Owen Guilford Named March Student Athlete of the Month

Owen Guilford, a senior wrestler and football player at Portland High School, has been chosen as the winner of the J-Dubbs Signature Subs/Portland Beacon Student Athlete of the Month award for March.

In his nomination of Guilford, Raider Wrestling Head Coach Mark Holdren said, “Owen became Portland High School's first two-time state champion and ended the season with a perfect 48-0 record by pinning his opponent in the finals.”

Holdren also said, “Owen has had a great career in wrestling here at Portland. I have enjoyed being a part of his high school experience.”

The 5’ 7” 170-pound Guilford was also a member of the Raider football team.

Guilford recently decided to continue his wrestling career at Olivet College. The Comets compete in NCAA Division III. The 2018-2019 team finished fourth in the NCAA III Central Regional and had seven NCWA Scholar All-Americans.

When he is not wrestling or playing football, Guilford is an avid outdoorsman and a member of group of local young men known as Dangus Outdoors. The group describes itself as, “A group of friends living the outdoor life in Mid-Michigan. Hunting, fishing, and other special adventures. Owen Guilford, Mitchell Mallek, Hunter Klein, and Jon Powers plus other special guests.” You can find them on YouTube and Instagram.

J-Dubbs Signature Subs of Portland has partnered with The Portland Beacon to sponsor this award. The monthly winner will receive a free sub of his/her choice from J-Dubbs Signature Subs. Monthly winners will be entered for a chance at the Student Athlete of the Year award, and a free party platter from J-Dubbs Signature Subs.

To be nominated, a student athlete must attend either Portland High School or St. Patrick School, and be a member of a varsity sports program or school-sponsored athletic club at his/her school. Nominations may be made by a member of their high school coaching staff, athletic director, principal, or a school recognized student government organization at his/her school. Nominations are also accepted from The Portland Beacon contributing writers.

The monthly winner is selected by a three-person panel consisting of myself and Portland Beacon contributors Robert Lathers and Benjamin Rex Cross.

Other talented local athletes receiving nominations for March were:

Emma Armour – PHS Bowling Nominated by PHS Girls Bowling Coach Joe Whitford Coach. Whitford said, “She bowled a 220 game in match play and won 12 points. In the CAAC conference she is averaging 171. At the CAAC conference tournament she finished 15th out of 61 girls. At regionals, Emma placed in 4th which earned her a spot for the state championship. She is one of our captains and has help lead our team to its 2nd in a row of us attending States for the State Championship. Along with leading our team to another conference championship.”

Jessie Whitford - PHS Bowling Nominated by PHS Girls Bowling Coach Joe Whitford Coach. Whitford said, “Jessie bowled a 192 game in match play and won 8 points. In the CAAC conference she is averaging 151. At the CAAC conference tournament she finished 17th out of 61 girls. At regionals, Jessie placed in 5th which earned her a spot for the state championship. It’s awesome for a freshman to qualify for the State title. Not too many freshmen have done that. Matter of fact there were only 3 freshmen at the State finals in Division 3. She has helped lead our team to its 2nd in a row CAAC league championship and helped us qualifying for the State Championship.”

The Portland Beacon’s Student Athlete of the Month contest is sponsored by J-Dubbs Signature Subs of Portland.