Surging Rockets could visit B.C. again

BY CHARLES ROTHWELL
Dec. 2, 2009, 9:15 a.m.

  Bill Polk begins his 10th year as head coach at John Glenn. Coach Polk was honored by his peers last season, being named Observerland Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year and co-Regional coach of the year.

  Assisting him is a staff of experienced coaches: Frank Cox (17) years), Jeremy Harris (11 years), Eric Schambers (two years) and John Wood.

  The Rockets enjoyed perhaps their best season ever, finishing in a first-place tie in the KLAA South, knocking off perennial state powers Bedford at regionals, then staging a huge comeback to tie Canton and earn a spot in the team state finals on the sixth criteria. John Glenn had an excellent showing in the state quarterfinals against the third-seeded Hartland squad, but ended up losing, 38-26. Individually, all eight regional qualifiers made it to the state meet and five of them placed.

  John Glenn graduated four very tough wrestlers from last year's team. Jared Stephens (second in the state at 135 pounds), Jimmy Mann (fifth at 140), Jeff Adkins (152), and Zaid Ammari (state qualifier at 152).

  This year's team will be dominated by seniors with Steve Wakeford (sixth at 103), Josh Austin (state qualifier at 119), Anthony Pavlich (eighth at 125), Zach Redden (state qualifier at 160), and Dustin Gajowiak (fifth at 285) leading the way.

  A newcomer looking to help the Rockets make another trip to Battle Creek is freshman 103-pounder Kyle Gillies. Kyle was quite successful wrestling for the Canton wrestling club the last couple years. Interest in wrestling at John Glenn is apparently very high, whit approximately 50 kids coming out for the team. Below is a look at the Rocket varsity line-up:

103 - Kyle Gillies, freshman;
112 - Steve Wakeford, senior;
119 - Steve Shak, senior;
125 - Josh Austin - senior;
130 - Anthony Pavlich, senior;
135 - Mark Thompson, senior, or Malcolm Allen, junior;
140 - Justin Robinson, senior;
145 - Mikkel Tipton, senior;
152 - Mike Johnson, senior;
160 - Zach Redden, senior;
171 - Kameron Jones, junior;
189 - Jacob Kaledjian, junior;
215 - Gerald Powell, senior;
285 - Dustin Gajowiak, senior.

  Quite a few of the wrestlers worked throughout the summer, wrestling in the Crestwood Duals, the Grand River Rumble or at wrestling camps.  If this team peaks at the end of the year like it did last year, I foresee another trip to the MHSAA Team Finals in Battle Creek.