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Michigan Grappler's 2010-2011 High School Previews

Division 2 Team Preview

By Steve Widzinski

MichiganGrappler High School Anaylyst

11/30 - The 2009-2010 season featured one of the most balanced

and exciting Division 2 state title races in recent memory. The

eventual champion St. Johns won the State Title in breathtaking

fashion, winning by a single point in the semi-final and finals

matches against very tough Greenville and Allegan teams.

While most of last years top teams will be quite hampered by

graduation losses, St. Johns brings back nearly their entire

squad and will be a force to be reckoned with. The Red Wings

are ranked 13th in the country by Intermat and have started to

establish themselves as a national powerhouse.

The general feeling around the state is that St Johns is the class

of Division 2, however, after the Red Wings there is quite a bit of

parity in Division 2 this year. Lowell, who returns after a one-

year stint in Division 1, will look to reclaim their title as Division 2

State Champions. Returning State Semi-Finalists Stevensville

Lakeshore and Greenville and Returning State-Finalist Allegan all bring back a lot of talent and will be looking to build on their performances from a year ago and try to win a team state title. Other teams on the rise include Mason, Holly and Tecumseh; all of who appear poised to make a run this postseason.

While there is no doubt that St. Johns is the clear-cut favorite, still expect this to be a very exciting year in Division 2. At this point there a large number of teams all very capable of knocking each other off and getting at shot at St. Johns in the finals. While the Red Wings are the clear cut team to beat - a lot can happen from now to the end of February and anything can happen in Battle Creek.

Read Below for an inside look at this years top Division 2 teams

Heaviest Hitters:

1. ST JOHNS

Returning State Qualifiers: 8

Individuals Ranked Preseason: 10 – Zac Hall (103), Jacob

Schmitt (112), Brant Schafer (119), Josh Pennell (125), Payne

Hayden (140), Travis Curley (145), Jordan Wohlfert (152), Taylor

Massa (160), Conrado Dominguez (215), Taylor Pemberton (285)

Key Losses: Devin Scheick 160, Austin Brown 189

Impact Newcomers: Zac Hall (Freshman), Payne Hayden

(Transfer)

Outlook: St. Johns enters the 2010-2011 season with what could

possibly be one of the best top to bottom lineups the state of

Michigan has seen in quite a few years. After winning their first

state title in 2010, St. Johns brings back the bulk of their starting

line up, as well as some additional firepower in all state transfer

Payne Hayden (140) and nationally ranked freshman Zac Hall

(103). The Red Wings will be led by reigning 2x state champion

Taylor Massa (160) who has yet to lose a match in his prep career.

Complimenting Massa in the middleweights will be returning

state placer and top ranked Jordan Wohlfert (152), and returning

state qualifier Travis Curley (145), who earned double All-

American status in Fargo last summer. The lower weights will also be a daunting for St. Johns this year led by one of the top little guys in the country, Fargo Double Finalist and returning State Champ Jacob Schmitt (112). Alongside Schmitt and Hall will be returning state finalist and Fargo Finalist Josh Pennell (125) and returning state placer Brant Schafer (119). Returning state qualifiers Conrado Dominguez (215) and Taylor Pemberton (285) will also pack some punch in the upper weights. The talent in their lineup is staggering, and St. Johns enters the season as the undeniable favorite to win the Division 2 State Championship. If they can stay healthy and avoid any major setbacks its hard to see anyone beating these guys in Battle Creek this year.

2. LOWELL

Returning State Qualifiers: 4

Individuals Ranked Preseason: 6 – Gabe Morse (140),

Andrew Morse (145), Dan Fleet (160), Jake Stehley (160),

Gabe Dean (189), Garret Stehley (189)

Key Losses: Jake Fillingham (130), Jackson Morse (160),

Ryan Olep (171), Connor Kruse (285)

Impact Newcomers: Garret Stehley (Freshman)

Outlook: Following a brief stint in Division 1 last year, the Red

Arrows are back in D2 looking to return to Battle Creek and

compete for another state title. They graduate one of the

state's best senior classes from a year ago, and there are

definitely some vacancies in their line up that they will need to

be filled for them to compete with St. Johns. However, coach

Dave Dean has built a juggernaut program and returns

several kids who are absolute studs and extremely capable

of winning state titles this year. Returning State finalists

Andrew Morse (145) and Gabe Dean (189), along with

returning placers Gabe Morse (140) and Dan Fleet (160) give

the Red Arrows four legitimate state title contenders in the

upper end of the line up. Freshman phenom Garret Stehley

(189) will also be a big point scorer in the upper weights that

will help ease Lowell’s graduation losses. There is no

doubt the studs are in place for Lowell to make a deep run this postseason. If they can show some depth and fill in the holes in the lower weights Lowell is very capable of reaching the state finals and they are one of the few teams in the state who has the big guns to run with some of St Johns horses.

3. ALLEGAN

Returning State Qualifiers: 4

Individuals Ranked Preseason: 5 – Andrew Betke (103), Mike Shaw (125),

Taylor Simaz (135), Andrew Kelley (160), Steven Blank (215)

Key Losses: Taylan Knobloch (125), Jaylyn Bohl (135), Matt Smith (140), Garrett

Smith (145), Colin Smythe (152), Brian Sousley (171), John Rizgallah (189),

Garret Smith (145)

Impact Newcomers: Kyle Simaz (Freshman)

Outlook: After coming just a single point away from beating St. Johns for a state

championship in 2010, Allegan will be seeking revenge in 2011. This will not

be an easy task for the Tigers however, as they are hit about as hard as anyone

by graduation losing five All-State seniors in addition to Garret Smith, a 2x All-

Stater who moved back to Iowa in the offseason. In order for the Allegan to

return to the state finals they will need to be able to rely heavily on their returning

state champion Taylor Simaz (135) and returning state placers Mike Shaw (125)

and Andrew Kelley (160). Returning State Qualifier Steve Blank (215) will anchor

the upper weights and should be one of top big men in D2 this year. Senior

Andrew Betke returns at 103lbs and should be a force to be reckoned with at

that weight. He is joined in the lightweights by two solid new additions to the

varsity lineup Sophomore Austin Kelley (112) and Freshman Kyle Simaz (119).

As is usually the case, Allegan appears to have a very balanced line upand if coach Murray Rose can push the right buttons and fill in the gaps in between their big guns, then the Tigers should be right back in the mix with St Johns again this year.

4. STEVENSVILLE LAKESHORE

Returning State Qualifiers: 4

Individuals Ranked Preseason: 4 – Tyler Daniels (112), Tyler

Frese (119), Sam Hanau (125), Kyle Spear (215)

Key Losses: Brett Glaske (119), Nick Humes (145) (State

Placer), Tyler Humes (171), Payne Hayden (135)

Impact Newcomers: Sam Hanau (Transfer)

Outlook: Lakeshore reached the semi-finals last year before

falling to Allegan. They are hit pretty hard by graduation, losing

a large portion of their line up most significantly the Humes

brothers. In addition to graduation losses, Lakeshore will have

to cope with the loss of State Placer Payne Hayden who

transferred to Division 2 rival St. Johns. Returning State

Placers Tyler Daniels (112), Tyler Frese (119), and Kyle Spear

(215) will lead the way for Lakeshore in 2010-2011. They will

be joined by move-in Sam Hanau who is a Missouri State

Placer and will be a key component in their line-up. Returning

State Qualifier Kyle Frese (112) and returning Regional

Qualifier Travis Dragomer (130) solidify the lower weights for

Lakeshore. While there will be several new faces in the lineup, do not forget about Lakeshore. They have four horses who should contend for state titles in Daniel, Frese, Hanau, and Spear, and this is a deep program, rich in tradition who has made their living off of putting strong top-to-bottom teams on the mat. Therefore, filling in the gaps and being a strong dual-meet team should not be an issue ofr Bittenbender and company.

Top Challengers:

5. GREENVILLE

Individuals Ranked Preseason: 5 – Michael Schmidt (103), Lukas Gilmore (130),

Adam Bonner (160), Jordan Thomas (171), Justin Zimmer (285)

Key Losses: Peter Cook (103), Tyler Kesserling (130), Colin Fuller (140)

Outlook: The returning state semifinalists will be led by a strong pack of upper

weights including returning State Champion Jordan Thomas (171), returning State

Finalist Adam Bonner (160) and returning State Placer Justin Zimmer (285).

Returning State Qualifier Lukas Gilmore (130) and returning regional qualifiers Kam

Perry (125), David Lehman (135) and Josh Juarez (145) give Greenville solid balance

in the lower half of the lineup. Greenville should have the talent and experience to

make some serious noise in Battle Creek this postseason and while knocking off

St Johns may be a challenge, they should have the horses to beat just about anyone

in Division 2.

6. MASON

Individuals ranked preseason: 3 – Conor Youtsey (125), Nick Starzek (145), Adam Robinson (285)

Key Losses: Tony Burge (152), Josh Clark (215)

Outlook: Mason is a team with very high upside who returns the vast majority of their lineup that made it to Battle Creek lat year. They will be led by one of the state’s premier wrestlers in Conor Youtsey (125). Other key wrestlers for Mason will include returning state qualifiers Nick Starzek (145) and Adam Robinson (285) who are both extremely talented juniors capable of placing high in Auburn Hills this year. Returning regional qualifier Lance Craft at 215 gives the Bulldogs a very solid upperweight duo with him and Robinson and if they can stir things up and have people step up around their big guns, expect them back in Battle Creek again.

7. HOLLY

Individuals Ranked Preseason: 6 – Dominic Russ (103) Mason Cleaver (112), Anthony

Gonzales (119), Esteban Gonzales (125), Zack Jones (135), Shawn Scott (171)

Key Losses: Josh Houldsworth (145)

Outlook: After having a great deal of success on the individual level the past two seasons,

Holly will look to make the next step and get in the team mix as well. The Broncos losses are

pretty minimal with the exception of 2X state champion Josh Houldsworth. They return an

exceptional group of lower weights highlighted by returning State Champion Anthony

Gonzales (119), and returning state placers Mason Cleaver (112) and Esteban Gonzales

(125). Fellow State Placer Shawn Scott (171) will give Holly strength in the upper weights

and help to balance out their lineup. Incoming freshman Dominic Russ should be an

immediate impact on the state level at 103/112 and should give Holly a nice spark at the

top of their lineup. They have the talent to cause some serious problems for a lot of the top teams in Division 2 this year, so keep your on Holly as February nears.

8. TECUMSEH

Individuals Ranked Preseason: 4 – Colin Lesko (125), Jeff Jenkins (130), Ronnie Bechtol (135), Tom Carney (171)

Key Losses: Kyle Connors (285)

Outlook: The Indians return a much more seasoned squad who will be looking to reach the Team State Finals this February after falling short the past couple years. Returning State Placers Jeff Jenkins (130) and Ronnie Bechtol (135) and returning state qualifier Colin Lesko (125) give Tecumseh some serious firepower in the lower weights. They return most of their lineup from a year ago and if they can blend their talent and experience this is a team capable of surprising some of the top teams in the state. Their lower weights are rock solid with the big three at 125-135 and their If the upper weights can build on last season and continue to improve Tecumseh has a very good opportunity to knock off Mason at Regionals and advance to the Team State Finals.

Don't Forget About:

Grand Rapids Northview

While they don’t necessarily have any big time studs, Grand Rapids Northview returns a very solid lineup that should be very competitive in Division 2. Returning state qualifiers Travis Krauss (125), Jake Livingston (130), Joe Preston (140) and Ben Klinkscale (152) will make GRN very solid down the middle. With a little help in the upper weights Northview could cause some serious trouble for a lot of the top teams in Division 2 this year.

Dearborn Heights Annapolis:

After making two trips to the Team State Finals the past two years Annapolis will look to make it three in a row in 2010-2011. Annapolis lost a lot to graduation but also returns quite a few kids who seem very capable of stepping up and making up for graduation losses. Returning State Placer Noel Guevara (130) and returning regional qualifiers Keegan Cummins (119), Brendan Cummins (125) and Adnan Berisha (135) give Annapolis a very talented group of lower weights and returning Regional Qualifier Alex Edwards (171) adds some key experience in the upper weights. If everyone stays healthy a third consecutive trip to Battle Creek appears to be a very realistic possibility.

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