Cardinal Wrestling Invitational (Big Rapids)
School(s) featured: Montague
Montague turned in a strong early-season team performance, going 4-1 on the day and dropping just one dual. The Wildcats earned wins over Central Montcalm (45-30), Reed City (45-35), Lakeview (44-29), and East Kentwood (48-28), with the lone setback coming against Traverse City West (54-23).
Team summary: Montague looked balanced and deep, with multiple wrestlers stacking wins across the lineup. Gavyn Maddox and Fletcher Thommen each went 5-0, while Kaiden Jeffery, Isaac French, and Maverick Osborne added 4-1 days. The overall result reflected a gritty, team-first approach and steady improvement.
Sailor Invitational (Norton Shores)
School(s) featured: Spring Lake
Spring Lake opened tournament season with a runner-up finish, placing second behind champion Cedar Springs. Hudsonville rounded out the top three.
Team summary: The Lakers had points coming from nearly every part of the lineup, led by champions Trevor Christner (113) and Tytan Flemming (190). Spring Lake also posted several finalists and top-three placers, showing strong depth and tournament scoring potential.
Harold Merrill Optimist Wrestling Invitational (Scottville / hosted by Mason County Central)
School(s) featured: Mason County Central, Shelby
Mason County Central finished third (3-2) with wins over Manistee (66-12), Oakridge (54-12), and Benzie Central (39-30), and losses to Allendale (69-12) and Shelby (45-33).
Team summary (MCC): The Spartans showed a well-rounded lineup with many wrestlers collecting four-win days, signaling strong balance and competitiveness despite a couple tough matchups.
Shelby opened the season with a 4-1 team mark, highlighted by a narrow win over Mason County Central (51-45) plus decisive victories over Traverse City St. Francis (69-11), Ludington (63-18), and Benzie Central (62-17). Shelby’s only loss came against Allendale (53-30).
Team summary (Shelby): The Tigers looked sharp and explosive early, led by perfect days from Brody Fessenden, Jaylin Henderson, and Cesar Cadena (all 5-0). Shelby’s ability to win big in multiple duals suggests a high-scoring roster entering conference season.
Assembly Dual Meet (Montague vs. Hesperia)
School(s) featured: Montague, Hesperia
In a high-energy school-day dual, Montague rallied from an early deficit to defeat Hesperia, 43-30. The Wildcats surged back into the meet, took the lead, and then sealed the win in the final bout with a close decision at heavyweight.
Team summary (Montague): The Wildcats showed resilience and momentum wrestling—turning the dual through clutch pins and timely wins, then finishing strong when the pressure peaked.
Grandville Challenge (Grandville)
School(s) featured: Whitehall
Whitehall opened its season with a second-place finish and 148.5 team points, just behind host Grandville. The Vikings consistently scored in the upper placements across the weights.
Team summary: Whitehall’s success was built on high placement volume and bonus-point potential. Robert Belinger (113) and Dom Zygmuntowski (126) won titles, while multiple Vikings placed second and another finished third—evidence of a lineup that can rack up points quickly in tournament formats.
Howell Invitational (Howell)
School(s) featured: Reeths-Puffer
Reeths-Puffer placed fourth, powered by two individual champions: Jake Rozycki (150) and Landon Learn (113). Tanner Cowles (157) added a third-place finish with a strong 4-1 day.
Team summary: The Rockets showed top-end talent capable of winning brackets, plus additional placement scoring—an encouraging early indicator for both dual strength and tournament upside.
Zeeland West Invitational (Zeeland West)
School(s) featured: Hart
Hart opened the season with a third-place finish and a 4-1 day overall, finishing with a 40-29 win over Fruitport in the third-place match. The Pirates went 3-0 in pool play before falling in the semifinals.
Team summary: Hart combined big-match production with lineup consistency. Four wrestlers went 5-0 (Adrian Lara, Logan Jorissen, Halen Boos, Haegan Hansen), showing the Pirates have multiple anchors who can deliver team points every round.
Gull Lake Blue Devil Classic (Gull Lake)
School(s) featured: Fruitport
Fruitport placed third overall in the team standings, outperforming a large field despite being shorthanded. Freshman Austin Jacobs (106) went 5-0 to win an individual title, with several teammates also reaching the finals or podium.
Team summary: The Trojans showed impressive efficiency—turning limited entries into maximum scoring through pins and high placements. Multiple finalists and placers, plus a championship run from Jacobs, underscored Fruitport’s depth and upside as the roster returns to full strength.
Kent County Classic (Girls)
School(s) featured: Montague, Lowell
The Kent County Classic served as the first official girls competition of the season for Montague, providing a strong early test against established programs. The tournament featured multiple weight classes and competitive brackets, giving wrestlers opportunities to gain experience against returning state-level talent. Montague used the event to evaluate its lineup, build confidence, and set a foundation for the rest of the season.
Team summary: Montague’s girls wrestling team was led by Zaniya Meza, who earned a third-place finish at 110 pounds after advancing to the semifinals and then battling through the consolation bracket.
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