Utica, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Ferndale

Local grapplers take their shots at state title

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by David Schreiber Rochester Hills Stoney Creek senior Nick Gajdzik has his hand raised after winning the Division 1 state championship at 285 pounds. Photo by David Schreiber Rochester Hills Stoney Creek senior Nick Gajdzik has his hand raised after winning the Division 1 state championship at 285 pounds.

The individual wrestling state finals took place March 3 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, and three local grapplers had their time under the lights.

In Division 1 at 285 pounds, Nick Gajdzik became Rochester Hills Stoney Creek’s first state champion after beating Temperance Bedford’s Logan Rimmer 2-1.

The senior finishes the season 45-0 and helps erase the memory of his loss in the final last season at 215.

“It feels awesome, I won’t lie. It feels absolutely awesome,” he said. “Last year was one of the worst moments in my life losing the state title. I came back with only one goal this season and that was to win a state championship.”

Gajdzik scored on a reversal late in the second period to a take a 2-0 lead. He gave up an escape with 43 second left in the third, but held on for the win.

Rimmer ends the season 47-2.

Utica Eisenhower junior Charlie Myers battled his way to the finals of the 171-pound weight class before losing a 5-2, three-round decision to Novi Detroit Catholic Central sophomore Drew Garcia.

Myers this year finished second after placing seventh in the 2011 finals. Garcia with the win ends the season at 46-3.

“He just did a good job of wrestling his match and I didn’t adapt to it as quickly as I could have,” said Myers, who finishes the season 37-4. “It’s something I’m going to have to adapt to and I will. I’m looking forward to seeing him next year.”

At the same weight in D-2, St. Johns senior Taylor Massa pinned Ferndale High senior Chevez Farris in the second period.

“It’s a daunting task to beat Massa, but we worked on it and didn’t concede anything. He was just better today,” Ferndale coach Charlie Morgan said.

Massa finishes the year 44-0. Farris goes to 43-2 overall.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062. Follow Christian on Twitter.