Hamdan makes MYWAY history with 5th straight Title

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BATTLE CREEK, MI – The Hudson High School wrestling team has muscled its way to be considered one of the top programs in the state, even if it competes in the the state of Michigan's smallest division in Division 4.

Coach Scott Marry has built himself a dynasty, considering the Tigers had won five straight Division 4 state titles until New Lothrop stopped that incredible streak at this year's finals in Battle Creek in February.

To build this championship-caliber program, Marry has taken advantage of families that make the sport of wrestling their own, that like the Hamdans.

Currently the Tigers have a junior named Roddy Hamdan that won a state title at 103 pounds last year, and followed that up with a runner-up finish at 112 this year.

And don't look now, but there may even be a tougher Hamdan on the horizon, as Roddy's little brother, Jordan Hamdan accomplished something at the youth level in the state that has only been a few times ever.

Jordan Hamdan won his fifth straight Michigan Youth Wrestling Association (MYWAY) state this past weekend at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena when he cruised through the 90-pound weight division in the 11-12 age group.  A feat that had only been done a couple times before, by Lowell senior Garrett Stehley who won MYWAY titles from 2006-2010 and youth standout Sean Spidle who won 6 in a row from 2008-2013.

In his tournament, Hamdan had four first-period pins and an overtime win over Lansing's James Whitaker (4-2) in the finals.

Although Jordan Hamdan acknowledged that winning isn't everything, he does admit that it is a lot more fun than losing, especially this year.

“Winning isn't the most important thing, having fun is, but winning (this year) is a big deal to me,” Jordan Hamdan said. “I'm happy with how I wrestled.”

When giving credit for the reason how good he is, Jordan Hamdan didn't have to look far, with his father, Rod Hamdan, standing next to him.

“Coaches and practices have been important, but my dad has played the biggest part,” Jordan Hamdan said. “He always takes me to practices, to see new coaches and learn and that has been big.”

But for Rod Hamdan, a lot of times he hasn't had to look real far to find some of the best coaching and mentoring his kid can get. They get that right in Hudson with current and former Tigers.

“Hudson is a great little town, everybody sticks together,” Rod Hamdan said. “Like a (current three-time state champ) Cole Weaver or (former champion) Devin Marry or a Zeb Hilyard at (the University of Michigan), they all come back and give back to the program. And these little guys look up to them. And these guys teach them little points of interest, how stay focused an how to keep their mind on it. All of these kids have someone to look up to.”

Like Jordan.

“It is a very good team,” said Jordan Hamdan, who has been wrestling for nine years. “They (current and former wrestlers) always come out and teach us new things, even when they are done.”

But it also comes down to a kid, no matter what his age is, or where he is from, that has the work ethic and good guidance to make him a champion.

“It is hard work, and you have to have a kid that is willing to put in the time, but without his coaches, and I give credit to all of them he wouldn't be where he is at today,” Rod Hamdan said of his son, a future Tiger to be reckoned with.

*Correction Note - article originally published Hamdan as first ever 5x consecutive MYWAY Champ, which was incorrect. Garrett Stehley of Lowell accomplished the 5-Peat from 2006-2010 and Sean Spidle accomplished a 6-peat from 2008-2013.

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