West Bloomfield High grapplers seeing fruits of their labor By Christian Davis WEST BLOOMFIELD — After West Bloomfield High junior Chris Heald dispatched Mike Kinville of Novi Detroit Catholic Central Dec. 20 at the Oakland County Tournament, he officially became one of the county’s elite wrestlers. The win put the 189-pounder in the championship match against last year’s Division 1 state runner-up, Lake Orion High senior Evan Gros. Heald lost the match, but he gained an extra dose of confidence. “I’ve been practicing a lot and improving over the summer,” Heald said during a Jan. 5 practice. “I think all the hard work I put in is really paying off.” Coach Greg Alessi said “hard work” is exactly what has made Heald a contender in every tournament he enters. “Chris is solid. He was decent as a freshman and got better last year,” Alessi said, as Heald finished sixth in the county at 171 last season. “I wouldn’t say he’s (great) at any one thing, but he works hard, has good balance, good strength, and he’s a good wrestler. “He does all the right things.” Heald was 20-2 at press time, including tournament championships at the West Bloomfield Invite and Capac Wrestling Tournament. Along the way, he’s beaten some of the state’s top grapplers at 189. “If he keeps going the way he is, I think he has a great chance to place (at the state tournament),” Alessi said. “He’s already beaten and pinned a couple of state qualifiers (from last year). So if you’re beating state qualifiers, then you’re beating potential state placers.” Junior Izak Yaldo is also making opponents take notice. The 103-pounder is 16-3 and has won individual titles at the West Bloomfield Invite and Capac Wrestling Tournament. Yaldo’s record is even more remarkable considering he finished 6-13 at the same weight a season ago. “He’s worked real hard and has earned everything,” Alessi said. Yaldo said the change has come from his commitment to the sport. “I know I have the heart to be the best, and that’s what my mindset is,” he said. “I want to be the best, that’s what I’m shooting for.” As a team, the Lakers — 8-6 overall — are trying to be their best with a young lineup. Dan Blumer is the only senior on a squad that features five juniors, six sophomores and a freshman. Despite its youth, Yaldo believes the team has a chance to finish the year strong. “As hard as we work, that’s as good as we’re going to be,” he said. “So if we work the best (we can), we’ll be the best.” Catch the Lakers at the Holly High Invite at 9 a.m. Jan. 17. You can reach Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1062.
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