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Clash of Titans, McDonough Duals highlight huge weekend for MYWAY

By Jeff Chaney

Michigan Grappler Staff Writer

1/27 - t's a big weekend for the Michigan Youth Wrestling Association.

Aside from the seven tournaments will be taking place across

the state like the ones in Grand Haven, Leslie and Saline,

there is also two other big events taking place this weekend.

The 4th Annual Clash of the Titans, pitting all star teams from

every region in the state will happen Sunday at Holt High

School. And MYWAY, in coordination with Michigan Grappler,

is sending another all star team to Maryland for McDonogh

Duals, which takes place Saturday and Sunday in Owens

Mills, Md.

First, the Clash of the Titans, which will have both elementary and middle school divisions.

"The Clash of the Titans has become one of the most anticipated events on the MYWA schedule,” MYWAY tournament director Rob Stehley said. “The kids all look forward to it, and know the competition involves many of the same kids who will be wrestling on Day 2 at the individual state finals."

Jeremy Amy, coach of the Northeast team, says he has really enjoyed the first three Clash of the Titans tournaments.

“This is a tournament that tries and draws the best kids in the state,” Amy said. “This is a tournament that can show you were you are at, not only as an individual, but also as a team and a region.”

Some the wrestlers that Amy will have competing are Sean and Eric Spidle and Robert Rogers in the elementary division, and K.J. Suitor and Matt Santos in the middle school division.

The Clash of the Titans will not have all of the best youth wrestlers in the state in Holt on Sunday. That's because 17 of them will be in Maryland.

Wrestlers like Super 32 champion Devin Schroder and recent Tulsa Nationals

champion Devon Pingel.

“This is a very tough tournament,” Team Michigan coach Louie Johnson said.

“You have to win all your duals in pool play just to place in the top four. If you

lose in pool play, the best you can do is fifth place. And the competition is

very tough.”

Team Michigan didn't get any favors from the schedulers, as it will open with

New Jersey Strength, the top team from New Jersey that took third in this

tournament last year.

“That's OK, that's just how we like it,” Johnson said.

Let the wrestling begin!