Last weekend the PHS Girls and Boys Wrestling teams sent 6 total wrestlers to Individual State Finals, hosted at Ford Field in Detroit. This is the premier state wrestling tournament in the country, where all 5 divisions (4 boys divisions and 1 girls division) of 1,100 of Michigan's best wrestlers battle for All-State recognition. Of the Portland wrestlers, two were girls, Senior Maddy Newburry and Sophomore Rylan Johns, both joined wrestling for the first time in November, making this their first ever state tournament. Maddy capped off her first year losing two straight matches, but that wasn't a representation of how strong her season was and quite frankly, being a state qualifier in 1 season is impressive. Nice job Maddy! Sophomore Rylan Johns wasn't able to become Portland's first female all-state wrestler, as she went 1- 2, but she was Portland's first female wrestler to secure a win! Congratulations Rylan! 

Coach Amie Miller stated, "The girls really took the opportunity to soak in how big of an accomplishment it was to get to the state tournament. They wrestled hard and should be proud of what they did this weekend". The girls team didn't return to Portland empty handed, Coach Amie Miller was awarded the MWA State Girls Assistant Coach of the Year!. This award is given to one girls wrestling coach in Michigan who exemplifies dedication to girls wrestling beyond their own team. Coach Miller added, "To be named the Assistant Coach of the Year is an incredible honor. I'm so grateful to be a part of this program and it was amazing to receive recognition for the work that I've put in this year." Congratulations Coach Miller!

For the boys team, four qualified to the state tournament. Freshman Landon Lanz at 106 lbs ended his season going 0-2, however his record didn't accurately represent how he wrestled. He was able to secure points and wrestled tough, it just wasn't enough to secure those two needed wins to become all-state. Landon has already set goals beyond being a state qualifier next season. Landon Guilford, also a freshman, qualified at 157 lbs and unfortunately also finished his last tournament losing two straight matches, one being a close 3-2 decision to the eventual state champion at his weight class and knows he was closer than his record indicates. Sophomore Gunnar Williams was able to win a match finishing his season 1-2 at Ford Field but was just a few points shy from securing a second victory and becoming all-state. His losses went to the eventual 3rd and 6th place wrestlers. Brad Meyers qualified at 165 lbs and wrestled well enough to become Portland's only 2024 All-State Wrestler, placing 6th with a 3-3 record. Congratulations Brad, a set of hard fought victories secured your place in Portland Wrestling history!