The St. Ignace Saints coaches and wrestlers at the state finals are (from left) Head Coach Harvey Bentley, Joe Ostman, who took sixth, Assistant Coach Stefan Saffian, Galloway Thurston, who placed sixth, Assistant Coach Mike McNeely, and John Evashevski, who finished second during the weekend event at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The trio of LaSalle High School wrestlers earned all-state status. (Photograph by Angie Ostman) LaSalle High School wrestlers senior John Evashevski and freshmen Galloway Thurston and Joey Ostman have put the St. Ignace wrestling program on the map after the trio earned all-state honors at the Michigan High School Athletic Association individual wrestling finals at The Palace of Auburn Hills Thursday, March 4, Friday, March 5, and Saturday, March 6.

"The wrestlers did an outstanding job all weekend," said Coach Harvey Bentley. “John completed his standout career with the best finish by a St. Ignace wrestler in the long history of the program, and to have Galloway and Joey, the only two freshmen placed in Division 4, that is impressive."

Brock Lewis Rudyard Evashevski, 56-3 on the season, made history for the Saints wrestling program with a runner-up finish at the state finals in the 135- pound weight division after posting a 3-1 mark.

Evashevski fell to Collin Zeerip, two-time state champion from Hesperia, 6-4, in the title match. The top grappler for LaSalle High School reached the finals with victories over Tom Heff from Holton 15-1 in the opening match, defeated Blake Birchmeier of New Lothrop 9-0, and edged Tyler Harless of Ithaca 3-2 on a two-point reversal.

Thurston, 53-10 on the season, finished sixth overall in the 160 class at the finals with a 3-3 record after falling to David Tyler of Bangor 3-1 in overtime. In the opening match, Thurston defeated Brandon Philson of Bronson 5-3, fell to Austin Severn of New Lothrop 3-1, downed Matt Kelsey of Leroy/Pine River 4-3, and pinned by Rickey Constantine and Jesse Sexton of Clinton.

Joey Ostman, 46-11, placed sixth in the 171 division with a 3-3 record at the finals after being defeated by Joe Isbrect of Waterfliet 4-2. In his opening match, Ostman pinned Sean Allen of Burton Bendle before falling to Joe Isbrecht of Waterfliet 6-5, defeated Cody Baker of White Pigeon 6-4 and Dennis Belson of Blanchard/ Montabella 5-3, and was pinned by Sean Allen of Burton/ Bendle.

Brock Lewis of Rudyard

Places Fifth at Finals Senior Brock Lewis, 52-4 on the season and the top wrestler in the history of Rudyard High School, finished fifth in the 152- pound class with a 4-2 mark at the individual finals and earned all-state individaul honors in Division 4.

The first Bulldogs wrestler to place at the finals closed out his career with a 52-4 overall record. Brock defeated Zach Lucas of Constantine 5-0, Zack MacKellar of Decatur 9-3, Andy Parsons of Danville 9-2, and Cody Berg of Hesperia 5-3, but lost to Devan Marry of Hudson 17-3 and was pinned by Jordan Peterson of Blanchard.