Getting to Ford Field is the goal for most wrestlers in the state of Michigan.
In the Cheboygan area, we saw several local grapplers recently book their tickets to Ford Field for the MHSAA state wrestling finals, which will take place on Friday and Saturday, March 6-7.
For some, it’ll be their first opportunity to compete on high school wrestling’s biggest stage, while others have been to Detroit before and will be aiming to get to the podium.
As we count down to this weekend’s finals, here’s a look at the seven area wrestling qualifiers.
Evan Fradette, Cheboygan, Senior, 126 pounds – What an impressive season it’s been for Fradette, who will wrestle in his first-ever state finals after finishing fourth at an MHSAA Division 3 regional meet. With a record of 21-9, Fradette’s first bout at Ford Field will come against Yale’s Mackey McLelland (50-5).
James Layman, Inland Lakes, Senior, 120 pounds – It’s been a solid senior campaign for Layman, who became the second I-L wrestler to surpass 100 career victories. Layman (36-10) earned his spot in this year’s finals by taking fourth at an MHSAA Division 4 regional competition. His first match in Detroit will be against St. Louis’ Alex Rodriguez, a regional champion with a perfect 39-0 clip.
Gunnar Hanel, Inland Lakes, Freshman, 126 pounds – It’s been a strong first varsity campaign for Hanel, who finished third at regionals and is one of six Bulldogs who will be in Detroit. At 39-7, Hanel battles Beaverton’s Eric Larson (34-9) in the opening round.
Gus Carper, Inland Lakes, Junior, 138 pounds – One of I-L’s most talented and experienced wrestlers, Carper is returning to states for a third consecutive March. Carper (38-6), who qualified by placing third at regionals, clashes with Pine River’s Kasen Stewart (36-11) in the first round.
Wyatt Hanel, Inland Lakes, Senior, 144 pounds – The most successful wrestler in I-L program history is back for one final shot to reach the podium. This year, Hanel (42-4) qualified for states by earning third at regionals. In Detroit, Hanel will meet Centreville’s Holtz Hamilton (48-8) in his first bout.
Collin Maves, Inland Lakes, Junior, 157 pounds – One of the breakthrough area wrestlers of this campaign, Maves earned a spot in his first-ever state finals by placing second at regionals. In his first match, Maves (25-9) goes up against Union City’s Isaiah Waidelich (41-15).
Avery Enos, Inland Lakes, Senior, 175 pounds – Rounding out the area’s state qualifiers is Enos, who captured the regional championship in his respective weight class. A first-time state qualifier, Enos (29-7) takes on Springport’s Brayden Whittaker (35-20) in his first match.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Meet the Cheboygan area’s high school wrestling state qualifiers
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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