By Barbra Chong

West Michigan Pursuit travelled to Lansing for the Sparty School Team Duals, Individual and Team Duals and West Region’s Reeths Puffer tournament this last weekend. 

School-based duals were held on Friday. Kaleb Pautke and Harper Cheng wrestled with Byron Center. Pautke won two of his matches and Cheng won a match. Their team finished in 8th. Josh Vasquez wrestled with Grandville and he went 4-0, his team finished in 7th. 

WMP entered 11 wrestlers in the Saturday individual event. 49 lb Brody Compau, 8U finished in 4th. 58 lb Tatianna Castillo, 9U Girls finished in 2nd and 72 lb Luke Egan, 12U finished in 2nd. Sparty Champions are 95 lb Blake Peasley, 12U and 72 lb Josh Vasquez, 12U. 

Team Duals were on Sunday and WMP had six wrestlers enter. 49 lb Brody Compau wrestled on the 8U Team MYWAY. He won 3 matches and his team finished 2nd. 72 lb Luke Egan, 85 lb Ayden McClurken and 95 lb Blake Peasley wrestled on the 12U Cyclone Team. Egan and Peasley won 4 matches each and McClurken won 2 matches. Their team finished 4th. 85 lb Tyler Parmeter wrestled on the 10U Cyclone Team. Parmeter won three matches and his team finished 6th. 72 lb Josh Vasquez wrestled on the 12U Michigan Revolution team. He went 5-0, earning Team MVP of the day. Special recognition to Josh for going 12-0 the entire weekend. His Team MVP status is very well deserved. 

We also had nine wrestlers enter the Reeths Puffer tournament. 67/72 lb Jaxon Bowyer, 7/8 age group; 78 lb Logan Galinis, 9/10 age group; 61/64 lb Dylan Russo, 7/8 age group and 46 lb Emmett Russo, 4/6 age group all finished in 4th. 80 lb Alex Russo, 11/12 novice age group finished 3rd. Champions of the day are 58 lb Tatianna Castillo, 7/8 age group and 61/64 lb Blake Werkema, 7/8 age group. 

“I have been pushing these kids hard, preparing them for very bright futures. They are competing with some of the best wrestlers in the Nation and I am very proud of their response,” said Head Coach Dave Andrus.

If you are interested in learning more about this sport or if your wrestler is looking to compete at the next level, come check us out.  We are located in the Cedar Springs Sports Plex, practices are Tuesday and Thursdays.

Pictured is Harper Cheng, Champion in the 75 lb, 9/10 age group. Photo by B. Chong.

By Barbra Chong

West Michigan Pursuit entered 16 grapplers to wrestle this weekend and 15 placed in the top 4. 

Blake Werkema, travelled to Chippewa Hills and wrestled in the 52 lb, 7/8 age group. He went undefeated and claimed his first Championship of the season. 

Three grapplers travelled to Vicksburg for the opportunity to claim a Championship ring instead of the typical medal. Aaiden Vasquez, 61 lb 7/8 age group finished 2nd. Drew Moro, 64 lb 7/8 age group and 70 lb Josh Vasquez, 11/12 age group, both claimed Championship titles along with their Championship rings. 

Four grapplers traveled to Oxford for the Northeast Greights tournament. Kellen Weckesser, 59 lb 9/10 age group finished 3rd. Finishing second was Quinten Cassiday, 63 lb 9/10 age group; 67 lb Luke Egan, 9/10 age group; and 85 lb Blake Peasley, 9/10 age group. 

The rest of the team travelled to GVSU. Kamden Witte, 67 lb 9/10 age group finished 4th. Finishing second was 67 lb Evan Andrews, 9/10 age group; 70 lb Xavier Carpentier, 11/12 age group; 67 lb Caden Green, 7/8 Novice age group; and 55 lb Kaleb Pautke, 7/8 age group. Those claiming Championship titles included 52 lb Tatianna Castillo, 7/8 age group and 75 lb Harper Cheng, 9/10 age group. This was Harper’s first Championship of the season. 

“Each week my athletes and their families continue to impress me with their dedication to this sport. Even with the inclement weather and being Super Bowl Sunday, these kids all showed up to compete. We are the Pursuit of Champions,” said Head Coach, Dave Andrus.

Tatianna Castillo was champion in the 52lb 7/8 age group at Grandville.

By Barbra Chong

West Michigan Pursuit split up this weekend to compete at the Mat Mahem Duals and Individual event in Fort Wayne, Indiana and the Grandville tournament. 

Brody Compau wrestled with Team MYWAY Blue, 8U. Compau claimed a victory and his team finished 8^th. Drew Moro wrestled on Team MYWAY Red, 8U. He went undefeated for the day and his team finished 3^rd. Moro also entered the 61 and 64 lb individual event and claimed Championship titles in both weight classes. Luke Egan and Tyler Parmeter wrestled with Team MYWAY Blue, 10U. Egan claimed 4 victories for the team and finished 4th in the individual. Parmeter claimed a victory for the team and finished 4^th in the individual. Their team finished 12^th. Blake Peasley wrestled with Team MYWAY Red, 10U. Peasley claimed 3 victories for the team. He finished 3^rd in the individual and his team took 6th. Josh Vasquez wrestled for Team MYWAY Blue, 12U. Vasquez claimed 4 victories for the team and finished 3^rd in the individual. His team finished in in 12^th. Quinten Cassiday and Kaleb Pautke entered both Mat Mahem and Grandville.  Pautke finished 3^rd at Mat Mahem in the 8U, 55 lb wt class and claimed a Championship title at Grandville in the 7/8 age group, 55 lb wt class. Cassiday finished 3^rd at Mat Mahem in the 10U, 62 lb wt class and 2^nd at Grandville in the 9/10 age group, 63 lb wt class. Kellen Weckesser entered Mat Mahem and finished 5th in the 10U, 58 lb wt class. 

Grandville results are as follows: 80 lb Isaiah Sostenes finished 3^rd in the 9/10 age group. 75 lb Harper Cheng, 9/10 age group and 64 lb Aaiden Vasquez, 7/8 age group finished in 2^nd Place. Champions of the day are 52 lb Tatianna Castillo, 7/8 age group; 90 lb Isaiah Smith, 9/10 age group and 67 lb Kamden Witte, 9/10 age group. Congratulations to Isaiah Smith, this is his first Championship title! 

“I have been pushing these kids hard this year preparing them for very bright futures. I am very proud of their response. They are competing with some of the best wrestlers in the nation,” said Head Coach Dave Andrus.

By Barbra Chong

West Michigan Pursuit had wrestlers registered to compete in two different National tournaments last weekend.

Drew Moro traveled to Missouri for the Adidas Nationals. Moro entered the 2nd Grade division in the 61 lb wt class. He went 3-1 for the day, finishing in 2nd Place, and earning All American status. He ended with a 44-11 season record. Moro also entered their Mohawk contest and won with 190 votes.

The rest of the team traveled to Battle Creek for NUWAY Nationals. As a team, West Michigan Pursuit finished 32 out of 297 teams. WMP entered seven wrestlers and five earned All American status by placing in the top 8.

Chayson Eberspeaker entered the 7/8 age group in the 64 lb wt class. He went 2-2 for the day, finishing in 7th Place and ending with a 36-11 season record. Quinten Cassiday entered the 7/8 age group in the 61 lb wt class. He went 4-2 for the day, finishing in 5th Place and ending with a 52-6 season record.

Josh Vasquez and Blake Werkema both finished in 4th Place. Vasquez entered the 9/10 age group in the 59 lb wt class. He went 4-2 for the day and ended with a 48-7 season record. He also made the top 100 for number of pins for the National tournament. He had 3 pins with a combined time of 4:45 out of 1,221 wrestlers. Werkema entered the 4/6 age group in the 47 lb wt class. He went 3-2 for the day and ended with a 50-5 season record.

Kellen Weckesser entered the 7/8 age group in the 54 lb wt class. He went 3-1 for the day, finishing in 2nd Place and ending with a 40-15 season record.

“My mission from the start has always been the Pursuit of Champions,” said Head Coach Dave Andrus. “I am extremely proud of the success we are having. It’s not always about how these kids win; recovering after an emotional loss and continuing to succeed is equally important. These are valuable life lessons as they continue to grow and mature. I feel fortunate to have so many parents trust me as I try to instill these values into their kids.”

Six earn all-state honors

By Barbra Chong

West Michigan Pursuit traveled to the Lansing Center for the 2017 State Finals this past weekend. There were 272 teams and just over 2900 wrestlers registered to compete. WMP is currently ranked #41 as a team. They had 16 individuals enter the tournament and six finished in the top 5, earning All State Recognition.

The following individuals wrestled tough but unfortunately fell short of making it to the placement rounds. Luke Egan won 3 matches; Carter Castillo, Chayson Eberspeaker and Kellen Weckesser all won two matches each and Logan Bennet won a match.

Final placements are as follows:

Quinten Cassiday entered the 61 lb wt class in the 7/8 age group and finished in 5^th Place. Cassiday’s season record is 48-4.

Ahmad Starr entered the 138 lb wt class in the High School division and finished 4^th Place.

Finishing in third place was 59 lb Josh Vasquez, 9/10 age group, and 46 lb Blake Werkema, 4/6 age group. Vasquez has a season record of 44-5. Werkema’s season record is 47-3, and he also made the top 100 for most pins at the State Finals. He is currently listed at #59 with 3 pins totaling 1:34.

In the 7/8 age group, 58 lb Drew Moro and 67 lb Tyler Parmeter both finished in 2^nd Place. Parmeter’s season record is 38-11 and Moro’s season record is 41-10.

State Champion is 75 lb Blake “Beast” Peasley, 9/10 age group, finishing his season with a 48-8 record. This is Peasley’s second State Title, with his first one in the 2014 season.

“A wrestling season is built on preparation, determination and heart,” said Head Coach Dave Andrus. “It is difficult to achieve personal success without the support of each wrestler’s family. Every wrestling family knows you give it your all. A season is not defined on wins and losses but rather watching your athletes move in a positive direction. For a coach, it is the greatest joy to have an athlete run off the mat and into your arms after achieving their goal.”

WMP state qualifiers. Photo by B. Chong.

By Barbra Chong

West Michigan Pursuit traveled to Caledonia for the 2016-2017 Regionals. Twenty-one individuals entered the tournament and 17 placed in the top four, which qualifies them to compete at the State tournament in two weeks at the Lansing Center.

Finishing in fourth place was 90 lb Logan Bennett, 11/12 age group.

In third place was 52 lb Kaleb Pautke, 7/8 age group.

Finishing in second place was 67 lb Chayson Eberspeaker, 7/8 age group; 122 lb David Erxleben, High School division; 75 lb Blake Peasley, 9/10 age group; 61 lb Selina Stalker, 4/6 age group; and 55 lb Kellen Weckesser, 7/8 age group.

Regional Champions are 61 lb Quinten Cassiday, 7/8 age group; 70 lb Carter Castillo, 11/12 age group; 63 lb Luke Egan, 9/10 age group; 58 lb Drew Moro, 7/8 age group; 67 lb Tyler Parmeter, 7/8 age group; 155 lb Lucus Pienton, High School division; 138 lb Ahmad Starr, High School division; 59 lb Josh Vasquez, 9/10 age group; 46 lb Blake Werkema, 4/6 age group and 158 lb Maston Wood, 11/12 age group.

“My first year running WMP, I had seven individuals qualify with three Regional Champions. Five years later, I have 17 individuals qualifying with 10 Regional Championship titles. These kids and their parents continue to impress me with their neverending support and dedication. The combined efforts are what makes this program a success,” said Head Coach Dave Andrus.

Logan Bennet, from the 9/10 Novice age group, wrestles an opponent.

Reeths Puffer hosted this past weekend’s Western Region tournament. Even though there was a winter advisory, West Michigan Pursuit brought 15 competitors, with six entering Novice and the rest entering the Open Division. We also had two grapplers travel to the Spartan Country tournament. Our team battled 55 times with 30 ending in victory and placing 13 in the top four.

“Often the focus is put on whether you win or lose,” said Owner and Head Coach, Dave Andrus. “I believe that it is everything leading up to that win or loss. How you conduct yourself is just as important; that response is what makes a champion.”

4th Place Medalists include Casey Eberspeaker in the 7/8 Open age group in the 64/67 lb wt class, Owen Meinke in the 9/10 Novice age group in the 71 lb wt class, Anthony Szubinski, Jr. in the 9/10 Open age group in the 59/63 lb wt class and Maston Wood in the 9/10 Open age group in the 130 lb wt class.

3rd Place Medalist include Bryant Vandermark in the 7/8 Novice age group in the 61 lb wt class and Landon Foss in the 7/8 Open age group in the 49/53 lb wt class.

2nd Place Medalist include Lee Braun in the 7/8 Open age group in the 55/58 lb wt class, Chayson Eberspeaker in the 4/5/6 Novice age group in the 52 lb wt class, Luke Egan in the 7/8 Open age group in the 49/52 lb wt class, Jayden Marcano-Cruz in the 4/5/6 Novice age group in the 46 lb wt class and Blake Peasley in the 7/8 Open age group in the 64/67 lb wt class.

Champions are Logan Bennett in the 9/10 Novice age group in the 67 lb wt class and Josh Vasquez in the 7/8 Open age group in the 49/52 lb wt class.

If you are interested in learning more about this sport or if your wrestler is looking to compete at the next level, come check us out. We are located in the Cedar Springs Sports Plex, practices are Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00-7:30 p.m.