DAVISON (DTV) – (1/27/20) – The Davison wrestling team has had quite the season, working their way up to becoming one of the top 15 teams in the country.
They started the season with a bang, shutting out the Cavaliers of Carman-Ainsworth and the Hawks of Saginaw Heritage in back to back wins on December 11th.
On December 14th was the Grappler Gold Invite in Brighton. Davison came away with first place as a team, as well as 19 wrestlers placing, with 6 being 1st place finishes. Those individual champs were freshman Caden Horwath(112), sophomore Owen Payne(119), senior Andrew Chambal(130), freshman Josh Barr(152), junior Alex Facundo(171), and senior Jay Nivison(189).
Up next was a test against the 19th nationally ranked Brighton Bulldogs. They were able to sneak away with a 38-29 win on December 18th, against a school they not only saw in the football state finals, but the one they fell to in last years wrestling team state semi finals.
To start off the new year, the Cardinals headed out to the Detroit Catholic Central Invite, taking on some of the states top teams like Detroit Catholic Central and Brighton – two teams in the country’s top 20. Needless to say, it was a quite a show, and Davison narrowly placed 2nd with 225 points, beaten only by number 5 nationally ranked Detroit Catholic Central, who came out on top with 284 points. Davison and DCC were the only two teams at the invite to finish with over 200 points, but Brighton was a close third with 195. Individually, 5 different Davison wrestlers came out on top in their weight class. Sophomore Aden Williams(103), junior Alex Facundo(171), senior Andrew Chambal(130), freshman Josh Barr(152), and freshman Max Callahan(189) all came away with first place finishes.
Just 4 days after the DCC Invite, it was time for the team to honor the team’s departing upperclassmen on senior night. Garrett Williams, Jaron Wilson, Jared Payne, Michigan State commit Andrew Chambal, and Buffalo commit Jay Nivison were all recognized for their time in the program, and the Cards went on to win 72-0 against Bay City western and 60-15 against the Grand Blanc Bobcats.
Highlights of Michigan State commit Andrew Chambal’s match on Davison’s senior night.
On January 22nd, dubbed the “Dual of the Decade,” Davison headed back out to Detroit Catholic Central in a showdown between the top two teams in the state. The two teams have faced off 12 times in the last 7 years, and DCC has led the series with 7 wins against Davison against the Card’s 5 wins. That night would prove no different, with the Shamrocks getting their 8th win against Davison 34-24. These teams are likely to meet again in the playoffs, so we haven’t seen the last of this thrilling match-up.
Highlights from the “Dual of the Decade” between Davison and Detroit Catholic Central.
The day after the tough loss to the Shamrocks, Davison earned some redemption against some SVL foes. They blew out the Lapeer Lightning and the Powers Catholic Chargers back to back.
Highlights from the SVL meet between Davison, Lapeer, and Powers Catholic.
2 days later they were thrown right back into the mix of things over at Lowell, taking on the top team in each MHSAA division. They were able to come away with wins against Clinton, Lowell, and Dundee, but still couldn’t grab that elusive win against the Shamrocks of Detroit Catholic Central.
All the Cardinals have ahead of them is the postseason, and they look like they’re planning on a return to the finals to avenge their loss to Brighton last year in the team semi-finals. Last year, Alex Facundo was Davison’s lone individual state champion, coming in at 1st for the 160 pound division. There were multiple podium finishes, with Aden Williams in 103, Andrew Chambal in 119, and Cal Stefanko in 189 coming in at 2nd. In third place for 171 was Jay Nivison. Other qualifiers last year included Owen Payne at 112, Jaron Wilson at 125, James Johnston at 140, Landon Kish at 145, and Jimmey Colley at 215.
Good luck on this postseason Cardinals!