Breakdown: There is no better way to start the season out than with defending D1 state champion Detroit Catholic Central playing host to 10-time defending D2 state champion Lowell in the iconic assembly dual. The Shamrocks enter the year ranked 13th nationally, while Lowell sits at #39 in the Fab 50 team poll. As far as the dual itself, you can expect a ranked match-up at almost every weight, assuming both teams are at full strength. It's likely we'll see some bumping in the lower weights as both teams are somewhat bunched up with talent down low. Potential #1's could square off at both 113, between Fargo All-Americans Wyatt Lees and Jarrett Smith, as well as at 150 between returning state finalists Mason Stewart and Owen Segorski. Although the likelihood of those matches taking place is not high, it definitely raises the intrigue. Another great potential could go down at 120 as freshman Grayson Fuchs will look to establish himself on the Michigan high school scene by taking on two-time state finalist Carter Cichocki in his varsity debut. No matter how the dual shakes out, expect a raucous crowd and competitive matches from start to finish. Whoever comes out on top will vault themselves forward into the 2023-24 campaign.
Breakdown: Clarkston's home-opening quad will have them playing host to a pair of top-eight ranked teams, Davison and Brighton. Both squads are projected to be team state qualifiers heading into the year. Both appear to be weird matchups for ranked teams to have in that there probably aren't going to be a lot of ranked head-to-head matches in either dual. Bonus points will be critical in both duals as will the toss-up matches. Without having any idea where teams are weighing in, there are likely 4-5 toss ups in both duals. Expect the 132-138 matches to be most exciting; there are some dynamic wrestlers in those weights between the teams. Early season duals are always tough to gauge, but it's a great opportunity for all three squads to pick up a quality win and help themselves out down the road.
Breakdown: A good west Michigan quad here in which Rockford opens with two ranked teams in Byron Center and Greenville. Rockford-Byron Center is a dual that could happen again in the postseason so while both teams are going to try and win that dual, they're both likely looking to gather data with some match-ups for later on. 132-144 should all be great matches in that dual, however those lineup moves turn out, as well a couple in the upper weights. Probably looking at a 7-7 split or 8-6 one way or the other. Rockford-Greenville should be equally tight with toss ups and bonus point opportunities throughout. The biggest potential match could come at 215/285 between #1 Ryan Ahern and #2 Case Johnson, both top-three finishers from a year ago. They squared off opening night last season as well with Ahern taking a narrow 1-0 decision. Again, more than likely a 7-7 or 8-6 match split so bonus points will be critical.
Breakdown: Another opening day assembly dual here, hosted by Whitehall, as the defending state finalists in D3 welcome in Benzie Central, quarter-finalists from a year ago. Both teams have half of the lineup ranked in their respective divisions so there will be no shortage of quality wrestling. If you're looking for a marquee match, it's probably at 138 between Caden Varela and Jacob Gillison. On paper the Vikings should take the dual, but for both teams it will be a great test and kick-start their schedules which, for both squads, contains no shortage of ranked duals.
Breakdown: 3rd-ranked St. Louis heads to Pine River to take on the host Bucks and Hart in their opening night quad. Both of the Sharks' opponents are just outside of the top-10 and both will have a good opportunity to qualify for team state later in the year. In both duals, on paper, St. Louis comes in as the favorite but expect them to be tested in each dual. In the Pine River dual, hopefully there will be some ranked matchups throughout - sophomores Laythan Haworth vs Jericho Holmes, all-staters Martine Wiggins vs Ryder Holmes, and top-fivers Caleb Gepford vs Ramon Anguiano are all potential match-ups.
Breakdown: Westland John Glenn and Oxford is one more to keep an eye on tonight. The Rockets open the year at #6 in Division 1, while Oxford is a honorable mention squad to open the year. Like a couple of the duals above, it could turn out a number of different ways as there is potential for at least four ranked matches. Look for a tilt between Jacob Kennedy and Luke Johnson to go down in the 157/165 range; both enter the year ranked top-5. And then down low is also very interesting. On the one hand you get Nakayla Dawson vs Cheyenne Frank, the essential 1 vs 2 as far as preseason rankings went. Or Dawson could slide up to wrestle Lewis at 113 and Hall could slide up to wrestle Benjamin at 120; in last year's dual Glenn won both of those matches. So in short, it should be very competitive from start to finish.
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