MACOMB - When Ed Skowneski took over Macomb Dakota's wrestling program some 14 years ago, the Cougars were clearly an up-and-coming program.
Skowneski has helped upgrade the Cougars to powerhouse status and sure has his program humming along to the point where Dakota is consistently a top 15 team in Division 1. The Cougars have won three regionals under his coaching staff's tutelage and this year the program seeks a 14th straight district title as well.
"It was an up-and-coming program back then when I took over. They did have a youth program started in the area and we've worked really hard to continue to build up all levels of wrestling in my 14 years," said Skowneski.
Dakota never won Class A/Division 1 team district title before Skowneski's arrival. Now the Cougars have won 13 districts in a row and have a 14th team district title in their sights and on their long list of goals to achieve this season.
Dakota finished third at the Macomb County Wrestling Classic just before Christmas - a tournament that featured close to 40 high schools from Macomb County, eastern Oakland County, northeast Wayne County and St. Clair County - while his team also battled some of the state's top teams regardless of division at the Detroit Catholic Central Invitational earlier this month.
"The thing I really like about this team is that they are all working hard," said Skowneski. "It's not all about wins and losses right now. It's about getting better. We want to be wrestling our best when we get to the state tournament. We preach that all of the time and I think that is a reason why we have been successful. They show up and work hard every single day and they want to get better."
The championship season is not far off, as essentially the whole month of February is consumed with championship-style team and individual tournaments in the state of Michigan. The conference meets are usually the first weekend of February, followed by the MHSAA team and individual districts, the team and individual regionals, then the team state tournament and lastly the individual state finals.
That is when Dakota looks to shine once again - during the final month of the wrestling season - and battle with their brethren of the state's best.
Dakota is 10-3 overall this season and are hoping to go 5-0 in the Macomb Area Conference Red Division again this winter. The Cougars look to claim the MAC Red-White Invitational title next month as they groom for both the team and individual state tournaments.
Dakota has just under 60 wrestlers on the roster this season, much like last season and are extremely deep. The Cougars returned six regular starters this season but have quite a bit of depth on the roster in every weight class - and plenty of talent to fill in the starting lineup and the junior varsity team without any holes.
"We do have some depth. I think last year and this year we've had some of the biggest teams we have ever had and that gives us some great wrestling partners in practice. That helps everybody," said Skowneski.
Last season, the Cougars advanced to the state tournament in Kalamazoo before being ousted by longtime powerhouse Brighton (65-9). Dakota has reached the state semifinals three times in their history and hopes to be able to get over the hump again this season.
Since the MHSAA added the team state tournament format back in 1988, no school from the MAC Red Division has won a state title in Class A or Division 1. Dakota and Romeo made the trek last February to the team state tournament in Kalamazoo, but both lost in the quarterfinals.
Dakota had nine placers at the Macomb County Invitational on Dec. 19-20 and also boasted three finalists at the prestigious tournament. The Cougars have continued to excel this season.
Senior Carl Nihranz (138) was sixth in the state last season and is ranked in the top 10 in the state in his weight class all four divisions combined. The team's two other state placers from last season, Logan Criteser and Brady Hamby, graduated.
"We still have a lot of talented kids on this team," said Skowneski, who also coaches freshmen football at Dakota and has done a great job of filtering in football players and athletes in general into his wrestling program.
There is also a well-established youth program in the area with over 120 kids participating this winter at the elementary and middle school levels.
"Having a strong youth program in your community makes a huge difference," said Skowneski. "We have a lot of interest in our community and kids can start wrestling at an early age. You look at the top teams in the state and they all have strong youth programs."
Still, Skowneski believes his team could have several regional and state qualifiers if they continue to work hard, stay healthy, and perform at the highest levels possible when it matters most.
Sophomore Lucca Guererro and freshman Jack Stewart have been competitive in the 106-pound division, while sophomore KJ Shamblin (113), Kayson Spens (120), Bryce Mahar (126) and juniors Leo Deacon (132) and Max Reese (132) give the team options in the lower weight classes.
Following Nihranz (138), junior Blake DeStefano (144), senior Lucas Harper (150), juniors Jaad Lorth (157) and Anthony Watkins (157), and senior Gio Linville (165) have battled in the middle with classes.
Anchoring in the upper weight classes are juniors Benny Crowley (175) and Tyson Dutt (190) and seniors Noah Raxter (215) and Jackson Hundrieser (285).
The Cougars do have ample depth if any injuries show up and will have a team talented enough to make another run again in the postseason.
They all share one common goal.
"We always want to try to make it to the (team) state tournament every year and with individuals get as many wrestlers through to the state finals (in Detroit)," noted the coach. "Again, it is always being at your best at the end of the season."