PREVIEW: Adrian-Olivet set to clash with MIAA title on the line

Adrian College will host #11 Olivet College tonight in Adrian at 7:00pm with the MIAA conference dual championship on the line.  Adrian-Olivet has developed into a major in-state rivalry and this year should be no different.

Olivet (10-8) has won the previous three conference championships, and they are currently ranked top-15 in the country, led by #1 Donovan King at 285lbs.

Both teams are undefeated in the conference and Adrian (11-9) brings a lot of young firepower in the lineup.

LAST TIME OUT

Last year, Olivet won 25-18 in a dual that came down to the last match and inevitably won them the conference.  National runner-up Donovan King picked up a fall, giving Olivet the 7-point victory. Expect this year's dual to be another close battle. On paper, we do not anticipate any rematches from last year's dual, as both teams have reloaded with fresh talent.

COMET FIREPOWER

Olivet brings in the heavier arsenal of ranked wrestlers with a trio of top 10 guys.

Kam Bush, a former state finalist for Grandville HS, has been a welcomed addition to the Olivet lineup. He is currently ranked 7th in the country.

Owen Guilford is currently 13-5 on the season at 174lbs and ranked 10th in the country.

The Farmington High alum King, as we mentioned, is a returning national finalist and ranked #1 in the country at 285lbs.

BREAKDOWN

Olivet's ranked guys up top give them some heavy favored matches and Adrian should have the slight advantage down low led by former D1 state placers Zach Phifer (Howell) and Zach Platte (Holt).

The dual will likely come down to who can win the swing matches. If Olivet's three nationally ranked wrestlers pick up wins, the Comets will likely just need to win two more matches. Matches to keep an eye on are at 149lbs, 184lbs, and 197lbs. At 149lbs, Zach Platte (Holt) and Tyler Herrema (Grandville) were both D1 state placers a few seasons ago. At 184lbs, Blake Williams (Belleville) was a D1 state placer, while Mitch Reynolds (Chelsea) was a D2 state qualifier. At 197lbs, Dylan Wellbaum (Lake Orion) was a D1 state finalist, while Hiram Robinson (Wyandotte Roosevelt) was a D1 placer. Adrian will may need to win each of the swing matches to offset the three nationally ranked wrestlers for Olivet up top.

PROJECTED LINEUPS

125 - Zach Phifer (A) vs Emmett Kettel (O)
133 - Tyler Davis (A) vs Stuart Donlan (O)
141 - Tanner Smith (A) vs Robert Davids (O)
149 - Zach Platte (A) vs Tyler Herrema (O)
157 - Trenton DiGenova (A) vs Ramiro Guerrero (O)
165 - Zach Altman (A) vs #7 Kam Bush (O)
174 - Derick Duvall (A) vs #10 Owen Guilford (O)
184 - Blake Williams (A) vs Mitchell Reyonolds (O)
197 - Dylan Wellbaum (A) vs Hiram Robinson (O)
285 - Kyle Emery (A) vs #1 Donovan King (O)

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