Wrestlers ready as season begins to wind down

Manchester High School wrestlers are district and regional champions for 2019.

It's been a banner year for the Manchester High School wrestling team.

So far this year, three juniors and one senior have hit the 100-win mark in their wrestling career.

The wrestling team this year has claimed both District and Regional titles and is preparing to compete at Team State competition next weekend in Kalamazoo.

Coach Steve Vlcek, in his 29th year of coaching, celebrated his 600th team victory.

And an amazing 12 wrestlers (the "Dutch Dirty Dozen") qualified this past weekend for individual state competition, which will take place on March 2 at Ford Field in Detroit. This is believed to be a first in Manchester wrestling history.

Wrestlers who will compete at State Finals include: Jake Bunn (103#), Jared Bunn (103#), Drew Gebhardt (119#), Jacob Shelby (130#), Grant Tungate (135#), Josh Bunn (140#), Jacob Kurgin (145#), Max Wagner (152#), Nick Phillips (160#), Collin McCaffrey (171#), Derek Guenther (185#), and Simon Lato (285#).

Juniors Jacob Shelby, Collin McCaffrey, and Drew Gebhardt each celebrated their 100th win during this season. And senior Grant Tungate joined his teammates as the fourth wrestler on this year's team to reach that distinctive milestone. This is another "first" that Vlcek is able to claim with his team.

To see all four of these teammates reach a significant goal together is a credit both to the team and its coach. It is worth noting that reaching the 100-win milestone in their junior year is a special honor indeed, and puts those three wrestlers on track to reach even higher goals in the future.

"(Steve) is definitely a fantastic influence on this group of young men," says parent Tara Bunn. "And," she adds with a laugh, "he's been a good influence on my husband--Mike wrestled for him in high school and has coached with him for 25 years now."

Wishing the Manchester High School wresting team the best in the next two weekends!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.