Photos by Evelyn Darke for CatchMark
DETROIT — Each year, Fremont’s Tee Ward has continued to climb one more step of the medal podium at the MHSAA individual wrestling state finals.
As a freshman, he placed fourth. As a sophomore, Ward bumped up to third. As a junior, he moved up to second.
In what his father, Tim Ward, calls an “incredible journey,” Tee Ward reached the top Saturday at Ford Field. The senior’s 3-1 decision over St. Joseph’s Landon Thomas in the 138-pound bout of the MHSAA Division 2 finals put him atop the podium after the very last match of his storied Packers career.
In a countdown of sorts, Ward went 4-3-2-1 in his four appearances at the state finals. He’s the third Fremont wrestler to capture a state championship, joining Calib Rought (2009) and John Stariha (1971).
Ward, who has signed to wrestle at Division I Northern Illinois University, closes his Packers wrestling career with a glittering 192-12 overall record. He’s the only four-time state finals placer, or all-stater, to capture a championship.
Ward was 53-1 this season, 57-3 as a junior, 49-3 as a sophomore, and 33-5 as a freshman.
See the photos of Ward’s momentous day Saturday at the top of this story and check out the videos as well.
