The matchups are set for the MWA Classic next month. The MWA Classic is an all-star dual meet set up to showcase the top graduating seniors in the state of Michigan. In the first ever year of the event there are many big time matchups set that feature many state champs and placers from different divisions.
Outlook: This is one of the few matchups that features two wrestlers from the same division. Stevens won the 125lb D1 bracket this year and Sabin finished 3rd, however, these two have never met before. Sabin fell in the quarterfinals to Jeremiah Austin, who finished runner up to Stevens and is wrestling 130lbs for this meet. Sabin transferred to Grand Haven this year after being one of the top wrestlers in Division 4 at Kent City for the past couple years. Stevens proved that he is one of the best in the country with his impressive Senior National performance this year, where he finished 4th. Therefore, he will enter this match as the favorite, however, Sabin is a gritty kid that will come after Stevens and will be looking to make up for not seeing him at the state meet.
Our Pick - Stevens by decision
Steve Light (St Clair Shores Lakeview)
Mykel Sumner (Addison)
125lbs
- 2008 D2 State Champion
- Season Record 55-1
- 4x D2 State Placer (4th, 8th, 3rd, 1st)
- Career Record 211-13
- Coach Greg Mayer
- College Plans - Central Michigan University
- 2008 D4 State Champion
- Season Record 37-3
- 2x D4 State Champ, 4x D4 State Placer (8th, 1st, 3rd, 1st)
- Career Record 191-35
- Lenawee County Football Dream Team Member
- Coach Rick Sherry
- College Plans - Unknown
Outlook: Great matchup here with the D2 and D4 state champs locking horns. Sumner made a name for himself when he upended Riley Ewalt a couple years ago in the state semifinals and has been one of the best in D4 ever since. Light has been one of the best in D2 throughout his career and finally broke through this year with his first state title. This should be a good matchup of two athletic lightweights going at it.
Our Pick - Light by decision
Christian Cullinan (Wyandotte Roosevelt)
Dylan Mooney (Linden)
130lbs
- 2008 D1 State Champion
- Season Record 47-1
- 2x D1 State Placer (4th, 1st)
- Career Record 164-22
- 2008 AAU National Folkstyle Champion
- Coach Brett Greene
- College Plans- Undecided
- 2008 Division 2 State Placer (8th)
- Season Record 52-7
Outlook: This was a late change as Jeremiah Austin dropped and Dylan Mooney of Linden has been inserted to face D1 champ Cullinan. Mooney wrestled 125 this year, so Cullinan may have some weight on him. Mooney is a solid wrestler who was ranked in Division 2 throughout most of the year, however, he may not be quite in Cullinan's league. He will have chance to prove that he is June 18th though.
Our Pick - Cullinan by major decision
Steve Cox (Canton)
Tharin Wilk (Rogers City)
135lbs
- 2008 D1 State Placer (5th)
- Season Record 51-6
- Career Record 126-40
- 2008 AAU Jr Olympic & Scholastic Duals Team
- Coach Casey Randolph
- College Plans - Unknown
- 2008 D4 State Placer (3rd)
- Season Record 56-3
- 2x D4 State Placer (4th, 3rd)
- Career Record 193-30
- Coach Pat Lamb
- College Plans - Unknown
Outlook: Cox and Wilk are two guys who were right on the brink this year in their weight classes and were both state title contenders. There styles should make for an exciting match as Wilk is very strong and has a somewhat unorthodox style while Cox is a real goer who usually stays on the attack. Neither of these guys have gotten alot of publicity throughout their careers so this should be a good chance for them to showcase what they've got.
Our Pick - Cox by decision
Cody Dunn (Leslie)
Garrett Rozeboom (Mason)
135lbs
- 2008 D4 State Champion
- Season Record 56-2
- 2x State Champ, 3x State Placer (8th, 1st, 1st)
- Career Record 192-31
- Coach Todd Stern and George Manson
- College Plans - Unknown
- 2008 D2 State Placer (3rd @ 140)
- Season Record 58-2
- 2007 D2 State Champion, 3x State Placer (3rd, 1st, 3rd)
- Career Record 210-17
- Coach Brian Martel
- College Plans - Undecided
Outlook: Rozeboom/Dunn is another great matchup featuring two state champs. Dunn is a 2x D4 champ and Rozeboom won it in D2 last year as a junior. This year Rozeboom finished third in one of the most star studded wieghts in D2 behind Jackson Morse and Brennan Brumley. Dunn is not flashy but he knows how to win big matches, which he proved with his close wins over Wilk and Nathan Hall in this year's state meet. Rozeboom wrestled 140 this season so he may have a size advantage on Dunn. That, along with his ability to turn on top make him the favorite to win this match. Dunn is a strong kid that does not give up easy points so this should be a close match.
125-135