New Lothrop wrestling coach Jeff Campbell has another championship caliber team on the mat which doesn’t
surprise many who have witnessed strong Hornet programs over the years.
New Lothrop’s three-year Division 4 state championship streak ended last season with a 51-13 loss to Hudson in the
title match. They had three extremely competitive matches against Hudson the three previous years for the state title
and won each one 33-22, 38-24 and 35-27.
As of mid-January, the team’s record is 13-2.
“Our team has been doing very well I feel thus far,” Campbell said. “We have a nice mix of seniors, juniors and
sophomores and a large and talented freshman class. We are just coming off a team tournament victory at Lake
Fenton where we were able to compete with and beat five larger schools including a nice win over Lake Fenton
which we have not been able to do in a couple of years.
“As a team we placed third at the Marquette Challenge. We went 3-1 at the Grandville Team Tournament. We
placed seventh at the New Lothrop Hall of Fame tournament which featured many of the top teams from all
divisions. Overall I believe we are a more experienced and a deeper team than last season, and I am looking forward
to seeing how the guys progress the rest of the year.”
Tommy Malloy is a senior 125-pounder who has placed in the state three times so far taking fifth last season.
“He has been wrestling at 125 primarily so far this year,” Campbell said. “Tommy currently has a record of 15-6
which includes a tournament victory at Howell back in December.”
Austin Wolford is a junior 140-pounder and a two-time state placer finishing fourth last season.
“He is currently ranked first in Division 4 at 140.” Campbell said. “He has big wins and his current record is 21-1
with big wins over many wrestlers ranked in various divisions including the No. 1 ranked wrestler in Division 3,
with his only loss coming to the No. 1 ranked wrestler in Division 1.
Justin Carnahan is a sophomore at 171.
“Justin placed fifth in the state last season and is currently ranked fifth this year as well,” Campbell said. “He has
wrestled a lot at 189 and beaten many ranked kids at both weight classes. He has placed at every tournament he has
entered this year and is one of our true pinners on this year’s squad making him very valuable in dual meets. He
scrambles very well and is exciting to watch. His current record is 16-3.”
Allan Jamick is a junior 189-pounder with a record of 14-6.
“Allan has been making huge improvements over the season,” Campbell said. “He recently finished 5-0 at the Lake
Fenton Duals. Allan is another one of our guys we count on for a pin and he has delivered a lot this season.”
Campbell, like most coaches this time of year, is cautious in predicting what this team might do in the post season.
“Its always difficult to predict especially after last year’s drama,” Campbell said. “I think we have a very solid line-
up that is capable of competing with all of the D4 teams. That said, there is a lot of parity in D4 this year. Carson
City, Clinton, Mendon, and of course Hudson all look very strong this year. We will have our hands full for sure.
We are looking forward to the challenge and testing ourselves. It should be fun.”