Division 2 Team Previews
THE TOP 5
#1 – Eaton Rapids
Returning state qualifiers: 5
Individuals ranked preseason: 6
Chris Dormer (103), Josh Dormer (125), Justin Slapsky (130), Devin Milheim (145),
Martin Bell (152), Matt Bell (160)
Key Losses: none
Impact newcomers: Chris Dormer (103), freshman
Outlook: Eaton Rapids is one of the biggest question marks in Division 2. They only
return 3 state qualifiers, true. However, two of those qualifers, Martin Bell and Devin
Milheim, both enter this season ranked #1 in their respective weight class and they have
another 2 placers from the past in Dormer and Slapsky who missed last year’s finals. Add
in sophomore Trevor Schnepp and freshman Chris Dormer and you have a pretty solid
looking lower lineup through 160. Coach Scott Warriner’s forte has been filling holes and
producing teams that are solid throughtout, and that trend is what makes the Greyhounds
the team to beat in Division 2 this year.
#2 – Lowell
Returning state qualifiers: 6
Individuals ranked preseason: 5
Zach Baum (125), Jackson Morse (135), Tim Gingerich (140), Justin Boss (145),
Ryan Olep (171)
Key losses: Raymond Seese (135), Rob Karasiewicz (140), Alex Fleet (189), Dom Doyle
(285)
Outlook: Lowell has gotten increasingly better each year since Coach Dave Dean’s
arrival in Red Arrow country a couple years ago, and they will look to keep that trend
going this year. They are led by the super sophomore tandem of Morse and Olep, but
it is their depth that makes them a threat. When it comes to intangibles like depth,
consistency, coaching, community support, etc., Lowell is second to none and this is
why they have overachieved over the past couple years and should continue to do so this
year.
#3 – Mason
Returning state qualifiers: 5
Individuals ranked preseason: 5
Craig Eifert (130), Garrett Rozeboom (140), Dan Anderson (160), Jacob Burge (171),
L.J. Helbig (189)
Key losses: none
Top newcomers: Connor Youtsey (112), freshman
Outlook: Mason may have the most star studded lineup in Division 2, however, it
will be their ability to fill in around their big guns that will decide their fate this year.
They have 3 returning state champs: Burge, Rozeboom, and Eifert (2006 champ)
and another finalist in L.J. Helbig who was a state runner up last year and NHSCA National Champ last summer. Add in returning state qualifier Anderson, a couple tough sophomores in Nick McDiarmid (189) and regional qualifier Tony Burge (112), along with highly touted freshman Connor Youtsey, and the Bulldogs have the firepower to hang with just about any team in Michigan.
#4 – Allegan
Returning state qualifiers: 4
Individuals ranked preseason: 4
Steve Poffenberger (119), Matt Smith (125), Andy Krchatovich (135), John Rizgallah
(160)
Key losses: Greg Courtney (140), Jacob Wilson (160), Brandon Rhodes (171),
Cam Simaz (189), Dan Craig (215), Joe Rizgallah (285)
Outlook: The main reason for Allegan’s state title run a year ago was their stellar
upperweights. The bad news for Alleganians is that all of those upperweights are now
graduated, 5 state finalists (3 champs 2 runners up). They do return their lightweights as
Poffenberger, Smith, Krchatovich and Rizgallah should lead this team, however, they do
not appear to have enough firepower to make up for the loss of their amazing senior class
from a year ago. While they may not have the ammunition to hang with the top 3, Allegan
still stands as one of the best teams in Division 2 and they should be in the picture come
late February.
#5 – Carleton Airport
Returing state qualifiers: 4
Individuals ranked preseason: 5
Thomas Fudoli (103), Andrew Clark (112), Chris Cavins (119), Deven Brown
(140), Josh Close (171)
Key losses: Tommy McGlaughlin (130), Jake McKenzie (145), Ronnie Szuch
(152)
Outlook: Carleton Airport may not have a lot of household names, however, they
quietly return one of the lightweight fleets in Division 2. Fudoli, Cavins and Brown are all top returners in their weight and Clark and Close should also provide firepower. The Jets return a solid nucleus and if they can have some others step up and solidify their other weights they could show that Dundee and Bedford aren’t the only teams out of Monroe county capable of making noise in Battle Creek.
OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH:
Greenville
Outlook: Greenville has been one of the best teams in D2 over the past few years and on the brink of breatking through. They lost a chunk of their firepower from a year ago with the graduation of Jordan Garner, Zach Brown, and Ben Brodie, however, they return some solid lightweights led by state champ Tyler Keselring and senior Jordan Miller. They may lack the upperweights and top to bottom depth to hang with the top 3, however, Greenville is one of the strongest programs in D2 and it will be interesting to see if they can reload and rebound.
Fowlerville
The Gladiators of 2007 are starting to resemble the old powerful Fowlerville squads of
the 90’s. They only return one state placer in Patrick Roberts, however, solid up and
comers like Dillon Kern, Brett Kinglsey, and Travis Kern have folks in Fowlerville excited.
The Glads don’t have the big guns of a Mason or Eaton Rapids, so they will have to make
up for that with depth. If they do they could have people in the Lansing area talking about
them among the likes of Mason, Eaton Rapids and Holt.
Don’t forget about…
Warren Woods Tower – 3 ranked wrestlers: Brennan Brumley (#2 @ 140), Kyle Lowry (#4 @ 130), John Popham (#10 @ 119)
Mt Pleasant – 3 ranked wrestlers: Zack Carr (#2 @ 145), Korey Keehback (#3 @ 152), Will Machuta (#5 @ 160)
Copyright 2007 Michigan Grappler LLC
