Division 3 Team Preview

TOP-RANKED DUNDEE EYEING 3-PEAT...

• #1 DUNDEE
• #2 RICHMOND
• #3 GRAND RAPIDS CC
• #4 CHIPPEWA HILLS
• #5 BIRCH RUN
• #6 SWAN VALLEY
• #7 ALLEGAN
• #8 CARO
• #9 MASON COUNTY CENTRAL
• #10 ALLENDALE
• HONORABLE MENTION

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#1 Dundee

HEAD COACH

Tim Roberts

KEY LOSSES

130: Brendan O’Connor – 4X State Placer
140: Doug Rojem – State Champ
140: Brad Scholl – 2X State Qualifier
145: Sean Marogen – 2X State Qualifier
145: Noah Newhouse – Regional Qualifier
189: Teddy Warren – State Champ
285: Russell Ege

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: Dan Jaworski (9)
112:
119: #10 Drew Mandell (11) – State Qualifier
125: #6 Kenny Reinhart (12) – 2X State Placer
       Zac Bellaire (9) – MYWA Champ
130: Tylor Orrison (9) – MYWA Runner-Up
       Drew Scholl (10)
135: #3 Zack Blevins (11) – 2X State Placer
140: #4 Sean Sterling (10) – State 4th
145: Nate Scholl (10)
152:
160: #2 Donny Mandell (12) – State 4th
        Kyle Motylinski (9) – MYWA Champ
171: #2 Brandon Whitman (9) – MYWA Champ
189: #1 Tye Thompson (12) – State Runner-Up
       Ryan Heiserman (12) – Regional Qualifier
215: Gabe Heiserman (11) – Regional Qualifier
285:

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: The logjams within the lineup work themselves out and the freshmen class is proves itself to be the best in the state, culminating in the Viking's first 3-peat since the mid 90's.

Worst Case Scenario: Certain areas of the lineup become overly crammed while others are largely vacant, and a more versatile team is able to take advantage upset them in the semis to keep the Vikings out of the finals for just the 2nd time in the past 9 years.

#2 Richmond

HEAD COACH

Brandon Day

KEY LOSSES

140: Nick Burg – State Runner-Up
145: Jake Van Scoter – State 5th
171: Austin Peltier – State Qualifier
189: Jake McKiernan – State Champ

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: #7 Roy Costello (10) – Regional Qualifier
112: #5 Connor Behem (12) – State 7th
119: Cody Keller (11) – Regional Qualifier
125: #3 Aaron Kilburn (11) – State Champ
       Alex Roberts (9) – MYWA Placer
130: XJ Knuckles (12)
135: Graham Barton (11) – State Qualifier
140: Colton McKiernan (9) – MYWA Placer
145:
152: #10 Austin VanAtter (12) – State 6th
160: #1 Devin Skatzka (12) – 3X State Champ
       #7 Austin Pawlak (12) – State Qualifier
171: Jordan Adams (12) – State Qualifier
189: #8 Brady LaFore (12) – Regional Qualifier
215: Anthony Hinojosa (12)
285: #2 Adam Boyd (12) – 2X State Qualifier

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: Per usual, the Blue Devils make some savvy lineup moves at the end of the year. They advance to finals finals in convincing fashion where they meet Dundee for the 4th consecutive year and avenge the losses suffered in '13 & '14.

Worst Case Scenario: This year's Blue Devils team proves not to be as deep or flexible as it's predecessors. They find themselves in the semis once again, but are knocked off prior to the finals for the first time since '09.

#3 Grand Rapids CC

HEAD COACH

BJ Schroeder

KEY LOSSES

112: Dom Ciucci – State Qualifier
125: Dan Sayfie – 2X State Qualifier
171: AJ Zervoudakis – State Qualifier
215: Danny Drummond – State Champ
285: Ross Hulick – State 6th

PROJECTED LINEUP

103:
112: Jimmy Wisnewski (10)
119: Reece DiGiovanna (11)
125: #1 (@119) Devin Schroder (11) – 2X State Champ
130: Mason Frausto (9)
135: #5 (@130) Kole Krauss (11) – State 4th
140: #1 Nate Limmex (12) – 2X State Champ
145: #1 Foster Karmon (11) – State Champ
152: #9 Dominic Forbes (11) – State 5th
160: Elias Najar (11)
171: #10 Jared Tennihill (12) – State Qualifier
189: Connor Cheney (11)
215: #2 Grant Tennihill (12) – State 3rd
285: Mike Jepsen (10)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: The Cougar's returners churn out bonus points all season while their new starters prove capable of minimizing them against top competition. Together, they unseat tradition powers Dundee and Richmond to deliver the first state title in program history.

Worst Case Scenario: Graduation losses weigh heavily on the team, and at Regionals they're exposed when a deeper and more well-rounded Allendale team narrowly upsets them.

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#4 Chippewa Hills

HEAD COACH

Nate Ethridge

KEY LOSSES

103: Richie Ostrander – State 3rd
112: Zach King – 2X State Placer
152: Kavan Peterson – Regional Qualifier

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: #4 Keaton Zuern (10) – State Qualifier
       Austin Balcer (9) – MYWA Placer
112: Kaden Ellis (10)
119: Austin Young (9) – MYWA Placer
125: #10 Mike Felix (12) – State Qualifier
130: #9 Austin Spedowski (10) – State Qualifier
135: #9 Slade Todd (11) – State Qualifier
       Jaycob Sharp (9) – MYWA Runner-Up
140: David Spedowski (9) – MYWA Placer
145: John Wixson (11)
152: #1 Mason Dey (12) – State 6th
160: #4 Kevin Briscoe (12 ) – State 4th
171: Eric Russell (12) – Regional Qualifier
189: Brendan Barry (11) – Regional Qualifier
       Billy Koepf (9) – MYWA Placer
215: John Spedowski (12) – Regional Qualifier
       Kyle VandenBrooks (12)
285: Andrew Whaley (11)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: Utilizing what proves to be the deepest and most versatile lineup in all of D3, the Warriors make a run to finals for the first time in program history where they fall to #1 Dundee or #2 Richmond in a tightly contested dual.

Worst Case Scenario: After narrowly getting by Whitehall at Regionals the Warriors are overpowered at team state and their season ends in the quarterfinals.

#5 Birch Run

HEAD COACH

Bart Bennett

KEY LOSSES

152: Mitch Franklin – 2X State Placer
160: Jared Elliott – 2X State Runner-Up

PROJECTED LINEUP

103:
112: Colton Fritzler (11)
119:
125: Drew Cox (12) – Regional Qualifier
130: #2 (@125) Jerry Fenner (12) – State Champ
135: Adam Grim (12) – State Qualifier
140: Joe Damm (11) – Regional Qualifier
145: #7 Justin Elliott (11) – State Qualifier
        Ean Taylor (11) – State Qualifier
152: Tyler Childs (11) – Regional Qualifier    
160: #8 Logan Bovee (11) – State Qualifier
171: Kyle Reese (11)
189:
215: #1 George Lahar (12) – State 3rd
285: #10 Colin Slavik (12)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: After taking care of business against Corunna and/or Lake Fenton at Regionals, the Panthers notch a win in the quarters before losing a tight semifinal dual.

Worst Case Scenario: At Regionals the Panthers are on the wrong end of an upset when they are narrowly defeated by Corunna or Lake Fenton and forced to sit out of team state for a 2nd consecutive season.

#6 Swan Valley

HEAD COACH

Darrell Burchfield

KEY LOSSES

140: Josh Flores – State Placer
160: Brody Nokyos – State Qualifier
171: James Dwenger – State Qualifier
285: Steve Decker

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: Gavin Evans (9)
112: #9 Edwin Hernandez (10) – State Qualifier
       Nick Piowarski (9)
119: #2 KJ Suitor (11) – State Runner-Up
       #7 (@125) Jose Hernandez (12) – State Qualifier
125:
130: #2 Matt Santos (11) – State Runner-Up
       Robert Lederer (9)
135: Brady Kessler (9) – MYWA Placer
140: #3 (@145) Collin Dole (12) – State Placer
       Luke Hart (12)
145: #7 Gerad Bott (10) – Regional Qualifier
152: #2 Sam McClean (12) – State Placer
160: Emmitt Boehler (9)
171: Cole Busby (12)
       Jordan Walters (10)
189: Danny Stevenson (11)
215: Ty Taylor (12)
       Taylor Reaume (12)
285: Josh Shanner (11)
       Ty Perry (9)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: The Vikings manage to get solid production throughout their upperweights, and as result they soundly defeat #8 Caro at Regionals before eventually falling in a competitive semifinal dual.

Worst Case Scenario: Unable to minimize bonus points, the Vikings season ends come to an end at Regionals against a high powered Caro squad.

#7 Allegan

HEAD COACH

Murray Rose

KEY LOSSES

112: Liam Noble – State 5th
125: Foster Karmon – State Champ
130: Zane Corey – State Runner-Up
145: Kyle Simaz – 2X State Champ
215: Jonah Pfau – State Qualifier

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: #9 Davynn Schneider (10) – Regional Qualifier
112:
119: Ben Diaz (10) – Regional Qualifier
125: Joey Orr (11) – Regional Qualifier
130:
135: #6 PJ Cole (12) – State Qualifier
140:
145:
152: Thor Huff (11) – Regional Qualifier
160: Trey Boerman (11) – Regional Qualifier
171: #5 Levi Sabin (11) – State 5th
189: #3 Chase Beard (10) – State 5th
215: #8 Austin Farrell (11) – State Qualifier
285: Isea Marichalar (11)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: The Tiger's stellar junior class continues to progress and appears in the semis for a 4th consecutive year before bowing out.

Worst Case Scenario: Struggling to fill their holes, the Tigers manage to reach team state but are seeded low and defeated handily in the quarterfinals.

#8 Caro

CO-HEAD COACHES

Steve Ley
Bob Surayne

KEY LOSSES

171: Skylar Ley – State Runner-Up
215: Kendall Betteridge – 3X State Placer

PROJECTED LINEUP

103:
112: #7 Patrick Ford (10) – State Qualifier
119: #8 Trevor O’Connor (12) – State Qualifier
125: Justin Diehl (11)
130: #10 Dan Rocheleau (12) – State Qualifier
135: #4 Marshall Conley (12) – 2X State Placer
140: Jin Zhang (12)
145: #4 Chanc Eremia (12) – State Qualifier
152: #8 Brett Green (12) – 2X State Qualifier
160:
171: Matt Bringard (11) – Regional Qualifier
189: #5 Tyler Deming (11) – 2X Regional Qualifier
215:
285:

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario:The Tiger's studs continue to uphold their reputation as pinners while their new starters do a good job of limiting them the other way. After topping #6 Swan Valley at Regionals they reach the state semis for the first time in a decade.

Worst Case Scenario: Plagued by a number of holes in the lineup, the Tigers are unable to match up with Swan Valley at Regionals and miss out on a trip to team state.

#9 Mason County Central

HEAD COACH

Jim Allen

KEY LOSSES

125: Trevor Skinner – State 8th
160: Cody Jensen – Regional Qualifier
285: Doug Wyman – State 8th

PROJECTED LINEUP

103:
112:
119: Ethan Hill (10) – Regional Qualifier
125: Dylan Foster (12) – Regional Qualifier
130:
135: #7 Jacob Shoop (10) – State Qualifier
140: Caleb Wood (12) – Regional Qualifier
145: #5 Logan Merrick (11) – 2X State Qualifier
152: Jordan Steiger (12) – State Qualifier
160: #3 Spencer Knizacky (11) – State 6th
171:
189: #10 Jarod Alvesteffer (12) – State Qualifier
215: #3 Josh Quinn (12) – State Placer
285: Matt Quinn (10)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: Building on last year's success, the Spartans return to BC. This time around they open things up with big win on before eventually falling in the semifinals.

Worst Case Scenario: The Spartans manage to repeat as regional champs, but are significant over matched in the quarterfinals and lose by a wide margin.

#10 Allendale

HEAD COACH

Duane Watson

KEY LOSSES

171: Dylan Worthington
215: Colin Beebe – 2X State Runner-Up
285: Glenn Geurink – 2X State Placer

PROJECTED LINEUP

103:
112: #8 Nick Dankowski (11) – State Qualifier
119: Jake TeBos (12)
125: Angel Perez (10)
130: #4 Jackson Lamdbin (12) – 2X State Placer
135:
140: Ryan Wynsma (10)
145: Mason Dyke (10)
152: #4 Jesse Groenveld (12) – State 8th
160: Cameron Ham (11) – Regional Qualifier
171: #3 Brandon Dyke (12) – 2X State Placer
189: #2 Jon Nielson (12) – State 6th
215:
285:

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: In a testament to the depth and consistency of their program, the Falcons shock #3 GRCC in a Regional upset and carry the momentum all the way to the state semis before they eventually go down against #1 Dundee or #2 Richmond.

Worst Case Scenario: Unable to fill their holes, the Falcons are severely overpowered by GRCC at Regionals and end up losing by a wide a margin.

Honorable Mention

THE BEST OF THE REST...

The odds of anyone in Region 17-3 upsetting #9 Mason County Central seem pretty slim at this point in time, but Gladstone is a very strong program that won a Regional title in 2013 and will be competitive. They begin the season with 4 ranked wrestlers and return 2 additional RQ's.

It's virtually a lock that either #6 Swan Valley or #8 Caro will emerge from Region 18-3, and at this early juncture no other team really stands out as one to watch.

As legit as #4 Chippewa Hills is, their road to BC will not be an easy one. Whitehall falls just outside the top-10 to start the season and will definitely be in the mix in Region 19-3. Currently they have 5 wrestlers in the rankings, and a couple more who are right on the cusp. Additionally, Shelby is a perennially tough program that will also be competitive here.

Lakewood is on the outside looking in with #3 GRCC and #10 Allendale alongside them in Region 20-3, but they bring back a very solid corps and will be one of D3's better teams this season.

#7 Allegan should dominate Region 21-3, which doesn't have any other teams that stand out preseason.

It's a safe bet that #1 Dundee will dominate in Region 22-3, but Monroe Jefferson has a lot of returning talent and should be in store for a strong season. They have 2 wrestlers featured in the preseason rankings and return 3 additional RQ's.

#5 Birch Run will have no shortage of competition in Region 23-3. Corunna narrowly missed out on a preseason ranking, but with 6 ranked wrestlers they certainly have the firepower to do some serious damage. Lake Fenton is also right there. The returning Regional champs lost quite a bit to graduation, but return enough talent to make another appearance BC. They have a pair of wrestlers in the rankings, a few impact freshman, and an additional returning RQ.

Finally, there's Region 24-3. #2 Richmond is an extremely safe bet here. It remains to be seen whether anyone else will emerge as a top team.

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