A record seven Brandon High School grapplers competed at the Michigan High School Athelic Association individual state championships on Feb. 27 and March 1 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Top finisher for the Blackhawks was Bryan LaVearn (112 pounds) who finished second to Lucas Hall of Lowell High School.
Competing for the Blackhawks were Brendan Ladd (103 pounds, 54-3) third place; Bryan LaVearn (112 pounds, 51-2) second place; Gordy Dwyer (130 pounds, 39-12) did not place; Ethan Douglas (135 pounds, 47-12) did not place; Trevor Bourdeau (140 pounds, 45-8) did not place; Max Wardell (160 lbs., 40-7) did not wrestle; and Matt Sears (171 lbs., 44-11) did not place. The Brandon wrestlers qualified during competition Feb. 15 at North Branch High School.
‘In years past we had only qualified three wrestlers in one year,? said Eric Donders, Blackhawk coach. ‘This year we sent seven to the states. We had a good weekend, some came up short. Brenden Ladd had a fantastic weekend. Bryan LaVearn pinned three opponents before the finals. The night did not go the way he wanted. Still, you can’t ask for a better group of kids. There’s some very tough competition out there.?