Michigan Grappler Spotlight Coverage
MHSAA Individual States Preview - Division 2
Steve Widzinski
Michigan Grappler HS Analyst
103
Frontrunner: Zac Hall (St Johns)
Top Contenders: Dean Somers (Lapeer West)
Darkhorse: Andrew Betke (Allegan)
Outlook: After having a great deal of national success this summer Hall has had an excellent freshman season and will look to cap it off with a state title this weekend. After Hall the top contender is Somers who is the only returning placer in this weight class. Hall has beaten Somer handily on multiple occasions this season, including a 14-7 decision at regionals. Hall and Somers are on opposite sides of the bracket, and it seems likely they will meet in the finals where Hall should be able to claim his first state title.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #6 Joe Garcia (Adrian) vs #3 Andrew Betke (Allegan) – Betke has had a pretty solid senior year, and should finish near the top of the podium. Garcia is a talented freshman who has looked impressive in the postseason and will be a tough early test for Betke. Whoever can win this match should be in good shape to advance to the semis.
Predictions
Semifinals – Hall over Bleise, Somers over Betke
Finals – Hall over Somers
112
Frontrunner: Jacob Schmitt (St Johns)
Top Contenders: Tyler Frese (Stevensville Lakeshore), Joey Golani (Dearborn Heights Crestwood)
Darkhorse: Tyler Foley (South Lyon East)
Outlook: After winning a state title as a freshman, Schmitt has been absolutely dominant in his sophomore season and will be favored to capture his second state title this weekend. While it’s hard to see Schmitt losing, this weight is filled with returning placers who should provide a lot of good matchups. Frese is one of the several tough seniors on this bracket, and he has the unenviable draw of wrestling Schmitt in the quarterfinals. The lower half of the bracket should consist of a good semis match between Golani and Foley. Golani is a returning finalist and will be the favorite to win, but Foley is a senior making his fourth trip to the palace and should be competitive.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #5 Mason Cleaver (Holly) vs #6 Chase Lewis (Tecumseh) – With all of the talented guys in this weight class it easy to forget about Cleaver and Lewis. However, both are talented wrestlers who have placed at the state meet before. The winner of this match will put themselves in very good position to make the semis.
Quarterfinals – Jacob Schmitt (St Johns) vs Tyler Frese (Stevensville Lakeshore) – The #1 and #2 wrestlers in this weight class are set to meet Friday afternoon in the quarterfinals. Frese has had a lot of success at the Palace before, but will have his hands full against the nationally ranked Schmitt.
Predictions
Semifinals – Schmitt over Cleaver, Golani over Foley
Finals – Schmitt over Golani
119
Frontrunner: Conor Youtsey (Mason)
Top Contenders: Tim Lambert (Forrest Hills Eastern), Anthony Gonzales (Holly), Tyler Daniel (Stevensville Lakeshore)
Darkhorse: Alex Mellin (Coopersville)
Outlook: With Youtsey, Gonzales, and Daniel in this bracket, fans will be treated to some great action in a weight class that features three wrestlers that have won state championships before. Throw returning finalist Lambert in the mix, and this appears to be the toughest weight class throughout all four divisions. Youtsey hasn’t lost a match since his sophomore year, and will be the favorite to win his third state title in this stacked weight class. The Mason senior should cruise to the semifinals where he will get his first big test against Lambert. On the top half of the bracket, Gonzales and Daniel will be favorites to reach the finals. The two are set to meet in the quarterfinals, for what should be one the state tournament’s best early matchups. Expect to see some phenomenal matches here between a group of wrestlers who know how to get it done in March.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #5 Alex Melinn (Coopersville) vs #8 Connor Hughes (Portage Northern) – It is easy to overlook Melinn and Hughes because of all the high profile names in this weight class, but of these guys have had good seasons and should be on the podium. The winner of this matchup will be the favorite to win in the quarterfinals and earn a spot in the semis.
Quarterfinals – #3 Anthony Gonzales (Holly) vs #4 Tyler Daniel (Lakeshore) – It is very rare to see a pair of state champions meet in the quarterfinals. However, that is exactly what fans will be treated to when these two square off Friday afternoon. Both of these wrestlers are exciting and fun to watch, and the winner here will be in good shape to win in the semis and reach the finals.
Predictions
Semifinals – Gonzales over Melinn, Youtsey over Lambert
Finals – Youtsey over Gonzales
125
Frontrunner: Esteban Gonzales (Holly)
Top Contenders: Nikolas Leal (Holland), Colin Burandt (Niles), Brant Schafer (St Johns)
Darkhorse: Mike Shaw (Allegan)
Outlook: Unlike a lot of the weight classes in D2, this bracket does not feature any clear-cut favorite. Gonzales comes in ranked #1 with a great chance to win, but will have several very good opponents he will have to get through in order to win a title. Among the other top competitors will be Schafer. Schafer has had a great sophomore year, and there is a good chance he will meet Gonzales in the finals for a battle of undefeated wrestlers. Leal, Shaw and Burandt are other highly skilled wrestlers who will be in the mix as well. Shaw and Burandt will meet in the quarters, with the winner taking on Schafer in the semis. On the other side of the bracket Gonzales and Leal will likely meet for what should be a good semifinal.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #2 Colin Burandt (Niles) vs #4 Mike Shaw (Allegan) – This quarterfinals bout should be the first of several great matchups in this weight class. Both of these seniors will have a shot to make the finals, but will need to get through a very tough quarterfinal match in order to do so.
Predictions
Semifinals – Schafer over Shaw, Gonzales over Leal
Finals – Gonzales over Schafer
130
Frontrunner: Nick Trimble (Sparta)
Top Contenders: Josh Pennell (St Johns), Jeff Jenkins (Tecumseh)
Darkhorse: Sam Hanau (Stevensville Lakeshore)
Outlook: Heading into the state meet the top four wrestlers in this weight all should be capable of finishing the tournament on top of the podium. Trimble has come close to winning it all the past two years, and currently is ranked first. He will have a big matchup in the quarterfinals where he will see Hanau in a match where the winner should have a clear path to the finals. The quarterfinals should serve as the semifinals on the other side of the bracket as well, were Jenkins will wrestle Pennell. This should be a phenomenal matchup between an undefeated senior and returning state-finalist. Expect this weight to be highlighted by two great matches in the quarters followed by another excellent battle in the finals.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #1 Nick Trimble (Sparta) vs #4 Sam Hanau (Stevensville Lakeshore) – This will be one of the two incredible quarterfinal matchups in this weight class. Trimble is coming off of a big regional win over Pennell, but will be in danger of being stopped short of the semis against Hanau. Expect to see a great battle that will determine who reaches the finals on the top half of the bracket.
Quarterfinals – #3 Jeff Jenkins (Tecumseh) vs #2 Josh Pennell (St Johns) – With no losses on his record and some high profile wins, Jenkins has a great shot to win a title in his senior year. He will be put to the test in the quarters against the super sophomore Pennell, who suffered his first loss of the season against Trimble at regionals.
Predictions
Semifinals – Trimble over Livingston, Jenkins over Gilmore
Finals – Jenkins over Trimble
135
Frontrunner: Taylor Simaz (Allegan)
Top Contenders: Camryn Jackson (Lansing Eastern), Joe Johnson (South Lyon), Victor Vettese (Avondale)
Darkhorse: Cody Stenberg (Muskegon Reeths-Puffer)
Outlook: Simaz emerged as a clear-cut favorite to win this weight class at regionals where he scored a dominating win over second-ranked Jackson. Simaz won his first state title as a sophomore last year, and now seems primed to win his second this weekend. Despite his loss at regionals, Jackson should not be counted out either. He is an explosive wrestler who has had success on the national level and he will be looking to avenge his loss and earn a title here. Vettese is another highly regarded wrestler who suffered a set back at regionals and will be looking to earn some redemption. Vettese is a two-time champ and has made the finals in all of the past three seasons. He will look to rebound in the quarterfinals where he should meet with Simaz. Johnson flies under a lot of radars, but he is another wrestler capable of making some noise in this weight class.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #1 Taylor Simaz (Allegan) vs #5 Victor Vetesse (Avondale) – Vetesse has made the finals every year so far in his high school career, but that streak will be in serious jeopardy when he takes on top-ranked Simaz in the quarters. Coming into states Simaz appears to be the man to beat, but will need to wrestle well to advance to the semis.
Predictions
Semifinals - Jackson over Smith, Simaz over Johnson
Finals – Simaz over Jackson
140
Frontrunner: Gabe Morse (Lowell)
Top Contenders: Payne Hayden (St Johns), Taylor Grenawalt (Haslett)
Darkhorse: Joe Preston (Grand Rapids Northview)
Outlook: Morse really distanced himself from the pack at team state last weekend where he scored a dominating major decision against second-ranked Hayden. Morse has taken big strides each year of high school career, and appears to be in great position to capture a state championship in his junior season. The top two contenders to wrestle Morse in the finals will be Hayden and Grenawalt. Both are talented sophomores who should meet in the semifinals. After the top three this weight is pretty open and should feature a lot of new faces on the podium.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #6 Adnan Berisha (Dearborn Hts Crestwood) vs #4 Joe Preston (GR Northview) – These two will meet Thursday night in the best opening match up in this weight class. Both of these wrestlers come into the state meet with excellent records and a chance to place highly. Whoever wins will have another big challenge in the quarterfinals where they will see #2 Hayden.
Predictions
Semifinals – Hayden over Grenawalt, Morse over Brewer
Finals – Morse over Hayden
145
Frontrunner: Andrew Morse (Lowell)
Top Contenders: Travis Curley (St Johns), Nate Zick (Byron Center)
Darkhorse: Nick Starzek (Mason)
Outlook: Morse has fell just short of winning a state title the past two seasons, and seems due to claim a state championship in his junior year. However, Curley has emerged as a serious threat to knock Morse off and win this weight. After falling short of placing last year, Curley has been one of Michigan’s most improved wrestlers this winter. The junior has put together an undefeated season that includes several high profile wins. These two will meet in the semis, and whoever comes out on top should be poised to win in the finals. On the other side of the bracket Zick should be the favorite to reach the finals but will likely have to get by Starzek in the semis.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #3 Nate Zick (Byron Center) vs #7 Eric VandernBossche (Ortonville Brandon) – Zick enters the state tournament as the favorite to emerge from the lower half of the bracket and reach the finals. The senior will be put to the test early Thursday night, where he is set to take on seventh-ranked VandernBossche.
Predictions
Semifinals – Morse over Curley, Zick over Starzek
Finals – Morse over Zick
152
Frontrunner: Jordan Wohlfert (St Johns)
Top Contenders: Dan Fleet (Lowell), Andrew Kelley (Allegan), Tim Sims (Milan)
Darkhorse: Ryan Burl (DeWitt)
Outlook: One could make a case that Wohlfert is the best wrestler in the state of Michigan who has yet to win a state championship. Wohlfert will look to erase that title at the Palace this weekend where he will be the favorite to place first at 152. Fleet and Sims should meet in the semis on the other side of the bracket, and will be Wohlfert’s top competition here. Fleet has placed highly the past two years, and will be competing to win a title in his senior year. Sims is another senior who can do some damage in this weight class. Sims undefeated record will be in jeopardy Friday night where he is likely to wrestle Fleet in the semis. Expect to see a great semi between Fleet and Sims, with the winner taking on Wohlfert in the finals. Kelley is a returning placer also capable of making some noise here who will have a big challenge in the quarterfinals where he will see Wohlfert.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #4 Andrew Kelley (Allegan) vs #1 Jordan Wohlfert (St Johns) – Wohlfert’s first test will come in the quarters where he will take on Kelley. After placing at the state meet as a sophomore last year, Kelley should be capable finishing near the top of this weight class. This should be a good early test for the top-ranked Wohlfert.
Predictions
Semifinals – Wohlfert over Johnston, Fleet over Sims
Finals – Wohlfert over Fleet
160
Frontrunner: Taylor Massa (St Johns)
Top Contenders: Adam Bonner (Greenville)
Darkhorse: Alex Fluegel (Fowlerville)
Outlook: No Michigan wrestler has achieved more in the past few years than Taylor Massa. The St Johns junior has yet to lose in his prep career, and it is highly unlikely that streak will end this weekend. Massa should cruise to the finals where he will likely have another rematch against Bonner. Bonner is a senior and returning state finalist who has the unfortunate dilemma of being in the same weight class as Massa. Massa has beaten Bonner multiple times this year including a second period technical fall at team state last weekend. Expect to see more of the same in the finals.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #5 James Mondoux (Portage Northern) vs #3 Cody Kline (Clio) – This first round match up will pit two of the top ranked wrestlers in this weight class against each other on Thursday night. Kline placed third at a regional that included Bonner and Massa, while Mondoux was a runner-up behind #4 Fluegel at regionals. Whoever wins here should have a pretty clear road to the semis where they will wrestle Bonner.
Predictions
Semifinals – Massa over Fluegel, Bonner over Mondoux
Finals – Massa over Bonner
171
Frontrunner: Jordan Thomas (Greenville)
Top Contenders: Shawn Scott (Holly), Chevez Ferris (Ferndale)
Darkhorse: Nick Adams (Stevensville Lakeshore)
Outlook: Thomas has been one of the best wrestlers in Michigan over the past three years, and will be in search of his second state title at the palace this weekend. The Greenville Junior is undefeated on the season, and it would be a major upset if anyone can beat him. However, Thomas’ road to a title will not be too easy, as he will likely see 50-1 Shawn Scott in the finals. Scott wrestled close against Thomas at team state, and should get another shot at him in the finals. Ferris is an extremely athletic returning placer who will also be a wrestler to watch here.
Predictions
Semifinals – Thomas over Ferris, Scott over Adams
Finals – Thomas over Scott
189
Frontrunner: Gabe Dean (Lowell)
Top Contenders: Kyle Fisher (Linden), Paul Dunneback (Sparta), Jackson Lewis (Madison Hts Lamphere)
Darkhorse: Garrett Stehley (Lowell)
Outlook: After falling just short of a state title last year, Dean will be the favorite to win a championship in his junior year. Dean is undefeated on the season and is currently ranked tenth in the nation at his weight by Intermat. However, challengers will be plentiful for Dean as there are several other talented grapplers in this weight class. Among the others gunning for a state title will be #2 Fisher. Fisher has yet to lose this year, and will be in search of a state title in his senior season. Lewis was a finalist at this weight last year, and will likely meet with Fisher for what should be a great semifinal battle. Add returning placer Dunneback and freshman stud Stehley to the mix, and this is one of the deeper weight classes in Division 2.
Predictions
Semifinals – Fisher over Lewis, Dean over Hampton
Finals – Dean over Fisher
215
Frontrunner: Adam Coon (Fowlerville)
Top Contenders: Trey Sweeney (Ypsilanti), Steve Blank (Allegan)
Darkhorse: Colton Marlette (Hastings)
Outlook: Coon proved he was the real deal at the state meet last year, where he dominated his way to a state title as a freshman. Since then, Coon’s domination has continued. The sophomore was a double All-American in Fargo this summer, and is undefeated on the season. Expect to see more dominance from Coon this weekend, who will be expected to claim his second consecutive state title. After Coon there is a pretty solid group here including Sweeney, Blank and Marlette who should all find themselves high on the podium. Matt Schultz of Milan is a returning state placer who could also make some noise.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #2 Steve Blank (Allegan) vs #4 Trey Sweeney (Ypsilanti) – Two of the top ranked wrestlers in this bracket will meet early when Blank takes on Sweeney in the quarters. Both of these guys have come strong late in the year, and who ever wins this match will have a great shot to reach the finals.
Predictions
Semifinals – Coon over Pemberton, Blank over Moran
Finals – Coon over Blank
285
Frontrunner: Quean Smith (Highland Park)
Top Contenders: Michael Hooper (Warren Lincoln), Justin Zimmer (Greenville), Adam Robinson (Mason)
Darkhorse: Collin Teff (Portage Northern)
Outlook: This years group of heavyweights will be filled with several guys who have success at the state meet before. Smith won his first state title in dominant fashion last year, and will be heavily favored to win his second this weekend. Smith will be chased by a skilled group that includes returning placers Hooper, Zimmer and Teff. All three of these guys are on the same side of the bracket and should have a good chance to reach the finals. Robinson has had a great year as well, and should get an opportunity to prove himself in the semis where he will likely meet with Smith.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #2 Michael Hooper (Warren Lincoln) vs #6 Collin Teff (Portage Northern) – After reaching all-state status as juniors, Teff and Hooper both seem likely to finish near the top of the podium this weekend in their final trip to the Palace. However, one will be bounced in the first round after this battle of two of D2’s top big men.
Predictions
Semifinals – Hooper over Zimmer, Smith over Robinson
Finals – Smith over Hooper
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