Tecumseh wins regional title, has seven qualify for individual state finals, coach Lesko voted MWA Regional Head Coach of Year

TECUMSEH — A trip to Battle Creek for the Michigan Athletic Association Division 2 state finals was assured by Tecumseh’s varsity wrestlers with the Indians picking up a regional team title on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Milan.Tecumseh (#6, 32-4) will face Niles (#3, 23-3) at 7:45 p.m. on Friday in the state quarterfinals at Kellogg Arena.The Indians had eight wrestlers compete as individuals in regional competition on Saturday, Feb. 21, at Warren Fitzgerald and seven qualified to advance to the state final at the Palace of Auburn Hills March 5-7. Tecumseh junior Landon Pelham (215) was the Indians’ lone regional champion.Tecumseh head coach George Lesko was selected as Michigan Wrestling Association’s Regional Head Coach of the Year.“I was honored,” Lesko said of receiving the award. “These kids wrestled fantastic today! I was really happy with them and their effort. It was a great day for our kids, and this week, we will change our focus to next Fridays team Quarter Finals at the Team State Tournament in Battle Creek.” Drew Marten (119) and Wyatt Cadmus (125) both finished second for the Indians.“Drew Marten has been solid all year and making it to the finals and was no surprise today. This will be his second trip the Palace,” said Lesko. “Wyatt Cadmus was my special project this season. He is a senior who has been a solid performer for us for four years. However, he has never made it to the Individual State Tournament and he is now going. It was a great feeling for him and his family, and we are all very proud of Wyatt.” Tecumseh senior Kody McCrate (189) placed third for while freshman Gabe Bechtol (135), junior Kyle Humphries (152) and senior Nate Brady (285) each placed fourth.McCrate and Humphries have advance to state once before and each are seeking their first All-State medal. It is a first for both Bechtal and BradyLuke Vandenberg (171) also competed but did not qualify to advance to the state meet.“Luke Vandenberg was our only non-placer today. But he is a first-year wrestler and getting to the Regionals was a heck of an accomplishment,” said Lesko.The coach has high expectations for his individual qualifiers, especially Pelham. “Landon Pelham did not wrestle very long today, pinning all of his opponents and winning the regional title. We certainly have big expectations for him at the state finals in couple weeks,” Lesko commented. In the team regional, Tecumseh easily defeated South Lyon 75-6 and edged Melvindale 33-25 for the title.“We could not be more proud of how these young men wrestled,” said Lesko. “South Lyon, Melvindale, and New Boston Huron all brought different challenges for us as we prepared. In the end, the Tecumseh Wrestlers did what they do best, wrestled hard for each other.”Picking up two wins during the night for Tecumseh were Marten (119), Cadmus (125), Bechtol (135), Humphries (152), Bryan Tripp (160), McCrate (189), Pelham (215) and Brady (285).Recording a win and a loss for the Indians were Hayden Whitehead (112), Adam Shelby (130), Tyler Maclachlan (140) and Austin Zamora (145).Lesko said, while Whitehead lost a tough match at 112 pounds, he stayed tough and did not give up a pin to Melvindale’s state-ranked wrestler. Marten gave Tecumseh its first win in the regional final against Melvindale with a second-period pin. “Drew [Marten] has as much talent as anyone in the State at 119, and his work ethic is flawless,” commented Lesko. Cadmus then took out a very tough Melvindale opponent with an 8-4 victory. Shelby lost the following match by decision and didn’t give up a fall and Bechtol put the Indians back in the win column with a 5-0 decision at 135. “Gabe [Bechtol] is really wrestling well for a freshman in a very tough weight class,” said Lesko.Tecumseh dropped the next two matches with Maclachlan losing by one point (6-5) at 140 and Zamora losing by two points (8-6) at 145. Two of the biggest matches of the night followed for the Indians with Humphries (152) recording a late takedown for a win by decision and Tripp (160) snatching a much needed win by decision.“Kyle [Humphries] would wrestle their team bus if I asked him too. He is just one tough kid!” said Lesko. “Humphries wrestled a fantastic match. He just kept forcing the action and wearing down his opponent.”Lesko said Tripp went to the mat at a crucial point of this match. “His win against Melvindale was a key swing match. His win (3-2) set us up to close this dual out and get the win.”Vandenberg (171) got caught in a headlock and gave up a loss by pin but McCrate (189) followed with a first period pin to force momentum back to the Indians.Pelham did the same with a first period pin at 215. “He is truly a big time performer!” Lesko said.Brady helped Tecumseh secure the regional title with a win by decision at 285 pounds.

Tecumseh Herald

 

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