The All-News-Herald wrestling team features any wrester who a) won an individual league championship, b) an individual district championship, or c) qualified for the state finals.
Individual season records are courtesy of TrackWrestling.com. This year's all-area team for the News-Herald consists of 45 wrestlers -- 35 boys and 10 girls.
Introducing the 2023-24 All-News-Herald Wrestling Team
SEBASTIAN MARTINEZ | Riverview Gabriel Richard: Among the nearly 30 Downriver area wrestlers who competed at the individual state championships this season was Sebastian Martinez, who successfully defended his state crown once more by claiming a third straight title in Division 4. The only local wrestler to hoist a wooden mitten, Martinez (165 pounds) completed a perfect 54-0 junior campaign that also featured a Catholic League title, a district title, and a regional title.
ZACHARY TAYLOR | Gibraltar Carlson: One area wrestler who competed literally alongside Martinez at the finals was Carlson's Zachary Taylor, who made it all the way to the championship match at 165 poinds in D1. Taylor entered the title bout with an unblemished record on the season before falling in his season finale. Still, the junior finished up the winter season with a 52-1 record that included titles in the Downriver League as well as at districts and regionals.
JAYSON CLARK | Allen Park: Oftentimes setting the tone for Allen Park in dual meets, Jayson Clark put together another strong campaign on the mat. One of five Jags who qualified for states in D1, Clark (120) finished a junior season that included a DRL title, a district title, a regional title, and all-state honors after placing fourth in his class. It all amounted to a sparkling 41-5 record overall.
JORDAN ZAMBON | Riverview Gabriel Richard: One of three Richard wrestlers that competed for a state title, Jordan Zambon has a very bright future ahead of him in the sport. Just a freshman, Zambon (106) picked up 45 victories this winter that included both district and regional titles. The high school rookie was also runner-up at the Catholic League meet and ultimately settled for second at states in his class in D4.
HENRY FELLER | Southgate Anderson: Perhaps the best grappler at Anderson came in the form of Henry Feller, who among his 37 individual wins this season resulted in a DRL title as well as district and regional championships in D2. One of five Titans to compete at the state finals, the senior Feller (190) finished his high school career with all-state recognition following a fourth-place finish.
DREW LADACH | New Boston Huron: One can always count on Huron being strong on the mat and the 2023-24 season was no different. Drew Ladach headlined a group of five Chiefs that punched their tickets to states in D2. Ladach (157) picked up a Huron League title before matching that performance at both districts and regionals in the postseason. The junior all-stater racked up nearly 50 victories on the year.
SANTANA RAMON | Allen Park: It was another dominant season on the mat for Santana Ramon, who qualified for states for a second consecutive season. Ramon (120) in 35 matches won all but three of them in what was his final season of high school wrestling. Among the senior's noteworthy victories was a DRL individual title in which he opted up a weight class to 126 pounds. And after settling for runner-up at districts, he bounced back a week later with a regional title.
LUKE HARRINGTON | Riverview Gabriel Richard: Another up-and-coming wrestler for Gabriel Richard is Luke Harrington, whose sophomore season was a good one. After settling for third place at the end-of-season CHSL meet, Harrington (132) began his postseason run with a district championship. He then finished runner-up a week later at regionals before placing third overall in his weight class at states.
CARSON GEMMEL | New Boston Huron: Another Huron matman who found his way to the state finals at Ford Field was Carson Gemmel. Like his teammate Ladach, Gemmel (113) also picked up championships in both the Huron League and at districts. After a runner-up finish at regionals, the senior wrapped up his high school career with all-state honors following a seventh-place finish at the finals.
STEVEN ANDREONE | Wyandotte Roosevelt: It was a grind for Steven Andreone (215) to get to states, having to navigate through the consolation bracket at both districts and regionals in the weeks prior to qualify. But the junior big man for Roosevelt at numerous times was a dominant force and tough out for D1 competitors. Among Andreone's 34 wins this year was a championship at the DRL meet.
KOEN HUEPENBECKER | Brownstown Woodhaven: Few wrestlers competed in more individual matches than the 55 that Koen Huepenbecker did for Woodhaven this past winter season. And it was another good campaign for Huepenbecker (126), who notched 47 victories. Among the junior's notable postseason accolades in D1 were runner-up finishes at the DRL meet and at districts, third-place at regionals, and eighth place at states.
QAID MOHAMED | Melvindale: The future is bright for Melvindale's Qaid Mohamed, who in only his sophomore season collected 46 victories in 49 tries. Among those 46 wins for Mohamed (106) was a title at the Western Wayne Athletic Conference championships, where he opted up to 113 pounds, as well as a D2 district title a week later. One of his only three losses was when he settled for runner-up at regionals.
ISAAC NORSCIA | Southgate Anderson: It would be hard to find many who wrestled more over their high school career than Isaac Norscia (157). The senior for Anderson competed in 54 matches this past season, winning 44 of them. In addition to a league championship, he concluded his high school career with a trip to the state finals following second-place honors at both districts and regionals the two weeks prior.
DANIEL GEMMEL | New Boston Huron: While Carlson Gemmel will be graduating, the namesake will continue on at Huron with Daniel Gemmel (120) in the mix. Just a freshman for the always-steady Chiefs program, Gemmel's first year of high school wrestling was a good one, finishing with 41 victories that included both a league and district championship. He later went on to place third at regionals and compete at states.
GABE GIBBONS | Wyandotte Roosevelt: Leading the way for Roosevelt was Gabe Gibbons, who figures to have a strong senior campaign next year after what he did this season. Gibbons (138) racked up nearly 50 victories on the mat for the Bears, including wins in the championship matches at leagues, districts, and regionals that earned him a spot at states.
HAMED ALSAADI | Melvindale: Much like his teammate Mohamed did, Hamed Alsaadi earned a WWAC individual title despite opting up weight classes (106 to 120). That was one of 36 wins on the mat for the sophomore, who was the only one to compete at states for the Cardinals after a runner-up finish at districts and a fourth-place finish at regionals in the weeks leading up.
JACKSON SAGE | Southgate Anderson: Another opt-up wrestler in his respective league was Jackson Sage, who was the champion at 175 pounds at the DRL meet despite competing at the 165-pound class in the postseason. The junior standout wrestled in nearly 60 matches for the Titans this season. His postseason achievements included a D2 district title as well as a third-place finish at regionals.
REECE BRANT | Brownstown Woodhaven: It's the end of a long and strong high school career for Reece Brant (144), who ended his season with Woodhaven with a trip to states alongside his teammate Huepenbecker. The senior for the Warriors turned in 41 victories this past season with a postseason resumed that included second-place at both the DRLs and districts and fourth place at regionals.
YASEEN JABER | Allen Park: There was no shortage of depth and battle-tested talent for what continues to be a resurgent Allen Park program. Yaseen Jaber (165) fits that mold and then some as the junior posted a 35-13 mark this season. After a runner-up placing at the DRL meet, he matched that placing at districts a week later before qualifying for states with a fourth-place showing at regionals.
HABIBULLAH MAJEDI | Southgate Anderson: A potential budding young star in the Downriver League comes in the form of Habi Majedi over at Anderson. Just a sophomore this year, Majedi (113) was a tough out for opposing league grapplers this winter. He like many Titans on this list picked up a conference title and earned a trip to the state finals after placing second and fourth at districts and regionals, respectively.
CARLOS SANCHEZ | Allen Park: Another key returning wrestler for Allen Park next season is Carlos Sanchez, who put together a similar resume to his teammate and classmate Jaber. Sanchez (138), who did not compete at the league meet, returned to the postseason for the Jags in a big way with a second-place showing at districts and a fourth-place finish at regionals.
ZACH ALLMAN | Wyandotte Roosevelt: As was the case with his teammate Andreone, Roosevelt's Zach Allman had to gut it out in the consolation bracket at both districts and regionals in order to earn a trip to the state finals. Third and fourth-place finishes at each, respectively, helped guide the senior (285) for the Bears to a 26-11 mark overall.
BRAYDEN HALL | New Boston Huron: Among the standout underclassmen with high upside in the Downriver area in Brayden Hall over at Huron. Hall (138) in his first year of high school wrestling collected championships at both the Huron League meet and at districts a week later. Despite not qualifying for the state finals, the freshman for the Chiefs turned in a remarkable 44-5 record overall.
LAVELLE HUGHES | Southgate Anderson: A lot of wrestlers at Anderson have seen a lot of time on the mat over their careers. Lavelle Hughes is one of them. Hughes (165) concluded his high school career with a senior campaign that included 33 wins. Among those were at the district and regional meets, both of which resulted in second-place honors. He also had a third-place finish in what was a deep 165-pound class at the DRL meet.
BROCK CULPEPPER | Trenton: Yet another young local wrestler with a potentially bright future ahead of them is Brock Culpepper at Trenton. Having just wrapped up his sophomore season, Culpepper (190) turned in a 43-win season for the Trojans, including a fourth-place showing at the Downriver League championships and salvaging third-place honors at both districts and regionals.
GRYPHON ALWELL | Allen Park: One wrestler who helped elevate the Allen Park program in recent years was Gryphon Alwell. The senior (175) for the Jags, like several wrestlers on this list, had to sweat it out on his road to the state finals as evident by his fourth-place finish at both districts and regionals in the weeks prior. He also took home second-place honors at the DRL meet.
GASSAR MUSAID | Melvindale: Should the Melvindale program continue to climb back up the ranks in Downriver, Gassar Musaid will be at the forefront of that push. Like his teammate Alsaadi did, Musaid (126) opted up two weight classes at the WWAC meet to win the 138-pound title. The sophomore for the Cardinals a week later placed runner-up at districts before seeing his season end with a tough loss in the consolation semis at regionals.
CAYDEN BANKO | New Boston Huron: Another Huron freshman who figures to be a staple in the Huron League for years to come is Cayden Banko. Despite not competing at the league championships, Banko (132) showed out in the postseason for the Chiefs, punching a ticket to the state finals after placing third at districts and second at regionals.
NICK MARTINEZ | Lincoln Park: Few wrestlers on this list have collected more victories over their careers than Nick Martinez (285) for Lincoln Park. The senior turned in 42 of them versus just 12 defeats this season. Among those was a convincing run to a championship at the Downriver League meet before seeing his season end at districts a week later.
DESMOND KING | Wyandotte Roosevelt: Similar to Martinez, the end of the season and high school career for Desmond King was one highlighted by a Downriver League title, one of his 38 victories on the year. It was a tough finish for the steady senior (144) for Roosevelt, who fell just shy of qualifying for regionals with a loss in the blood round at districts.
LANDON JULIO | New Boston Huron: The 138-pound weight class is a stacked one over at Huron with multiple all-area wrestlers on the list. Joining the aforementioned Brayden Hall in that category is junior Landon Julio, who like several on this year's all-area squad had to gut it out in the postseason to make an appearance at states. Julio earned such honors with fourth-place finishes at districts and regionals.
ABDULLAH SALEM | Melvindale: Sticking with the theme of young, up-and-coming wrestlers at Melvindale, Abdullah Salem hopes to be in that group of state-qualifiers in the future. Salem (106) in his freshman season was the champion at the WWAC meet, one of his 27 victories on the year. He then opted up to 113 pounds at districts, where he ultimately came up short in the consolational semifinals.
NATHAN MATSOS | New Boston Huron: The Chiefs should be loaded once more in the 2024-25 season and Matsos will be in that mix. Just a sophomore, Matsos (150) tallied a first-place finish at the Huron League meet at season's end, one of his 28 victories.
KEVIN LOPEZ | Trenton: Grinding through the field at the Downriver League meet is always a tough one. But Kevin Lopez put together his best stretch of wrestling during the conference championships. The senior (150) earned the Trojans their title at the meet, one of his 29 victories on the year.
JASON DOWNS | New Boston Huron: Look up and down the roster and Huron will have an state-qualifying caliber of wrester in the future. In a very limited sample size, Jason Downs showed a lot of promise for the Chiefs. The sophomore (132) won all nine of his matches this past season, among those being the championship matches at both the Huron League and district meets.
RIHANNA VENEGAS | Riverview Gabriel Richard: The only local female wrestler that competed for a state championship was Rihanna Venegas of Gabriel Richard. Venegas earned all-state honors for a third straight season after settling for runner-up in the finals match at 145 pounds. It was the junior's only defeat in 14 matches this winter.
ALYSSA CAMPBELL | Allen Park: The Campbell namesake has been a strong one at Allen Park in recent history and Alyssa Campbell has continued that tradition. Campbell (100) finished with a stout 28-2 mark on the season, with one of those losses taking place at the state finals. Nonetheless, the sophomore finished the year with a regional title, a third-place finish at the DRL meet (at 106 pounds), and third place at states.
SPARROW CENTENO | Southgate Anderson: Among the more decorated all-around athletes on this list is Sparrow Centeno of Anderson. A standout on the running circuit in both the fall and spring seasons for the Titans, Centeno (105) earned all-state honors in wrestling this season with a sixth-place finish at the finals. This comes after winning both a DRL title (106 pounds) and a regional title weeks prior.
ADELINE TUCCINI | Allen Park: The girls' wrestling program at Allen Park is among the stronger ones in the state thanks in part to the efforts of Adeline Tuccini. One of eight all-state female wrestlers on this list, Tuccini (125) won 75 percent of her matches (21-7) this past season. Among the junior's postseaon accolades include sixth at the DRLs (132 pounds), second at regionals, and sixth at the state finals.
JACEY BARNABEI | Riverview Gabriel Richard: It's a formiddable 1-2 punch over at Gabriel Richard with the likes of Jacey Barnabei joining the aforementioned Venegas. The sophomore (140) for the Pioneers tallied a remarkable 25 victories versus just six losses this season. That record included a regional title followed by a fourth-place finish at states.
BROOKLYN SAGE | Southgate Anderson: Following a regional title and an appearance at the state finals this past season, a strong swan song senior season could be in store for Brooklyn Sage next year. Sage (155) finished her junior campaign with 17 victories, three of which were at the individual state championships that led to all-state honors.
HAILEY WISLER | New Boston Huron: Only the aforementioned Campbell had more victories on the mat than Hailey Wisler when it comes to local female wrestlers. Only a sophomore, among the 27 wins for Wisler (120) this past winter season led to a runner-up finish at regionals as well as a fifth-place showing at the state finals.
MARIAH TORRES | Lincoln Park: The only state-qualifying wrestler for Lincoln Park this season came in the form of Mariah Torres. Another standout athlete in cross country and track. Torres (100) joined Campbell is earning all-state honors in her weight class. A third-place finish at regionals and seventh-place at states led to an 18-win campaign for the senior.
LAYLA SIMONS | Southgate Anderson: One of three all-area grapplers in the girls' division for Anderson, Layla Simons joined her teammates Centeno and Sage in collecting regional championships during the postseason. Despite just a 1-2 finish at the state finals, the senior (170) concluded her high school career with a 13-4 mark overall.
PAIGE YOUNG | Allen Park: The future may very well be bright for one Paige Young at Allen Park. Young (140) got her feet wet on the met this past season by competing in nearly 30 matches. The freshman qualified for states following a gutty fourth-place finish at regionals a week prior.