Michigan Grappler Spotlight Coverage
MHSAA Individual States Preview - Division 3
Steve Widzinski
Michigan Grappler HS Analyst
103
Frontrunner: Zack Cooper (Chippewa Hills)
Top Contenders: Isaac Jewell (Goodrich), Nathan Weckeser (Chippewa Hills), Joey Jackson (Lake Odessa Lakewood)
Darkhorse: Luke Spotts (Fremont)
Outlook: Following a third place finish as a freshman last season, Cooper will try to take the next step and win a title this weekend. Cooper dominated his way through districts and regionals and should have little trouble reaching the finals where he will probably face off with second-ranked Jewell. Jewell is the only other returning placer in this weight class, and will be the favorite to advance to the finals on the other side of the bracket. If these two meet in the finals it will be a rematch from last years third place match where Cooper defeated Jewell in overtime. Cooper and Jewell are two of the top little guys across the state, and if they meet it should be one of the best finals matches in D3. Weckeser, Spotts, and Joey Jackson are all other talented 103s capable of placing high.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round - #3 Nathan Weckeser (Chippewa Hills) vs #6 James Demember (Lake Fenton) – This will be a big early matchup between two talented wrestlers making their first appearance in the state tournament. Whoever can come out on top should meet with Spotts in a good quarterfinal.
Quarterfinals - #5 Adam Bishop (Birch Run) vs #2 Isaac Jewell (Goodrich) – Second-ranked Jewell will be tested early when he sees Bishop in the quarters. Bishop is a senior who is coming off of a regional championship and should be able to place high.
Predictions
Semifinals – Jewell over Weckeser, Cooper over Jackson
Finals – Cooper over Jewell
112
Frontrunner: Stephen Ireland (Richmond)
Top Contenders: Devane Dodgens (Chippewa Hills), Caleb DuBridge (Comstock Park), Nathan Wade (Dundee)
Darkhorse: Casimer Strzynski (Ludington)
Outlook: This weight class should feature one of the top matches of the state tournament when returning state champions Dodgens and Ireland meet in the semifinals Friday night. Assuming both wrestlers can win their first two matches, this will be a great battle between two of the state’s top lightweights. Dodgens has yet to lose in his senior year, and will look to keep that streak alive against Ireland. Whoever comes out on top in this match will advance to the finals where they will be favored to win their second consecutive state title. The other side of this bracket will feature some great talent as well. Wade placed third at this weight a year ago, and will likely wrestle returning D2 placer DuBridge in the quarterfinals.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #4 Nathan Wade (Dundee) vs #7 York Ash (Kingsley) – Two guys with potential to finish near the top of the podium will meet early in this matchup between Wade and Ash. Wade has a very tough road to the semis that starts with this tough matchup.
Predictions
Semifinals – Ireland over Dodgens, DuBridge over Strzynski
Finals – Ireland over DuBridge
119
Frontrunner: Todd Melick (Lake Fenton)
Top Contenders: Bryan Reatini (Allendale), Travis Sproles (Dundee), Nate Zack (Whitehall), Nick Ross (Comstock Park)
Darkhorse: Dustin Noreyko (Roscommon)
Outlook: Returning Division 1 state finalist Melick comes in as the favorite to win this talent deep weight class. Melick once again showed why he is one of the state’s most dangerous wrestlers at team state last weekend, pinning all three of his opponents in the first period including third-ranked Sproles. Second-ranked Reatini should have a good chance of reaching the finals on the lower half of the bracket. After losing in the finals at districts, Reatini rebound with a first place showing at regionals. Many others here have a shot to get in the mix as well. Sproles, Zack and Ross have all wrestled well this postseason and should keep this weight very competitive.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals: #3 Travis Sproles (Dundee) vs #5 Nick Ross (Comstock Park) – There will be a trip to the semifinals on the line when these two meet in the quarters. Ross beat #2 Reatini at districts, but had a setback at regionals and finished third. Look for this to be one of the best early bouts in this weight class.
Predictions
Semifinals – Melick over Ross, Reatini over Noreyko
Finals – Melick over Reatini
125
Frontrunner: Buddy Poyner (Lake Fenton)
Top Contenders: Joey White (Dundee), Chris Thiele (Swan Valley)
Darkhorse: Lake Bennett (Birch Run)
Outlook: This weight class appears to be a three horse race between Poyner, White and Thiele. Poyner has established himself as the favorite in the past few weeks with some big victories. The Lake Fenton senior narrowly defeated Thiele at districts and regionals, and won an overtime thriller against White at team state. All three are capable of winning a title this weekend, and should make this an exciting weight to watch unfold. White and Thiele are set to meet in the quarters with the winner likely advancing to the finals. Poyner should have a more clear road to the finals where he will look to cap off his senior year with a state title. After the top three Bennett, Alberto Lopez and Casey Martin are among the other talented grapplers who should be able to finish high.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #2 Joey White (Dundee) vs #3 Chris Thiele (Swan Valley) – White and Thiele both have a legitimate shot at a state championship and one will be bounced prior to the semis in this great quarterfinals matchup. Whoever can win will be a big favorite to win in the semis and advance to the finals.
Predictions
Semifinals – White over Lopez, Poyner over Martin
Finals – White over Poyner
130
Frontrunner: Joe Rendina (Dundee)
Top Contenders: Travis Fish (Ida), Johnny Finney (Bullock Creek), Garrett Edwards (Richmond)
Darkhorse: Ben Luth (Dowagiac)
Outlook: Over the course of his high school career Rendina has been one of the elite wrestlers in Division 3 as well as the state of Michigan. Rendina claimed his first state title as a junior last season, and all signs indicate he should be in good shape to win his second this weekend. The talented senior has yet to lose a match this year, and should be able to keep that streak alive at the palace. Fish, Edwards, Luth and regional champ Kevin Miller are all talented wrestlers who will have a shot to emerge from the lower half of the bracket and meet Rendina in the finals.
Predictions
Semifinals – Rendina over Finney, Fish over Miller
Finals – Rendina over Fish
135
Frontrunner: Zach Corcoran (Lake Fenton)
Top Contenders: Steve Ruppert (Reed City), Derek Camilleri (Bullock Creek), Brandon Treharne (Dundee)
Darkhorse: Johnny Wiggers (Fremont)
Outlook: After placing all of the past three seasons, Corcoran will look to finally reach the top of the podium this weekend. Corcoran has been impressive all season long, scoring multiple high profile wins throughout the year. The senior should be the favorite to take home first place honors in this weight class. Others state championship hopefuls in the bracket include returning placers Ruppert and Camilleri as well as Treharne who placed sixth in 2009. Treharne and Camilleri will meet early in the quarters with the winner likely taking on Corcoran in the semis. Ruppert will be the favorite to emerge from the lower half of the bracket where he will likely see regional champion Wiggers in the semis.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals - #3 Derek Camilleri (Bullock Creek) vs #4 Brandon Treharne (Dundee) – The action will start to heat up in this weight class when Camilleri takes on Treharne in the quarters. Both of these wrestlers have placed at the state meet before and will likely finish near the top of the podium this weekend. Expect this to be a good battle with the winner taking on #1 Corcoran in the semis.
Predictions
Semifinals – Corcoran over Camilleri, Ruppert over Wiggers
Finals – Corcoran over Ruppert
140
Frontrunner: Chris Rau (Dundee)
Top Contenders: Justin Russo (Richmond), Scott Flowers (Bullock Creek)
Darkhorse: Dre Lewis (Whitehall)
Outlook: Rau claimed his first state title last March and will look to finish his high school career as a two-time state champion by winning another title this weekend. Rau should be able to reach the finals without too much trouble where he will likely encounter Russo or Flowers. Russo placed fifth last year and will be looking to avenge a loss he suffered to Rau in the regional final last week. Flowers is another wrestler who will be hoping to avenge a loss to Rau. Flowers took his first loss of the season against Rau at team state last week, and will be looking to make the finals and earn a rematch.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round – #5 Ty Hagar (Erie Mason) vs #6 Dre Lewis (Whitehall) – Regional champion Dre Lewis will be tested early when he squares off with #5 Hagar in the first round. Hagar placed fourth in a regional bracket that consisted of the #1, #2 and #4 ranked wrestlers in this weight class.
Predictions
Semifinals – Rau over Lewis, Russo over Flowers
Finals – Rau over Russo
145
Frontrunner: Justin Melick (Lake Fenton)
Top Contenders: Terner Gott (Otsego), Chris O’Guinn (Lake Fenton), Travis Reinhart (Dundee), Jordan Munro (Bullock Creek)
Darkhorse: Elvis Peacock (Chippewa Hills)
Outlook: Few weight classes in Division 3 boast the depth of 145 lbs. Leading an impressive pack of wrestlers in this bracket will be top-ranked Melick. Melick broke out last year when he won a state title in Division 1, and the senior will be the favorite to win his second state championship this weekend. However, competition will be plentiful in this talent deep weight class. Gott placed fourth a year ago and is also a contender here. O’Guinn is a returning placer as well who has shown a great deal of improvement this year. Regional champions Reinhart and Munro also have been impressive and are capable of competing for a title here. Peacock is a returning state finalist and comes in ranked seventh which should be a good indicator of how tough this weight class is. Reinhart, Munro and O’Guinn will all have a chance to reach the finals in the top half of the bracket, and Gott and Melick will likely meet in the semis on the lower half.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #3 Chris O’Guinn (Lake Fenton) vs #5 Jordan Munro (Bullock Creek) – When O’Guinn sees Munro in the quarterfinals it should be the first of many great matchups in this bracket. Both of these wrestlers have been particularly impressive late in the season and should have a good shot to make the finals if they can win here.
Predictions
Semifinals – Reinhart over O’Guinn, Melick over Gott
Finals – Melick over Reinhart
152
Frontrunner: Roger Wildmo (Durand)
Top Contenders: Caleb Slavik (Birch Run), Jordan Betham (Lakeview), Alex Morang (Richmond)
Darkhorse: Trevor Jastor (Caro)
Outlook: Wildmo enters the state tournament having not lost a prep match since the 2009 state finals. The Durand senior proved that he is one of the nation’s elite wrestlers this fall when he placed first at Super 32. Look for Wildmo to continue his streak of dominance at the palace this weekend where he will be heavily favored to win his third state title. Wildmo should be able to cruise to the finals where he will likely see the winner of a Slavik vs Betham quarterfinal matchup.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals - #2 Caleb Slavik (Birch Run) vs #3 Jordan Betham (Lakeview) – There will likely be a spot in the finals riding on this quarterfinals matchup between Slavik and Betham. Whoever can emerge from this match will be favored to win the semis and wrestle in the finals Saturday night.
Predictions
Semifinals – Wildmo over Morang, Slavik over Jaster
Finals – Wildmo over Slavik
160
Frontrunner: Conor Brancheau (Lake Fenton)
Top Contenders: Jerry Flores (Swan Valley), Nick Allen (Mason County Central), Adrian Morang (Richmond)
Darkhorse: Ryan Friend
Outlook: Brancheau and Flores have had a few great battles over the past few weeks, and there is a good chance they will meet in again in the finals at 160. The two have met three times with this postseason, with Brancheau winning two out of three matchups. Both wrestlers have been at the top of the rankings for most of the season and are capable of winning this weight class. Other potential contenders include Allen and Morang. Look for Flores to meet with Morang in the quarterfinals, while Brancheau and Allen will likely wrestle in the semis. Regional champion Ryan Friend of Whitehall will likely wrestler the winner of Flores vs Morang in the semifinals and could also have a shot to reach the finals.
Predictions
Semifinals – Flores over Mitchell, Brancheau over Allen
Finals – Brancheau over Flores
171
Frontrunner: Jared Groenveld (Allendale)
Top Contenders: Gage Hutchinson (Buchanan), Mason Courtright (Shelby), Drew Morris (Lake Fenton)
Darkhorse: Danny Laastch (Freeland)
Outlook: Groenveld backed up his number one ranking at districts and regionals where he won finals matches over #3 Courtright and #2 Hutchinson. Both matches were close, and all three wrestlers will have an opportunity to compete for a state title this weekend. Also in the state title picture here is Morris. Morris placed sixth in D1 a year ago, and is a candidate to compete for a state championship in his senior year. All four of the top guys here are the real deal, and should make this an exciting weight class to watch. Look for Courtright and Hutchinson to meet in the semis on the upper half of the bracket while Groenveld will wrestle Morris on the lower half.
Early Matchups to Watch
1st Round – #3 Mason Courtright (Shelby) vs #5 Jake Freeman (Montrose) – This is a tough draw for Freeman who will take on the #3 ranked wrestler in this weight class after placing second at regionals. Courtright finished third at regionals behind Groenveld and Hutchinson.
Predictions
Semifinals – Morris over Groenveld, Hutchinson over Courtright
Finals – Morris over Hutchinson
189
Frontrunner: Justin Heiserman (Dundee)
Top Contenders: Tom Bolday (Capac), Pat Ritchie (Gladwin), Zach Vasbinder (Wyoming Kellogg Park)
Darkhorse: Seth Leutzinger (Shelby)
Outlook: After reaching the finals as a sophomore, Heiserman won his first state title last March to confirm his status as one of Michigan’s best upperweights. The Dundee senior comes in with an undefeated record that he should be able to keep intact. Heiserman met with #2 Bolday at regionals, where he won soundly. Bolday should have a good shot of reaching the finals and earning a rematch with Heiserman. Ritchie and Vasbinder will also be candidates to emerge from the lower half of the bracket and take on Heiserman in the finals.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals – #3 Pat Ritchie (Gladwin) vs #2 Tom Bolday (Capac) – Ritchie and Bolday’s road to the finals will get pretty tough in the quarterfinals where they are likely to wrestle in a battle of two highly ranked upper weights. Whoever can win will set themselves up for a shot to make the finals.
Predictions
Semifinals – Heiserman over Curtice, Ritchie over Vasbinder
Finals – Heiserman over Ritchie
215
Frontrunner: Drake Renas (Big Rapids)
Top Contenders: Mack Green (Buchanan), BJ Amburst (Paw Paw), Trevor Atwell (Montrose)
Darkhorse: Greg Sebastian (Richmond)
Outlook: Renas has placed top six the past two seasons and seems like a good bet to win a state title in his senior year. Renas comes in with a 55-1 record with his only loss coming at the hands of D2 #1 Adam Coon. Another wrestler with a fantastic record here is Atwell. Atwell is currently undefeated, and will look to keep that streak alive in the semifinals where he will likely see Renas. #3 Amburst will likely wrestle Renas in the quarterfinals and is another wrestler to watch on the lower half of the bracket. The top half of the bracket seems a bit easier and second-ranked Green should be in good shape to reach the finals.
Early Matchups To Watch
1st Round - #7 Greg Sebastian (Richmond) vs #6 Myran Hosey (Belding) – This is a tough draw for the regional champion Sebastian who will see sixth-ranked Hosey right off the bat who placed fourth in a regional that included the #2, #4 and #5 ranked wrestlers at this weight.
Predictions
Semifinals – Green over Sebastian, Renas over Atwell
Finals – Renas over Green
285
Frontrunner: Trevor Timmereck (Birch Run)
Top Contenders: John Marogen (Dundee), Terry Vajcner (Ida), Drew Lopez (Zeeland West)
Darkhorse: Justin Dominsowski (Essexille Garber)
Outlook: No weight class in Division 3 appears to more wide open than heavyweight. Timmereck is the only returning placer, and has been ranked first throughout the year. Others capable of contending include Marogen and Vajcner. The two met in the district and regional finals with each wrestler winning one match. Undefeated Lopez could also have a shot to make some noise here. Marogen should have a good chance to reach the finals with his toughest challenge probably coming in the semis against regional champ Dominsowski. Timmereck, Vacjner and Lopez will all be in the hunt to emerge from the lower half of the bracket and make the finals.
Early Matchups To Watch
Quarterfinals - #4 Drew Lopez (Zeeland West) vs #3 Terry Vajcner (Ida) – Lopez’s undefeated record will be put to the test early when he takes on Vacjner in the quarterfinals. Vacjner is one of the few returning qualifiers here and both are guys that can compete to win this weight.
Predictions
Semifinals – Marogen over Dominsowski, Timmereck over Lopez
Finals – Timmereck over Marogen
Copyright 2007-2011, Michigan Grappler, LLC
May not be republished or reproduced without expressed, written permission
Contact Michigan Grappler via E-Mail: admin@michigangrappler.com
