Photos by Courtney Jimison | CatchMark
WHITEHALL — For the third time in as many years, Whitehall’s wrestling program has produced an undefeated state champion.
For the second time in as many years, the Vikings have sent an undefeated state champ to a Division I college wrestling program.
Last year, it was Ira Jenkins. On Tuesday, it was Shane Cook’s turn.
Cook signed his national letter of intent with D-I Cleveland State University. The Whitehall senior celebrated with several of his wrestling and football teammates as well as with family members and friends during a signing ceremony in the high school’s Viking Center.
Cook shared the floor Tuesday at Whitehall with four of his classmates, as Brie Hamman, Haley Morningstar, Marissa Strandberg and Avery Thomas signed with Muskegon Community College for soccer.
Cook, who was voted the CatchMark SportsNet West Michigan Conference Boys Wrestler of the Year for the 2022-23 winter sports season, completed a dream run in his final wrestling season at Whitehall. He rolled to the 285-pound state championship in Division 3 and finished with a perfect 62-0 record. He was the lone state champion from the West Michigan Conference.
Cook is the fourth Whitehall wrestler to finish a season as an undefeated state champion, joining Jenkins (2021, 2022) and Tim Cooper (1980). Jenkins recently completed his freshman year at University of Michigan. He redshirted with the Wolverines.
Cook closed his high school career with a 172-16 overall record. He totaled 118 career pins, 42 of them in his senior season.
Cook also was a starting lineman on Whitehall’s history-making, 11-1 football team last fall.
Photos by Courtney Jimison | CatchMark
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