Three Raider Wrestlers Compete in Individual States, One Brings Home Title

A trio of Raider wrestlers competed at the MHSAA Division 3 individual state tournament on Friday and Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit.

Senior Desmond Gardner finished fifth place in the 140-pound weight class.

Gardner entered the tournament with a season record of 42-5. In his first match on Friday, he pinned Sam Jackson of Otisville Lakeville. In his second match, Gardner lost to Nick Felt of Shelby by a score of 11-2. Felt would eventually end up taking second place.

In his third match, Gardner beat Cole Hansen of Gladstone 17-2, followed by pinning Blain Wood of Caro. Next, Gardner lost to Hayden Bastien of Richmond 2-0.

In his final match of the tournament, Gardner would pin Fremont’s Cade Breuker at 0:23 to finish in fifth place.

Senior Devin Miller finished fourth place in the 160-pound weight class.

Miller entered the tournament with a 44-6 record. He lost his first match on Friday 5-0 to Derek McCollom of Whitehall. He would then beat Cameron Gilley of Comstock 11-3. Next, he defeated Reginald Muse of Michigan Collegiate High School of Warren 7-6.

In his fourth match, he beat David Kaltz of Richmond 3-1. Miller would move on to defeat Gavin Morgan of Mt. Morris. In his last match of the tournament, Miller would lose to Charley Newton of Essexville Garber 4-3.

Junior Owen Guilford won the State Championship at 171-pound weight class.

Guilford entered the tournament with a 39-1 record. His first match was a 15-2 major decision over Zack Randall of Algonac. Next, he would pin Kayleb Venema of Whitehall at 3:49.

In the semi-final, Guilford would face another Algonac wrestler in Jack Jewell, who he would beat in a major decision 15-3.

In the championship match, Guilford met Robert Granberry of Chippewa Hills. Granberry entered the tournament 45-5. Guilford dominated much of the match against Granberry and won decisively with a score of 10-1.

Guilford is the first Portland wrestler to win a state title since 2000 when Jonah Lyon won at the 152-pound weight class.

Owen Guilford is the second Guilford to win a state title for Portland, following his uncle Chad who won the crown in 1997 at the same 171-pound weight class.

Photo courtesy of AJ Guilford. From left to right, Coach Andy Pulling, Devin Miller, Owen Guilford, Coach Mark Holdren, Desmond Gardner, Assistannt Coach Ryan Fedewa.