After a close battle and tough loss at Team Districts earlier in the week, the Sault High Blue Devils wrestlers looked to extend their season as individuals on Saturday. The top four in each weight class would move on to Regional qualifiers, with the end goal of having the chance to compete at Ford Field. At the end of the day, three Blue Devils kept their seasons going after some serious competition. Head Coach Jacinto Arreola noted the wrestlers’ efforts. “Wrestling this Saturday we had some tough matches. Some of us fell short of our goal but left it all on the mat. We had 3 moving on to regionals to compete in the next round of the MHSAA tournament.”
Junior Marc DeWildt (26-14) had a first round bye in the 175 lb weight class. In the quarterfinals, he won by decision over Leland Korona of Gaylord (9-5). He was pinned by Fabian Facundo of Freeland in the semifinals (0:57) but kept his season alive with another win by decision, this time over Cole Spencer of Bay City Western (8-1). In the third place match, DeWildt fell to Paden Gordinier of Bay City John Glenn (4-1).
In the 215 lb weight class, Senior Calvin Aldrich (11-5) pinned Parker Rood of Cadillac in the first round (3:00). His only loss of the day was to Bringham Smith of Freeland (13-0). Aldrich pinned Chase Grosch of Clio (3:49), and won by major decision over Jace Winden of Bay City Western (10-1). In the third place match, he won by decision over Casson Goodrich of Gaylord (4-1).
Heavyweight Senior Sawyer Kuenzer (42-6) started the morning off with a first round bye. He pinned Garrett Kain of Freeland (4:17) in the quarterfinal round. He lost by decision to True Warmbier of Bay City Western (7-5). Kuenzer won by decision over Shawn Paszkowiski of Cadillac (7-0), marking his 100th varsity win. In the third place match, he pinned Tyler Vo of Gaylord (1:59). “Another great feat was Senior Blue Devil Sawyer Kuenzer recorded his 100th Career Victory. As a wrestler who started fresh into the sport of wrestling 4 years ago and having 3 complete seasons this is a great achievement, we’re excited to see him compete further into the post season as he makes his run to compete with the best in the state.” For Kuenzer, meeting one of his goals made it all worth it. “Getting my 100th win was very special to me because of how much I sacrificed in order to achieve it. It was something I thought would have been impossible a few years ago but with all of the time I put it feels great to leave something behind.”
In the Regional qualifiers, Kuenzer (45-7) was the lone Blue Devil to punch his ticket to Ford Field, placing third in the 285 lb weight class. In the quarterfinals, Kuenzer won by decision over Jordan Sholley of Greenville, (1-0). The semifinals brought Caden Sides of Gaylord and Kuenzer together. Sides won by decision (7-1). In the consolation semifinals, Kuenzer won by decision over Luke Westerlund of Fruitport (1-0). In the third place match, Kuenzer won by decision over True Warmbier of Bay City Western (1-0). “Qualifying for states was an electric moment, I was so close to getting there last year but fell short. This year I was in the same situation and came out on top this time, which is something you can’t describe.
“I’m preparing for the tournament like I prepare for all the other ones, working on the things I need to improve while also refining the things I’m already good at. My coaches have been giving me advice and it’s been paying off all season so there’s no reason to switch it up now.” Kuenzer will compete at Ford Field this coming weekend.
- Blue Devil Wrestlers Achieve Post Season Success; Kuenzer Earns 100th Win - February 24, 2025
- Blue Devils Wrestlers Battle for District Title - February 8, 2025
- Blue Devils Wrestlers Compete in Northern Michigan Championships - January 30, 2025
