All-Region Wrestling: Dundee champs share Wrestler of the Year

DUNDEE — COVID-19 caused a lot of pain.

Lives were lost.

The world was changed in so many ways.

The pandemic prevented Cameron Chinavare from participating in the 2021 state wrestling tournament.

That may have denied fans of a classic state championship match.

Chinavare and Dundee teammate Kade Kluce were in the same weight class that year. There was a good chance they would have faced each other in the state finals.

Kluce went on to win four individual state titles and Cameron finished with three.

Today the two Vikings have been named Monroe County Region Wrestlers of the Year.

Both Chinavare and Kluce are convinced they would have faced off for the state championship in 2021.

“It would have been quite a battle,” Chinavare said. “We trained against each other a lot that year. We would wrestle for 40 minutes and no one would score.”

More: Region has seven state wrestling champs including six from Dundee

Neither would venture a guess as to who might have won that showdown.

“I have no idea,” Kluce said. “It was so close.”

Both closed their outstanding careers this year as state champions this season.

Chinavare won at 132 pounds and finished with a 43-2 record while Kluce reigned at 126 pounds and wound up 34-9.

Both have committed to Division 1 universities for next season. Kluce will wrestle for the Naval Academy and Chinavare will take the mat for Central Michigan.

They have driven each other to great success.

“We’ve wrestled each other since the fifth grade when I moved to Dundee,” Chinavare said. “We grew up together. He used to come to my house to wrestle. … We were always scraping with each other and pushing each other.”

“He was always pushing me to be my best,” Kluce added.

Chinavare tested positive for COVID-19 on the eve of the state tournament.

“The week before districts we did our weekly testing,” he said. “The day I found out really sucked.”

But he refused to let the disappointment keep him down.

“I decided I needed to keep my head on straight and keep grinding, get back on track,” he said.

He believes the setback made him stronger.

“It drove me a lot to become better,” he said. “All the hard work paid off. I got three state titles and got to be part of a great program, a great team.”

Chinavare won a battle of defending state champions in the 132-pound finals this year, grabbing an early 3-0 lead then holding off Connor Younts of Clinton 3-2.

The son of Mark and Tiffany Chinavare will join family at CMU. His brother Kade and cousin Tyler Swiderski wrestle for the Chippewas.

“I really like it up there,” he said. “We have a cabin about 40 minutes from the school.”

Kluce is part of an exclusive club of wrestlers who have won four individual and four team state championships.

“It feels great,” he said. “That’s been the best back of my mind for a while.”

The fourth title didn’t come easily. Kluce scored a third-period escape against Drew Hansen of Gladstone to tie the match at 1-1, then won in overtime.

“There was a lot of pressure, but I just blocked out the crowd and wrestled,” he said. “I felt on top of the world.”

He joined Brandon Whitman (2015-18), Casey Swiderski (2019-22) and Braeden Davis (2020-23) as four-time champs from Dundee.

“It’s an honor,” he said.

Kluce believes the military discipline of the Naval Academy will be good for him.

“I feel like it’s kind of close to wrestling, following orders and doing what you’re told,” said the son of Ellen and Joel Kluce.

Kluce and Chinavare lead the 2023-24 All-Region Wrestling Team. Other members of the team are?

Jeremy Amrhein, Dundee, 138, soph.

Place third in the state and went 37-12. “JC also had a win over Division 2 state Runner-up at 144 pounds,” Dundee co-coach Nate Hall said.

Donny Beaufait, Dundee, 150, sophomore

A state runner-up who went 43-10. “He had wins over multiple State champions,” Dundee co-coach Nate Hall said. “Don performed well all year.”

Noah Benore, Bedford, 144, junior

Battled through late-season illness to go 46-13 and place eighth in the state. “Noah really fought hard at the end of the year,” Bedford coach Kevin Vogel said.

Braden Broderick, Dundee, 120, soph.

Got healthy at the end to go 19-3 and take second in the state. “Faced immense adversity with commitment and resilience,” said Dundee co-coach Nate Hall.

Wyatt Burns, Dundee, 126, fresh.

Took fourth place in the state and compiled a 27-13 record. “Competed well through a tough schedule,” Dundee co-coach Nate Hall said.

Blake Cosby, Dundee, 144, soph.

Went 48-1 and won a state championship.  “Blake gained recognition by beating a few nationally ranked opponents,” Dundee co-coach Nate Hall said.

Anthony Cousino, Jefferson, 215, senior

Qualified for state for the third time, topped 100 wins and went 49-8. “Anthony is a big strong farm kid with vice-like grip,” Jefferson coach Ryan Nadeau said.

Cody Duvendack, Bedford, 106, fresh.

Capped a 46-10 season by placing seventh in the state. “Cody had an outstanding freshman year,” Bedford coach Kevin Vogel said. “He has a great skill set.”

Carson Gemmel, Huron, 113, senior

Reached 100 career wins, went 31-6 and placed seventh in the state. "Carson worked for everything he achieved this year,” Huron coach Logan Ritchie said.

Mason Haines, Dundee, 113, soph.

Went 34-14 and placed third in the state. “Showed an incredible amount of growth both on and off the mat,” Dundee co-coach Nate Hall said.

Kole Katschor, Dundee, 157, junior

Capped a 45-6 season by winning his second state championship. “Kole showed great maturity all year,” Dundee co-coach Nate Hall said.

Mason Katschor, Dundee, 106, fresh.

Went 47-6 and won a state championship. “Mason proved he will be an athlete to keep your eye on moving forward,” said Dundee co-coach Nate Hall.

Tristan King, Bedford, 113, soph.

Qualified for state for the second time and finished 39-15. “I will be looking for him to be a leader on our team next year,” Bedford coach Kevin Vogel said.

Drew Ladach, Huron, 157, junior

Took fifth in the state with a 48-6 record. “He is coachable, strong, athletic, and a competitor,” said New Boston Huron coach Logan Ritchie.

Issac Masserant, Jefferson, 132, senior

Went 42-10 and qualified for state for the third time. “Issac has been a constant in Jefferson wrestling success the past four seasons,” Jefferson coach Ryan Nadeau said.

Jack Mills, Airport, senior, 175

The only two losses in a 37-2 season came at the state finals. “He will go down has one of the best wrestlers to ever come through our program,” Airport coach Jon Morris said.

Chase Norbury, Bedford, 285, junior

Racked up 50 wins (50-6) and placed fourth in the state. “He is starting to believe how good he can be,” Bedford coach Kevin Vogel said.

Haydn Nutt, Dundee, 113, soph.

Lost to a two-time state champ in the state finals, finishing 41-8. “An intense competitor, rises to the occasion,” said Dundee co-coach Nate Hall.

Holden Otter, Airport, 215, fresh.

Began his high school career by going 40-11 and placing seventh in the state. “We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him,” Airport coach Jon Morris said.

Trey Parker, Dundee, 150, senior

Beat teammate Donny Beaufait in the state finals and finished with a 34-13 record. “Trey is incredibly hard to score on,” Dundee co-coach Nate Hall said.

Martre Pearson, Jefferson, 157, senior

Went 49-11 to top 100 career wins and placed eighth in the state. “Martre loves wrestling and is as physical as we have coached,” Jefferson coach Ryan Nadeau said.

Angelina Pena, Milan, 130, senior

Became just the second four-time state champion in Michigan history. “Her work ethic is inspirational,” Milan coach Adam Caballero said.

Carter Simota, Jefferson, 144, senior

Broke school season records for pins (44) and points (320) and tied mark for wins in going 57-5 and placing fifth at state. Won five tournament titles.

Zachary Taylor, Carlson, 165, junior

Suffered his only loss of a 52-1 junior season in the state championship match. “That kid is very tough,” said Bedford coach Kevin Vogel.

SPECIAL MENTION

Wrestlers: Antonio Ayala, Airport; Kyle Bashaw, SMCC; Nicholas Dropiewski, Flat Rock; Chris Galloway, Ida; Daniel Gemmel, New Boston Huron; Lucas Gerber, Bedford; Conner Green, Bedford; Meadow Gomez, Bedford; Blake Haliburda, Airport; Braydon Hall, New Boston Huron; Samir Jomaa, Milan; Tyler Kamm, Gibraltar Carlson; Landon King, Dundee; Avery Lane, Dundee; Natalie Lewis, Ida; Kyle Link, Airport; Brody Lopez, Milan; Gabrial Lyle, Gibraltar Carlson; Brianna Lynch, SMCC; MaryAlice Lynch, SMCC; Wyatt Mack, Flat Rock; Eric Mathies, SMCC; Zach Miracle, Bedford; Ben Motylinski, Dundee; Owen Motylinski, Dundee; Ryder Mulherin, Jefferson; Rocco Redmon, Dundee; Angel Rincon, Monroe; Ty Rose, Jefferson; Morgan Simota, Jefferson; Bryan Sterling, Dundee; Vladimir Uhlik, Jefferson; Tyler Vanderpool, Jefferson; Danny VanEeckhoutte, Erie Mason; Hailey Wisler, New Boston Huron.

Coaches: Lance Hassell, Gibraltar Carlson; Jordan Mayes, Monroe; Jon Morris, Airport; Ryan Nadeau, Jefferson; Garrett Stevens and Nate Hall, Dundee; Logan Ritchie, New Boston Huron.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: All-Region Wrestling: Dundee champs share Wrestler of the Year