The 2009-2010 Catholic Central Wrestling Team brought home the program’s first state championship in 22 years, marking a historic and emotional return to the top of Michigan wrestling. Under the leadership of Head Coach Mitch Hancock ‘00, the Shamrocks exemplified toughness, grit, and unity throughout the season.
The team compiled an impressive 27-4 record and won the Oakland County, Catholic League, District, and Regional Championships. CC also became the first team in Division 1 history to qualify all 14 wrestlers for the Individual State Finals. There, the Shamrocks crowned three individual state champions: Alec Mooradian, Justin Melick, and Doug Eldridge. In addition to those titles, Catholic Central earned seven All-State performances with Todd Melick placing 2nd, Ken Bade and Mike Kinville finishing 3rd, Nick Mason 4th, TJ Fagan 5th, Miles Trealout 7th, and Charlie Joseph 8th. This widespread success across the lineup reflected the culture of relentless effort, accountability, and trust that defined the 2010 team.
In the MHSAA Team State Tournament, Catholic Central dominated Anchor Bay 57-13 in the quarterfinals, then mounted a huge comeback to defeat Oxford 35-25 in the semifinals, overcoming a 25-3 deficit, sparked by a key pin from Mike Kinville at 215lbs.
In the finals at Kellogg Arena, the Shamrocks faced defending state champions and top-ranked Rockford. After leading 17-4 early, CC fell behind 24-17. The tide turned when “lightweights” Ken Bade, Todd Melick, and Matt Thompson ignited a rally with clutch performances, including a pivotal pin by Thompson that electrified the Catholic Central faithful in attendance at Kellogg Arena. Catholic Central stormed back to win 39-24 and capture the long-awaited state title. Coach Hancock was named Division 1 Coach of the Year by the Michigan Wrestling Association.
This championship team laid the foundation for a new era of Catholic Central Wrestling dominance.
Front: L to R: Michael Perales, Andrew Thompson, T.J. Fagan, Matthew Thompson, Ken Bade, Alec Mooradian, Todd Melick, Tim Naubert, J. December, Zachery Colone
2nd Row L to R: Andrew Foley, Alexander Kas-Marogi, Chas Schneider, Nicholas. Mason, Charles Joseph, Justin Melick, Doug Eldridge (Co-Capt.), Riley Hanson, Michael Babicz, Steven Kraska, Alexander Goings
3rd Row L to R: Steven Schmitt, Casey Hagan, Nathaniel Singer, Matthew Long, Brandon Bennett, Gerld. Gee, Andrew Erickson, Andrew Morton, John Worth, Fernando Zrinyi,
4th Row L to R: Garrett Brooks-Filek (MGR), Marc Nemeth (MGR), Michael Popiela, Andrew Johnson, Michael Kinville (Co-Capt.), David Knuth, Miles Trealout, Conner Olenech, Mark. Gardner, Thomas Schultz (MGR).
5th Row L to R: Coaches: Tim Fagan, James Mason, M. Krause, Mike Carrier ‘06, Bob Moreau ‘75, Mitch Hancock ‘00, Russ Hancock, Kevin Griffin‘96, Casey Rogowski ‘99, Nieko Ianni ‘07, Mike Rodriguez.
Top Row L to R: Fr. Dennis Kauffman CSB, Bob Ogar (Trainer), Dave Lewis ‘79 (AP), Bill. Hayes (Dean), Fr. Richard Elmer CSB ‘46 (President), Aaron Babicz ‘93 (AD).
