John Glenn expected the little things would decide its district fate.
But the Bobcats never anticipated that every little thing would go their way.
Getting a trumped-up effort that even the coaching staff didn’t expect, Glenn powered past North Branch 47-25 and Bay City Central 77-6 to win the Division 2 team wrestling district title for the first time in three years.
“This group tends to show up when least expected,” Glenn coach Matt Bishop said. “We went through bouts of sickness and injury, and there were times when the coaches were feeling low about things. But these dudes are resilient.
“They rise to the occasion, time and time again.”
The title spirits Glenn on to the regional round for the fifth time in program history. A much-anticipated rematch with Freeland – which ousted Glenn in the district level the past two years – remains a possibility.
But first Glenn needed to weather a fast-rising North Branch squad in the district semifinal. Bishop said, on paper, the Bobcats would need a few swing matches to go their way. Unexpectedly, every swing match went their way, starting with Lucas Schalk in the opening match at 215 pounds.
“Lucas has had moments where he’s been really successful and moments that were not so great, so we were worried about his consistency,” Bishop said. “But we felt we could take his guy down then stay on his feet. Seven takedowns is a tech fall, so we told him to go for it.
“Sure enough, seven takedowns later, he’s got a tech fall — and that’s how we started our dual. In our heads, that was a swing match, and Lucas couldn’t have started it any better. Then things just ramped up from there.”
Izaak Kukulski added a highlight to the night by notching the 150th win of his varsity career for Glenn.
“It feels like this year has been wrought with challenges, with lots of highs and lows,” Bishop said. “But the last three weeks, we’re starting to get into our lane and the kids are finding their groove. We’re hitting our stride, and it’s a nice time of year to do that.”
Maksim Calhoun of the Bay City Central wrestling team for 2025-26.Lee Thompson | lthomps2@mlive.com
CENTRAL GETS TASTE OF TRIUMPH
Bay City Central didn’t hoist a trophy.
But they did get their moment of triumph, and that was enough for the Wolves to hold their hands up high.
A program that has been scratching and clawing to find its footing, Central enjoyed its first taste of tournament success in 12 years with a win over Clio in the Division 2 district semifinal at John Glenn.
The victory came in dramatic fashion as Central and Clio dueled to a 39-39 standoff before the Wolvers were declared winners by the third tiebreaker criteria. Central went on to lose to No. 12-ranked Glenn 77-6 in the final but left with moment to treasure.
“The kids were going nuts, the parents were ecstatic… it was good to see,” Central coach Augie Facundo said.
“This is the first time we’ve had a full roster in I don’t know how long. And they’re working harder and harder every day. Nothing is given, that’s what they’re told on a daily basis.”
Central got wins from Demetri Olivo (106), Jaime Olivo (113), Nick Ireland (144), Maksim Calhoun (165), Martez Berry (190), Shoal Grischke (215) and Quandrez Brown (285), landing its first postseason victory since its 2014 district title.
Calhoun delivered the win of the night, pinning his opponent after trailing in the match.
The Wolves were beaten by Clio by 12 points just a week ago, but they came out for the rematch with a belief that big things were possible.
“(Assistant coach Tony Escamilla) and I put our heads together and looked at the lineup, bumped a couple kids around, then hoped that we could pull out a couple wins where maybe we weren’t supposed to win,” Facundo said. “And they went out and gave their all.
“We told the kids, ‘Stay off your back, wrestle your butt off and don’t give up.’ And they did what they had to do.”
GARBER REACHES TITLE ROUND
Essexville Garber came to the end of the line.
But the Dukes made some noise on their way to the finish.
Garber ousted Midland Bullock Creek 46-18 in the Division 3 district semifinal it hosted before getting turned away by Sanford Meridian in the title match.
Jamar Jackson and Kaden Oswald posted 2-0 records on the day while Ryleigh Foerster, Blake Heppner, Jackson Lauria, Landyn Simpson, William Randall and Owen Boucha each scored one victory for the Dukes.
Bay City Area
Team Wrestling Districts
DIVISION 2
At Bay City Western
Thursday, Feb. 12
6 p.m. – Freeland at Bay City Western
7:15 p.m. – Mount Pleasant vs. Freeland/Western
Winner advances to regional
At John Glenn
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Bay City Central 39, Clio 39
John Glenn 47, North Branch 25
John Glenn 77, Bay City Central 6
John Glenn advances to regional
DIVISION 3
At Essexville Garber
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Sanford Meridian 60, Laker 6
Essexville Garber 46, Midland Bullock Creek 18
Sanford Meridian def. Essexville Garber
Sanford Meridian advances to regional
At Standish-Sterling
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Gladwin 81, Pinconning 0
Gladwin 72, Standish-Sterling 6
Gladwin advances to regional
At Clare
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Remus Chippewa Hills 57, Clare 18
Shepherd 47, Alma 26
Shepherd 41, Chippewa Hills 36
Shepherd advances to regional
At Ogemaw Heights
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Grayling 78, Lake City 6
Ogemaw Heights 76, Tawas 4
Ogemaw Heights 59, Grayling 18
Ogemaw Heights advances to regional
DIVISION 4
At Oscoda
Thursday, Feb. 12
6 p.m. – Whittemore-Prescott vs. Mio
6 p.m. – Oscoda vs. Alcona
7:30 p.m. – Championship
Winner advances to regional
At Coleman
Thursday, Feb. 12
6 p.m. – Breckenridge vs. Merrill
7:15 p.m. – Coleman vs. Beaverton
8:30 p.m. – Championship
Winner advances to regional
At Bad Axe
Thursday, Feb. 12
6 p.m. – Ubly vs. Akron-Fairgrove
7:15 p.m. – Cass City vs. Ubly/Akron-Fairgrove
Winner advances to regional
