Division 1 Team Previews
THE TOP 5
#1 – Rockford
Returning state qualifiers: 6
Wrestlers currently ranked: 8
Kyle Waldo (112), Jake Byers (119), Zach Johnson (125), Adam Bonner (135), Jake Johnson (140), Jake Dorulla (145), Ben Bennett (171), Joe Stefanski (215)
Key losses: Jeff Shutich (130), J.J. Johnson (140), Alex Murray (152)
Top Newcomers: Adam Bonner (135), freshman
Outlook: After losing three state finalists in Shutich, JJJ, and Murray, one might think that coach Don Rinehart’s Rockford squad would be hurting in the firepower category. However, they return a fleet of talent led by arguably the best pound for pound wrestler in the state in Ben Bennett. 2x state champ Waldo leads the lightweights along with all-staters Byers, Z. Johnson, and Dorulla. Jake Johnson, brother of JJ, had a solid freshman campaign last year and should be in the hunt this year. Adam Bonner is a much heralded freshman that could bolster the Rams lineup as well. The reigning champs definitely have the firepower to repeat; however, there success may lie in how well they fill in around their studs.
#2 – Davison
Returning state qualifiers: 6
Individuals ranked preseason: 10
Cody Robbins (103), Brandon Shuart (112), Bryan Rickard (119), Zach Davis (125), Ryan McKenna (130), Zach Labelle (135), Justin McDermitt (140), Nick Boan (160), Richard Kirksey (189), Jared Cowan (215)
Key Losses: none
Impact newcomers: Kirksey (189), transfer
Outlook: After failing to win the Division 1 state title last year for the first time in 5 years, Roy Hall is ready to get his Davison squad back on top. They have the talent to make it happen this year as they are very hard to stop in the lightweights. Davison’s first 7 weights could be the toughest in all of Michigan this year. Rickard & McDermitt are both seniors ready to make a state title run, both individual and team, and Davis and Labelle are both proven guys that could make some noise. The return of 2006 runner-up Kirksey brings much needed firepower to the upperweights. If Kirksey, Boan, and Cowan can help the upperweights keep up with the lightweight studs, then Davison will be very hard to stop this year.
#3 – Hartland
Returning state qualifiers: 5
Individuals ranked preseason: 6
Nick Monitz (103), Sean Hultberg (140), Matt Bain (145), Jeremy Bommarito (152), Kyle Summerfield (171), DJ Charneski (285)
Key losses: Zach Jones (112), Owen Wilkinson (130), Jesse Bain (140), Bryce Sopko (145)
Impact newcomers: Nick Monitz (103), freshman
Outlook: Hartland is becoming the kings of finishing 2nd. They have been the D1 runners up the last four years, and with the loss of Jones, Wilkinson, Bain, and Sopko coach Todd Cheney and his squad will have their work cut out for them if they want to make the finals again this year. Although they are weakened by their losses, they still have some big guns to roll with Rockford and Davison, and Hartland has been one of the best at reloading year in and year out. Bommarito and Bain will look to lead the way, along with proven upperclassmen Charneski, Hultberg, and Summerfield. Spencer Hellner and Doug Baughman, along with freshman Monitz, will anchor the lightweights. Hellner and Baughman are not ranked, but are right on the brink of breaking through. If guys like Hellner, Baughman, Summerfield, Charneski, etc. can step up to the plate this year, then Hartland could make some noise with the top 2.
#4 – Holt
Returning state qualifiers: 4
Individuals ranked preseason: 8
Ben Matthieson (103), Grant Ankney (130), Zach Shaw (145), Koort Leyrer (145), Corbin Boone (189), James Mireless (215), Mitch Zajac (285), Curtis Ferguson (285)
Outlook: Coach Rocky Shaft has made a career of putting together state contending teams and this year is no different. They were tough last year and lost nobody which makes them a definite threat this year. Ankney was on the brink of making the state finals last year and is one of the top dogs this year. Shaw has been there before along with Zajac who was hampered by injuries last year. Ferguson and Mireless are both returning state qualifiers that should be in the picture come March as well. Leyrer, Boone and Matthieson were all right on the brink last season and provide Holt with a good amount of top to bottom depth that some of the other top teams lack. While they don’t have the big name firepower of Rockford or Davison, Holt may have more consistency and depth throughout.
#5 – Clarkston
Returning state qualifiers: 4
Individual ranked preseason: 5
Alex Popp (135), Erik Butterfield (160), Bryant Craft (171), Adam Lauzun (189), Layne Upcott (215)
Outlook: Clarkston may have the best upperweights in Division 1, however, they do not appear to have what it will take to run with the top teams in the lower weights. Craft & Lauzun are both legitimate state title contenders and Upcott and Popp are proven as well, however, Clarkston does not appear to have the top to bottom depth to run with the big dogs.
Others to watch:
Detroit Catholic Central
DCC returns one of the best groups of upperweights and they should only get better with new head coach Mitch Hancock’s influence. Mike Martin was one of the best stories of last year’s state tournament as the blue chip football recruit turned first year wrestler claimed the 285lb State Championship. Other returning state qualifiers Stefan Gatt, Joe Kinville, and Matt Aubrey head up DCC’s upperweights. Returing state placer Shea Hasenaur has the tools to compete with the best at 140 and freshman Justin Melick should compete right away at 103. The Shamrocks may not have the strength to keep up with Division 1’s elite teams, however, they are solid and could make a run in March.
Grand Haven
Grand Haven may not be a traditional powerhouse in Division 1, but they have the potential to surprise some people this year. The big question mark for GH is their strength throughout the entire lineup. They definitely have the big guns to compete, led by John Houseman and Seth Holt who should both contend for state titles this year. Dan Oneil and DJ Brandon are both top returners in their weights who could also make a serious run come March. If the state tournament kept team points Grand Haven would have potential to score some serious points, however, their ability to fill holes will be the deciding factor in their dual tournament success.
Temperance Bedford
Its hard to talk about Division 1 teams and not mention Bedford. They return one of the best wrestlers in D1 with Alex Ortman and Billy Osborne and Nick Whitenburg are also battle tested guys who could lead Bedford. Other notable returners include Tom Fox and Pat Nusbaum. On paper one might argue that Bedford does not seem that powerful, however, they have made a habit of putting solid squads on the mat and they always find a way to get into the title picture at the end of the year. Expect to hear about Bedford as late February approcaches.
Don’t forget about…
Lake Orion: 5 ranked wrestlers: Spencer Grdzanaski, AJ Pratt, Doug Mack, Jake Varilek, Evan Gros. Varliek and Gros should compete for state titles and have people talking about Lake Orion
Jenison: 4 ranked wrestlers: Nate Falbe, David Bobelydk, Josh Meinzer, Nick Raimer. Jenison remains strong despite the loss of David Johnson, but still may remain under the shadow of Rockford on the west side of Michigan.
Canton: 4 ranked wrestlers: Don Watkins, Steve Cox, Carl Lucke, Brent Winecoff. Watkins had a breakthrough frosh season and Cox has been one of the BorderWars preseason wrestlers of the summer/fall. Coach Casey Randolph seems to have things going in the right direction in Canton.
Copyright 2007 Michigan Grappler LLC
