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Michigan Grappler's 2009-10 High School Previews

Division 2 Team Preview

11/20 - With returning D2 champs Lowell and runners-up Oxford both moving up to Division 1 this year, you would expect the state title race to thin out a little, however, with the addition of Allegan and the oncoming of Lakeshore and St.Johns, not to mention the presence of powerhouse Greenville, Division 2 is still loaded with top teams vying for the title.

Allegan returns the strongest overall group from last year, with a total of 10 returning state qualifiers on their team. They were knocked off in the Division 3 state tournament last year, and this year they will look to get back to their winning ways in D2 as they were the 2007 State Champions.

Two other westside teams will be among Allegan's top contenders as Stevensville Lakeshore and Greenville both return strong squads. Lakeshore, who lost to Oxford in the semi-finals last year, returns a very strong group of lightweights led by returning state champ Tyler Daniel and this is the year that Coach Bittenbender and the Lakeshore faithful have been waiting for with arguably their strongest team ever. Greenville graduated a strong group of seniors last year that will be difficult to replace, however, they still have some major firepower with 2x state Tyler Keselring and super sophomore Jordan Thomas leading the way.

St. Johns and Dearborn Hts. Annapolis officially arrived last year, as Annapolis fell in the quarterfinals and St. Johns was dropped in the semifinals, giving Lowell their toughest dual of the state tournament. These teams are dynamically opposite in that St. Johns is chocked full of big name, big point capable standout individuals while Annapolis gets mileage out of theri depth and ability to fill every weight. Both of these teams appear to be head and shoulders above the others in their region, so they should have no trouble getting to Battle Creek and once they get there they will have another shot at proving themselves.

The other big addition to Division 2 besides Allegan is Corunna. Corunna has been one of the premiere squads in Division 3 for years and there addition to D2 makes things a little more interesting. Tecumseh should be a contender again this year after falling in the regional finals to Eaton Rapids last year. After the top 6 or 7 teams the Division 2 picture becomes a little fuzzy, so it will be interesting to see if anyone comes out the woodwork.

Read on for our team capsules of the top teams.

Heaviest Hitters:

1. ALLEGAN

Returning State Qualifiers: 8

Individuals ranked Preseason: 10 - Taylan Knoblach (125),

Taylor Simaz (130), Jaylyn Bohl (135), Steve Krchatovich (135),

Garrett Smith (140), Matt Smith (145), Colin Smythe (160), John

Rizgallah (189), Brian Sousley (189), Steve Blank (285)

Key losses: Steve Poffenberger (119)

Impact Newcomers: Jaylyn Bohl (Transfer-135), Michael Shaw

(Transfer-103)

Outlook: This year's Allegan team may be the deepest team in

the entire state as they feature 10 wrestlers who made it to the

State Tournament last year in Auburn Hills. 8 guys return from

their own team while the addition of state runner-up Jaylyn Bohl,

who transferred from Plainwell, and state qualifier Michael Shaw,

who transferred from Bloomingdale, only further solidfies them as

arguably the best top-to-bottom team in the state. The Division 2

field is very tough this year, however, it is hard not to favor

Allegan heading into the season as they have virtually no holes

throughout their lineup and they seem to have all the pieces to

the puzzle. Senior state runner-up John Rizgallah, who placed 2nd at the MSU College Open last weekend, is the biggest weapon in their lineup, however, they have studs sprinkled throughout, including all-staters Taylan Knoblach, Taylor Simaz, Garrett Smith, and Matt Smith. Coach Murray Rose and company also have the expierence factor as they won a D2 state title just a few years back and have been to Battle Creek on numerous occasions, so they know how to win big duals. If they remain healthy and have all their studs in the lineup, look out, it will tough for anyone to beat these guys.

2. STEVENSVILLE LAKESHORE

Returning State Qualifiers: 5

Individuals ranked preseason: 8 - Tyler Daniel (112), Brett Glaske

(119), Tyler Frese (125), Travis Dragomer (130), Payne Hayden (135),

Nick Humes (145), Tyler Humes (171), Kyle Spear (215)

Key Losses: Tim Newman (171)

Impact Newcomers: Payne Hayden (140)

Outlook: This could the be the year that longtime Lakeshore coach

Bittenbender puts it all together. While the Allegan move to D2 may

complicate that plan, people in Lakeshore have been looking forward

to this season for a while. They have a strong returning group led by

senior twin brother combo of Nick and Tyler Humes, who are both

serious contenders to win state titles. Sophomore returning state

champ Tyler Daniel is one of the best lightweights in the state and

provides some major firepower at the top of their lineup, along with

returning state qualifier Glaske and all-stater Tyler Frese. Lakeshore

has as much big-point power as any team in this division, however,

they are also very deep throughout as well. Regional qualifiers

Travis Dragomer and Kyle Spear, as well as incoming freshman

Payne Hayden, are a few of the guys who compliment the big name guys on this team. Hayden was 2nd at the Border Wars Nationals earlier this month, which proves his readiness to compete at the high school level right away. Lakeshore may not be quite as deep as Allegan on paper, however, their lineup is equally dangerous and will be equally difficult to beat.

3. ST. JOHNS

Returning State Qualifiers: 3

Individuals ranked Preseason: 7 - Jacob Schmitt (103), Brant

Schafer (112), Josh Pennell (119), Travis Curley (140), Jordan

Wohlfert (145), Taylor Massa (152), Devin Sheick (160)

Key losses: Jake Walters (130), Dan Osterman (135)

Impact Newcomers: Jacob Schmitt (103), Brant Schafer (112), Josh

Pennell (119)

Outlook: If the state champion was determined based on scoring the

Individual State Tournament, then St. Johns would likely be the

preseason #1 in Division 2. Returning state champ Taylor Massa,

currently ranked 5th in the country at 152lbs, did not lose last year as a

freshman and is unlikely to lose this year, barring an enormous upset.

In addition, Jordan Wohlfert was a state runner-up and Fargo National

Champ last year as a freshman and enters the season ranked #1 in

Division 2 at 145lbs. A trio of ranked incoming freshman should be a

devasiting 1-2-3 punch at 103-112-119 for St. Johns with Jacob

Schmitt Brant Schafer, and Josh Pennell who were all very

accomplished on the youth state and national circuit. Schmitt is

ranked #2 in the preseason poll and is another great possibilty of a

state title for St. Johns. Schafer and Pennell enter tough weight

classes, however, they should both contend for all-state spots. In

addition to all these big guns, the Red Wings also boast returning state qualifier Devin Scheick at 160 and regional qualifier Travis Curley, who looked good in Fargo last year, around 140lbs. The only knock on St Johns right now is there depth throughout as they appear to have a few holes, especially up top, however, if they can fill in those holes they are a legitimate threat at contending with Lakeshore and Allegan for the Division 2 state title as they are very tough to match up with from 103 through 160.

4. GREENVILLE

Returning State Qualifiers: 5

Individuals ranked preseason: 6 - Peter Cook (103), Luke Gilmore

(119), Tyler Keselring (130), Collin Fuller (145), Adam Bonner (152),

Jordan Thomas (160)

Key Losses: Tyler Fuller (160), Justin Drobish (189), Ike Hansen (215)

Outlook:Greenville was ranked #1 in D2 most of last year before falling

to Lowell in an epic Regional dual and while they lost a few guys from

last year's squad, they remain one of the top contenders to win this

Division. This year Greenville will not have Lowell to worry about, so a

trip to Battle Creek is pretty much inevitable and they return two #1

ranked wrestlers in 2x state champ Tyler Keslering and super

sophomore Jordan Thomas. After a strong season at 103 last year,

Luke Gilmore should step up as a key component in this lineup as well

this year. In addition, former All-Staters Collin Fuller and Adam Bonner

provide some major punch in the middle weights to go along with

Thomas. The real question for Greenville will be how well they can

replace all-state seniors Justin Drobish and Ike Hansen at 189/215,

because their upperweights appear thin heading into the season.

Regardless of how it shakes out the big point capabilities of Keselring,

Thomas, Fuller, Gilmore, and Bonner make this Greenville team dangerous and if they can fill in around those guys then watch out.

Top Challengers:

5. DEARBORN HTS ANNAPOLIS

Individuals ranked preseason: 4 - Justis Cummins (125), Steve Burkett (140), Brett Gross (160), Michael Hotvedt (189)

Key Losses: Kyle Zapp (135), Ruben Guevera (140-Transfer), Zakariah Garcia (145)

Outlook: Annapolis really came on last year, losing only one dual all year prior to their 40-25 loss to Lakeshore in the State Quarterfinals and they return most of that team from last year. They return three all-state wrestlers and two other state qualifiers from last year, and while they have some firepower in their lineup, it will be their ability to fill everyweight that can make them a threat in this division. They are the heavy favorites to win their district and regional, so there is no doubt that Annapolis will be there at the end of the year again this year, the question is can they advance in the state tournament this year? To do so they will likely have to knock off one of the big 4.

6. CORUNNA

Individuals ranked preseason: 6: Jacob Perrin (103), Tyler Rosser (125), Luke Perrin (145), Brennan Adkins (152), Trevor Cortez (160), Alex Bishop (189)

Key Losses: Matt Raysin (112), Scott Robbins (215)

Outlook: Corunna has been Division 3 as long as I can remember so it will be interesting to see how they fare in D2 this year. They have been one of the top programs in the state for years and they should definitely contend right away in their new division led by returning state placers Brennan Adkins and Trevor Cortez in the middleweights. In addition, Tyler Rosser and Luke Perrin are all-state caliber guys who give some more pop in their lineup and Alex Bishop was a match from the state tournament last year. Freshman 103lber Jacob Perrin beat state placer Zac Garcia at a Border Wars event this fall, so he should be a force at 103 as well.

7. TECUMSEH

Individuals ranked preseason: Collin Lesko (119), Jeff Jenkins (130), Sam Million

(135), Kyle Conners (285)

Key Losses: Mike Butler (135), Drew Simpson (171)

Outlook: Tecumseh was on the brink of entering the state title picture last year before

being knocked off by Eaton Rapids at regionals. After only losing a few heavily

contributing seniors, they return a strong group this year as they look to move they way

up the D2 ranks. Collin Lesko and Jeff Jenkins are both all-state type guys that lead

their traditionally strong lightweights and Kyle Conners is one of the best heavyweights

in the state this year. Tecumseh flies under a lot of radars, however, they are a team

to keep an eye on with a lot of talented wrestlers and a good coaching staff.

Don't Forget About:

EATON RAPIDS

The Greyhounds have been a perennial power in Division 2 since the Dual Meet format began and while they aren't as intimidating as they were in years past, they always seem to be a difficult team to wrestle in a Dual Meet. They fill in their weights well and usually have very few gaping holes in their lineup. This year they have some firepower with returning state placer Trevor Schnepp (152) and 2008 state placer Chris Dormer (130). There effectiveness in a team will depend on being able to fill around those two.

MASON

After graduating another big name in 3x state champ Craig Efiert, the Bulldogs appear to be down significantly from their powerhouse squads from a few years back, however, they still return a few big guns as well as some youngsters who will need to step up if they want to contend this year. Returning state champ Conor Youtsey (119) and 2x all-stater Tony Burge (145) are the anchors for Mason, while returning state placer Josh Clark (215) provides some punch as well. Those three are all candidates to win state titles, which makes Mason a team to keep an eye on.

HOLLY

Holly drops down to Division 2 this year and they could be a bit of a sleeper in this division that could surprise some people. They return state champ Josh Houldsworth, who is one of the top seniors in the state this year, and the addition of D2 state runner-up Esteban Gonzales and promising freshman Anthony Gonzales give them some additional firepower. The Gonzales brothers came to Holly from Ortonville Brandon, and their addition gives Holly three big guns. Shawn Scott was a state qualifier last year in Division 1 for Holly as a freshman, and he could be ready to step into a more dependable role this year as well.

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