Last year Michigan fielded its strongest Junior Duals lineup in recent memory. The team reached the finals in both Freestyle and Greco competition, losing a pair of competetive duals to perennial powerhouse Illinois.
This year's squad features quite a few new faces, but the talent level is comparable to that of last year's team. Those returning to the lineup are Dalton Roberts, Ian Parker, Chris Poland, Cole Weaver, Zac Hall, Jake Johnson, Logan Massa, and Ty Wildmo. Additionally, Justin Oliver and Myles Amine move up to the "Blue" team after strong performances competing for the "Red" team at last year's event, and Landon Pelham will make his debut at the Junior level after a pair of standout performances at the Cadet Duals in 2012 and 2013. Furthermore, Dom Lajoie, Ben Freeman and Kanen Storr are all opting up to wrestle at the Junior level after competing at the Cadet Duals earlier this month.
Former National Team members Lincoln Olson and Zehlin Storr also have a great deal of experience on the FS/GR circuit and will be key contributors. Meanwhile, newcomers Alec Pantaleo, Jake McKiernan, and Ryan Prescott are all elite Folkstylers, but are somewhat of wildcards with limited high level FS/GR experience.
In addition to the "Blue" team, this year's "Red" squad also appears to be quite well equipped for dual meet success. Among their top wrestlers are Max Johnson and Cam Bertucci; both were members of last years "Blue" team, and Bertucci is a 2X FS Fargo All-American. Others with National Team experience include Grant Morrison, Logan Griffin, Dan Shear, Austin Hughes, Blake Montrie, Dakota Hoffman, Hunter Dunn and Ramon Correa. Meanwhile, Reiley Brown, Connor McDill, Logan Parks, and Donnie Mandell all figure to be top newcomers.
Greco Roman competition will take place on Wednesday/Thursday, and will be followed by Freestyle on Friday/Saturday. Follow @michgrappler on Twitter for periodic updates on both Michigan teams.
TEAM MICHIGAN BLUE
100 – Dom Lajoie, Gaylord (9)
2014 D2 State Champion
2014 GR FILA Cadet AA (4th)
2013 GR Fargo Cadet AA (7th)
2013 GR FILA Cadet AA (4th)
106 – Dalton Roberts, Fowlerville (12)
2014 D2 State Runner-Up
2013 GR Fargo Junior Champion
2013 FS Fargo Junior AA (4th)
2012 GR FILA Cadet Champion
113 – Ben Freeman, WL Central (9)
2014 D1 State Champion
2014 FS FILA Cadet Runner-Up
2013 FS Fargo Cadet AA (6th)
2013 FS FILA Cadet AA (5th)
113 – Ian Parker, St Johns (10)
2X D2 State Placer/1X Runner-Up
2014 FS FILA Cadet AA (6th)
2013 FS Fargo Cadet AA (5th)
2013 FS FILA Cadet AA (3rd)
120 – Kanen Storr, Leslie (10)
2X D3 State Finalist/1X Champion
2013 GR Fargo Cadet AA (5th)
2013 GR FILA Cadet AA (3rd)
120 – Mike Volyanyuk, FH Harrison (11)
2X D1 State Placer/1X Runner-Up
126 – Lincoln Olson, Davison (11)
3X D1 State Champion
2013 FS FILA Cadet AA (5th)
2012 FS Fargo Junior AA (7th)
2011 FS Fargo Cadet AA (7th)
2011 FS FILA Cadet Runner-Up
2011 GR FILA Cadet Champion
132 – Cole Weaver, Hudson (12)
4X D4 State Finalist/3X Champion
2012 GR Cadet Fargo Champion
2012 FS Cadet Fargo Runner-Up
2011 GR Cadet Fargo AA (4th)
2011 FS Cadet Fargo AA (4th)
138 – Justin Oliver, Davison (12)
4X D1 State Placer/3X Finalist/2X Champion
2013 GR Fargo Junior AA (5th)
138 – Zehlin Storr, Leslie (12)
4X D3 State Placer/3X Finalist/2X Champion
2013 GR FILA Cadet AA (4th)
145 – Zac Hall, St Johns (12)
4X D2 State Champion
2014 FS FILA Junior World Team Trials 4th
2013 FS Fargo Junior AA (5th)
2012 FS Fargo Junior Runner-Up
2012 FS FILA Cadet FS Runner-Up
2011 GR Fargo Cadet AA (3rd)
2011 FS Fargo Cadet AA (3rd)
2010 FS Fargo Cadet AA (7th)
152 – Myles Amine, Detroit CC (11)
3X D1 State Qualifier/2X Placer/1X Champion
2013 GR FILA Cadet AA (3rd)
152 – Alec Pantaleo, Canton (12)
2X D1 State Finalist/1X Champion
160 – Jake Johnson, Macomb Dakota (12)
4X D1 State Qualifier/3X Placer
160 – Logan Massa, St Johns (11)
3X D2 State Finalist/2X Champion
2014 FS FILA Junior World Team Trials 3rd
2014 FS FILA Junior Champion
2013 FS FILA Cadet AA (2nd)
2013 FS FILA Junior AA (3rd)
2012 FS Fargo Cadet AA (3rd)
2012 FS FILA Cadet AA (5th)
170 – Tristin Zienkiewicz, Farwell (12)
2X D3 State Placer/1X Champ
170 – Chris Cooper, Jackson Lumen Christi (11)
2014 D3 State Qualifier
182 – Ty Wildmo, St Johns (11)
2X D1/D2 State Placer
2012 GR Cadet AA (7th)
182 – Andrew Price, RH Stoney Creek (11)
3X D1 State Qualifier/1X Placer
195 – Jake McKiernan, Richmond (12)
2X D3 State Placer/1X Champion
220 – Landon Pelham, Tecumseh (10)
2X D2 State Placer
2014 FS FILA Cadet AA (4th)
2014 GR FILA Cadet AA (4th)
2012 FS Fargo Runner-Up
2012 GR Fargo Runner-Up
285 – Ryan Prescott, Whittemore Prescott (11)
3X D4 State Finalist/2X Champion
TEAM MICHIGAN RED
106 – Aaron Rehfeldt, Detroit CC (10)
113 – Grant Morrison, Brighton (10)
113 – Max Johnson, Davison (10)
2014 D1 State Champion
120 – Logan Griffin, Erie Mason (11)
3X D4 State Finalist/2X Champion
120 – Cam Bertucci, Grand Haven (11)
2X D1 State Placer/1X Runner-Up
2013 FS Fargo Junior AA (8th)
2012 FS Fargo Cadet AA (8th)
126 – Reilley Brown, Whitehall (10)
2X D3 State Placer/1X Runner-Up
126 – Dan Shear, WL Central (11)
2X D1 State Qualifier/1X Placer
132 – Derek Droste, St Johns (10)
138 – Connor McDill, Utica Eisenhower (11)
2X D1 State Qualifier/1X Placer
138 – Codey Griffith-Smock, Carleton Airport (11)
145 – Austin Hughes, Saginaw Nouvel (12)
4X D4 State Placer/2X Runner-Up
152 – Logan Parks, Southgate Anderson (11)
2X D1 State Qualifier/1X Placer
160 – Blake Montrie, Temperance Bedford (10)
2014 D1 State Placer
170 – Donnie Mandell, Dundee (11)
2014 D3 State Placer
170 – Dakota Hoffman, Whitehall (12)
2X D3 State Qualifier/1X Placer
170 – Kalib Brunson, Holland West Ottawa (11)
182 – Noah Manley, Chelsea (11)
195 – Hunter Dunn, Monroe Jefferson (12)
3X D3 State Qualifier/2X Placer
195 – Anthony Riopelle, Carleton Airport (11)
285 – Ramon Correa, Holland West Ottawa (11)
2014 D1 State Qualifier
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I wasn't able to comment on the newest entry, but I would like to let you know that Michigan has won it before, in 2002. Still, amazing job by these young men.
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Curious to see how the newcomers to FS/GR do, Pantaleo is an explosive wrestler and hopefully it shows, McKiernan is long and could be a serious threat fro on top, Prescott wrestled at Junior Westerns last year but drew that Dhesi kid ( who beat coon that week) first match
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Don't forget 2014 126lb Greco and Freestyle State Champ Chris Poland is on Michigan blue and is down at 120lbs for Greco.
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