Wrestling

Published March 9, 2020

At the individual wrestling state finals, the top eight finishers in each weight class across all four divisions receive All-State recognition. Following is a list of the local wrestlers to earn All-State honors.

Published March 9, 2020

C&G Newspapers

Local wrestlers battle Michigan’s best at state finals

DETROIT –– With state titles on the line, Ford Field hosted the individual wrestling state finals March 6-7. Nearly 900 grapplers from across the state came to compete, with the top eight in each weight class and division earning All-State honors.

Published March 7, 2020

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Tower's Omari Embree wins second straight wrestling state championship

DETROIT — Warren Woods Tower sophomore 171-pound wrestler Omari Embree knows his body better than anyone. He had to this week, as he entered the 2020 state wrestling finals with an injury that left him unable to lift one of his shoulders.

Published March 7, 2020

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Dakota’s Brendan Ferretti overcomes injury to capture D-1 state title

DETROIT -- Macomb Dakota's Brendan Feretti wasn’t even sure if he was going to be able to wrestle this season. A foot injury suffered in June 2019 kept the junior out of action until January 2020.

Published March 7, 2020

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Tower's Joe Haynes wins D-2 wrestling crown

DETROIT — It seems fitting that Warren Woods Tower junior 119-pounder ends the season atop Division 2. Haynes is a three-time All-State grappler, finishing third in his weight class as a freshman and second in 2019.

Macomb Dakota wrestling competed in the Division 1 state quarterfinals for the fifth straight year. Pictured, 145-pounder Joey Papas has his hand raised after a Feb. 19 regional round win.

Published March 4, 2020

Macomb Township Chronicle

Dakota wrestling coach looks back at another state finals

KALAMAZOO — The Macomb Dakota wrestling program over the last half of a decade has established itself as one of the best in Division 1 in the state.

Royal Oak High’s Earle Weaver puts his opponent in a hold during last year’s individual state finals at Ford Field. Weaver, 28-3 overall, will again return to Detroit March 6 with hopes of closing out his high school career as a state placer.

Published March 3, 2020

Royal Oak Review

Earle Weaver vying for Ford Field podium

ROYAL OAK — Royal Oak High’s Earle Weaver has qualified for the Division 1 individual wrestling state finals three years in a row, but has yet to finish as a state placer.

Published March 3, 2020

Grosse Pointe Times

GPN’s Ladach grinds his way to states

GROSSE POINTE WOODS –– When grapplers from across the state meet March 6 at Ford Field to begin the individual state wrestling tournament, everyone is just a state qualifier.

Published March 3, 2020

Woodward Talk

Berkley High wrestler qualifies for state finals

BERKLEY — When he was a freshman, current Berkley High senior Justin Anagonye was convinced to try wrestling.

Published March 2, 2020

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Groves’ Damon Dunbar eyeing state title in senior season

BEVERLY HILLS — In his high school wrestling career, Birmingham Groves’ Damon Dunbar has over 200 wins. However, a handful more wins could prove to be the most important.

Published February 28, 2020

C&G Newspapers

First-time wrestling state finals qualifiers detail their roads to Ford Field

METRO DETROIT — A number of Macomb County wrestlers from different programs will walk out onto the mats at Ford Field for the first time in the state finals, set for March 6-7 at Ford Field in Detroit.

West Bloomfield High’s Devon Isaac looks to pin his opponent in a match earlier this season. Isaac qualified for states at 171 pounds.

Published February 28, 2020

West Bloomfield Beacon

West Bloomfield High wrestlers gear up for state finals

WEST BLOOMFIELD — When the individual wrestling state finals commence March 6 at Ford Field, West Bloomfield High will have its eye on three grapplers.

Published February 28, 2020

Madison - Park News

Bishop Foley wrestler qualifies for state finals

MADISON HEIGHTS — When Madison Heights Bishop Foley senior and Royal Oak resident Luke Bishop was a young boy, his grandfather made him an offer: If he wrestled and played football in seventh and eighth grade, he would take him to Hawaii.

Published February 25, 2020

Roseville - Eastpointe Eastsider

Dakota wrestling claims fifth straight regional title

ST CLAIR SHORES –– It may be a new year, but nothing has changed in the Macomb Dakota wrestling program.

Published February 24, 2020

C&G Newspapers

Local wrestlers shift attention to Ford Field

METRO DETROIT — It’s here. After months of preparation, wrestlers from across the state will have one final chance to etch their names into history as a state champion.

Warren Woods Tower wrestler Joe Haynes has a hold of an oppent from Madison Heights Lamphere during a Division 2 regional final Feb. 19. Tower won the program's fifth consecutive regional title.

Published February 19, 2020

C&G Newspapers

Warren Woods Tower wrestling wins fifth straight regional title

MADISON HEIGHTS — For the fifth consecutive season, Warren Woods Tower’s wrestling program has earned a spot at the quarterfinal round of the playoffs, as the Titans won a Division 2 regional championship via a 53-18 victory against Madison Heights Lamphere Feb. 19 at Lamphere.

Published February 19, 2020

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Clarkston High wrestling downs Rochester Adams to win regional title

ROCHESTER — In three years as head coach of the Clarkston High wrestling team, Joe Wood and his staff have resurrected the program. The project continued with the team’s 68-6 win over Rochester Adams in a Feb. 19 Division 1 regional final.

Published February 19, 2020

Rochester Post

Rochester Adams wrestling claims team district crown

ROCHESTER HILLS — Since 2011, the Rochester Adams wrestling team has won six Division 1 district tournaments. The Highlanders’ most recent tournament win, however, was a result of overcoming a 36-point deficit to rival Rochester Hills Stoney Creek.

Published February 18, 2020

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Brother Rice wrestling ends district title drought

BEVERLY HILLS — There’s something to be said for building a culture and trusting the process that comes along with it. Just four years ago, the Birmingham Brother Rice wrestling program was in jeopardy as the Warriors team featured a small handful of wrestlers.

Published February 18, 2020

Shelby - Utica News

Eisenhower, Utica High wrestling bow out in district playoffs

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — Playoff time means elimination matches. It means seasons ending earlier than some would hope. That was the case for both the Utica Eisenhower and Utica High wrestling teams Feb. 12 in Division 1 district tournaments hosted by Rochester Adams and Utica Ford II, respectively.