Zak Roberson took his stance in the center of the mat and readied himself for the final match of the season.
He shook hands with Todd Melick from Detroit Catholic Central and went forward with the attack on the referee’s whistle.
Forty-three seconds later, Roberson won the match with a fall and finished the MHSAA Individual Wrestling finals in third place in the 135-weight class.
‘I didn’t know it was going to end that quick. I was kind of hoping for a barn burner,? he said after the win.
It was the first year Roberson had qualified for state finals and he finished 5-1 during the three days at the event.
His mom, Tiffany was the first one to hug him after the win and for the family it was just one of many victories they had watched him win.
For Zak, the season could have gone differently for Zak.
He underwent two surgeries in November and began the wrestling season in December with pain and fatigue that went on into January.
The illness took a toll on his body and continued until he properly diagnosed as having Inflammatory Bowel Disease in February. His diet changed drastically and Tiffany and his dad, Chris, saw a turnaround as Zak gained muscle and got stronger each day.
‘The diagnosis was actually a blessing,? said Tiffany. ‘Once we knew what we were dealing with, we were able to control his diet and avoid flare-ups all the way up to states.?
During the three day event everybody fought through intense battles as they made their way to the final fight for a place on the podium.
‘It was a rollercoaster of emotion for everybody,? said Coach Joe DeGain. ‘We started off as a great day on Thursday, then we had a slow start on Friday morning. Everybody bounced back really well in the afternoon to put themselves in the position they did and win all of their all-state medals.
‘I am happy with all of them. They wrestled with a lot of courage and a lot of pride.?
Roberson wasn’t the only wrestler to finish in the top eight; four more of his teammates took home medals for All-State positions.
Senior Sloan Hadsall (189) finished on Saturday in fifth place and with a 4-2 record over the three days.
The third period of his final match of the state finals ended in at tie against Steven McClure from Holland West Ottawa at three points.
Hadsall scored in overtime with two points to win.
‘I just came into it as it’s my last match for the rest of my life,? he said. ‘I might as well give it my all.?
Alex Popp (145) finished his high school career with a lost to Brent Winekoff from Plymouth Canton and finished in fourth place and 4-2 during the event.
Matt Deitz (135) went into his last matches of his junior season giving it his all, too.
‘We really didn’t have anything to lose anymore. So just go out there, have fun and wrestle the best you can,? said Deitz.
He ended taking seventh place after defeating Andy Jones from Grand Ledge in a major decision, 9-1. He finished with a 3-2 record.
Jeff Sloney (112) took sixth place after losing to Jacob Scholten from Grandville and was 3-3. Evan King (152) lost both of his matches and finished on Friday.
‘It was a really great year and a testament to the guys who earned medals and all the other wrestlers on the team that helped them train and get to this point,? said DeGain.
‘I was really happy with the way we ended our matches. We were in matches with guys who already earned medals. Our guys really went out and wrestled with courage and tried to get that last win even though they already earned their medal. They went out with a lot of class and wrestled hard. I was really proud of them for that.?
DeGain is excited for the next year with three returning placers and one returning qualifier coming back.
The boys have already set their sights on obtaining first place next year and know what it will take to get there.

See more photos from The Palace of Auburn Hills by clicking on the Blue Button on the right.