Wrestling Preview 2023-24: City/area teams looking for a strong season on the mat
BATTLE CREEK - It's a new season on the mat, with fresh faces and veterans all trying to make their mark among the wrestling teams in the Enquirer readership area.
Annual events such as the All-City Meet on Jan. 13 and the traditional McGinnis-Evans Memorial Invitational at Battle Creek Central on Jan. 27 are the showcase events on the high school wrestling schedule.
The postseason will get started with team and individual districts the week of Feb. 10, with the Michigan High School Athletic Association State Team Finals on Feb. 23-24 at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo and the MHSAA State Individual Finals on March 1-2 at Ford Field.
Here is a closer look at the 2022-23 high school wrestling season:
City Teams:
Battle Creek Central
Coach: Liam Knapp (7th season)
2022-23 Record: 22-23
Top returners: Angelo Williams (sr.), Noah Nichols (sr.), Terrell Haddley (sr.)
Outlook: The Bearcats had a breakthrough season last year, winning the All-City team championship for the first time in 22 years and capturing a district title. However, 2023-24 is a brand new set of circumstances for Battle Creek Central as graduation losses will hamper the starting lineup. BCC can depend on a core group of seniors, who have seen a lot of success, with regional qualifier Angelo Williams at 175 pounds and regional qualifier Noah Nichols (157) as well as Terrell Haddley (132).
"Very interesting start to the season. We've had to adjust our plans due to an influx of younger wrestlers. As well as several we counted on being unavailable. We will continue to push our team and work towards maximizing each wrestler's potential," Knapp said.
MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS:
Season Preview: Enquirer City Girls Basketball for 2023-24
Season Preview: Enquirer City Boys Basketball for 2023-24
Lakeview
Coach: Nicholas Eckstein (2nd season)
2022-23 Record: 1-8 in SMAC
Top returners: Dayveon Rupert (sr.), Kennedy Stine (sr.), Jacob Kellems (sr.), Cayden Miller (sr.)
Outlook: Lakeview is coming out of an era where it had a third different head coach in three years, which meant the Spartans were going through a bit of a transition. However, Nicholas Eckstein is now in his second season and has been with the program for more than a decade as an assistant and understands the legacy of Spartan wrestling. Still with a lot of holes to fill in the lineup, Lakeview does have a solid group of seniors that can lead the way. Leading the charge will be senior Kennedy Stine (132), who is a two-time state qualifier and placed at the state meet last year. Senior Dayveon Rupert (157), was an All-City champ a year ago and has been a two-time regional qualifier. Seniors Jacob Kellems (132 pounds) and Cayden Miller (157) were both city champs as well.
"We are a young team with some good senior leadership. We are expecting our seniors will take that next step to ensure that they finish their high school careers successfully. Our newer wrestlers are working hard and have shown great desire to learn the sport. We look forward to seeing them develop throughout the year," Eckstein said.
Harper Creek
Coach: Dave Studer (57th season)
2022-23 Record: 11-10
Top returners: Ricky Johnson (jr.), Camren Brock (so), Avan Katz (so.), Israel Waite (so.), Josh Roe (jr.), Alexandra Stiltner (so.)
Outlook: Harper Creek coach Dave Studer will be starting his 57th season in leading the Beavers as the program remains strong with 50-plus athletes on the roster. Still a young team, Harper Creek is looking to be a contender in the Interstate 8 Conference and a return to the regionals. Junior Ricky Johnson returns as a state qualifier at heavyweight with Camren Brock (160) coming back after going to states as a freshman. Junior Josh Roe (144) and sophomore Avan Katz (132) were both regional qualifiers a year ago. Harper Creek also has a strong girls wrestling program with sophomore Alexandra Stiltner finishing as a state placer a year ago.
“We have one of the strongest coaching staffs that we have ever had. I am grateful for the opportunity to be back in the room and be surrounded with such good kids," Studer said.
Pennfield
Coach: Brad Peludat (2nd season)
2022-23 Record: 6-18
Top returners: Zach D'water (jr.), Kaiden Thomas (jr.), Braylin Swank (jr.)
Outlook: In his second season as head coach, Brad Peludat continues to try and rebuild the program. The Panthers had only nine wrestlers a season ago and open this year with 22 athletes on the roster. Lacking a lot of senior experience, Pennfield does have a strong junior class with returners Zach D'Water (113), Kaiden Thomas (113) and Braylin Swank (120).
Area Teams To Watch:
Athens
Coach: Jason Holecheck (1st season)
2022-23 Record: N/A
Top returners: Nate Norton (jr.), Brock Glispy (jr.)
Outlook: First-year head coach Jason Holecheck will be looking to rebuild the Athens program as the Indians are short on numbers heading into the 2023-24 campaign. Athens has just 11 wrestlers on the roster, including four female wrestlers in their first year in the sport, including senior Isabel Paul. Athens has only two wrestlers with varsity experience, including heavyweight Nate Norton and Brock Glispy (106) as both were all-conference grapplers a year ago.
"We are a very young team. Our biggest expectation this season is to just improve every day. We are in a rebuilding process," Holecheck said.
Bronson
Coach: Chad Butters (11th season)
2022-23 Record: 36-2
Top returners: Aiden Fill (sr.), Owen Kimmons (jr.), Logan Long (sr.), Makenna Webster (so.), Layne Knisley (so.), Gabe Erwin (so.), Mason Lindsey (jr.), Carson Norton (sr.), Jacob Britten (sr.), Zoay Herbert (sr.)
Outlook: Bronson finished as state runner-up in the MHSAA Team Finals, finishing a season with a conference title as well. The Vikings have five wrestlers returning who placed at the state meet, including seniors Aiden Fill, Logan Long, Carson Norton and Jacob Britten as well as sophomores Makenna Webster and Layne Knisley.
"With graduating six seniors and five out of the starting lineup, this is a big opportunity for the underclassmen to step up and have a immediate impact on the team. We plan to see a lot of new faces this year. Our expectations are high and I'm looking forward to watching this team improve through the year," Butters said.
Climax-Scotts/Martin
Coach: Mike Reitz/Logan Curry
2022-23 Record: 29-4
Top returners: Haylen Buell (so.), Logan Gilbert (jr.), Jayce Ritchie (jr.), Jackson Bagwell (jr.), Kristian Heighton (sr.)
Outlook: The Climax-Scotts/Martin co-op team advanced to the MHSAA State Team Finals and finished in the top four, after coming off of a district and a regional championship. The program had two wrestlers finish second in the individual state finals, including junior Logan Gilbert and sophomore Haylen Buell, with junior Jayce Ritchie taking sixth. Senior Kristian Heighton and junior Jackson Bagwell also return after qualifying for the state meet.
"With a solid group of returning young men, and the upcoming young men and young women, we are setting our sights on competing at the 2024 MHSAA Team State Tournament at Wings Event Center once again. Our returning wrestlers, who fell short of achieving their goals last year at Ford Field, are eager to put their offseason work to the test in Detroit this March," Reitz said.
Gull Lake
Coach: Aaron Boone
2022-23 Record: 17-10
Top returners: Camden Miller (sr.), Garrie Mann (sr.), Rasler Warner (so.)
Outlook: Gull Lake won a district title and earned 17 wins in duals for the second season in a row. However, the Blue Devils were hit by heavy graduation loss, losing 14 seniors off of last year's team. Gull Lake does have good numbers with 28 freshmen joining the program. The Blue Devils had three state qualifiers a year ago, led by senior Camden Miller (150), who finished seventh in the state. Senior Garrie Mann (215) and sophomore Rasler Warner (126) each advanced to the state meet.
"We lost 14 seniors from last year, so I expect things might start a little rocky. We have an incredible amount of youth on this team. I think by the end of the year, we will be a team competing for a top 10 ranking in the state," Boone said.
Marshall
Coach: Nick Zuehlke (11th season)
2022-23 Record: 11-11
Top returners: Josh Geairn (s.), Coby Brubaker (jr.), Jack Minor (sr.)
Outlook: Marshall had a top half finish in the conference a season ago, taking fourth in the Interstate 8. The Redhawks will have some holes to fill in the lineup up, but brings back seniors with winning records a year ago in Josh Geairn (113) and Jack Minor (175) as well as junior Coby Brubaker (144).
"We are coming off from our highest conference finish in recent years and will look to build off from that. We have some big shoes to fill, but have a few individuals with chances to step up any be the guy that makes some noise. We have a lot of new kids out this year, including a couple of upperclassmen who have a chance to do well in their first year in the sport," Zuehlke said.
Union City
Coach: Jason Counterman (6th season)
2022-23 Record: 16-5
Top returners: Landyn Crance (sr.), Logan Mears (jr.), Aidan Taylor (jr.)
Outlook: Union City is coming off a second-place finish in the league. It features top-level wrestlers throughout the lineup, including defending state champ Landyn Crance (125). Junior Logan Mears is a two-time state placer and junior Aidan Taylor is a two-time state qualifier.
"We have a great group of upperclassmen on the team and expect them to lead an outstanding crop of new freshmen this season. This group has set their goals really high and we are excited to work hard to try to achieve them," Counterman said.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek Enquirer wrestling season preview for 2023-24
