Month: March 2023

Posted on

Romeo Earns 6 Individual Medals!

Bulldogs Compete for State Medals at Ford Field 

On Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4 the 13 Romeo state qualifiers traveled to Ford Field to compete in the Individual State Finals.  The tournament pits the top 16 wrestlers in each weight class against each other with the top 8 placers in each weight class considered all- state.  The tournament is always a roller coaster of emotions, but, in the end 6 Romeo wrestlers made the podium.  

All the Bulldog wrestlers were terrific all weekend!  They put their hearts out there and competed like the champs they are!  We are super proud of them and their efforts.  It is very rewarding to earn a medal at the state tournament and it’s something nobody can ever take away from you.  Just to get there is a huge accomplishment!  The tough part is when you are so close to winning and just fall short.  We experienced that too.  It doesn’t take away from how proud we are of all our wrestlers.
MHSAA Championships Results for Romeo HS

D1-150  Joshua McMillan (30-10) placed 8th and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Dylan Gilcher (Catholic Central) 32-0 won over Joshua McMillan (Romeo) 30-10 (Fall 2:36)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Joshua McMillan (Romeo) 30-10 won by major over Ethan Lefevre (Clarkston) 26-16 (10-2)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Joshua McMillan (Romeo) 30-10 won by dec over Tyler Arntz (Hudsonville) 40-12 (Dec 5-3)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Matthew Joyce (Dexter) 46-6 won by decision over Joshua McMillan (Romeo) 30-10 (Dec 8-7)
  • 7th Place Match – Aydin Wagner (L`Anse Creuse) 28-9 won by inj def over Joshua McMillan (Romeo) 30-10 

Josh had a tough draw right off the bat, but, he battled back with a couple tough matches before his knee couldn’t take it anymore.  What a year he had, though!  The first time being entered in district and ends up placing in the state!  It just shows the heart and courage Josh has.

D1-157  James Rivers (37-12) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Max Biundo (Roosevelt) 39-8 won by fall over James Rivers (Romeo HS) 37-12 (Fall 3:03)
  • Cons. Round 1 – James Rivers (Romeo HS) 37-12 won by fall over Bryce Gordon (Rockford) 38-19 (Fall 2:27)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Zak Knapp (Brighton HS) 36-9 won by fall over James Rivers (Romeo HS) 37-12 (Fall 1:15)

James had one terrific career!  He qualified for states for 3 years and it would have been 4 but he was contact traced for Covid and couldn’t compete.  He ended up being a two-time placer and one of our toughest competitors!  James left his mark on our team and the whole state!

D1-157  Nathan Miller (30-21) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Darius Marines (Catholic Cent) 36-3 won by major over Nathan Miller (Romeo) 30-21 (14-4)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Micah Roper (Oxford HS) 35-13 won by dec over Nathan Miller (Romeo HS) 30-21 (Dec 8-2)

I can’t say enough good things about Nathan Miller.  He is a true warrior and the perfect example of a team player.  Nathan doesn’t care who he wrestles.  He just goes hard every time.  Nathan was one of our most valuable wrestlers because he would go any weight we needed him to go. 

D1-165  Tyler Pressel (39-19) placed 7th and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Max Callahan (Davison) 18-7 won by decision over Tyler Pressel (Romeo) 39-19 (Dec 8-2)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Tyler Pressel (Romeo) 39-19 won by fall over Kevin Palazzolo (Lincoln Park) 32-16 (Fall 2:17)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Tyler Pressel (Romeo) 39-19 won by decision over Jack Nilson (Utica Ford II ) 34-7 (Dec 9-6)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Connor Williams (Belleville) 50-6 won by dec over Tyler Pressel (Romeo) 39-19 (Dec 3-1)
  • 7th Place Match – Tyler Pressel (Romeo) 39-19 won by dec over Owen Foster (West Ottawa) 45-5 (Dec 7-1)

Tyler wrestled probably the best tournament of the season at Ford Field.  That says a lot because he is a first time qualifier and wrestling the toughest competition.  He had a huge match in the blood round to beat a kid he lost to twice earlier.  It was straight effort and desire personified!

D1-190  Brayden Mirjavadi (52-4) placed 1st and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Brayden Mirjavadi (Romeo) 52-4 won over Robbie Gossard (Bedford) 37-21 (Fall 1:19)
  • Quarterfinal – Brayden Mirjavadi (Romeo) 52-4 won by fall over Micah Wellbaum (Lake Orion) 28-9 (Fall 1:13)
  • Semifinal – Brayden Mirjavadi (Romeo) 52-4 won by fall over Demond Harrison (Belleville HS) 47-3 (Fall 3:32)
  • 1st Place Match – Brayden Mirjavadi (Romeo) 52-4 won by dec over Ryan Ahern (Rockford) 51-3 (Dec 3-2)

Brayden has been the man all year.  He is a 4-time state qualifier who was 2nd last year.  Brayden dedicated himself to being the best he could through his nutrition program, conditioning, training, technique, film study, and mindset.  He is a great example for our younger wrestlers to show them what it takes to be a state champion and that the possibility is there for them!

D1-190  Ian Antonelli (26-22) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Lee Krueger (Catholic Central) 34-17 won over Ian Antonelli (Romeo) 26-22 (MD 9-0)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Caleb Zimmerman (Reeths-Puffer) 22-6 won over Ian Antonelli (Romeo HS) 26-22 (Dec 8-1)

We are all super proud of Ian.  He wrestled 215 most of the year and cut down to 190 for the team toward the end of the season.  He decided to stay at 190 for the individual district tournament and ended up qualifying for state.  He wrestled his best at the end of the year when it counted!

D1-285  Iban Contreras (41-11) placed 6th and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Iban Contreras (Romeo) 41-11 won by fall over Adrian Rincon (Monroe HS) 47-7 (Fall 1:03)
  • Quarterfinal – Iban Contreras (Romeo) 41-11 won by decision over Kyle Scofield (Milford HS) 45-10 (Dec 6-2)
  • Semifinal – Judah Kinne (Lake Orion HS) 31-2 won by fall over Iban Contreras (Romeo HS) 41-11 (Fall 3:41)
  • Cons. Semi – Lionel Baldwin (Arthur Hill) 43-3 won by decision over Iban Contreras (Romeo) 41-11 (Dec 4-3)
  • 5th Place Match – Sam Battaglia (Dakota) 20-6 won by fall over Iban Contreras (Romeo HS) 41-11 (Fall 2:58)

Iban is an incredible story!  He literally came out for the team last year after never wrestling before.  He worked out all off season, was on our summer dual team, and wrestled this year like a seasoned veteran.  Iban made the semifinals and had a great tournement!

D1-106  Bryce Holt (45-12) placed 4th and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Bryce Holt (Romeo) 45-12 won by tech fall over Austin Anderson (Midland) 37-13 (18-1)
  • Quarterfinal – Nathan Walkowiak (Catholic Central) 47-9 won in OT over Bryce Holt (Romeo HS) 45-12 (7-5)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Bryce Holt (Romeo) 45-12 won over Dylan Leyendecker (Hudsonville) 35-11 (MD 13-1)
  • Cons. Round 3 – Bryce Holt (Romeo) 45-12 won by injury default over Gavin Lewis (Oxford) 40-12 (Inj. 0:49)
  • Cons. Semi – Bryce Holt (Romeo HS) 45-12 won by decision over Sawyer Hosford (Holt HS) 36-16 (Dec 7-4)
  • 3rd Place Match – Nathan Walkowiak (Catholic Central) 47-9 won over Bryce Holt (Romeo) 45-12 (Dec 3-1)

Bryce is a little bit of an anomaly.  Most freshman don’t just come in and win 45 matches and place in the state tournament.  It just goes to show all the hard work Bryce put in before his high school career.  He trains with a purpose, competes like a senior, and is mature beyond his years.

D1-113  Owen Perry (24-21) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Robert Dawson (John Glenn) 33-12 won by dec over Owen Perry (Romeo) 24-21 (Dec 8-6)
  • Cons. Round 1 – Owen Perry (Romeo) 24-21 won in OT over Dominic Benjamin (Oxford HS) 33-14 (SV-1 5-3)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Josh Drake (Northville) 39-5 won by major dec over Owen Perry (Romeo) 24-21 (MD 14-2)

Owen Perry is one of the toughest guys pound for pound in the state.  He was also in one of the deepest weight classes – 113 was loaded.  Owen wrestles great in all positions – neutral, top and bottom.  He is a total competitor who is going to be a real problem for people the next 3 years.

D1-126  Owen Youngblood (40-15) placed 6th and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Owen Youngblood (Romeo) 40-15 won by dec over Kamia Fielder (Milford) 37-7 (Dec 5-3)
  • Quarterfinal – Owen Youngblood (Romeo) 40-15 won by fall over Nathan Gerber (Bedford HS) 40-16 (Fall 2:52)
  • Semifinal – Caden Horwath (Davison) 22-1 won by major dec over Owen Youngblood (Romeo) 40-15 (MD 11-2)
  • Cons. Semi – Drew Astorga (Dakota) 35-8 won by decision over Owen Youngblood (Romeo) 40-15 (Dec 3-2)
  • 5th Place Match – Easton Hardesty (Brighton) 33-16 won by dec over Owen Youngblood (Romeo) 40-15 (8-4)

Owen really started to come into his own at the right time.  He was a regional champion and then made the state semifinals.  Owen has qualified for the individual state tournament every year placing twice.  He is tough as nails and showed all year he can compete with anyone!

D1-132  Alex Angelo (42-10) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Alex Angelo (Romeo) 42-10 won over Grady Rousse (Traverse City Central) 26-13 (Dec 5-3)
  • Quarterfinal – Zephan Catalina (Northville) 42-6 won by decision over Alex Angelo (Romeo) 42-10 (Dec 5-4)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Connor Palazzolo (Dakota) 39-12 won by decision over Alex Angelo (Romeo) 42-10 (Dec 4-2)

Alex competed in another very deep weight class in which every match was very competitive.  He had a tremendous season and career.  He is a two-time qualifier and a regional champ as a senior.  If they wrestled the tournament on another day, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him in the finals.

D1-138  Marcus Donovan (25-14) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Marcus Donovan (Romeo HS) 25-14 received a bye () (Bye)
  • Quarterfinal – Justin Gates (Davison HS) 34-2 won by tech fall over Marcus Donovan (Romeo HS) 25-14 (15-0)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Jon Palmer (Traverse City West) 42-14 won over Marcus Donovan (Romeo) 25-14 (Dec 4-3)

Marcus is one tough hombre.  He battled through a messed up knee and a nose he couldn’t breathe out of to make his second trip to the state finals.  After meeting the state champ in the second round, his blood round match was about as close as it gets.  Marcus is definitely battle tested and can go with anybody.

D1-144  Jack Zehnder (28-7) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points.

  • Champ. Round 1 – Jack Zehnder (Romeo HS) 28-7 won by dec over Cayden Strong (Clarkston HS) 37-11 (3-0)
  • Quarterfinal – Jak Keller (Rockford) 52-3 won by decision over Jack Zehnder (Romeo HS) 28-7 (Dec 8-2)
  • Cons. Round 2 – Christian Byrne (Roosevelt) 43-4 won by fall over Jack Zehnder (Romeo HS) 28-7 (Fall 2:25)

Jack Zehnder was in another one of those super tough weight classes.  He was definitely in the mix to place and place high since he was wrestling so fell all season.  It was very cool Jack was able to qualify as a junior because the experience of being on the big stage is so important.