By Wendi Reardon Price
Staff Writer
wprice@mihomepaper.com
DETROIT — Clarkston Varsity Wrestling ended the season with six All-State finishers at Ford Field for the MHSAA Division 1 Individual Wrestling State Championships, Feb. 28 – March 1.
Senior Archer Anderson claimed his second straight state championship, this season it was in the 126-pound weight class.
Senior Preston LeFevre finished in second place in the 138-pound weight class. Senior Camden Neumann (285) finished in third place; junior Nate Carter (150), fourth place; sophomore Gavin Culloty (113), fifth place; and junior Trey Setter (165), seventh place.
Anderson went undefeated in his final appearance in the state championship going 4-0. He began the tournament with a technical fall over Brighton’s Drake Pollins, 15-0, marking his 150th win. He also defeated Bedford’s Tristan King with a technical fall in the quarterfinal round, 15-0. Anderson defeated Jenison’s Aurelio Mendez in the semifinal round, 10-3 before winning the championship against Rochester Adams’ Deacon Morgan, 14-9.
LeFevre went 3-1 for the tournament with wins over Hudsonville’s Jaxon Workman with a technical fall, 15-0; Salem’s Gavin Holcombe with a technical fall, 17-0; and Grandville’s Josh Vasquez, 7-4. LeFevre also celebrated achieving 150 wins, which he accomplished during the individual regional tournament.
“He wanted to celebrate it at the state tournament – his last tournament,” shared Brian Gibbs, head coach.

“For people to get 150 it’s tough to do,” he added, “It’s great to see that happen. Both had great tournaments and great careers. It’s nice to see them go out like that.”
Anderson finished his high school career as a four-time All-State finisher, three time finalist and two time champion. LeFevre finished his high school career as a four-time All-State finisher and two time finalist.
“Preston and Archer are our second and third ever in Clarkston history as four-time All-State athletes in any sport – it’s a huge thing,” said Gibbs.
Neumann went 4-1 with wins over Bryon Center’s Jackson Bovia by a fall, 1:44; Fordson’s Ammar Alrobaie by major decision, 11-0; White Lake Lakeland’s Andre Neumann by a fall, 3:58; and Dakota’s Brady Hamby by a fall, 4:18.
“Camden had probably the best tournament he has ever wrestled,” Gibbs said. “For a guy who started wrestling in high school, he’s come a long way – mentally and wrestling wise. For him to only lose to the champ and throughout the regular season had a win over the runner-up. Then, place third at the tournament, he had an amazing year and probably wrestling the best tournament we have seen him compete in and go through the highs and lows of a state tournament. It’s cool to see him keep his composure and stay solid throughout the whole weekend.”
Carter went 3-2 for the tournament with wins over Grand Ledge’s Timmy Hubert with a technical fall, 18-0; Detroit Catholic Central’s Alexander Buskirk by decision, 6-3; and John Glenn Westland’s Franklin Hernandez by fall, 38 seconds.
Culloty went 3-2 for the tournament. He defeated Detroit Catholic Central’s Cadon Waatti with a major decision, 15-4; Mattawan’s Dylan Putman with a major decision, 13-2; and Bedford’s Cody Duvendack by decision, 8-4.
“Gavin had a great tournament after qualifying last year and falling short of his goals,” Gibbs said. “He had a great tournament in a really tough bracket.”
Setter went 3-2 with wins over Detroit Catholic Central’s Andrew White, 12-8; Waterford Kettering’s Jamari Powell, 7-1; and St. Clair Shores Lakeview’s Logan Craft, 12-3.
The Wolves had nine qualify for the state finals which included freshman Joey Hahn (106), freshman Jay Wilson (106) and junior Ayden Mutter (144).
“Anytime we have more than half of our line up at the individual state tournament it’s a good thing for our program,” Gibbs said. “Out of those nine, six are returning next year along with three other regional qualifiers. It’s a good promise for the future. In the stands we had 15-20 of our youth wrestlers watching them compete. They were able to see our upperclassmen, our leaders. It’s a big thing for them and the longevity of our program.”
The Wolves finished the season as a team in the in the Final Four at the MHSAA Division 1 Team Wrestling Semifinals with a 39-25 loss to Detroit Catholic Central at Kalamazoo Wings Event Center, Feb. 22.
“I thought it was a good end to the season,” said Gibbs about finishing in the Final Four. “The last few weeks in the final push I think all the wrestlers were excited to compete. It’s a big thing when you want to compete and want to wrestle – good things happen.”
Culloty opened the match with a 11-3 win over Waatti before Detroit Catholic Central took the next two matches to take the lead with a technical fall and fall.
The Wolves won the next three matches beginning with Anderson (132) with a 8-2 win over Mack Moscovic; LeFevre with a 3-0 win over Nathan Walkowiak; and Carter with a 9-4 win over Grayson Fuchs.
DCC captured wins in the next six matches and the Wolves closed the semifinal with a fall by Neumann over Benny Eziuka and and a fall by Wilson over Richard Mogle.
“Everything really had to be perfect,” Gibbs said. “We had a couple matches slip away. In those two matches if we had come out on the right end on those two then the dual is a little bit different then we are wrestling in the state finals. Overall I am proud and happy with how they all competed. I am glad we were able to send the senior class out wrestling on a big stage.”
The Wolves defeated Temperance Bedford in the quarterfinals on Feb. 21, 36-35.
“We had a really good match with Bedford, my alma mater, who always wrestle tough at the team tournament,” said Gibbs. “It was good to get by them.”
Wins for the Wolves came from Culloty over Griffin Tibai with a fall, 3:06; Anderson (126) over Tristan King with a technical fall, 20-2; LeFevre over Lucas Gerber with a technical fall, 15-0; Carter over Caden Merritt with a fall, 2:28; Mutter (157) over Gavin Roytek, 17-4; Chase Olson (190) over Simon Montrie, 9-1; and Hahn over Grayson Vaillant with a fall, 1:07.
Clarkston claimed the OAA Red Championship, district championship and regional championship this season. Gibbs was named Division 1 Coach of the Year

  Clarkston Athletics, individual finals, MHSAA, team finals, Wrestling