A Dozen Unbeaten Michigan Wrestlers Seeking First State Podiums
A Dozen Unbeaten Michigan Wrestlers Seeking First State Podiums
Here's a look at 12 unbeaten Michigan high school wrestlers seeking their first state podium finishes.
Every season, new non-freshman faces grace the podium at Michigan's state tournament.
Some are earning all-state honors by finishing in the top eight in their final opportunity.
Others reach podiums after not previously even qualifying for the state tourney.
Here are a dozen non-freshman, unbeaten (as of Jan. 26) Michigan wrestlers seeking their first state podium appearances:
The senior is 36-0 at 215 pounds with 27 pins. Culpepper, a two-time Division 2 state qualifier, went 1-2 at last season's state tournament, falling to the eventual fifth-place (by a point) and seventh-place finishers to finish the season with a 45-3 record. Culpepper was Wayne County champion last month, outscoring three opponents by a combined 21-6 mark. Trenton's last state champion was 152-pounder Keith Scott in 1999.
Thomas Leahy (St. Clair Shores Lake Shore)
The junior is ready to put aside past postseason frustrations to not only qualify for the state tournament for the first time but finish in the top eight. Leahy went 36-10 last season, but was a heartbreaking 0-2 at the regional tournament. This season, he is 28-0 at 106 pounds and won the Macomb County championship last month, shutting out four opponents by a combined 26-0 mark.
Mario Curiel (Muskegon Mona Shores)
Making the podium for the first time would feel extra satisfying for the senior, who is 22-0 this season and seeking his first state-tournament berth. Curiel racked up a 107-27 career record coming into this season. He went 1-2 at each of the past three Division 1 regional tournaments. He captured the Greater Muskegon title earlier this month, edging Muskegon Reeths-Puffer's Travis Henderson, 4-3, in the final. Last month, Curiel decisioned Kent City's Sammy Anderson, who placed fifth in the state in Division 3 last season.
The sophomore was a Division 3 district and regional champion last season, beating eventual fifth-place state finisher Bear Geibe (Constantine) in the regional final. He also knocked off Division 4 state medalist Carter Foster (Leslie) during the season. Durham fell short of the podium at last year's state tournament, going 1-2 with losses to the second- and fourth-place finishers. He finished the season with a 42-8 record at 138 pounds. Durham is off to a 23-0 start this season, mostly at 144 pounds, and quickly established himself as a podium favorite this time with a 13-7 upset of defending Division 3 state champion Wyatt Burns (Springport) at last month's Springport Invitational. Burns wrestled for Dundee last season, winning the state title at 138 pounds.
The senior is off to a 25-0 start at 144 pounds and appears poised for his first state tournament berth and podium. He outscored four opponents 48-4 in winning the Jim Wade Family Classic earlier this month. Terpening finished 34-8 last season, but went 1-2 at the Division 4 regional tournament. He did not advance beyond the district tournament as a freshman or sophomore.
The senior has put himself in great position for his first state podium with a 22-0 start this season, mostly at 150 pounds. Vanderkooi went 89-18 as a junior and sophomore. He went 1-2 at last year's state tourney, beating eventual eighth-place finisher Noah Szwed (Montrose). Vanderkooi was 33-15 and reached the regional tournament as a freshman.
Dominic Pelc (Livonia Stevenson)
The senior reached the Division 1 state tournament for the first time last season, going 1-2 at 144 pounds. Pelc fell to the second and sixth-place finishers and finished the season with a 34-4 mark. Pelc appears in solid position to make the state podium in his final opportunity to do so. He is 18-0 this season at 150 pounds, including outscoring four foes by a combined 43-7 margin to win last month's Livionia Franklin Invitational.
After a 65-32 record the past two seasons, the junior is on a tear this season with a 25-0 mark, including 21 pins, at 165 and 175 pounds. He was second at the Division 4 district tournament and fourth at the regional tournament to reach the state tourney. Campbell went 1-2 there, falling to the eventual state champion and sixth-place finisher.
After posting a modest 28-20 record the previous two seasons and not advancing beyond the Division 4 district tournament, the junior has established himself as a serious state podium contender. Nostrant is 27-0 at 175 pounds with 15 pins. He rolled to a Kent County championship last month, outcoring three opponents by a combined 37-5 margin.
Kaidyn Gantz (Livonia Stevenson)
The senior has more than 100 career victories, but he's still trying to break through to the state tournament. That should change this season as Gantz has established himself as a serious Division 1 podium contender with a 27-0 record, including 20 pins, at 190 pounds. He was second at the district tournament last season before going 1-2 at the regional tournament and finishing with a 35-9 record.
The junior appears well on his way to punching his first state tournament ticket. Balkema is off to a dominating 18-0 start, including 12 pins. He reeled off four straight pins in winning last month's Blue Devil Classic. Balkema took second at 285 pounds during last season's Division 2 district tournament.
The senior has qualified for past two Division 1 state tournaments at 113 pounds and entered this season with a 103-23 career record, but the podium has eluded him. That could change this season with Anderson, now wrestling at 120 pounds, off to a 20-0 start. Earlier this month, he outscored five opponents by a combined 29-2 margin to win the Fenton Invitational. After bowing out of the state tournament at the regional level as a freshman, Anderson placed third at the next two regional tournaments before going 1-2 at the state tournament both times.
Michigan Premium Rankings
Check out the Michigan High School Wrestling Premium Rankings, which are generated by using an athlete’s complete match history to predict a wrestler’s performance against others in their weight class by considering factors such as win-loss records, the quality of their victories (pins, technical falls, major decisions), the strength of their opponents, and overall historical performance patterns.
The data is updated every Monday, sourced from the Trackwrestling season results. Since each team is responsible for maintaining its season results, any data discrepancies for a wrestler should be addressed by contacting their coach to manage the information within the season. This includes the weight class assigned. Wrestlers are eligible to be ranked after competing in five matches at a single weight.