Evan Schaefer
Contributing Writer

(Evan Schaefer/TCJ – Wrestlers Van Wirtz [left] and Kylee Malloy did their Olivet Eagles proud at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling State Finals this year.)

 

Three Eaton County wrestlers battled their way to championship matches and finished as state runners-up at the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Individual Wrestling State Finals, representing their schools on one of the biggest stages in high school athletics.

Charlotte sophomore Tyler Densmore and Olivet juniors Van Wirtz and Kylee Malloy each reached the finals in their respective divisions during the two-day, March 6-7, tournament at Ford Field in Detroit, competing against the top wrestlers from across Michigan.

For Densmore, the runner-up finish in Division 2 at 150 pounds capped an impressive season in which he compiled a 48-2 record. The appearance marked his second trip to the state finals after placing sixth as a freshman last year.

“As a sophomore it felt good to be able to get the chance to go to the state meet again,” Densmore said. “I prepared by working hard all summer for this tournament, going harder at practices and getting in more practices.”

Densmore said reaching the championship round was the highlight of his season.

“Being in the state finals was my favorite moment this wrestling season,” he said. “Being on the podium felt awesome. I can’t wait to be back next season.”

Olivet High School also celebrated two state finalists, as both Wirtz and Malloy advanced to championship matches in their divisions.

Wirtz finished state runner-up in Division 3 at 150 pounds, battling through four competitive matches to reach the finals. Unlike his first appearance at the state tournament last season, Wirtz said he felt far more comfortable competing at Ford Field this year.

“The first time I went to the state meet it was pretty daunting,” Wirtz said. “Walking into Ford Field with all the people and all the noise — it was a lot. This year I felt like everything went a lot better and I could just focus on my matches.”

Wirtz’s championship bout came in a rematch against Dundee’s Stone Redmond, whom he had previously faced during the postseason.

“There’s a lot of emotions that go into a big rematch, especially on the biggest stage,” Wirtz said. “You get negative thoughts in your head sometimes like, ‘I’ve already lost to this kid.’ But I tried to look at it as a good thing that I had already wrestled him and could learn from that match.”

Although he fell short of the title, Wirtz said the tournament showed how much he has improved.

“I obviously wanted that championship,” he said. “But I wrestled better and made some good adjustments.”

Malloy also delivered a standout performance for Olivet, finishing state runner-up in the Girls Division at 140 pounds. The appearance marked her third consecutive trip to the state finals after previously qualifying during her freshman and sophomore seasons.

“Going to the state meet this year felt really exciting and rewarding,” Malloy said. “I worked hard all season, so it felt great to see that work pay off and compete at that level.”

Malloy said reaching the podium was one of her favorite moments of the season.

“My favorite moment from the state meet was making it to the podium,” she said. “It felt great to see all the hard work pay off.”

Even with the runner-up finish, Malloy said she is already focused on next season.

“Being on the podium felt great, but I wished I had worked harder to be at the top of it,” she said. “Next year I’m looking forward to working even harder to earn that state title.”

Olivet coach Jordan Smith said seeing both wrestlers reach the championship round was a proud moment for the program.

“Proud would be an understatement,” Smith said. “Both Van and Kylee work their butts off day in and day out, and to see it pay off by making the state championship match was amazing.”

Smith added that witnessing their accomplishments from the corner of the mat was a special moment.

“To sit in the corner and see years of hard work and determination come to fruition to put them on that finals mat was incredible to witness,” he said. “It’s hard to put into words the joy felt by everyone involved.”

Both Wirtz and Malloy improved on last year’s finishes – Wirtz placed fourth and Malloy fifth in 2025 – making their runs to the finals this season even more impressive.

“To come back this year and take second is an amazing leap,” Smith said. “I have no doubt in my mind they will be champions, on and off the mat.