Division 3 Team Previews
Top Contenders...
#1 – Dundee
Returning state qualifiers: 6
Individuals ranked preseason: 9
Chris Rau (103), Derek Borsvold (112), Joey Rendina (112), Josh White (119), Pete
Rendina (130), Brad Wade (145), Trevor Straub (152), Chris Eggert (171), Jimmy Rowe (215)
Key losses: Eric Desbrough (125), Garrett Stevens (130), Justin White (135)
Impact newcomers: Chris Rau (103), freshman; Joe Rendina (112), freshman
Outlook: The Dundee dynasty doesn’t appear to be slowing down this year as they are
stacked, especially in the lower weights. Pete Rendina, Borsvold, White, Eggert, and Rowe
are all upperclassmen leaders who will contend for state titles and provide Dundee with a
solid nucleus. Pete Rendina was Michigan’s #1 sophomore last year and is one of the top
wrestlers in all of Division 3. Pete’s younger brother Joe is the most highly touted frosh in
the state this year as he has already created some waves on the high school scene with
his upset win over the top ranked 112lber Kyle Waldo last summer at Disney. Fellow
freshman Rau should make an immediate impact and contend at 103. Eggert and Rowe
are both talented big guys who are favorites in their weights.. Wade and Straub have been around and will carry the middle weights. Dundee is solid from top to bottom and on paper it does not appear that anyone in division 3 will be able to knock them off their pedestal this year. However, matches are not won on paper, they are won on the mat!
#2 – Goodrich
Returning state qualifiers: 7
Individuals ranked preseason: 7
C.C. Weber (112), David Garr (119), Kirk Britton (125), Grant Overcashier (135), Mark Weber (140), Kyle March (171), Kyler Elsworth (189)
Key losses: none
Outlook: If anyone can match up with Dundee’s big guns it is Goodrich. Mark Weber, Britton, and Overcashier are all ranked #1 preseason and CC Weber, Garr, and Elsworth are all state tournament tested grapplers who will provide ammunition as well. They have great leadership as Mark Weber will be gunning for his 4th state title and he has been one of the best wrestlers in D3 over the past few years. While they have the big names to match up with Dundee, it appears that Dundee has more depth from top to bottom, especially in the lower weights.
#3 – Remus Chippewa Hills
Returning state qualifiers: 6
Individuals ranked preseason: 8
Elvis Peacock (112), Adam Place (119), Darrin Crowder (130), Eric Sackett (135), Billy Fate (160), Jordan Young (171), Kevin Smith (189), Colt Miller (215)
Key losses: Jarod Whaley (112), Josh Wernette (285)
Impact Newcomers: Elvis Peacock (112), freshman; Zach Crowder (140), freshman
Outlook: Chippewa Hills solidified themselves as a top program in D3 last year as they only lost 1 dual the whole year until the state semifinals when they lost a close one to Richmond. Fate and Young are both among the best in their weights and should both be in the running for individual titles. While Chippewa Hills does not have the lineup full of household names like Dundee and Goodrich, they could be the most balanced team in terms of depth from top to bottom. State qualifiers Place and Crowder, along with 2x regional qualifier Sackett, head up the lightweights. In addition, the Chippewa Hills people are excited about freshman Peacock and Zach Crowder, little brother of Darrin, who should also strengthen their lightweights. Then from 160 through 215 Chippewa Hills is as tough as anyone with Fate, Young, state placer Smith and qualifier Miller. In addition, they have a lot of expierenced role players like Brandon Lange (152) and Anthony Blankenship (285) who make this a very strong team that could surprise some people. The thing that makes Chippewa Hills a threat is their potential to put a solid wrestler on the mat in every weight class, and that is what they will have to do if they want to compete with the big dogs in Division 3.
#4 – Swan Valley
Returning state qualifiers: 3
Individuals ranked preseason: 7
BJ Suitor (103), Darius Wass (112), Jared Germaine (119), Chris Thiele (125), Matt Beebe (135), Jacob Jeske (145), Brandon Bell (160)
Key Losses: Drew Hart (125), Wesley Flores (160)
Impact newcomers: Chris Thiele (125), freshman; Matt Beebe (135), transfer
Outlook: The biggest thing to hit D3 this year could be Saginaw Swan Valley. With one of the most intimidating group of lightweights in the state, it will be interesting to see how far they can go. The Swan Valley faithful have high hopes of contending for a state title this year, and they may have the firepower to make a run at it. Suitor went undefeated last year en route to a state title and is back at 103, Darius Wass finished 4th last year and he is back at 112, Jared Germaine finished 4th last year and he is back at 119. These three are all ranked #1 at their respective weights and they are the heart and soul of this team. If duals still started at 103 Swan Valley would begin most duals with a 15+ point lead. And the scariest part is, their lineup doesn’t get a whole lot weaker as you move up. Chris Thiele is a highly touted freshman that many believe will contend for a state title immediately, Matt Beebe has a lot of expierence against top competition and has looked good at Border Wars events all summer and fall, and Jacob Jeske and Brandon Bell are also solid grapplers that provide even more ammunition. The determining factor for Swan Valley’s success will be how well they fill their upperweights. They may not necessarily need to win alot of matches up there, but they have to at least be competitive if they want to knock off the likes of Dundee, Goodrich, and Chippewa Hills.
Others to watch out for:
Corunna
Corunna was right on the brink of a state title last year as they pushed eventual champs Dundee to the limit in the state semifinals, losing by 4. However, they lose an amazing group of seniors from last year with the graduation of Kyle Rosser, Michael Byrd, Cody Rozell, Taylor Cochran, and Zeb Perrin. They do return some studs, led by Luke Perrin, Matt Raysin, and Curtis Hoskins, and they are a strong program that should have some others waiting to step in. However, it does not look like Corunna will be the powerhouse they were last year and they will struggle against the top teams.
Richmond
Richmond’s only returning state qualifier is runner up Ryan Mack, however, they always find a way to put a solid squad on the mat and that is why you have to keep on eye on Richmond. Mack is a serious threat for an individual title this year after his breakout season from a year ago.
Whitehall
After making it to Battle Creek last year, Whitehall returns a quality group led by Anthony Varela, Jordan Clarke, and Rob Olson. While they don’t appear to have the depth to challenge the top 4, they have a great shot at making a run in February.
Don’t forget about:
Durand – 3 ranked wrestlers: Roger Wildmo (#3 @ 103), Eric Telford (#4 at 125), Brian Hittle (#1 @ 145)
Lakewood – 1 ranked wrestler: Levi Phelphs (#5 @ 152)….A D2 powerhouse over the past decade, this is Lakewood’s 1st season in D3, should be interesting to see how they fare.
Caro – 2 ranked wrestlers: Corey Robinson (#7 @ 145), Sterling Hermann (#10 @ 140)
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