Kuenzer Repeats; Russo and Klier Crowned Wrestling Champions

The Sault High Varsity Blue Devils turned some heads Saturday at the UP Championships at Marquette Senior High School. Eleven Blue Devils set out to compete and three earned the title of UP Champion. A program that continues to gain momentum, the Blue Devils ranked third overall in a field of 19 teams. The grapplers scored a combined 156 points, behind Kingsford’s 189 and Escanaba’s 179 points. This is the highest a team from the Sault has placed in this competition since 1986.

Senior Sawyer Kuenzer (33-3) reigning UP champion in the 285 lb weight class, came in as the number one seed. He had a first round bye, then pinned Marcus Racine of Gladstone (0:41). In the semifinals, he pinned Charles Walker of Bark River-Harris (4:32). In the championship match, Kuenzer beat Talon Smith of Marquette by major decision (10-2). Kuenzer shared, “Winning my second UP title felt amazing. I had been working hard all season and knew that this would be a tough match, but coming from behind with a late score and then getting my hand raised was a great experience.” He has big plans for the rest of the season, too. “My goals for the rest of the season are to keep working hard and win out. I’m aiming to take 1st at the Northern Michigan Championships and then make it to and place at the State finals.”

Senior Cody Russo (33-2) was also ranked as the number one seed in the 215 lb weight class. He had a first round bye, then pinned Gunner Nordeen of Gwinn (1:22). In the semifinal round, he won by major decision over Kahne Clarke of Menominee (13-2). The finals match brought Russo and Ben Wilson from Gladstone together, where Russo won by major decision (10-0). This accolade adds to Russo’s already successful season, having won his bracket at the elite Marquette Challenge earlier in the season and earning 100 wins just after Christmas.

Junior Caleb Klier (29-9) was seeded third in the 144 lb weight class. He also had a first round bye. In the quarterfinals match, he pinned Jomar Rosario of Iron Mountain (1:10), and beat Peyton Black of Negaunee by major decision (13-3) in the semifinal round. Klier secured his title by beating Cannon Arnt of Escanaba by points (12-5). Klier on his win, “I felt excited shocked and very thankful for the ability to go since I couldn’t last year from being sick.” What’s next for the junior? “My goals are to place at Northern Championship. Place in districts to qualify for regionals and state. As well as help our team possibly do the same.”

Three additional Blue Devils made the podium on Saturday. Senior Calvin Aldrich (6-3) was seeded fifth in the 190 lb weight class. After his first round bye, he beat Mitchell Corrigan of Bark River-Harris (9-0) in the quarterfinals match. In the semifinals, Aldrich lost to Trevor Thorbahn of Gladstone by technical fall (17-0). He secured third place by pinning Cam Gauthier of Menominee (2:37).

Junior Wyatt Peabody (17-12) was the number two seed in the 138 lb weight class. He started the day with a first round bye. In the quarterfinals, he pinned Caden Smith from Escanaba in the first period (1:55). He lost a close match by decision in the semifinals to Nolan Hendrickson of Kingsford (7-4). Peabody rallied in the third place match, beating Cassius Lindquist of Westwood in overtime (11-8).

Junior Jonah Rishmawi (11-10) had the largest seed difference for the team, starting out with the number ten seed in the 175 lb weight class. He pinned Dennis Smith from Westwood in the first round (1:37). He was pinned by Griffin Maline of Manistique in the quarterfinal round, sending him to the consolation side of the bracket. He fought his way back by pinning Cannon Brunette of Bark River-Harris (4:09) and winning by decision over Liam Leipold of St Ignace (9-2). He secured the fifth place spot by beating Haidyn Denis of Escanaba in a close battle (12-10).

Two more Blue Devils qualified for the fifth place match, but fell short, just missing the podium. Sophomore Sam Kiekhaefer (17-18) was seeded eighth. He pinned Deegan Miron of Gladstone (1:55) in the first round but was then pinned by Kaleb Gagne of Escanaba (0:20). Kiekhaefer pinned Elliot Ferguson of Marquette (1:40) and then pinned Adam Janczewski of Powers North Central (1:15) to make it to the fifth place match. He was pinned by Leo Dockery of Westwood (2:15).

Freshman Isaac Peabody was the number seven seed in the 106 lb weight class. He pinned Brayden Rodriguez of Iron Mountain (0:21) in the first round and was then pinned by Robert Ranstadler of Escanaba (2:20). Peabody pinned Aiden Wachter of Rudyard (1:58) and beat Levi Ellis from Marquette by points (5-1). In the fifth place match, he was pinned by Delaney Bliss of Newberry (1:51).

For the second year in a row, six Blue Devils were named to the Academic All UP Team. The requirements of making the team include being a junior or senior, and have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Seniors Calvin Aldrich, Brett Siesel and Max VanDoren made the team for the second year in a row. Juniors Marc DeWildt, Caleb Klier and Jonah Rishmawi joined this elite group of athletes from across the Upper Peninsula.

The Blue Devils’ next days of competition will be a JV tournament on Friday and the Northern Michigan Championships on Saturday, both in Gaylord.