TRI-CITY AREA — When the 2022 individual wrestling state finals begin in a couple days from now, there will be a total of 12 grapplers hailing from our Tri-City schools participating at Ford Field in Detroit.
Imlay City will have seven grapplers competing this Friday at the Division 3 state finals.
In the 103-pound weight class, Tanner Land (41-10) gets his tournament stint underway against Napoleon’s Antonio Bocagnegra (35-7).
The winner of that battle meets the survivor of an encounter between Ovid-Elsie’s Talon Parsons (33-1) and Pinconning’s Maverick Rivard (33-12).
At 119 pounds, Dominic D’Ambrosio (44-3) starts tournament action versus Ovid-Elsie’s Cole Workman (34-5).
The victor of that clash squares off versus the winner of a battle between Kingsley’s Gavyn Merchant (33-3) and Hopkins’ Colton Kennedy (35-13).
In the 125-pound weight class, Cristian Rojas (45-4) opens his tournament stint against Otsego’s Jaydon Watson (20-22).
The winner of that battle meets the survivor of an encounter between Gladstone’s Austin Solis (28-1) and Chippewa Hills’ Tyler Geer (27-8).
In the 130-pound weight class, Julian Rojas (44-5) gets his tournament stint underway against Constantine’s Eric Demas (30-10).
The winner of that battle meets the survivor an encounter between Lake Odessa Lakewood’s Zachary Gibson (35-0) and Kingsley’s Cameron Dundas (27-17).
At 145 pounds, Anthony D’Ambrosio (43-7) starts tournament action versus Ogemaw’s Xander Kartes (39-7).
The victor of that clash squares off versus the winner of a battle between Hart’s Mason Cantu (44-1) and Clinton’s Joey Preston (29-7),
In the 215-pound weight class, Latham Perry (33-15) opens his tournament stint against Alma’s Adam Garcia (29-6).
The winner of that clash meets the survivor of an encounter between Williamston’s Luke Chambers (34-12) and Flint Hamady’s Mekhi Forward (14-3).
At 285 pounds, Chris Torres (41-10) starts tournament action against Watervliet’s Eli Marshall (39-2).
The victor of that clash squares off versus the winner of a battle between Chesaning’s Brenden Quackenbush (19-4) and Gladstone’s Brett Boudreau (41-4).
Capac will have four representatives participating Friday at the Division 4 state finals.
At 119 pounds, Jeff Helzer (16-8) starts his tournament stint versus Iron Mountain’s Shawn Mcguire (34-2).
The winner of that battle meets the survivor of an encounter between Bronson’s Perry Lake (43-11) and Manchester’s Jared Bunn (44-4).
At 145 pounds, Derek Mason (37-8) begins tournament action versus Oscoda’s Anthony Ward (42-3).
The victor of that clash squares off versus the winner of a battle between Riverview Gabriel Richard’s Sebastian Martinez (29-4) and Springport’s Rylinn Hale (26-17).
In the 152-pound weight class, John Schoen (34-14) opens his tournament stint against Leslie’s Hunter Doyle (44-7).
The winner of that clash meets the survivor of an encounter between Galesburg Augusta’s Auddie Terry (22-4) and Whittemore Prescott’s Samuel Vyner (42-11).
At 160 pounds, Hunter Tyson (28-18) starts his tournament stint versus Traverse City St. Francis foe Gavin Wilmoth (36-2).
The winner of that battle meets the survivor of an encounter between Springport’s Matt Riehle (37-5) and Laingsburg’s Seth Sivak (26-14).
The state finals at Ford Field will also see Almont’s Maria Stanton test her mat skills against the state’s best.
It will be Michigan’s first-ever sanctioned state finals for girls in the sport.
Stanton (24-9) begins 100-pound action Friday against Grand Blanc’s Ariana Kruger.
The winner of that bout faces the victor of a battle between Chippewa Hills Maikia Wittig (15-13) and Mount Pleasant’s Mackenzie Burger (17-12).
Kevin Kissane
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.