Michigan Grappler Spotlight Coverage
MHSAA Individual States Preview - Division 1
Steve Widzinski
Michigan Grappler HS Analyst
103
Frontrunner: Mitch Rogaliner (Temperance Bedford)
Top Contenders: Shane Wireman (Holt), Martin Rodriguez (Grand Ledge)
Darkhorse: Ben Griffin (Canton)
Outlook: After winning a regional that consisted of four of the top five ranked wrestlers in this weight class, Rogaliner appears to be a pretty good bet to repeat as state champion. The sophomore should have a pretty clear road to the finals where he could potentially see Wireman, Rodriguez or Griffin. Wireman and Rodriguez seem pretty evenly matched, and if they meet in the semis it should be a barn burner. Griffin comes in with a 54-1 record and is capable of making some noise as well, but he will have to get past Rodriguez and Wireman in order to make the finals.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #5 Kyle Gillies (Westland John Glenn) vs #7 Eddie Schlickenmeyer (Sterling Heights Stevenson) – Schlickenmeyer didn’t do himself any favors by winning a regional title last weekend. The freshmen will have to take on fifth-ranked Gillies in the first round, who placed fourth behind Rogaliner, Wireman and Rodriguez last weekend. Gillies has a great shot to make the semifinals, but this match should be a tough early test for him.
Quarterfinals – #4 Ben Griffin (Canton) vs #3 Martin Rodriguez (Grand Ledge) – Most of the top contenders in this weight class have grown pretty familiar with each other over the past few weeks. The big exception to that is Griffin who has yet to wrestle against many of Division 1’s top ranked 103s so far this season. The freshman will have a huge opportunity to prove himself in this quarterfinal matchup.
Predictions
Semifinals – Rodriguez over Wireman, Rogaliner over Gillies
Finals – Rogaliner over Rodriguez
112
Frontrunner: Justin Oliver (Davison)
Top Contenders: Austin Eicher (Hartland), Josh Wood (Rochester), Keegan Cantara (Oxford)
Darkhorse: Malik Amine (Detroit Catholic Central)
Outlook: 112 has been one of Division 1’s deepest weight classes all year long, and coming in it appears that nearly all of the top 10 guys are capable of finishing in the top 3. Undefeated Davison freshman Justin Oliver has put together an excellent season, and enters the state tournament as a favorite to reach the top of the podium. In order to reach the finals Oliver will have to get through second-ranked Eicher in the semis in a battle of highly ranked freshman. Also capable of making some noise on the top half of the bracket is Amine. Despite having 11 losses on his record, Amine has scored some high profile wins this year and his funky style makes him a threat to win every match that he is in. The lower half of the bracket should be a bit more wide open, with Wood, Cantara, Spurlin and Zundel all having a legitimate shot at the finals.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #5 Jourdain Spurlin (Southgate Anderson) vs #3 Josh Wood (Rochester) – Wood is a returning state finalist, however he will need a big effort to get past Spurlin and return to the semifinals. After falling just short of placing in his freshman season, Spurlin has looked very good in his sophomore year and will have a chance to ensure all-state status in this quarterfinal matchup.
Quarterfinals – #2 Austin Eicher (Hartland) vs #7 Malik Amine (DCC) – As previously noted, Amine is more dangerous than his record indicates. Eicher is a serious contender to win a state title, but will have his hands full in this quarters matchup. Both of these guys are fun to watch, and this should be one of the best early matches in Division 1.
Predictions
Semifinals – Oliver over Eicher, Wood over Cantara
Finals – Oliver over Wood
119
Frontrunner: Freddie Rodriguez (Grand Ledge)
Top Contenders: Gabe Martinez (Livonia Franklin), Jacob Meadows (Livonia Churchill)
Darkhorse: Eric Rybarz (Anchor Bay)
Outlook: Heading into states it appears that this weight class will be Rodriguez vs the field. Rodriguez has yet to lose at the state tournament in his high school career, and will be heavily favored to claim his third consecutive state title this weekend. After Rodriguez this weight is completely wide open and the other top spots on the podium are up for grabs. Second-ranked Martinez will have a good chance to emerge from the bottom half of the bracket, but Rybarz, Rocco Borg and Tyler VanRooyen will all be in the mix as well.
Early Matchups to Watch
1st Round – #5 Keith Boldt (Hartland) vs #3 Jacob Meadows (Livonia Churchill) – Boldt is one of the only returning placers in this weight class and will be looking to avenge a close loss he suffered to Meadows a few weeks back. This match is especially big because the winner will have a great chance to reach the semis, while the loser will probably have to get past VanRooyen or Martinez in the blood round.
Predictions
Semifinals – Rodriguez over Boldt, Martinez over Rybarz
Finals – Rodriguez over Martinez
125
Frontrunner: Ken Bade (Detroit Catholic Central)
Top Contenders: Alex Calandrino (Howell), Guffey (Wyandotte Roosevelt), Kaelan Richards, (Rochester)
Darkhorse: Dom Trevino (Holt)
Outlook: Calandrino and Bade are two of the state’s best wrestlers yet to win state titles, and appear likely to meet in the finals here for one of D1’s top matchups. However, this is one of the deeper weight classes in Division 1, and there are a lot of talented wrestlers who should make this an interesting bracket to watch unfold. Bade will have to get by the dangerous Trevino in the quarters, and will then most likely see Guffey in the semis. Guffey is a senior who nearly beat Calandrino at regionals, and should be able to challenge Bade for a spot in the finals. Calandrino’s road to the finals should be a bit more clear than Bade’s. His toughest test will come in the semis where he will likely see Richards who is a returning placer with a 51-2 record.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #9 Evan Hoshaw (Brighton) vs #4 Kaelan Richards (Rochester) – The fourth-ranked Richards will definitely have a tough test in his first round match. Hoshaw is an explosive wrestler who has proven that when he is on he can compete with anyone. Keep your eyes on this match as it has the potential to be an early upset in D1.
Predictions
Semifinals – Bade over Guffey, Calandrino over Richards
Finals – Calandrino over Bade
130
Frontrunner: Terry Turner (Davison)
Top Contenders: Steve Tuyo (Livonia Franklin), Logan Marcicki (Detroit Catholic Central), Jeff Sloney (Clarkston)
Darkhorse: Joe Lombard (Wyandotte Roosevelt)
Outlook: Turner has been impressive all season long, and will be the favorite to earn a state title in this weight class. On the top half of the bracket Turner should be able to take care of business and win in the semifinals where he will probably wrestle Sloney or Wawrzyniak. The lower half of the bracket should be a bit more competitive, and Tuyo, Marcicki and Lombard should all have a chance to be finalists. Tuyo and Lombard meet in the first round, and the winner will likely see Marcicki in the semifinals Friday night.
Early Matchups to Watch
1st Round – #7 Joe Lombard (Wyandotte Roosevelt) vs #6 Steve Tuyo (Livonia Franklin) – After taking an injury default in his third place match at regionals, Tuyo set up a huge first round match up against Lombard. Both of these seniors have the potential to reach the finals and should make this a good battle. Who ever loses here will likely have the unenviable task of beating either Sloney or Wawrzyniak in the blood round.
Predictions
Semifinals – Turner over Sloney, Marcicki over Tuyo
Finals – Turner over Marcicki
135
Frontrunner: Alec Mooradian (Detroit Catholic Central)
Top Contenders: Angelo Latora (Portage Central), Larry Rybarz (Anchor Bay)
Darkhorse: Jake Weissend (Flint Carman Ainsworth)
Outlook: Mooradian enters the state tournament as a two-time state champion who has only lost one match in high school career. Mooradian’s proven ability to win at the palace makes him a favorite to win this weight, however he will have his work cut out for him against Latora. Latora is a physical and aggressive wrestler who has placed at the state meet the past four years. He spent a lot of the year at 140, and has looked dominant since dropping to 135. These two seem highly likely to meet in the finals in what should be one of the best finals matches across all four divisions.
Early Matchups to Watch
1st Round – #7 Mike Thomas (Oxford) vs #6 Jake Baker (BC Lakeview) – Thomas and Baker are both capable of placing highly, and will look to help their cause with an early win. There are a lot of competitive wrestlers at this weight, and a win here will be a big step towards reaching the podium.
Predictions
Semifinals – Latora over Weissend, Mooradian over Rybarz
Finals – Mooradian over Latora
140
Frontrunner: Brian Gibbs (Temperance Bedford)
Top Contenders: Derek Davison (Monroe), Greg Day (Macomb Dakota), Kyle Witgen (Romeo)
Darkhorse: Justin Zimmer (Utica Ford)
Outlook: Gibbs and Davison have been the top wrestlers at this weight all year long, and appear likely to meet in finals. The two are very familiar with each other and have wrestled several times this year. Gibbs dominated Davison at regionals, but Davison has beaten Gibbs earlier this year and definitely has the potential to win this weight. Witgen and Day are the finalists from the L’Anse Creuse region, and should also be contenders here. Look for Day to wrestle Davison and Witgen to wrestle Gibbs in the semifinals.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #6 Justin Zimmer (Utica Ford) vs #2 Derek Davison (Monroe) – Davison and Zimmer both came out of very tough regionals, and this is not a typical 2 vs 3 match up. Davison is a favorite to reach the finals, but will need to come ready to wrestle in the first round.
Predictions
Semifinal – Davison over Day, Gibbs over Witgen
Finals – Gibbs over Davison
145
Frontrunner: Matt Frisch (Oxford)
Top Contenders: Jordan Cooks (Davison), Jared Zimmerman (Hudsonville)
Darkhorse: Nick Mason (Detroit Catholic Central)
Outlook: Frisch has spent the entire season ranked first at this weight, and comes into states as the favorite to win a title in his senior year. Frisch is a returning finalist who has beaten nearly all of the top ranked wrestlers at this weight at some point this season. However, some of these guys have come close to beating Frisch at some point this year, and this weight has the potential for some upsets. Frisch should not have too much trouble reaching the finals where he could see one of several quality opponents. Zimmerman, Cooks and Mason are all on the lower half of the bracket and should be in contention to reach the finals. Mason and Cooks will meet in the quarters, with the winner taking on Zimmerman for a shot at Frisch.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals: #4 Nick Mason (DCC) vs #3 Jared Zimmerman (Hudsonville) – This will be a rematch from the state meet last year where Zimmerman defeated Mason for third place. A lot will be riding on this years match, as both wrestlers have a great shot to reach the finals. Expect to se a great match here, with the winner taking on Cooks in the semis.
Predictions
Semifinals – Frisch over Snider, Cooks over Zimmerman
Finals – Frisch over Cooks
152
Frontrunner: John Julien (Hartland)
Top Contenders: Drew Garcia (DCC), Austin Scogg (Rockford), Niko Parks (East Kentwood)
Darkhorse: Korey Knapp (Grand Ledge)
Outlook: Heading into states this seems to be one of the more balanced weight classes and could feature a variety of different outcomes. The top half of the bracket appears to be the easier side, and Scogg should be able to take advantage and reach the finals. The action should be great right off the bat on the lower half ,where Parks is set to take on Knapp in the first round with the winner wrestling against top-ranked Julien in the quarterfinals. If Julien can survive the quarterfinals, he will likely see the extremely talented freshman Garcia in the semis. Whoever can emerge from this side of the bracket will be considered the favorite going into the finals.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #6 Niko Parks (East Kentwood) vs #5 Korey Knapp (Grand Ledge) – 152 is a pretty wide open weight, and both of these guys could find themselves very high on the podium at the end of the weekend. The winner will have a very difficult path to the semis, with top-ranked Julien waiting in the quarters.
Predictions
Semifinals – Scogg over Fisher, Garcia over Julien
Finals – Garcia over Scogg
160
Frontrunner: Ben Ralston (Oxford)
Top Contenders: Seth Hanton (Holt), Brandon Hill (Brighton)
Darkhorse: Matt Roos (Livonia Franklin)
Outlook: Ralston has been one of the most improved wrestlers in the state this year, and has looked particularly impressive towards the end of the season. He defeated the #2 and #3 at 171 last week at team state, and is a favorite to win a state title this weekend. Ralston’s toughest test prior to the finals will come from #3 Hill in the quarters who wrestled him fairly close earlier this year. Assuming he can get by Hill, Ralston will likely see Hanton in the finals. Hanton is a big, physical 160 who is the only other returning state placer in this weight class and should provide a good finals matchup.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals - #1 Ben Ralston (Oxford) vs #3 Brandon Hill (Brighton) – This is a tough draw for both wrestlers who are among the top contenders in this weight class. Ralston is the favorite to win this weight, and Hill will be his toughest test prior to the finals.
Predictions
Semifinals – Ralston over Roos, Hanton over Erickson
Finals – Ralston over Hanton
171
Frontrunner: Matt Vandermeer (Clarkston)
Top Contenders: Kevin Beazley (DCC), Tomas Gomez (Southgate Anderson), Will Royster (Kalamazoo Central)
Darkhorse: Justin Charneski (Hartland)
Outlook: Vandermeer has spent the entire season atop the rankings, but a lot of wrestlers have emerged over the course of the season who also are capable of competing for a state championship. Vandermeer and Royster are set to meet in the quarters on the top half of the bracket and whoever wins will be favored to reach the finals. However, Charneski should be not be overlooked here. He comes in with 16 losses, but scored an upset over 160 #1 Ben Ralston at team state and could have the potential surprise some people. Gomez and Beazley are the top wrestlers on the lower half of the bracket and should meet in the semis for what should be a good matchup.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #1 Matt Vandermeer (Clarkston) vs #4 Will Royster (Kalamazoo Central) – When Royster and Vandermeer meet in the quarters it will be the first of several great matchups in this weight class. There will be a bit of a contrast of styles here as Vandermeer does his best wrestling on the mat, while Royster is explosive on his feet. Whoever comes out on top will have a great shot to reach the finals and win this weight.
Predictions
Semifinals – Vandermeer over Price, Beazley over Gomez
Finals – Vandermeer over Beazley
189
Frontrunner: Anthony Abro (Canton)
Top Contenders: Austin Pickering (Port Huron Northern), Miles Trealout (Detroit Catholic Central), Joey McClure (West Ottawa)
Darkhorse: Jarrad LaBelle (Davison)
Outlook: As far as depth goes, fans will be hard pressed to find a more impressive bracket than 189 in Division 1. Nearly every wrestler appears to a threat to reach the podium, and there should be plenty of good matchups from the first round on. Trealout is a returning placer and will have a great chance to reach the finals on the top half of the bracket. The competition will be stiff for Trealout who could will see either LaBelle or regional champ Mike Farrington in the quarters, and McClure in the semis. As tough as the top half of the bracket is, the top two ranked wrestlers are on the lower half. Abro is undefeated and should see second-ranked Pickering in the semis. Abro has already beaten Pickering this year, and will be the favorite to reach the finals where he will likely see Trealout who he defeated at districts and regionals.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round - #7 Mike Farrington (BC Lakeview) vs #6 Jarrad LaBelle (Davison) – Despite winning a regional championship last week, Farrington will have an extremely tough opponent in the first round. LaBelle has been a bit inconsistent this year, but has shown that he is capable of competing with anyone in this weight class. Whoever can come out on top of this match will see #3 Trealout in a great quarterfinals battle.
1st Round - #9 Kurt Alder (Brighton) vs #5 Jerry Westerman (Grand Haven) – Alder vs Westerman will be another match between ranked in opponents in the first round. Both of these wrestlers have the potential to finish near the top of the podium, but may wind up not placing at all due to the depth in this weight class.
Predictions
Semifinals – Trealout over McClure, Abro over Pickering
Finals – Abro over Trealout
215
Frontrunner: Chris Nash (Roseville)
Top Contenders: Prescott Line (Oxford), Nick Gajdzik (Stoney Creek)
Darkhorse: David Pope (Monroe)
Outlook: For the most part this seems to be a three horse race between Nash, Line and Gajdzik. Nash and Line have been at the top of the rankings since December, and will meet in the semifinals. This should be a great match between two of the state’s top upper weights. Who ever wins will be the favorite to win in the finals, however Gajdzik came very close to beating Line earlier this year and is also a contender in this weight class.
Predictions
Semifinals – Nash over Line, Gajdzik over Pope
Finals – Nash over Gajdzik
285
Frontrunner: Adam Bennett (Romeo)
Top Contenders: Justin Dozier (Woodhaven), Ben Poirier (Canton)
Darkhorse: Ryan Hankins (Davison)
Outlook: Heading into states heavyweight appears to be one of the more wide-open weight classes in D1. Bennett and Dozier are the only returning placers, however there are a lot of guys with fantastic records who should all be in the mix. Bennett should be a good bet to reach the finals, with his toughest test coming in the semi finals against the powerful Hankins. On the lower half of the bracket Dozier and Poirier should meet in the semis. Both wrestlers are athletic heavyweights who move well and have a shot to compete for a title.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #2 Justin Dozier (Woodhaven) vs #9 Kyle Gray (Warren Mott) – Gray is a returning state qualifier from a year ago who is a good bet to place high. He had a bit of a setback at regionals, which set up this great first round matchup with Dozier. Dozier probably has the toughest road to the finals of anyone at this weight, and will need to wrestle very well just to reach the quarterfinals.
Predictions
Semifinals – Bennett over Hankins, Poirier over Dozier
Finals – Poirier over Bennett
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