Kingsford’s Presley Hollen maintains control of Gwinn’s Myah Pickett at 106-pounds during the Norway Quad in Norway on Thursday. Hollen pinned Pickett in the first period to pick up the win. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

ST. IGNACE — Wrestling season is back and the Kingsford varsity team kicked off its 2024-25 campaign with dominant wins over Gwinn and North Central on Thursday in Norway.

On Saturday, the Flivvers kept that momentum going as they took home first place as a team at the St. Ignace John Evesheski Invitational.

“We sent 16 guys to the tournament and had 10 place in the top three,” Kingsford head coach Darren Groleau said. “It came down to the last match of the night and Tegan Ray came up with a huge pin for us to seal the tournament. Our whole squad from 106-to-285 contributed to this victory.

“They showed out and proved to a lot of people that we are going to be tough this year. We, as a team, have set some very lofty goals this season and we started off our season the right way.”

The Flivvers took home first place in three-weight divisions. In 138-pound action, Reed Degroot pinned Bodie Lipnitz from St. Ignace-LaSalle to secure first place. He also beat Jayden Wierenga from Grand Rapids Christian with a 7-4 decision.

“Reed Degroot stepped up to 138 and did an amazing job winning the tournament with a pin,” Groleau said.

Max Sundquist also took home first place in the 175-pound weight class.

He took home the division with a quick pin against Grayling’s Dayton Joseph.

“Max Sundquist had a flawless performance all weekend, dominating his way through the 175 bracket,” Groleau added.

In 150-pound action, Kingsford’s Tyler Bray took home first place with a pin against St. Ignace-LaSalle’s Brodie Liepold.

Kingford’s Presley Hollen (106 pounds) narrowly missed out on another first place when he was pinned in the finals by Grayling’s Alex Moore while Nolan Hendrickson finished third at 144-pounds. Orrin Smith took home second at 157-pounds, falling to St. Ignace-LaSalle’s Gabriel Werkheiser in a 10-9 decision while Izayah Reed rallied with three straight wins to grab third at 175-pounds.

In 190-pound action, Kingsford’s Jake Lockhart took home second place, falling to Grayling’s Braiden Tuck in the championship round. Mason Tappy also took home third place at 215 while Jacob Patrick finished one win away from reaching the podium at 132-pounds.

Norway dual

The Flivvers kicked off their season on Thursday at the Norway Quad against Gwinn and North Central.

Kingsford beat the Modeltowners 59-6 and the Jets 55-12 to start the year undefeated.

Against Gwinn, the Flivvers picked up nine wins by pin. Hendrickson, Bray, Smith, Reed, Tappy, Preston DeClark, Hollen, Degroot and Ginger Majurin all pinned their opponents.

Against North Central, Kingsford racked up three wins by pin with the biggest coming at 132-pounds when Tegan Ray pinned the Jets’ Cooper Raab, a returning state placer.

“Mason Tappy has had a fantastic showing Thursday night with the rest of the team,” Groleau said. “We wanted to set the tone for the season and we definitely set that with a great opening night.”

The Flivvers are back in action on Thursday at home against Iron Mountain, Escanaba and Marquette. On Saturday, they head to Marquette for the Marquette challenge.

“We are looking forward to being tested there and seeing exactly where we are with some of the best teams in Michigan,” Groleau added.