Division 2 Team Preview

#1 LOWELL TO PURSUE FIRST BACK-TO-BACK TITLES IN PROGRAM'S STORIED HISTORY...

• #1 LOWELL
• #2 ST JOHNS
• #3 NILES
• #4 BAY CITY WESTERN
• #5 GAYLORD
• #6 WARREN LINCOLN
• #7 CLIO
• #8 EATON RAPIDS
• #9 TECUMSEH
• #10 BYRON CENTER
• HONORABLE MENTION

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#1 Lowell

HEAD COACH

RJ Boudro

KEY LOSSES

125: Derek Krajewski – 2X State Placer
130: Bailey Jack – State Champ
152: Jacob Garcia – Regional Qualifier
160: Kanon Dean – 2X State Placer
189: Garret Stehley – 2X State Runner-Up

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: #5 Sam Russell (10) – State Qualifier
112: #9 Kyle Washburn (11) – Regional Qualifier
119: #2 Lucas Hall (11) – State Champ
125: #8 Aaron Ward (12) – 2X State Qualifier
130: #1 Zeth Dean (11) – State Runner-Up
135:
140: Keigan Yuhas (9)
145: #2 Jordan Hall (12) – 3X State Placer
        David Kruse (9) – MYWA State Champ
152: #9 (@152) Dan Kruse (11) – 2X Regional Qualifier
        Austin Engle (9) – MYWA Placer
160: Eli Boulton (10)
171:
189: #2 Max Dean (11) – State Champ
215: #1 Josh Colegrove (12) – State Champ
285: Logan Wilcox (12) – 2X Regional Qualifier

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: Their strong freshmen class eases the loss of last year's senior class, and the Red Arrows win back-to-back titles for the first time in program history.

Worst Case Scenario: Despite some immense firepower, the middle of the lineup gets jammed up and the Red Arrows are upset in the semis by a more balanced and flexible opponent.

#2 St Johns

HEAD COACH

Derek Phillips

KEY LOSSES

140: Zac Hall – 4X State Champion
145: Mark Bozzo – State Runner-Up
160: Drew Wixson – State 4th

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: Brendan Zelenka (9) – MYWA Placer
112: #5 Emilo Sanchez (10) – State Qualifier
119: #1 Ian Parker (11) – State Runner-Up
       #7 Trent Lashuay (10) – State 7th
125:
130: John Baker (10)
135: Derek Droste (11)
       Alejandro Guajardo (12)
140: #7 (@135) Lucas McFarland (10) – State Qualifier
145: #9 (@140) Bret Fedewa (10) – State Qualifier
152:
160: #1 Logan Massa (12) – 2X State Champ
171: Blake Thelen (11)
189: #1 Angus Arthur (12) – 2X State Champ
215: #2 Ty Wildmo (12) – 2X State Placer
285: #4 Nic Sturgis (12) – Regional Qualifier
        #6 Jacob Gnegy (11) – State Qualifier

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: Last year's underclassmen make significant strides, giving the Red Wings enough firepower to avenge last year's loss to #1 Lowell and win their 5th title in 6 years.

Worst Case Scenario: Unable to fill their gaps in the middleweights, the Red Wings are knocked off in the semis and fall short of the semis for the first time since 2009.

#3 Niles

HEAD COACH

Todd Hesson

KEY LOSSES

112: Brendan Meek – State 5th
125: Darek Bullock-Mills – State 5th

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: #2 Andrew Flick (10) – State 7th
112:
119:
125: #5 Josh Dayhuff (12) – State 8th
130: Courtland Lamberton (11)
135: Mitch Findieson (10)
140: #6 (@135) Noah Hall (12) – State Qualifier
145: #6 (@140) Warren Smith (12) – State 8th
152: Quintin Smith (11) – State Qualifier
160: Fred Kemp (12)
171: #8 Sean Craig (12) – Regional Qualifier
189: Cody Thornton (12)
215: #7 Wyatt Thornton (12) – Regional Qualifier
        Ted Jackowiak (12) – Regional Qualifier
285: #9 Alex Bata (12) – 2X Regional Qualifier

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: As the deepest and most versatile team in D2, the Vikings make savvy lineup moves to record a pair of upsets over #1 Lowell and #2 St Johns to claim the first title in program history.

Worst Case Scenario: Struggling to hit the next level of success, the Vikings manage to make a return trip to BC but are upended in the quarters and miss out on a 3rd straight appearance in the semis.

#4 Bay City Western

HEAD COACH

Steven Goss

KEY LOSSES

130: Mike Rojas – State Qualifier
135: Jacob Wibirt – State Qualifier
145: Zach Davis – Regional Qualifier
160: Noland Davis
215: Jacob Alarie – State Runner-Up

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: Austin Hale (9) – MYWA Placer
112: David Coffey (10)
        Alexander Simmons (9)
119: James Bailey (9)
125: #7 Coby Moore (10) – State Qualifier
130: #8 Blake Jackson (11) – State Qualifier
135: Noah Schoenherr (10) – State Qualifier
140: #5 Tom Schoenherr (12) – 2X State Placer
145: #3 Chris Schoenherr (12) – 2X State Placer
152: Drake LaFramboise (9)
160: Liam Tobin (10)
171: Cole Rechsteiner (11)
189: #9 Cody Okes (12) – State Qualifier
215: Zeke VanOcthen (10)
285: Cody Witzgall (11)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: Once again the Warriors manage to navigate through one of the state's toughest Regions, getting past #5 Gaylord and #7 Clio before their season eventually ends with a competitive semifinals loss to #1 Lowell or #2 St Johns.

Worst Case Scenario: In a disappointing finish to the season, the Warriors are knocked off by #5 Gaylord or #7 Clio at Regionals and miss out on a return trip to Battle Creek.

#5 Gaylord

HEAD COACH

Jerry LaJoie

KEY LOSSES

125: Seth Lashuay  – 2X State Qualifier
130: Matt Kempfer
135: Jacob Panosso
145: Matt Jenkins – Regional Qualifier
285: Michael Shryock

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: #3 Trevor Giallombardo (11) – Regional Qualifier
112: #1 Dom Lajoie (10) – State Champ
119: Jonah Foote (11) – Regional Qualifier
       Kyle Karsten (10)
125: #4 Jon Martin (11) – 2X State Placer
130: Trent Hibner (12)
135: Tristan Starks (12)
140: Matt Poma (10)
       Brandon Ervin (11)
145: #7 Jeff Heinz (12) – State Qualifier
152: Tristan Blanzy (11)
160: Blake Limberger (10)
171: Jacob Paquette (10)
189: #3 Tristan Gregory (12) – State 5th
215: #4 Shane Foster (11) – State 7th
285: Tim Roney (11)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: Building on last year's success, the up-and-coming Blue Devils get past #4 Bay City Western and #7 Clio to win their first Regional title since 2009. They proceed to record a big win in the state quarterfinals before falling in the semis.

Worst Case Scenario: After falling to Bay City Western or Clio at Regionals the Blue Devils once again find themselves on the outside looking in as far as team state goes.

#6 Warren Lincoln

HEAD COACH

Bill Delia

KEY LOSSES

140: Sean Walker – Regional Qualifier
285: Michael Abouya – State 6th

PROJECTED LINEUP

103:
112: Demarco Dixon (11)
119:
125: Robert LaFrance (12)
130: #7 Shawn Lindsey (12) – State Qualifier
135: #5 Garrett Kaercher (11) – State 8th
140: #6 Robert Pope (12) – State Qualifier
145: #5 Ethan Eisenmann (12) – State Qualifier
152: #1 Khannor Kaercher (12) – 2X State Placer
160: #4 Derrien Perkins (12) – State 8th
171: #1 Jelani Embree (10)
189: Stevie Hooper (12) – Regional Qualifier
215:
285: Brandon LaFrance (12)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: The Abes are able to get all their top wrestlers on the mat for the postseason, and proceed to win their win their Region and make a run to the semifinals.

Worst Case Scenario: Once again the Abes are plagued by injuries and off the mat issues, which causes them to once again miss out on a chance to wrestle in BC.

#7 Clio

HEAD COACH

Joe Funsch

KEY LOSSES

285: Tyler Eible – State 5th

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: #10 Chase Beecher (10)
       AJ Moore (9)
112: #4 Drew Hutchison (10) – State 6th
119: Garrett Nyswaner (9) – MYWA Placer
125: #1 Mason Smith (12) – 2X State Champ
130: Riley Robinson (10)
135: Chase Cross (11)
140: Chase Smith (11) – 2X Regional Qualifier
145: Kollin Panek (10)
152: #10 Matt Dewyer (11) – 2X Regional Qualifier
160: Dalton Ballantine (10)
171: #3 Kane Williams (10) – StateQualifier
       Bernie Bullard (9)
189: Riggs Robinson (12)
215: #8 Jacob Hardaker (12) – Regional Qualifier
285:

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: Their talented underclassmen continue to develop, and the Mustangs advance all the way to the semifinals after getting past #4 Bay City Western and #7 Clio at Regionals.

Worst Case Scenario: Once again the Mustangs are shorthanded by season's end, and are thus overmatched against at Regionals against Bay City Western and Clio.

#8 Eaton Rapids

HEAD COACH

Joe Ray Barry

KEY LOSSES

145: Jacob Stewart

PROJECTED LINEUP

103:
112: Isaac Coolidge (10) – Regional Qualifier
119:
125:
130: Austin Eldred (12) – 2X Regional Qualifier
135: #1 (@135) Jaedin Sklapsky (12) – State Runner-Up
       George Hunter (10)
140: Austin Hutchison (11) – State Qualifier
145: #4 Lane McVicker (11) – State 5th
       Andrew Paul (12) – Regional Qualifier
152: #7 Blaine Milheim (12) – State Qualifier
160: Caleb Norris (12) – State Qualifier
       Chris Fillwock (12)
171: Triston Schultz (10)
189:
215: #6 Clayton Higelmire (11) – State Qualifier
285: Triston Warner (11)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: Their slew of returning starters takes a significant step forward from last season and the Greyhounds spend the entire season ranked in the top-8 before falling to #2 St Johns in a competitive dual at Regionals.

Worst Case Scenario: With a number of holes in the lowerweights and a logjam in the middle of the lineup, the Greyhounds fail to build on last season and fail to maintain their status in the top-10. At Districts their season comes to an end against a solid DeWitt team.

#9 Tecumseh

HEAD COACH

George Lesko

KEY LOSSES

103: Rick Azelton – 2X State Placer
119: Robert Comar – State Qualifier
125: Jake Hilton – Regional Qualifier
152: Devin Moore
160: Travis Byrd – Regional Qualifier
285: Preston Pelham – 2X State Placer
285: Kolin Konnors – State Qualifier

PROJECTED LINEUP

103: Hayden Whitehead (10)
112: Jared Waite (12)
119: #6 Drew Marten (10) – State Qualifier
125:
130:
135: Tyler MacLachan (10)
140: Wyatt Camdus (12) – 2X Regional Qualifier
145: Gabe Bechtol (9) – MYWA Placer
       Ryan Roberts (9)
152: Kyle Humprhies (11) – State Qualifier
160: Bryan Tripp (11)
171: Jacob Treadway (12)
189: #7 Kody McKrate (12) – State Qualifier
215: Landon Pelham (11) – 2X State Placer
285: Nate Brady (12)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: New faces emerge to ease graduation losses, the Indians earn their 5th consecutive Regional title, and eventually win a tight quarterfinal dual to return to the semis before bowing out against #1 Lowell or #2 St Johns.

Worst Case Scenario: Unable to make up for the loss of last year's senior class, the Indians 4 year streak of appearing in BC ends at Regionals where they're knocked off by Melvindale, New Boston Huron, or Dearborn Heights Annapolis.

#10 Byron Center

HEAD COACH

Tom Barker

KEY LOSSES

103: Austin Krantz – State Qualifier
125: Billy Doran – Regional Qualifier
135: Collin Busing – 2X Regional Qualifier
140: Nolan Waddell – 2X State Placer
145: Eriq Gonzales
160: Brennan Andrews – Regional Qualifier
171: Josh Lee – State 4th

PROJECTED LINEUP

103:
112:
119: Taylor Rambin (12) – State Qualifier
125: Tucker Biles (11)
130: #5 Jake Busing (12) – 2X State Placer
       Mike Nguyen (12)
135: Jake Riekena (12)
140: Gianni Baez (12) – Regional Qualifier
145: Tommy Nguyen (11)
152:
160: #10 Jaxon Smith (12) – 2X State Qualifier
171:
189: #5 Ryan Vasbinder (10) – State Qualifier
215:
285: Collin Stein (12)

ANALYSIS

Best Case Scenario: The Bulldogs prove their depth when a number of new faces emerge as capable starters, and they put up a valiant fight in a loss to #1 Lowell in the Regional finals.

Worst Case Scenario: Unable to find productive replacements for all the starters they lost, the Bulldogs fall out of the top-10 and are unable to be competitive against Lowell at Regionals.

Honorable Mention

THE BEST OF THE REST...

Region 9-2 will come down to #4 Bay City Western, #5 Gaylord, and #7 Clio. At this point, no one else really stands out.

Despite featuring no ranked teams, Region 10-2 has a ton of strong squads and will be extremely competitive. The favorite is probably Ortonville Brandon who has 4 ranked to begin the season and an additional returning RQ. Goodrich also will be in the mix. They have a couple ranked and return 3 additional RQ's. Marysville and Holly are also legit contenders.

It looks like Region 11-2 will come down to Greenville and Sparta. Both are perennially strong programs that should once again be very solid. Sparta has an impressive total of 5 wrestlers featured in the preseason rankings; meanwhile, Greenville will be led by #2 Cole Antcliff and a couple of additional RQ's. Fruitport is very solid as well and could also compete for a spot in BC.

#1 Lowell should dominate in Region 12-2 and #10 Byron Center is clearly the best of the remaining teams. It remains to be seen if anyone else will emerge.

It's clear that #3 Niles is the team to beat in Region 13-2, but Stevensville Lakeshore is a great program with the potential to be very competitive here.They begin the year with 3 ranked wrestlers and an additional returning RQ. Edwardsburg also has a ton of returning talent and should be very tough this season.

It's a virtual lock that #2 St Johns will advance from Region 14-2, and #8 Eaton Rapids looks like the next best team. However, DeWitt and Mason will be very tough as well. DeWitt has a pair of wrestlers ranked top-3 at their weight class and returns 4 additional RQ's. Mason doesn't have any wrestlers featured in the preseason rankings, but return 1 SQ and 1 RQ and should be pretty solid from top to bottom.

#9 Tecumseh has won 4 consecutive regional title and appears poised for a 5th. However, there's a number of additional teams in Region 15-2 that also have the potential to be very competitive. New Boston Huron, Melvindale, and DH Annapolis all have a trio of ranked wrestlers and each return several other starters that will have a significant impact.

#6 Warren Lincoln looks pretty stacked preseason, but last year a number of various issues prevented them from getting many of their top wrestlers on the mat. Right now their the favorite, but If a similar situation occurs it could be Warren Woods Tower. They won a Regional title last year and return 2 SQ's and 2 RQ's.

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