Remember the Names
By Dan Ward

This is ten percent luck
Twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure
Fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name
(Remember The Name- Fort Minor)

State Finals. It’s something we start talking about in November. If I’m being honest, we probably start talking about it the day after the State Finals end. For every high school wrestler, it’s the goal. The dream. The chance to wrestle under the bright lights at Ford Field in Detroit.

Yes, they roll the mats out over the turf, but the truth is, if you’ve fought your way this far, you’d wrestle on concrete if that’s what it took.

For generations, wrestling has been part of the competitive identity at St. Johns, where we have built one of the most respected programs in Michigan. Year after year, Redwing wrestlers battle through the demanding season, wrestling against teams like Eaton Rapids, Mason, DeWitt, St. Louis, and New Lothrop to prepare for a postseason gauntlet of districts and regionals to earn their place at the state finals. It’s a culture built on discipline, toughness, and pride in the red and black.

And it’s a culture built on names worth remembering.

Names like Al Johnson and Johnny Brown helped build a foundation for the program. Later came champions like Taylor Massa, undefeated in high school, and Zac Hall, each winning four state titles. In the entire history of Michigan wrestling (until this year), only 40 wrestlers have accomplished that feat—and St. Johns proudly claims two of them.

The list of champions continues with three-time state champions Jacob Schmitt, Logan Massa, and Jacob Brya, also undefeated in high school, Covid prevented him from earning his fourth. Two-time champions include Jorden Wohlfert, Ben Whitford, Angus Arthur, and Ian Parker. And of course, the many one-time champions who helped build the program’s championship tradition: Dan Osterman, Jacob Walters, Brant Schafer, Josh Pennell, Payne Hayden, Ty Wildmo, Bret Fedewa, James Whitaker, Kaleob Whitford, and C.J. Krum.
Those names helped build the legacy.

For 22 straight years, St. Johns has sent wrestlers to the state tournament. That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on a tradition of hard work, resilience, and an expectation of excellence—an understanding that nothing is given and everything is earned. We don’t just hope for success—we prepare for it, we demand it, and year after year, we deliver it.
Coach Kevin Pettigrew knows better than anyone what it takes to maintain that standard.
“Wrestling is a long season. The physical preparation along with the mental preparation can wear anyone down,” Pettigrew said. “I am very proud of how this season started. The boys won two tournaments in December and took second at another. The girls showed fight early, placing in the top four in their first three tournaments before getting a win at Owosso. Like every sport, as the season goes on the injuries start to pile up along with sickness, and yet the grind continues—you push forward. This sport is about survival in the postseason: who can stay healthy, who can stay focused, and who is the most determined. Year after year St. Johns takes kids to the finals. It’s a tradition we have to be proud of. And we have to ask ourselves who wants to be next—who is determined to battle through injuries, illness, fatigue and keep pushing until they get there.”
The MHSAA Individual State Finals bring the best wrestlers in Michigan together for two intense days of competition. This year, 1,120 wrestlers stepped onto the mats at Ford Field, each chasing one of just eight podium spots in their weight class. Out of those 1,120 competitors, only 70 leave Detroit as state champions.

For the Redwings, the weekend began with Donovan Quinn.

Quinn opened the tournament with a thriller, going into triple overtime—what wrestling fans call the ultimate tiebreaker—against Hamed Alsaadi of Melvindale. In a battle of grit and determination, Donovan emerged victorious, winning 9-9 by riding his opponent out.

His next match came against eventual fourth-place finisher Carson Blum of Lowell, where Quinn dropped a 15-5 decision. But wrestlers who make it to Ford Field aren’t built to quit.

In the Blood Round, where a win guarantees a place on the podium, Quinn delivered. He pinned Justin Niyubushobozi of Lansing Waverly in 4:50, securing All-State honors for the second time in his career.

From there, he kept battling. Quinn defeated Christian Brown of Algonac with a 4-0 decision before falling in a tightly contested 3-1 match to eventual third-place finisher Chase Morrison of Hamilton in the consolation semifinals.

In his final match of the tournament, Quinn finished strong, earning a 3-0 victory over Daniel Gemmel of New Boston Huron to claim 5th place in the state.
He ends his season with an outstanding 48-3 record—and another chapter in the Redwing legacy.

Next up was Olivia Pettigrew.

Olivia opened her tournament with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Gabriella Hayes of Lawton, the deciding point coming from a second-period escape. But like so many wrestlers before her, Liv bounced back.

In her next match, Pettigrew secured a pin in 2:48 over Symiah Stone of Eaton Rapids, keeping her tournament hopes alive.
Unfortunately, her run ended in the Blood Round with a 15-5 loss to 8th-place finisher Samaara Khan of Canton.

Olivia finishes her season with an impressive 30-10 record.
Congratulations to Donovan and Olivia. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the program are exactly what keeps the Redwing wrestling tradition strong.
Every season adds new chapters to a story that has been written for generations. The names change, but the standard never does.
And this year, two more names earned their place in that story.
Donovan Quinn.
Olivia Pettigrew.
Remember the names.
Thank you for sticking with me all season. A special thanks to Chris Hallead for giving me the opportunity to write about a sport I truly love. Keep an eye out for camps and open mat opportunities this offseason—because in wrestling, the work never really stops.