Several Bay County wrestlers traveled to compete for a state championship, but North Bay Haven’s Preston Neufeld was the only local athlete to reach a final. He finished as the runner-up, earning a silver medal.
For all of his efforts, Neufeld was named the Bay County boys' Wrestler of the Year as voted by a panel of coaches and media members.
"It is pretty cool because it is another step because I try to get as much recognition as I can and perform well so people see, and my goal since I was little was to put on a show," Neufeld said.
Last season, Neufeld made it to state but finished in fifth place. The senior went back into the lab and dominated with the first place finishes at county, district and regional.
"When I was in Washington, I never made it to state or the finals, so that was the goal when moving down here and after underperforming last year, making it to the final match was pretty important for me," Neufeld said. "It set my soul at ease and resolidified myself that I am good and last year was a fluke."
Co-coaches of the Year: Mark Deaton (Bay), Zane Turnipseed (North Bay Haven)
Coaches Mark Deaton and Zane Turnipseed have long been key figures in the Bay County wrestling scene. Bay and North Bay Haven were two of the top wrestling programs this season, each sending multiple athletes to the state meet.
North Bay Haven edged out the Tornadoes to win the county title at the George Mulligan Memorial tournament, but Bay High turned the tables in the postseason, topping the Bucs to claim the Class 1A District 1 championship.
The Buccaneers had four wrestlers place at the state meet, with Preston Neufeld earning second, Koa DeLoach taking third, and both Jack Mulnix and Bear Siegal finishing sixth.
1st Team All-County
106 lbs – Riley Thompson, So., Arnold High School
113 lbs – Koa DeLoach, Jr., North Bay Haven ...
