Hartland Youth Wrestling Shines in State Championships

Hartland's elementary wrestling club team walked out of Battle Creek with its third-straight state championship in an action-packed series of matches that served as an encore to the state high school finals that concluded the day before.

"We had all-star performances throughout the line-up as usual," said Rob Hughes, the Hartland Wrestling Club president and coach, about Sunday's performances. "Every wrestler did what was needed for them to earn another title, their third straight and the entire graduating class of sixth graders did a great job leading their team."

Club coach Todd Cheney, who also coaches the high school team, said that Reece Hughes, Kyle Kantola, Corey Cavanaugh and Bryce Cheney all went undefeated on the day, but it was sixth grade, first-year novice wrestler Jack Slavin who had a huge pin against Lowell in the finals that was decisive. The three-peat came after the Eagles defeated Allgean 44-30, Dundee 45-24 and Lowell 41-31 in the final rounds of the day.

Hartland High School's junior varsity team almost made it two titles for the area, but the squad was inched out 28-19 by Brighton in the finals. The JV team had sailed through the preliminary rounds pounding on Grand Rapids Catholic Central 48-7, Grand Ledge 42-15 and Williamston 57-4.

Meantime, Hartland's middle school team finished third by winning a wrestle-off with Davison. The team lost to runnerup Lawton in the semis. Lowell, the only team to defeat the middle school squad in a regular match during the season, won the championship.

Middle school head coach Chris Phifer said undefeated wrestlers included: Rod French (who went 2-0 on the day), Sage Castillo (who improved to 17-0 on the season with 16 falls), Kaden Seitz (who improved to 12-1 on the season), Shabo Gorial (who improved to 15-0 with 15 falls on the season), and Logan Vish who improved to 7-0 on the season.

"We were really looking forward to taking on Lowell in the finals. We have a score to settle with them," said Hartland middle school wrestler Sage Castillo, who was 5-0 on the day.

Swartz Creek was able to capture the first ever elementary novice state championship (third grade and under). Hartland did not have a elementary novice team compete.

Next up for the Hartland Wrestling Club is the Mid Michigan Wrestling Association and Michigan Youth Wrestling Association individual regionals. That will be followed by then  league and state finals to be held in the next few weeks.

If you would like to know more about the Hartland Wrestling Club, visit its website at www.hartlandwrestlingclub.com.

Editor's note: Sage Castillo is Danna Castillo's son. Danna Castillo also is the webmaster for the club's website.