The five wrestlers making the journey to Ford Field for the State Championship are sophomores Ashton Delaney and Timmy Hubert, juniors Eben Abdo and Logan Tollison, and senior Jacob Crofut.
After a long season, the 2024-2025 wrestling season is almost coming to an end. The Grand Ledge Varsity Wrestling Team made it to Regionals and lost the first round against Brighton. This ended the team’s season and centers the focus on individual championships.
Grand Ledge sent 14 Varsity wrestlers to districts at Howell. 12 out of the 14 competing at Districts qualified for the next step of the championship, Regionals. To qualify, you must place in the top four. Three Grand Ledge wrestlers placed 1st becoming district champions, Logan Tollison, Eben Abdo, and Ashton Delaney.
Individual Regionals was on February 15, Saturday at Portage Northern High School. Out of the 12 wrestlers that qualified for Regionals only five placed in the top four, making five state qualifiers from Grand Ledge. Logan Tollison and Ashton Delaney placed first in their bracket, making them Regional Champions as well.
Many of the qualifiers have different goals for the season. Sophomore Ashton Delaney, wrestling in the 175 weight class, was seeded second in his bracket. That means he is expected to get second based on his record, ranking, and overall bracket. He shares his goal from the beginning of the season.
“My goal at the beginning of the season was to place top three in the State,” said Delaney.
Delaney also talks about his current goals for the state’s tournament
“I’m looking forward to being on the podium,” said Delaney.
A Unique tradition amongst wrestlers is to do something different with your hair if you qualify for states, some buzz their hair, others bleach it. Wrestlers Logan Tollison, Ashton Delaney, and Jacob Crofut have decided to bleach their hair, and Timmy Hubert dyed his hair blue.
Qualifying and Competing for states is considered one of the highest accomplishments for High School Wrestlers and the Grand Ledge Wrestlers are excited. Doing Fun things with their hair is a way to express excitement.
In the end, there were four state placers from Grand Ledge. Timmy Hubert took seventh, and Eben Abdo and Ashton Delaney took fourth. Logan Tollison took first, winning the state championship for division 1 weight class heavyweight.
“It feels good, but I expected it. It doesn’t really take much, just consistency and working as hard as possible for a couple of hours each day,” Tollison expressed.
This year, Eben Abdo and Logan Tollison got their 100th win of their high school season.
Overall, the wrestlers have enjoyed their season and have made some impressive achievements.
