Three ranked teams headline Lenawee County wrestling

This winter is shaping up to be an exciting one on the mats across Lenawee County with three programs beginning the season ranked, including top-ranked Hudson, aiming for a third-straight state title in Division 4.

Joining the Tigers as ranked teams are fellow LCAA members, Division 3 No. 5 Clinton and No. 8 Madison. Another LCAA member, Dundee, is No. 1 in Division 3.

Here are the previews of all 10 programs:

Addison

Top returners: Senior Jaxon Whittemore (165 pounds) returns this year after a season ending knee injury last season. He was a state qualifier as a sophomore. Senior Rowden DiDomenico (175) also returns and has been one of our improved wrestlers. Juniors Caleb Potts (132) and Joe Clark (175) also return this season after being state qualifiers last season. James Randles (144), Byron Creech (165), Heith Burton (165), and Mark DeRossett (144) all return this season and look to build on their successes from last year. Finally, seniors Conner VanWyck (285), and Dan Belanger (165) return back to wrestling after a one-year hiatus and look to have great senior seasons this year.

Newcomers: Senior Adeon Craig (165), sophomores Weston Wilson (157), Heinz Szeve (150), Kessler Durkee (285), and Lucas Merkle (120), freshmen Michael Beard (126), Lincoln McFate (215), Gabriella Keryan (175), Carter Heimlich (175), Kayden Randles (126) and Kayden Davis (190) are all newcomers to high school wrestling and look to make an impact.

Outlook, coach Tom Schneider: We have a good mix of experienced upperclassmen and younger kids this season. We are excited about the improved leadership of our team with the increased number of upperclassmen and as our young kids develop and take over pivotal roles in our lineup, we want to be competitive in the Cascades Conference race and to make an impact in the postseason.

Adrian

Top Returners: Junior Diego Orozco (113), senior Jaden Jankowski (215)

Newcomers: There are 14 freshmen and 10 sophomores on a roster of 40 as the Maples have solid numbers.

Blissfield

Top Returners: Jude Rosas (106), Natalie Benitez (113), Sean Samuels (120), Griffin Jeffery (126), Conner Deaton (132), Anthony Mingonie (138), John Harris (144), Colton Seiser (150), Adam Stuzman (157), Juan Barcenas (175), Ethan Hilyard (190), Nolan Wilson / Noah Marks (215), Matthew Houtiker (285)

Newcomers: Gage Rothman (138) is a incoming freshman with some very big middle school and youth accolades. Ethan Samuels (138) and Aston Ausmus (165).

Outlook, coach Andy Ford: We think Conner, Griffin, Jude, and Matthew will be in the hunt to qualify for the state tournament this year. Plus Gage as an incoming freshman.

Clinton

Top Returners: Seniors Connor Younts (126/132), Maurice Ames (138/144), Wyatt Hicks (215), Dylan Badge (138), Nate Arntz (106/113). Juniors Braylon Long (120), Hamza Rafferty (285). Sophomores Bryce Randolph (175), Clifford Jones (150), John Keibler (190), Landon Lakatos.

Newcomers: A couple of impact freshmen will be Zach Taylor 113/120 and Hudson Miller106/113 in the lower weights, Joe Hodges 120/126 and Will Hawkins 190.

Outlook, coach Casey Randolph: We are looking to gain experience as we navigate through our challenging schedule. Currently we are ranked fifth in the state and hope to build on that as the season progresses and we gain more experience. We are excited to start competition and excited to wrestle.

Hudson

Top Returners: Trey Bolenbaugh (120), Colt Perry (120), Nick Sorrow (126), Julien Kimling (113), Beckett McCaskey (150), Cole Marry (150), Coy Perry (150), Austin Marry (165), Jake Pickford (175), Makiah Rheder (175), Brad Bertram (190), Logan Ryan (190), Devan Brigman (190), Barron Mansfield (215), Kenny Sledge (215) and Malachi Marshall (285).

Newcomers: Cameron Miller (285), Jax Kimling (113), Chase Clark, Ethan Rising (126), Brad Pickford (120), Dennis Hamilton, Owen Loop (144), William Kast (175), Travis Stoneking (175), Mason Reuter (215).

Outlook, coach Scott Marry: Get back to Wing Stadium and defend our state title. Take everyone to individuals state tournament and bring home some individual state champions.

Madison

Top Returners: Araya Tindall (113), Malaki Mosher (120), Logan Russell (285), Lukas Leonard (144), Lucas Dopp (120), Trever Gritzmaker (285), Jalonn Borders (165), Landon Mohr (138), Paul McClure (126), Xavier Rodriguez (157), Angel Cabrera (175), Jacob Byrd (113) and Nick Moore (144).

Newcomers: Wyatt Dusseau-Garno (150), Gio Briggs (144), Brayden Burciaga (144) will all be working to get into the line-up.

Outlook, coach Scott Hall: Our deepest lineup in more than 30 years with 28 wrestlers on the roster. We will be looking for leadership from our 20 returning letter winners.

Morenci

Top Returners: Seniors Braylon Miller (126), Anthony Perez (285), junior Zachary Martinez (138).

Newcomers: Junior Kevin Kaufman (157)

Onsted

Top Returners: So. Teagan Cunningham (144)

Newcomers: 10 freshmen and six sophomore make up the roster of 37 wrestlers

Sand Creek

Top Returners: Sr. Daniel Meckley (190), Sr. Jacob Schamburger (285), So. Wyatt Fox (113)

Newcomers: Freshmen Grady Thompson (132), Jackson Willeman (144), Tucker Hulett (190)

Tecumseh

Top Returners: Sr. Max Bledsoe (285), Jr. Max Martin (144)

Newcomers: 16 freshmen and three sophomores are added with six seniors and seven juniors.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Preview of the 10 Lenawee County wrestling programs