Imlay City’s Cristian Rojas (R) took fourth in his weight class at the state finals.
TRI-CITY AREA — From their opening match until the final bout, these grapplers set themselves apart from the rest with their respective performances out on the mat.
Here is a look at the 2021 edition of the Tri-City Times All-Area wrestling team and the credentials those competitors generated en route to those accolades:
Max Frangedakis, Capac, 103 pounds.
Frangedakis posted a 19-4 mark, including six pins, this winter.
The senior registered second-place finishes at a Division 4 district hosted by Clinton as well as a Division 4 regional in Clinton.
In addition to that, Frangedakis provided a second at the Division 4 state finals hosted by the Grand Rapids-based Van Andel Arena.
For his performance there, Frangedakis earned All-State accolades (reserved for the top-eight finishers in each weight class).
Dallas Stanton, Almont, 112 pounds.
Stanton put together a 24-4 record, featuring nine pins, during the recently completed mat campaign.
The junior obtained a first at a Richmond High School-based Division 3 regional and a second at a Division 3 district in Montrose.
He also registered a third at the Division 3 state finals at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo,.
For his performance, Stanton claimed All-State honors (given to the top-eight finishers in each weight division).
Dominic D’Ambrosio, Imlay City, 119 pounds.
D’Ambrosio managed a 14-0 mark this winter.
The Imlay City freshman collected eight pins along the way.
Cristian Rojas, Imlay City, 125 pounds.
Rojas forged a 26-4 record, featuring 10 pins, during the recently completed mat campaign.
The junior generated firsts at a Brandon High School-based Division 2 district as well as at a Fremont-based Division 2 regional.
In addition to that, Rojas obtained a fourth at the Division 2 state finals hosted by the Grand Rapids-based Van Andel Arena.
For his performance there, Rojas earned All-State accolades (reserved for the top-eight finishers in each weight class).
Aiden Finn, Almont, 130 pounds.
Finn furnished a 20-9 mark, including 17 pins, this winter.
The senior also took third at a Richmond-based Division 3 regional and fourth at a Division 3 district in North Branch.
Shane Hofmann, Capac, 130 pounds.
Hofmann supplied an 18-6 record, featuring eight pins, during the recently completed mat campaign.
The senior also nabbed a third at a Division 4 district in Clinton.
Julian Rojas, Imlay City, 130/135 pounds
Rojas managed a 15-6 mark during the recently completed mat campaign.
The sophomore registered 10 pins along the way.
Nathan Schocke, Capac, 135 pounds.
Schocke provided a 17-4 mark, including six pins, this winter.
The senior also obtained a second at a Division 4 district in Clinton.
Mathew Dwyer, Almont, 145 pounds.
Dwyer put together a 23-3 record, featuring 12 pins, during the recently completed mat campaign.
The junior furnished firsts at a Division 3 district hosted by Montrose as well as a Richmond-based Division 3 regional.
He also obtained an eighth at the Division 3 state finals at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo.
For his performance, Dwyer claimed All-State (given to the top-eight finishers in each weight division) honors.
Anthony D’Ambrosio, Imlay City, 145/152 pounds.
D’Ambrosio notched a 7-6 mark during the recently completed mat campaign.
The sophomore generated five pins along the way.
Lane Jackson, Almont, 160 pounds.
Jackson forged a 10-4 record, this winter.
The senior registered five pins along the way.
Derek Mason, Capac, 160 pounds.
Mason posted a 14-4 mark, during the recently completed mat campaign.
The sophomore generated nine pins along the way.
Hunter Tyson, Capac, 171 pounds.
Tyson forged a 15-9 record, featuring five pins, during the recently completed mat campaign.
The junior also notched a second at a Clinton-based Division 4 district.
Arturo Rosales, Capac, 189 pounds.
Rosales wound up
with a 17-7 mark, including seven pins, this winter.
The senior also supplied a fourth at a Division 4 district in Clinton.
Bryce Tank, Capac, 215 pounds.
Tank managed a 22-3 record, featuring 11 pins, during the recently completed mat campaign.
The senior took first at a Clinton-based Division 4 district and second at a Division 4 regional in Clinton.
He also registered a seventh at the Division 4 state finals at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids
For his performance, Tank claimed All-State honors (given to the top-eight finishers in each weight division).
Tank was a Division 4 Academic All-State selection as well.
Second team- Maria Stanton, Almont, 103 pounds; Mason Wildie, Imlay City, 112 pounds, Connor Wildie, Imlay City, 119 pounds; Harley Hartwick, Imlay City, 140 pounds; John Schoen, Capac, 152 pounds; Austin Herrera, Imlay City, 152 pounds; Cody Koval, Almont, 171 pounds; and Latham Perry, Imlay City, 215 pounds.
Honorable mention- Jack Weidner, Almont, 119 pounds; Josh Keeley, Imlay City, 140 pounds; and Connor Durall, Imlay City, 152 pounds.
Coach of the Year- For directing Capac to an 18-4 overall mark and a top Division 4 district finish, Jacob Nemecek earns Tri-City Times All-Area Coach of the Year accolades.
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.
