Wrestling Finals: Harper Creek's Garcia wins first state title for the school since 1998

DETROIT - Harper Creek freshman Devan Garcia was trying to do something no wrestler from a Battle Creek city school had done in almost 20 years - win a state title.

And on a Saturday evening, on the big stage at Ford Field, that's exactly what he did.

Garcia became the first Harper Creek wrestler since 1998 to win a state championship and the first grappler from a Battle Creek city school to accomplish the feat since 2006 in action at the 2024 MHSAA state individual wrestling finals at Ford Field on Saturday.

"This means a lot. I love everybody here, I love my coaches, I love being at Harper Creek," Garcia said. "I am glad I was able to bring it home for Harper Creek."

Garcia defeated Cristian Haslem of St. Clair in the state championship final at 113 pounds by a 12-4 decision. Garcia finishes his freshman year at 47-1 and as state champ.

"He's the first freshman to win a state championship at Harper Creek. But he doesn't wrestle like a freshman. He did a super job," Harper Creek coach Dave Studer said. "He's tough and smart, and this weekend, he was really aggressive and I am real proud of him."

The last state champ for Harper Creek was Charlie Taft, who won two state titles for the Beavers, his second as a senior in 1998.

MORE: Could Battle Creek get its first state champ in wrestling in almost 20 years?

"I am thrilled to have a kid win a state championship again," Studer said.

Garcia also has a tie to the last wrestler to win a state title in the city as Lakeview's state champ in 2006 Blake Birmingham is Garcia's cousin.

"I've talked to him a lot leading up to this, trained with him. It's great to be able to follow what he did," Garcia said.

Garcia's weekend in Detroit highlighted the results from a handful of area wrestlers competing in the state finals this weekend.

Overall, Harper Creek finished with four all-state finishes as all four Beaver grapplers who qualified for the state meet ended up on the medal stand.

Harper Creek sophomore Camren Brock placed sixth at 106 pounds. Brock opened with a 7-2 decision in his first round match before falling 7-1 in the second round. Brock earned a pin over De'Shine Logan of Pontiac in the consolations to put him in the running for all-state.

Harper Creek junior Ricky Johnson lost his first-round match, but put together two wins in the consolations to climb back to all-state status, finishing seventh at 285.

In the girls wrestling state meet, Harper Creek's Alexandra Stiltner is all-state for a second year, finishing third this season.

Lakeview's Dayveon Rupert won his first two matches by decision before losing in the semifinals to Hartland's Vinnie Abbey, 10-5. Rupert ended up taking fifth overall.

"Dayveon capped a great career with a solid performance at the state meet," Lakeview coach Nicholas Eckstein said.

In girls wrestling, the Spartans' Kennedy Stine was knocked out in the second round of the consolation bracket.

Area Wrestlers

Also in Division 2, Gull Lake finished with two all-staters. Camden Miller (144) and Rasler Warner (126) each took third overall.

In Division 3, Olivet's Tyler Schofield remained undefeated at 57-0 as he won a state title at 165.

In Division 4, the Climax-Scotts/Martin co-op had a big day. Climax-Scotts junior Logan Gilbert won a state title at 106 pounds and teammate Haylen Buell took first at 132.

Also for Climax-Scotts/Martin, Cole Reitz (120) was fourth, Jayce Ritchie finished sixth at 126 and Jackson Bagwell (144) was eighth.

Bronson was represented by a large group, led by Gale Erwin (150) and Layne Knisely (157), who advanced to the state finals, each finishing as runners-up.

Also for Bronson, Owen Kimmons (126) finished eighth and Jacob Britten (190) was third.

For Union City, Montana Connell was state champ at 150 and teammate Logan Mears made it to the state finals at 132 and was runner-up.

Also for the Chargers, Alex Boyer (132) finished fourth and Aidan Taylor (144) was seventh.

Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Harper Creek freshman Devan Garcia wins state title in wrestling