J.D. Greathouse, bottom, of Mason fights off Trent Lashuay, top, of St. Johns during their 135lb. Division 2 state semifinal match Friday March 4, 2016 at the Palace in Auburn Hills. Both Greathouse and Lashuay are expected to be two of the wrestlers in the CAAC Red during the 2016-17 season.
CAAC BLUE
Coaches’ predictions: 1. Grand Ledge, 2. Holt, 3 Jackson, t-4. Everett, t-4. Sexton, 6. Eastern, 7. Okemos, 8. East Lansing
Top wrestlers: Hamadi Lugendo (Sexton), Rolando Figueroa (Eastern), Cole Janes (Grand Ledge), Jack Snauko (Grand Ledge), Kolin Leyer (Holt), Brandon Riggins (Jackson), Emiliano Canales (Okemos)
EAST LANSING
Last season: 1-16 (6th)
Coach: Greg Rinehart (5th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Derrick Lee (jr. 152), Noah Inglesby (sr. 171)
Other contributors: Roy Bellamy Crawford (jr. 160)
Outlook: The Trojans will look to improve from last season’s record with upperclassmen Lee and Inglesby leading the way.
EASTERN
Coach: Arnold Pulliam (1st season)
Top returning wrestlers: Rolando Figueroa (jr. 140), Elijah Diaz (jr. 215), Andwele Pulliam (sr. 171)
Outlook: Under first-year coach Arnold Pulliam, the Quakers will return three upperclassmen with high-level varsity experience. Figueroa was a regional qualifier in 2015, and Andwele Pulliam and Elijah Davis both had winning records.
EVERETT
Last season: 6-15 (t-5th)
Coach: TJ Foster (1st season)
Top returning wrestlers: Alfredo Horta (so. 112), Tim Houser (jr. 125), Brad Rinckey (jr. 135), Ramadhani Haji (jr. 135/140), Moubarak Adam (jr. 160), Cuong Dang-Le (jr. 171), Damarius Doyle (jr. 189/215)
Other contributors: Karis Brown (fr. 103), Adamou Amadou (fr. 103), Abdelbassit Adam (fr. 130)
Outlook: Foster believes the Vikings have a crop of solid freshmen to mix with their upperclassmen. Everett, which will be youthful this season, will look to improve each day, according to first-year coach Foster.
GRAND LEDGE
Last season: 19-10
Coach: Steve Delaney (10th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Cole Janes (sr. 119/125), Jack Snauko (sr. 130), Ryan Legal (jr. 112), Alex Kingsley (so. 125), Karson Kost (so. 140), Jose Murray (sr. 171), Wesley Barnes (sr. 189), Mitchell Krahulik (sr. 215), Nic Lloyd (sr. 285)
Other contributors: Andrew Hughes (fr. 103), Tommy Lear (fr. 112), Adam Castenada (jr. 135), Andreas Sigurani (jr. 140)
Outlook: The defending CAAC Blue champions will return a handful of wrestlers from last season’s team. Janes placed seventh at the Division 1 state tournament and Snauko was a state qualifier. The Comets are one of the early-season favorites to grab the league title and will get help from newcomers Lear and Hughes.
HOLT
No information submitted.
OKEMOS
Coach: CJ Guess (2nd season)
Top returning wrestlers: Emiliano Canales (sr. 112), Zaid Khan (sr. 130), Richard Kim (sr. 145), Lufti Akhemdov (sr. 135)
Other contributors: Husnain Khan (fr.)
Outlook: Canales, Khan and Akhemdov are four-year varsity wrestlers for the Chiefs. Guess, who is entering his second season as the coach, believes Okemos has a strong lineup and will be able to compete with the top teams in its league.
SEXTON
Last year: 11-11 (5th)
Coach: Chris Henderson (19th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Jason Leui (so. 103), Hamadi Lugendo (jr. 112), Anthony Page (jr. 119), Ibriham Mkumbukwa (sr. 135), Josh Henderson (so. 140), Kedrick Tegue (jr. 145), Issiah Duncan (sr. 171), Elijah Stevenson (jr. 171), Steven Bonham (jr. 285)
Other contributors: Jacob Hill (fr. 125), Rattavian Rinkines (jr. 160), Micheal Le (jr. 152), Alex Wilson (fr. 152)
Outlook: The Big Reds are looking to improve from last season’s 11-11 record with a blend of veterans and newcomers. Lugendo won 25-plus matches last season and Bonham won close to 20. Josh Henderson finished fourth at the CAAC Blue meet last year, and Chris Henderson believes his youngsters have plenty of experience and potential to make another leap this season.
CAAC RED
Coaches’ predictions: t-1. DeWitt, t-1. St. Johns, 3. Mason, 4. Owosso, 5. Waverly, 6. Haslett
Top wrestlers: Brad Wilton (Mason), Trent Lashuay (St. Johns), Bret Fedewa (St. Johns), Sam York (DeWitt), Gabe Larner (DeWitt), Lucas McFarland (DeWitt), Nevin Brittain (Haslett), Kaleob Whitford (St. Johns), JD Greathouse (Mason)
DEWITT
Last season: 26-5 (t-1st)
Coach: Brian Byars (7th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Gabe Larner (sr. 171), Nick Brandt (sr. 189), Lucas McFarland (sr. 160), Quenten Hall (so. 130), Sam York (jr. 152), Ronnie Slater (so. 119), Jackson Severns (jr. 125), Kilion Southworth (jr. 140)
Other contributors: Tyler Brandt (fr. 135), Jacob Brandt (fr. 145), Matt Foddrill
Outlook: With a solid core of returners, the Panthers are expected to once again challenge for the top spot in the CAAC Red. Hall, York and Slater were state qualifiers last season, while Larner, who placed fifth at the state tournament, was an all-state selection.
HASLETT
Coach: Tom Heniser (6th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Nevin Brittain (sr. 189), Micah Williams (sr. 119), Ben Hampton (sr. 171), Damion Tijerina (sr. 215), Robert Klimek (sr. 215)
Other contributors: Kalif Kavanaugh (fr. 112)
Outlook: Brittain heads a strong senior class for the Vikings this season. The 189-pound Brittain was a state qualifier last year and finished the season with a 39-10 record. Haslett has a small team this year, but the coaches believe the group possesses a “great deal of heart.” Williams posted a 29-11 record last season.
MASON
Last season: 15-7 (3rd)
Coach: Brian Martel (14th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Heh Say (so. 103), Seth Bunting (sr. 119), Zach Haynes (so. 135), Cameron Swanson (jr. 140), JD Greathouse (sr. 140), Jared Surato (jr. 160), Brad Wilton (sr. 189), Ben Surato (jr. 215)
Other contributors: Richard Mayes (fr. 103), Kalon Luks (so. 103/122), Bryan Lynch (jr. 119), Tanner Miller (fr. 125), Will Muenzenmaier (jr. 145), Christian Coats (jr. 171), Riley Smith (jr. 285)
Outlook: The Bulldogs, who captured a district title last year, will return a few veterans who worked their way to the Division 2 state tournament last season. Wilton, who recently signed with Michigan State, was the state runner-up in 2015, and Greathouse placed fifth at states. Bunting has also qualified for the state tournament.
OWOSSO
Last season: 19-8
Coach: Ryan Clevenger (19th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Jacob Fisher (sr. 135), Joe Vondrasek (sr. 160), Britton Spencer (sr. 145), Jay Michels (sr. 152), Nate Lepley (sr. 171)
Outlook: The Trojans return three regional qualifiers in Fisher, Vondrasek and Spencer. Owosso is hoping to continue its winning ways after grabbing seven more victories last season than the year prior.
ST. JOHNS
Last season: t-1st
Coach: Derek Phillips (5th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Brendan Zelenka (jr. 112), Emilio Sanchez (sr. 119), James Whitaker (so. 130), Derek Selden (sr. 130), Trent Lashuay (sr. 135), Bret Fedewa (sr. 152), Braxton Parks (so. 171), Kaleob Whitford (so. 125)
Other contributors: Brenden Smith (so. 103)
Outlook: The Redwings bring back a handful of wrestlers who helped the program grab a second-place finish at the Division 2 state tournament last season. And while St. Johns lost several wrestlers who performed well at the individual state tourney, which includes Iowa State’s Ian Parker, who was a two-time state champion, Lashuay returns after grabbing a second-place finish. The Redwings and DeWitt are expected to battle it out for the conference’s top spot.
WAVERLY
Last season: 5th
Coach: Chris Tyler (1st season)
Top returning wrestlers: Jose Bonilla (jr. 135), Kyle McPherson (sr. 160), Daniel Truscello (jr. 140)
Other contributors: Jose Santiago (so. 103), Cadence Lerma (so. 285), Ameer Powell (sr. 171)
Outlook: The Warriors lost David Leija, who placed sixth at the state tournament last season, to graduation, but first-year head coach Tyler believes his young squad has the potential to build a “solid foundation” for the coming years. Waverly will fill all weight classes for the first time in a few years, according to Tyler, and he hopes the Warriors can get at least one wrestler back to states. Bonilla is entering his third year on varsity and McPherson, Truscello and Lerma are entering their second season. Powell, a senior, returns after not wrestling for the school the last two years.
CAAC WHITE
Coaches’ predictions: 1. Eaton Rapids, t-2. Ionia, t-2. Portland, 4. Charlotte, 5. Williamston, 6. Fowlerville
Top wrestlers: Isaac Coolidge (Eaton Rapids), Quintin Lopez (Williamston), Austin O’Hearon (Eaton Rapids), Hayden Maus (Portland), Hunter George (Eaton Rapids), Cameron Mahlich (Ionia), Trevor Piggott (Ionia), Chris Fauson (Charlotte), Collen Eaton (Charlotte), Devin Miller (Portland)
CHARLOTTE
Last season: 22-13 (1st in Interstate-8 conference)
Coach: Bill Blair (13th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Clayton Jones (jr. 119), Jarrett Thorne (so. 130), Chris Fauson (jr. 130), Collen Eaton (sr. 140), Anthony Williams (so. 152), Matt Earnest (jr. 189), Jeff Hillard (sr. 215)
Other contributors: Ryan Jester (so. 171), Ashten Lawens (so. 145), Zayne Newth (so. 152), Wyatt Eaton (so. 189), Tony Strotheide (sr. 215), Matt Brooks (jr. 285)
Outlook: The Orioles will look to carry over their success from the Interstate-8 conference into the CAAC White. Fauson placed fifth at states last season and is one of multiple strong upperclassmen on Charlotte’s team. Eaton, Jones and Williams were all regional qualifiers last year.
EATON RAPIDS
Last season: 20-3 (1st)
Coach: Joe Ray Barry (6th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Isaac Coolidge (sr. 130), Hunter George (sr. 145/152), Tristen Schultz (sr. 171), Collin Lewis (sr. 285), Austin O’Hearon (jr. 145), Nicholas Haynes (so. 140/145), Hayden Campbell (so. 125)
Other contributors: Caleb Fish (fr. 130), Christopher Haynes (fr. 103), Chad Haynes (fr. 119), Blake Kowalk (fr. 125)
Outlook: The Greyhounds bring back some veteran talent from last year’s squad that reached the Division 2 regional finals. Coolidge is a three-time regional qualifier and O’Hearon is a two-time state tournament placer. George and Schultz are in their fourth season on varsity. Barry said he would like to see his team continue to be competitive in the league and grow as a team.
FOWLERVILLE
Last season: 13-13 (5th)
Coach: Dan Coon (22nd season)
Top returning wrestlers: Cody Person (sr. 130), Jacob Dixon (sr. 152), Jack Brady (sr. 189), Tyler Bennett (sr. 285), Ted Hensley (sr. 285), Austin Cohoon (sr. 285), Hunter Wilson (jr. 171), Wyatt Daniel (so. 112), Ashton Philburn (so. 119), Devin Harvey (so. 152)
Outlook: Coon said the Gladiators have some “great, unproven potential” and believes that there are guys on his roster who “may change the path that Fowlerville has taken” the past couple of years. Coon added that this summer wasn’t as productive as prior years for his program. It’s the first time in his tenure that the Gladiators don’t have a returning state placer.
IONIA
Last season: 14-7 (3rd)
Coach: Bill Rodgers (7th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Cameron Mahlich (sr. 112), Trevor Piggott (sr. 189), Luke Weaver (sr. 171)
Outlook: The Bulldogs are a small team this season, but return some seniors with tons of experience. Mahlich, a three-time state placer, won a state championship during the 2014-15 season and Piggott is a two-time state placer. Weaver qualified for the regionals last season.
PORTLAND
Last season: 13-5 (4th)
Coach: Scott Sandborn (13th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Hayden Maus (sr. 152), Devin Miller (jr. 152), Desmond Gardner (jr. 135), Dorian Simon (jr. 140), Michael Pryer (jr. 112), Owen Guilford (so. 160), Kyle Hinds (so. 171)
Other contributors: Ryan Ramsey (jr. 145), Garrison Rogers (jr. 135), Joe Sober (jr. 215), Doak Manshum (so. 285)
Outlook: Maus, who was an all-state selection last year, is the lone senior for the Raiders this season. Portland is a young team looking to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish in the league, according to Sandborn.
WILLIAMSTON
Last season: 14-10 (2nd)
Coach: George Manson (1st season)
Top returning wrestlers: Justin Bloom (sr. 189), Quintin Lopez (sr. 135), Chase McManaman (sr. 160), Eli Palmer (sr. 140), Brandon Poland (sr. 171), Ben Benitez (jr. 112)
Other contributors: Jack Murray (fr. 119), Max McCutcheon (so. 130), Will Schafer (fr. 145), Jake Yanez (jr. 215)team
Outlook: After 20 seasons as the co-coach at Leslie, Manson is looking to help the Hornets remain as one of the conference’s top contenders. Manson said his team will not fill all of the weight classes, but believes intensity and team goals will drive Williamston’s season. Poland and Benitez have both qualified for the state tournament in previous years. Lopez, McManaman and Palmer were regional qualifiers last season.
OTHERS
ALMA
Last season: 3rd (Tri-Valley Conference)
Coach: Randy Miniard (6th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Alex Rosas (jr. 140), Sage Gonzales (sr. 152), Greg Simmons (jr. 285), Jaden Jerome (jr. 135), Kyle McCreery (sr. 145), Cole Geister (jr. 130), Caleb Collins (so. 145), Trenton Knopf (jr. 160)
Other contributors: Jarrett Ferman (fr. 125), Austin Kanine (fr.), David Castillo (jr. 285), Hunter Frost (jr. 215)
Outlook: The Panthers will look to remain competitive in their conference behind a strong group of upperclassmen. Rosas was a state qualifiers last season.
BATH/LANSING CATHOLIC
Last season: 8-12
Coach: Chuck Root (5th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Jack Skidmore (jr. 125), Mark McCrimmon (jr. 125), Drew Goeddeke (sr. 215), Mikey McKerr (so. 285)
Other contributors: Bryce Eddington (jr.), Isiah Walker (fr.)
Outlook: The combined team of Bath-Lansing Catholic has a low number of wrestlers on its rosters, but Root believes his team will have “several good individuals who will be looking to make a name for themselves.” Skidmore had a 24-14 record last season and Goeddeke went 18-17.
CORUNNA
Coach: Chad Briggs (6th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Dylan Briggs (sr.), Jerry Yelinek (sr.), David Dumond (sr.), Luke Cortez (sr.), Brandon Blair (sr.), Taylor Jackson (sr.), Cole Conklin (sr.), Jack Thayer (jr.), Trevor Briggs (so.), Devon Anderson (so.)
Outlook: The Cavaliers bring back a veteran group in hopes of continuing to improve in the 2016-17 season.
DANSVILLE
Last season: 2nd in CMAC
Coach: Mike Farrier (20th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Anthony Mack (jr. 125), Johnathan Stid (sr. 160), Gordon Bushard (sr. 160)
Other contributors: Mike Post (jr. 112), Noah Simon (jr. 145)
Outlook: Farrier said the Aggies have enough talent to be very competitive, however, they’ll struggle to fill all weight classes. Mack placed third at the state tournament last season and Stid finished fifth. Bushard, a four-year varsity wrestler, will return after an injury last season.
FOWLER
Coach: Mike Ward
Top returning wrestlers: Viktor Bedaine (103), Cody Elliot (135), Nate Myers (140)
Other contributors: Vasyle Bedaine (119)
Outlook: The Eagles will look to have a strong season behind three wrestlers with multiple-year varsity experience.
FULTON
Coach: Owen Hilgendorf (1st season)
Top returning wrestlers: Owen Hilgendorf (sr. 135), Archer Milk (so. 152)
Other contributors: Patric Alwood (fr. 152), Randall Blemaster (fr. 171)
Outlook: Head coach Owen Hilgendorf will have a short roster to work with, but believes he has some wrestlers who will be able to accomplish individual goals. Senior Owen Hilgendorf lost in blood round of regionals last season and is one of the veteran leaders on the Pirates’ roster. Alwood and Blemaster are expected to be contributors as newcomers this season.
LAKEWOOD
Last season: 25-3 (1st in GLAC)
Coach: Bob Veitch (38th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Cash Thompson (sr.), Lane Allen (jr.), Luke Tromp (sr.), Jon Maas (jr.), Barak Leonard (sr.), Cole Jackson (jr.), Jacob Kelley (sr.)
Outlook: Thompson was a state champion at 189 pounds last season and leads an experienced group of upperclassmen for the Vikings. Allen placed fourth at the state meet, Maas placed seventh and Jackson placed eighth. Tromp was a state qualifier in during the 2015-16 season. Veitch is hoping for another strong season.
LESLIE
Last season: 2nd in GLAC
Coach: Tucker Surbrook (9th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Zach Hanson-Chesney (jr. 189), Matt Dolbee (sr. 215)
Other contributors: Rome Dornbush (jr. 140), Mitch Seavolt (jr. 171), Chase Spencer (fr. 130)
Outlook: The Blackhawks have only two seniors this season and Surbrook expects his young guys to be competitive. Hanson-Chesney and Dolbee were regional qualifiers a season ago, and Dornbush won 25 matches as a sophomore.
OLIVET
Last season: 9-16 (4th in GLAC)
Coach: Brandon Peters (3rd season)
Top returning wrestlers: Carson Hartman (sr. 103), Shane McKeown (jr. 160), Mark Fox (jr. 189)
Outlook: Peters said he has a “young” and “raw” squad, but believes the Eagles have the ability to be a scrappy team. Three seasons ago, Olivet had just six wrestlers on its wrestlers, and now that number has increased to 25. Hartman, McKeown and Fox are three-year varsity wrestlers.
OVID-ELSIE
Last season: 13-11 (7th in TVC Central)
Coach: Frank Barretta (7th season)
Top returning wrestlers: Zach Morris (jr. 189/215), Dillan McGinnis (sr. 112), BJ Knickerbocker (sr. 285)
Outlook: The Marauders are now competing in the TVC West, and Barretta expects his team to be in the running for a conference title by the end of the season. Morris placed seventh at the state tournament as a sophomore, and Knickerbocker won 30-plus matches. McGinnis missed last season due to injury, but he’s a former regional qualifier.
PERRY
Last season: 19-6 (3rd in GLAC)
Coach: Tim Ebenhoeh
Top returning wrestlers: Jake Porter (103), Anthony Gallagher (112), Jacob Spiess (125), Tanner Orweller (130), Ethan Orweller (152), Jarrod Darling (160), Kolten Lauer (171), Andrew Mravec (215), Nathan Kidd (285).
Outlook: The Ramblers return four state qualifiers, which includes defending state champion Gallagher and fifth-place finisher Spiess. Ebenhoeh said his team will look to have “a big showing at the Palace in March.”
Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.