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.
- 2007 Ohio Tournament of Champions Outstanding Wrestler
- 2x Brute-Adidas National Champ
- Coach Brian Martel
- College Plans– North Carolina State
- 2008 Division 2 State Placer (7th)
- Season Record 51-7
- 2x Division 2 Placer (4th, 7th)
- Career Record 119-38
- 2007 Member of Junior Olympic Team
- Coach Tom Bluhm
- College Plans – Ohio State University
Outlook: This match features one of the biggest names of the event in 2x state champ Jacob Burge of Mason. Burge is among the best in the country as he was ranked as the 6th best 171lber in the country in InterMat's final season rankings. Sall is a solid big man as well as he is a 2x state placer at 171lbs and amassed over 50 wins this year, however, he may be out of his league in this one. Burge pinned through the 171lb bracket this year that Sall finished 7th in, so he will have his work cut out for him.
Our Pick - Burge by fall
Celic Bell (South Haven)
Chase McClennan (Rogers City)
189lbs
- 2008 D3 State Runner Up
- Season Record 57-1
- 2x D3 State Placer (3rd, 2nd)
- College Plans - North Idaho
- 2008 Division 4 State Placer (3rd)
- Season Record 56-4
- 4x Division 4 State Place Winner (8th, 2nd, 5th, 3rd)
- Career Record 197-33
- Coach Pat Lamb
Outlook: Neither of these guys ever won a state title, but they were both right there every year. Bell lost a close final to nationally ranked Kyler Elsworth and McClennan lost a close one in the semis to eventual champ Conrad Bovee. Bell is explosive and has good upperbody stuff, so look out for something exciting in this match.
Our Pick - Bell by decision
Travis Pettengill (Kearsley)
Jimmy Rowe (Dundee)
215lbs
- 2007 Division 2 State Champion
- Season Record 39-0
- 2x State Placer (4th, 1st)
- Career Record 174-32
- 2008 National Runner-Up at NHSCA Senior Nationals
- 2x Freestyle and Greco Roman State Champion
- 2007 Cadet Freestyle All-American (7th)
- 2006 Cadet Greco Roman All-American (8th)
- Coach Don Anger
- College Plans – Meramac (St Louis)
- 2008 Division 3 State Champion
- Season Record 60-2
- 3x State Placer (5th, 2nd, 1st)
- 192 Career Wins
- Coach Tim Roberts
- College Plans - Unkown
Outlook: This will be one of the better matchups of the night and it features one of the biggest stars of the night in Kearsley's Travis Pettengill. Pettengill has been ranked high nationally over the past couple years and his runner-up performance at Senior Nationals this spring solidified him as one of the top big men in the country. Rowe is also a very athletic 215lber who is tall and has alot of quickness for a big guy. These two have met a few times before with Pettengill winning soundly everytime. Rowe is good on the mat, but Pettengill will likely be too much for him when they are their feet.
Our Pick - Pettengill by major decision
No Photo
MWA Classic Lineup
103: Brackins vs Vanderwall
112 - James vs Frank
119 - Marsh vs Hayward
125 - Stevens vs Sabin
125 - Light vs Sumner
130 - Cullinan vs Mooney
135 - Rozeboom vs Dunn
135 - Cox vs Wilk
140 - Sible vs Weirich
145 - Bommarito vs Brown
152 - Varilek vs Robinson
152 - Ortman vs Lund
160 - Anderson vs Young
171 - Burge vs Sall
189 - McLennan vs Bell
215 - Pettengill vs Rowe
285 - Fouchey vs Charneski
Andy Anderson (TCSF)
Jordan Young (Remus Chippewa Hills)
- 2008 State Champion
- Season Record 43-1
- 3x D4 State Placer (5th, 3rd, 1st), 4x state placer
- Career Record 158-19
- Coach Mike Simaz
- College Plans – Northern State University
- 2x Division 3 State Placer (4th, 5th)
- Season Record 47-6
- Career Record 199-36
- 2004 AAU Ironman National Champion
- Coach Nate Ethridge
- College Plans – Central Michigan University
Outlook: Good matchup here of two of northern Michigan's top wrestlers. Andy Anderson has been solid throughout his career and sealed his career off by finally winning a state title this year. He looked good at the Super 32's in the fall coming just short of placing. Young placed in the state as a sophomore and junior and his 199 career wins show how talented of a big man he is. Both of these guys are scrappy goers so this should be a good action packed match.
Our Pick - Anderson by decision
DJ Charneski (Hartland)
Monte Fouchey (Oscoda)
285lbs
- 2008 Division 1 State Runner-Up
- Season Record 56-3
- 2x Division 1 State Qualifer
- Career Record 154-30
- 2007 Ohio Tournament of Champions Winner
- Coach Todd Cheney
- College Plans- Muskegon
- 2008 Division 3 State Placer (4th)
- Season Record 42-10
- 2x Division 3 State Placer (6th, 4th)
- Career Record 101-45
- Coach Tony Lopez
- College Plans Unkown
Outlook: The last match of the night will be a fairwell for Hartland's DJ Charneski as he gets one last chance to wrestle in front of his home crowd. Charneski quickly evolved into one of the top heavyweights in the state and his 56-3 record this year is proof of that. He beat many of the best guys in the state, including a win over D1 state champ Mike Martin in the regional finals. Fouchey is a solid heavyweight as well and a 100 match winner. He finished 4th in a tough D3 285lb bracket this year so he should be capable of giving Charneski a run for his money. Charneski is a pinner, and with heavyweights falls are always more likeyl, so don't be surprised if this one ends early.
