BATTLE CREEK – A couple wrestlers on the Harper Creek team are hoping to make history this week.
If both Devan Garcia and Alexandra Stiltner can climb all the way to the top of the podium on Saturday at the Michigan High School Athletic Association state individual wrestling finals, it will be the first time in school history that Harper Creek has had two state champions in one season.
And longtime Harper Creek wrestling coach Dave Studer thinks its very possible.
“I’m thinking this could be a special year for us,” said Studer, who is in his 59th year coaching Harper Creek. “It would be amazing to have two state champions in one season.”
When Garcia won a state championship as a freshman two seasons ago, it was the first state title in wrestling at Harper Creek since 1998. And, it was the first state championship for any of the Battle Creek city schools since 2006. So state championships don’t come along all the time around here.
But, both Garcia and Stiltner have had the kind of season to believe it could happen again as they enter among the favorites in their weight class into the state finals at Ford Field on Friday-Saturday, March 6-7.
“It would be incredible if me and Alex both get one. Not a lot of schools get to do that,” Garcia said.
After Garcia won a state title as a freshman, he finished second in the state last year. That loss in the state finals has inspired him to his 46-2 season this year and a regional title heading into the Division 2 state finals at 132 pounds. Garcia is the top seed in his weight class.
“Not getting it last year has fueled me for this year,” Garcia said. “I’m just excited for another title this year. I feel like I need another one.
“I’m just trying to be as dominant as I can, score as many points as I can, let everyone know that I’m back and better than ever this year.”
Stiltner is a four-time state qualifier in girls wrestling, finishing third last season. Stiltner is seeded No. 2 at 120 pounds at 37-1 overall on the season.
“I’ve thought about winning that state title every day since last year,” Stiltner said. “Been locked in on that this year. Getting that championship has been pushing me this year.”
Which would make history of another kind at Harper Creek. Not only, can the duo be the first pair to win a state title in the same season, Stiltner could be the first girl to win a state championship in Battle Creek.
“It would be cool to be the first girl to win a state title at Harper Creek,” Stiltner said. “I think it would help cause more girls to turn their heads towards wrestling. I want to help build the girls program here and if I can win it and that can help grow it here, that would be great.”
Overall, Harper Creek has four wrestlers competing at the state finals, including Israel Waite in the boys division and Aubreonna Armstrong in the girls. Waite finished second in regionals at 144 pounds and goes to the finals at 39-5. Armstrong finished second at regionals and enters the finals at 33-9.
Other wrestlers in the city qualifying for the state finals include Battle Creek Central’s Jordan Roe and Pennfield’s Aiden Babick. Roe was second at regionals at 285 pounds. He heads into the Division 1 state finals at 33-2 on the season. Babick was fourth at regionals at 215 pounds and is 31-10 overall.
For a complete list of Battle Creek-area wrestlers who have qualified for the state finals, go to wwww.battlecreekenquirer.com
MORE: Complete list of Battle Creek-area wrestling state final qualifiers
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Harper Creek wrestlers Garcia, Stiltner poised to make history at state finals
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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