Wolves’ Vogt beats old foe to win first regional
Brady Vogt’s wrestling career didn’t necessarily get off to a great start.
He began wrestling in middle school and suffered a bro- ken elbow in his first year. Then COVID hit, delaying his development while competing in a tough OAA Red division.
But after coming from behind to beat a familiar foe and winning the 120-pound championship at Saturday’s Division 1 individual regional at Hartland High School, things are all coming together for the Clarkston senior.
Vogt got an escape early in the third period, then scored on a takedown and added three more on a near-fall to defeat Oxford senior Koen Eberhard, 9-7, to win the regional title and earn his first-ever trip to the Individual State Finals at Ford Field on March 3-4.
“Brady has been the workhorse in our room the past couple of years,” Clarkston head coach Brian Gibbs said. “This year, that hard work has been showing on the mats. That late third-period takedown and near fall is what sealed the match and I think that’s very reflective of his hard work.”
It was Eberhard who knocked Vogt out of the district tournament his sophomore year. Eberhard defeated Vogt again at this year’s Oakland County tournament. Vogt returned the favor with a 14-5 major decision victory in the two teams’ OAA Red match in January. Saturday’s dual was the rubber match this season.
“We both know each other’s style and we know what’s coming, so it’s really just who brings it hardest on that day,” said Vogt, who has his sights set high entering the state finals. “I want to win it all. I know I’m going to have to work hard in the room these next two weeks and get ready to take it hard to every one of my opponents at the state tournament.”
Gibbs has no doubt Vogt will work hard to give himself a chance to achieve his goals.“Last year, not even qualifying, he wrestled in a tough regional where all four qualifiers were top six in the state,” Gibbs said. “This year, coming back and winning a regional title, that’s huge for his confidence.”
Vogt will be joined by seven of his teammates, who also qualified out of the regional. Preston LeFevre (113 pounds), Nate Carter (126), Auggie Anderson (138) and Cayden Strong (144) finished runner-up, while Archer Anderson (113), Ethan LeFevre (150) and Brock Trevino (175) all took third place to move on to states.
By finishing runner-up, Eberhard also qualified for the Finals. He will be joined by teammates Gavin Lewis, who defeated Flushing’s Dylon Labelle in the 106-pound championship match, Dominic Benjamin (113) and Micah Roper (157) — all whom finished top four at one of the toughest regionals in the state.
Host Hartland qualified 10 individuals for the state finals, with three taking home regional titles: Bodie Abbey (113), Vinnie Abbey (157) and Nick Rochowiak
iak (165) were crowned champions.
Defending Division 1 team state champion Davison matched Clarkston’s eight qualifiers, with four winning championships, including Caden Horwath (126), Justin Gates (138), Evan Herriman (144) and Josh Barr (175).
Milford qualified five of its wrestlers for the Finals. Ike Stufft won his consolation final at 190 pounds, defeating Lakeland’s Jake Law, 6-3.
Aidan Beattie (215), Kyle Scofield (285), Grant Stec (144) and Kamia Fielder (126) also qualified for the Mavericks.
Lake Orion’s Judah Kinne, will be returning to Ford Field, where he finished fourth a year ago. The senior avenged his lone loss of the year, defeating Saginaw Arthur Hill’s Lionel Baldwin, 7-6, in the final at 285. Just a week ago, Baldwin edged Kinne, 2-1, in the district final.
“It definitely lit a big fire in my stomach. I wanted it more and I wanted to prove that I’m still good and that I can beat (Baldwin),” said Kinne, who is now 28-1 overall. “Throughout the season, I haven’t always seen the best of competition or been in a lot of close matches, but against (Baldwin), I knew it was going to be a good matchup.”
Two of Kinne’s teammates also qualified for states. Senior Micah Wellbaum fell to Grand Blanc’s Owen Turnbow in the 190-pound championship match. And junior Hunter Swatosh finished third at 126 pounds, knocking off Fielder in the consolation final. Other Oakland County wrestlers who qualified out include Lakeland’s Law, Seaholm’s Jack Salyer (106), Walled Lake Northern’s Brycen Anderson (175), West Bloomfield’s Jason Onwenu (157) and Bloomfield Hills’ Garrett Jansen (157).