After winning back-to-back district championships in Division 3 the past two years, the Farwell wrestling team is dropping down to Division 4 and looking for bigger and better things.
“With our returning talent and talented freshman class, we’re looking to compete for another district and, hopefully, make a run at the regional title,” said Farwell coach Ty Lentovich. “This will be difficult, as there are some talented teams along the way. However, we match up better with them, and we feel we have a better chance than we’ve ever had before. If we stay healthy, we should be a competitive team.”
Leading the way is junior Glenn Beardsley, who has already earned all-state honors twice. Last year, he was third at the state tournament at 130 pounds. “He’s been third the last two years and, this year, he’s looking to improve,” Lentovich said. “I’d like to see him make a run at the finals and maybe even win a championship.”
Senior Garrett McQuiston was seventh at 152 last year to earn all-state honors, and he is back in the lineup hoping to move up the ladder.
Senior Clay Forfinski made it to the state meet last year and is hoping to advance to the podium this time around.
Senior Brendan Smith was a regional qualifier as a freshman and as a junior but has battled injuries along the way. “He was injured as a sophomore, and for the majority of last season, with broken bones,” Lentovich said. “He’s a sleeper who has had some great finishes. If he can stay healthy, we’re looking for him to qualify and make the podium this year.”
Gladwin is still grappling with getting everyone into the lineup, but the Flying G’s will be a factor once that happens. “We’ll be okay by the end of the season,” said Gladwin coach Buddy Goldsworthy. “We’re missing a few guys for a variety of reasons but, once we get them back, we’ll be pretty solid from about 140-heavyweight.”
Senior Owen Ritchie is the team’s lone returning state qualifier. He made it to The Palace of Auburn Hills at 160 pounds last year and will compete at 171 most of the time this season. Senior LeRoy Bouck won over 30 matches last year and will trade off with Ritchie in the lineup when necessary. Senior Zach McCulley will compete at 152. Sophomore Austin Paulmateer had 35 wins at 125 as a freshman and has bulked up to compete at 140 this time around.
Clare has a young team and a lot of work to do this season. “This will be a building year for us,” said Pioneers coach Tim Packard. “We have only five returners from last year and no seniors at all, but we’re still going to be working for a conference and district title.”
Leading the way will be junior Hart Smalley at 189 pounds. Last year, he racked up 43 wins and qualified for the state meet.
Junior Armando Vanderbrook is back at 160 after winning 20 matches last year. Sophomore Isaiah Dole had 30 wins and will compete at 145 this year. Classmate Kyle Bowers will be at 103, after picking up 26 victories last season.
The key newcomers are 112-pound freshman Kyle Schaaf and sophomore Amante’ Young, a transfer student who will compete at 103.
Beaverton is heading into its second year of varsity competition and, while there could be a few holes in the lineup at the lower weights, the numbers are good and the potential for improvement exists. Leading the way will be senior heavyweight Wade Sturgeon, a regional qualifier last season, and sophomore Eric Cassiday, who bulked up over the off-season and will compete at 189. Senior Joe Couture is also expected to put some wins together this year, after competing at 145 last season.
Meridian will be led by senior Matt Hoffman, who will compete at 160 pounds this year after qualifying for the state meet at 145 last season, and sophomore Cole Federer, who was third at the regional at 125 to make it to last year’s state tournament.