MI Grappler Individual State Tournament Coverage

Schedule of Events

Thursday, March 8

Coaches Packet Available -- 8 a.m. East Entrance

Inspection and Weight Check -- 9:30 a.m.

Weigh-In -- 10:30 -11 a.m.

Coaches Meeting -- 10:30 a.m. Sections 101-103

Grand March Assembly -- 2:15 p.m.

Grand March -- 2:30 p.m.

Round 1--Championship 1st round -- 2:45 p.m.

Friday, March 9

Round 2--Consolation 1st round -- 8:30 a.m.

Round 3--Championship Quarterfinals --11 a.m.

Round 4--Consolation 2nd round -- 2 p.m.

Weigh-In: Consolation Winners and Semifinal Participants - 2-5 p.m.

Round 5--Championship Semifinals -- 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 10

Round 6--Consolation 3rd round -- 8:30 a.m.

Round 7--Consolation Semifinals -- 10:10 a.m.

Round 8--Consolation Finals (7th, 5th, 3rd place matches) -- Noon

Grand March Assembly -- 4:15 p.m.

Grand March -- 4:30 p.m.

Round 9--Finals -- 4:45 p.m.

• Finals recap
  

• Finals Photo Gallery
  

• Quarterfinal news & notes
  

• Day 1 News & Notes
  

Finals News & Notes

Division 1

• 103 - Kyle Waldo of Rockford won the 103lb title for the 2nd straight year.  Justin Zimmerman of Hudsonville gave Waldo his best match of the tourment, but Waldo controlled the match en route to a 7-3 win.
  

• 112 - Hartland's Zach Jones cruised through the 112lb bracket and topped it off by handling Belleville's Justin Fleeson in the finals. 
  

• 130 - Jeff Shutich's illustrius career ended with a dominant win over Grand Haven's John Houseman and the 130 lb State Title.  Shutich was very impressive all weekend and was not really challenged by anyone.
  

• 140 - In one of the best matches of the finals, Canton's Corey Phillips knocked off Rockford's J.J. Johnson.  The two seniors, who are both headed to Eastern Michigan next year, went back and forth all match long, trading takedown attempts and scrambling out of trouble.  In the end it was Phillips who came out on top with a 4-3 win and finished his senior year as an undefeated State Champ.
  

• 160 - Ben Bennet showed why he was voted the best pound for pound wrestler in Michigan.  He dominated every wrestler he faced, winning all his matches by fall or tech fall, including his final match against Justin Root of Howell where he tech falled Root in the 2nd period.
  

• 171 - One of the deepest weights in the state, all divsions, Grandville's Jordan Richardson came out on top.  Richardson defeated Grand Ledge's Pat Wright in the finals 3-2.  Richardson scored a first period takedown that would prove to be the difference.  Both men traded attacks throughout the third period, however, neither could execute and Richardson held on for the win and the State Title.
  

• 285 - Mike Martin was one of the best cinderalla stories of the tournament.  Martin came in a #4 seed from regionals in a very tough weight, however, he rattled off 4 wins, all against very tough competitors, and claimed the State Championship with a finals win over Port Huron's Aaron Robinson.
  

Division 2

• 103 - Greenville's freshman phenom Tyler Kesselring showed that he is the real deal as he cruised through the 103 lb bracket and dominated Clio's Herm Gillium in the finals 10-2 to claim the State Title
  

• 125 - New Boston Huron's undefeated returning state champ Andrew Novak was taken to the wire by Lowell's freshman stud Jackson Morse.  Morse fended off numerous Novak shot attempts and the score was tied at the end of regulation.  In the extra session Novak got in deep again at the edge of the mat and once again Morse tried to scramble out, however, Novak was awarded a controversial takedown to win the match.  The Lowell faithful was not happy with the call and they made sure the official knew it.  Novak, a senior, is off to Eastern Michigan University next year. 
  

• 135 - In a rematch of last year's state finals, Jeff Steele of Plainwell and Brennan Brumley of Warren Woods Tower battled for the 135lb crown.  The result was similiar to last year, as Steele won the match in overtime to become a 2x State Champ.  Steele rode Brumley out for the entire third period to send the match to OT, and then wasted little time before getting in on Brumley's legs and securing the takedown.
  

• 140/145 - While Matt Armock was eliminated from contention to repeat as state champ last night, twin brother Mark came through and won the 140lb title today with a 7-5 win over Caledonia's Tylor Cook.  Vince Lahar of Clio, who beat Matt Armock in the semis, finalized his dominance over the this weight class with a 16-7 major decision over Eaton Rapids' Martin Bell. 
  

• 152 - Ronnie Szuch of Airport and Jacob Burge of Mason cruised to titles at 152 and 160.  Szuch took care of Sparta's Adam Miller with ease by major decision claim the championship and finish his senior season undefeated.  Burge racked up 3 takedowns before picking up the first period fall over Allegan's Jacob Wilson.
  

• 189 - Cam Simaz' quest for the 3-peat was a little tougher than most probably expected.  Simaz, who dominated en route to the state crown last year, made the finals relatively easily this year before getting pushed to the limit by Mason's L.J. Helbig.  With the match tied 2-2 midway through the third, Simaz was called for locked hands and was forced to cut Helbig loose, making the score 4-2 Helbig with under 30 seconds to go.  Simaz scored a takedown to tie the match with less than 10 seconds left to send it to overtime.  In overtime Helbig got in deep on a shot, however, Simaz countered well and came out on top for the dramatic win.
  

• 215 - In one of the most anticipated matches of the D2 tournament, Allegan's Dan Craig quest to become a three time state champ was cut off, as Kearsley's Travis Pettengill knocked Craig off 5-3 in overtime to claim the 215lb title.  After a scoreless first period, Craig used a low level takedown to take the lead in the 2nd.  Pettengill answered back in the third, however, with a takedown of his own.  Pettengill appeared to have more left in the end and scored another takedown in overtime to win the championship.
  

• 285 - Allegan claimed their 3rd state champion as Joe Rizgallah cruised to 6-2 win over Matt Pettigrew of St Johns.
  

Division 3

• 103 - Swan Valley freshman B.J. Suitor was impressive as he finished his perfect season with a 6-0 shutout over Derek Borsvold of Dundee.
  

• 112 - Another undefeated state champ here as Elijiah Troost of Comstock Park capped his unblemished season off with a 10-1 handling of Dundee's Justin White. 
  

• 125 - Mark Weber of Goodrich came out strong to take an early lead on Richmond's Lance Pitcel, however, Pitcel came firing back late in the match.  Weber held him off the claim the 5-4 victory and his 3rd state title.
  

• 135 - In a minor upset, favorite Justin White of Dundee was knocked off by Whitehall's Lauren Haughn, 8-2.
  

• 140 - Durand's Brian Hittle came out on top of this very deep weight class with a 8-2 finals win over Donnie Corby of Croswell-Lexington.
  

• 145 - Highland Park's Anthony Jones dominated from the neutral position to cruise to victory over Ryan Lake of Columbia Central
  

• 215/285 - Highland Park made it three champs as Marcel Dubose and Jarod Trice both repeated as state champions.  Dubose was given his closest match of the weekend, but came out with the 4-1 win over Jimmy Rowe of Dundee.  Trice, meanwhile, dominated his finals match like he has dominated the entire weekend with a high flying 17-5 win over Todd Anderson of Napolean. 
  

Division 4

• 103 - Steve Basset of Onaway held off Hudson's Taylor Hudson to pick up the 8-7 win
  

• 112 - Returning State Champ Dan Osterman of Carson City Crystal was upset by New Lothrop's Allen Krupp, 9-7
  

• 125 - Derrick Marry of Hudson completed his cinderalla story with a state title.  Marry, who entered the tournament with 13 losses, upset the odds on favorite Brandon Zeerip in the quarterfinals and claimed the state crown with a 5-4 comeback win over Addison's Nate Elston in the finals.
  

• 130 - Carson City Crystal's sophomore sensation Riley Ewalt claimed the 130lb title with ease as he controlled Hesperia's Mark Ackerburg 5-0.
  

• 135 - Junior Cody Dunn of Leslie scored a late takedown in the third to secure the win and the title.
  

• 140 - In one of the best matchups of D4, Phil Khozein returned to his state championship form of 2 years ago and defeated Martin's Steve Mena 3-2.
  

• 160 - Justin Zeerip ended his story book career with a fall to claim his 4th state title and finished his career without suffering a defeat. 
  

• 171/215 - The Emmerdorfer brothers of New Lothrop both claimed state titles as Dennis took home the 171lb crown with a 6-4 win over Addison's Chet Green and Roger won at 215 by pinning Manchester's Dan Lobbaestal. 
  

• 189 - Undefeated returning state champ Tom Schneider of Addison was knocked off by Zac Johnson of Morenci, 5-1.
  

Day 2 News & Notes

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Quarterfinals

Division 1

• 152 - Zane Stenz of Alpena proved to be too much for the takedown kind Jake Bohn of East Kentwood.  Stenz looked good on top, earning back points in the third to seal the win.
  

• 171 - East Detroit's undefeated Chris Gruenberg fell to Grand Ledge's Pat Wright. 
  

• 103 - Jenison's Nate Falbe knocked off Canton's Donnie Watkins in a great match
  

• 112 - State Champion favorite Bryan Rickard of Davison was upended by Dearborn Fordson's Paul Hancock in one of the biggest upsets of the session.
  

• 135 - Hartland's Owen Wilkinson dominated Clarkston's Frank Sade and looked impressive as he moved on the semifinals.
  

Division 2

• 152 - Justin Joseph of Lapeer East survived a battle with Lowell's freshman phenom Ryan Olep.  Olep led much of the 1st and 2nd periods, however, Joseph turned it up in the third and proved too much for the freshman.
  

• 189 - Tyler Dickenson of St Johns, who took 4th out of a very tough regional, advanced to the semis after defeating Alex Fleet of Lowell in a thrilling match.  With the score tied late in the third, Dickenson threw Fleet near the edge of the mat and scored the takedown that would win the match.
  

• 103 - Clio's Herm Gillium showed he is for real as he dominated a very tough wrestler in Derek Vanderwal of Muskegon RP
  

• 125 - Andrew Novak of New Boston Huron overcame a tough start and took care of Northview's Adam Draves, advancing to the semifinals for a great matchup of returning state champs with Mason's Craig Eifert.
  

Day 1 News & Notes

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Division 1

• 285 - Mike Martin of DCC knocked off regional champ Anthony Gibson of Utica Ford to advance to the quarterfinals
  

• 125 - Regional Champ Trevor Gillison was knocked off by Livionia Franklin's Josh Billiau
  

• 130 - In one of the best matches of the day, Davison's Justin McDermitt used a 3rd period rally to defeat reigning state champ Matt Bain of Hartland.  Bain led most of the match, however, McDermitt rallied back and scored the winning takedown in the closing seconds.
  

• 135 - in two great matchups, Jerry Bogess of Wyandotte Roosevelt defeated Jake Johnson of Rockford 8-3 while Jake Dorulla of Rockford took out DCC's Shea Hasenaur 7-3.  This is one of the most loaded weights in D1, all the quarterfinal matchups tomorow should be great:
  

Dan Clark (Bedford) vs Zach Labelle (Davison)

Owen Wilkinson (Hartland) vs Frank Sade (Clarkston)

Robert Nash (Roseville) vs  Bogess

Mike Kessler (BCW) vs Dorulla

• 140 - Arsenio Hall of GPN proved he is the real deal as he survived his tough 1st rd match against Holt's returning all-stater Zack Shaw with an overtime victory.
  

• 152 - Jake Bohn of East Kentwood and Alpena's Zane Stenz both won their first round matches with ease, setting up one of the best quarterfinal matchups in division 1.
  

• 160 - Regional champ Rebwar Yousif was upset by Grand Ledge's Brandon Gokey.
  

• 171 - Pat Wright of Grand Ledge looked dominant in his 13-4 major decision over Bay City Central's Matt Skrzypcak, setting him up for a HUGE quarterfinal matchup with East Detroit's undefeated Chris Gruenberg.
  

Division 2

• 103 - Lakewoods Holden Hummel, who upset a few studs to get out of his very tough regional, continued his run by knocking off Allegan's regional champ and top state title contender Matt Smith 5-3.
  

• 112 - Jake Walters of St Johns pinned Chelsea's freshman phenom Dakota Cooley to advance to the quarterfinals.  Walters will now face Dustin Boyer of Petoskey.
  

• 119 - Another Allegan Regional champ got knocked off when Seth Wald of N Farmington took out Steve Poffenberger by a score of 10-7
  

• 125 - regional champ Andrew Funsch got upset by Adam Dueweke of Marysville.
  

• 130 - Blaine Tompkins of Byron Center upened regional champ Chris Burnett of Petoskey
  

• 140 - Mark Armock of Sparta picked up a fall over Nathan Beyer of Haslett, a state finalist last year.  Ogemaw Hts regional champ Rob Goulette got upset by Rafael Rodriguez of Adrian.  Both Weirich bros. lost.  A week go in the team semifinals Rob Karawiecz of Lowell dominated Eaton Rapids' Devin Milhiem 11-4.  What a difference a week makes, this time around Milheim pinned Karawiecz to advance to the quarterfinals.
  

• 189 - Tyler Dickenson of St Johns showed how tough his region was as he tech falled regional champ David Newport of Lapeer East.  Scott Kimball of Ogemaw Hts squeaked by Zack Jones of Three Rivers, 2-1
  

Division 3

• 130 - Undefeated returning state champ Kyle Rosser of Corunna is not competing this weekend due to injury.  Highly anticipated matchup with Cody Marcicki of Flint Powers will never happen...
  

• 103 - CC Weber's quest for becoming the first female state champ will have to wait another year.  She failed to capitilize on a first period lead and lost to Nate Fix of Comstock Park 7-5.
  

• 119 - Pete Rendina of Dundee and Wayne Bogue of Central Montcalm both won, staging a great quarterfinal match tommorow. 
  

• 125 - Some great quarterfinal matchups here:
  

Mark Weber (Goodrich) vs Luke Perrin (Corunna)

Chad Reiber (Chesaning) vs Andrew Schutt (Yale)

Tim Carpenter (Fremont) vs Lance Pitcel (Richmond)

• 140 - Some tough 1st round matchups, regional champ Ethan Porter of Central Montcalm fell to Flat Rock's Brennan Phelan and Kyle Lund of Lakeview took out Corey Robinson of Caro.
  

• 145 - Ryan Lake of Brooklyn Columbia Central advanced with a 7-5 win over Corey Woodruff of Pinconning
  

• 152 - Billy Fate of Chippewa Hills defeated Miles Freed of Central Montcalm
  

• 171 - Regional Champ Ryan Dagen got upset by Devin Sandahl of Hillsdale
  

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Final Brackets

Division 1Division 2

Division 3Division 4