Schaner over Beebe
Finals - Schaner over Henke
152
Frontrunner: Troy Lamson (SV)
Top contenders: Aaron Risch (Williamston)
Darkhorse: Adrian Morang (Richmond)
Outlook: This weight should boil down to two guys, Lamson and Risch, who will meet in the semifinals. This is an example of a weight where it would be nice to separate the top two because the state title may be decisively determined in the semifinals. Lamson beat Risch 10-8 earlier this year and this time around should be equally close as they are both accomplished seniors who have never made the State Finals and will not be satisfied with missing out again this year.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Morang over Bachus, Lamson over Risch
Finals - Lamson over Morang
160
Frontrunner: Chris Brown (Kellogsville)
Top contenders: Roger Crump (Richmond), Jordan Graham (Fremont)
Darkhorse: Gage Hutchison (Buchanan)
Outlook: Brown is a monster at 160 and the undefeated returning champ is definitely the man to beat here heading into this weekend. Crump, who lost to Brown in the state finals last year, will look to get another shot at him this year in the 160lb finale, however, he will have to get through Jordan Graham who has been wrestling very well this year including a win over Troy Lamson. The Crump-Graham semifinal match should be a good one to watch and keep an eye on Buchanan freshman Hutchison who will see Crump in the quarters.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Brown over Hermann, Graham over Crump
Finals - Brown over Graham
171
Frontrunner: Mason Courtright (Shelby)
Top contenders:Parker Lovell (Goodrich), Trevor Davis (Otsego), DMario Lewis (Whitehall), Jared Groenveld (Allendale)
Darkhorse: Dakota Boldrey (Richmond)
Outlook: This weight is class may be the most up in the air of all the Division 3 brackets. We currently have Courtright ranked #1 and while his is a very good Sophomore, there are a handful of other great wrestlers who are capable of beating him. Jared Groenveld is the only returning placer in this weight, however, he lost to Trevor Davis and finished 3rd at Regionals. Lovell and Lewis have been wrestling well this year as well and could make some noise if they are on this weekend. Courtright, Groenveld, Lewis, and Lovell are all on the bottom half and shouild make for some good quarterfinal bouts.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Davis over Bouldrey, Groenveld over Lovell
Finals - Groenveld over Davis
189
Frontrunner: Joe Stark (Onsted)
Top contenders: Justin Heiserman (Dundee), Tom Bolday (Capac), Mike Tyranski (Yale)
Darkhorse: Jarred Labelle (Goodrich)
Outlook: Heiserman was the #1 guy in this weight all season long until he got knocked off by Stark in a close 4-3 match at Regionals, so know this weight is looking a little more open. Bolday is a returning placer, taking 8th in this weight last year and he comes in after downing Tyranski at Regionals. Tyranski and Labelle have looked good throughout the year and could make a bid to place high as well. Stark and Bolday should meet in a good semifinal match while Heiserman should cruise through the top half of the bracket.
Early matchups to watch:
1st round - #4 Tyranski vs #5 Labelle
Predictions:
Semifinals - Heiserman over Tyranski, Stark over Bolday
Finals - Heiserman over Stark
215
Frontrunner: Drake Renas (Big Rapids)
Top contenders: Andy Carpenter (Kingsford), Tyler Havens (Mor Stanwood), Andy Ottenwess (Allendale)
Darkhorse: Coty Perin (Otsego)
Outlook: Renas remains the top dog in this weight after finishing 6th last year as a sophomore he will look to break through with a state title this year. Havens is the only other returning placer, finishing 7th at 215 last year. Carpenter beat Havens at Regionals and Ottenwess scored a big pin over Heiserman at team states, which shows his ability to wrestle with the top guys here. This bracket seems top heavy with Ottenwess, Havens, Carpenter, as well as Regional Champ Nick Russler all on the upper half. Renas has a pretty good road to the finals.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Carpenter over Russler, Renas over Decker
Finals - Renas over Carpenter
285
Frontrunner: Ryan Steverson (Lakewood)
Top contenders: Ty Millerov (Caro), Steve Lams (Yale), Gauge Aebersold (Onsted)
Dark Horse: Kevin Zimmerman (Portland)
Outlook: Steverson stands out in this good group of big men with his undefeated record, however, Millerov and Aebersold are also returning placers from this weight last year and Lams, Compo, Collard, and Hadel are all returning state qualifiers. As always with heavyweights, a lot can happen in this weight and while Steverson is the favorite, dont be surprised if this weight finishes with a couple surprises.
Predictions:
Semifinals - Steverson over Millerov, Aebersold over Lams
Finals - Steverson over Aebersold
Copyright 2007-10 Michigan Grappler LLC
May not be reproduced without expressed written consent
Contact via email: admin@michigangrappler.com
