‘Laser focused’ Mirjavadi completes quest for state title
Brayden Mirjavadi got the last laugh.
The Romeo senior pinned three opponents before scoring a decision in the finals on the way to winning the state Division 1 wrestling championship at 190 pounds.
“What really stands out,” coach Jim Cali said, “is how he dominated on his way to the finals and avenging a loss in the finals where he wasn’t ever in trouble.”
Mirjavadi’s drive to the title could be traced to when he lost a 3-1 decision to Temperance Bedford’s Rollie Denker in the 160 championship bout in 2022, Cali said.
“After his loss in the state finals as a junior, Brayden put it in his mind that he wanted to get back to the finals and have another crack at the title,” Cali said. “He was very bummed how it ended. He lost on a last-second takedown. He kind of let down his guard for a second, and that was it.
“This year he really opened up his mind. I could tell at our camp in the summer that he was really trying to be a student of the sport.”
Mirjavadi won the championship at the Macomb County tournament, a December event that is typically the first major test for many wrestlers. And he continued to roll, adding district and regional championships in February.
“He was laser focused all year,” Cali said. “He would do extra work on the mat after practice pretty much daily, consistently lift before or after practice, did extra cardio seven days a week, and had a clean diet. On top of that he carries a 3.771 GPA with tough classes.”
Mirjavadi, who helped Romeo reach the state semifinals in the team tournament, started the individual finals with a pin in 1:19 against Temperance Bedford’s Robbie Gossard.
In his second match, he posted another first-period pin when he defeated Lake Orion’s Micah Wellbaum in 1:13.
In the final match of the opening day, he pinned Belleville’s Demond Harrison in 3:32.
Mirjavadi defeated Rockford’s Ryan Ahern 3-2 in the champi
onship bout at Ford Field on March 4. That gave him a 52-4 record for the season.
“Brayden was one of our captains and did a great job of leading this team,” Cali said.
Mirjavadi was one of six all-state Bulldogs.
Here are Cali’s comments on the others:
Joshua McMillan (3010), eighth, 150: “Josh had a tough draw right off the bat, but he battled back with a couple tough matches before his knee couldn’t take it anymore. What a year he had, though. The first time being entered in district and he ends up placing in the state. It just shows the heart and courage Josh has.”
Tyler Pressel (39-19), seventh, 165: “Tyler wrestled probably the best tournament of the season at Ford Field. That says a lot because he is a first-time qualifier and wrestling the toughest competition. He had a huge match in the blood round to beat a kid he lost to twice earlier. It
was straight effort and desire personified.”
Iban Contreras (4111), sixth, 285: “Iban is an incredible story. He literally came out for the team last year after never wrestling before. He worked out all offseason, was on our summer dual team, and wrestled this year like a seasoned veteran. Iban made the semifinals and had a great tournament.”
Bryce Holt (45-12), fourth, 106: “Bryce is a little bit of an anomaly. Most freshmen don’t just come in and win 45 matches and place in the state tournament. It just goes to show all the hard work Bryce put in before his high school career. He trains with a purpose, competes like a senior, and is mature beyond his years.”
Owen Youngblood (4015), sixth, 126: “Owen really started to come into his own at the right time. He was a regional champion and then made the state semifinals. Owen has qualified for the individual state tournament every year, placing twice. He is tough as nails and showed all year he can compete with anyone.”