D4 Most Improved Wrestlers

This is a category that we believe to be very important. Not every wrestler can be a state champion or even all state. But every wrestler can improve. This comes only with hard work, dedication, discipline, listening to coaches, showing up, off season work, diet and nutrition, weight training etc. Wrestlers who make gigantic improvement do not get there by accident. They have worked for it! We are not looking at in-season improvement in this list. The following is Preps most improved wrestlers from the 2023/2024 season to the 2024/2025 campaign.

D4 Most Improved List

106

Jaxton Kimlin (Hudson) So.  – Jaxton went from 23-24 in his previous year to 41-16   wrestling Hudson’s infamously tough schedule, to 41-16 and state runner up.  Special Mention goes to Kole Nichols of Holton who improved from 29-23 to 45-6 and 5th in the state.

113

This was one of the toughest weights to pick as so many outstanding wrestlers in this weight were really good last year as well. Our pick was finally Kolton Burns (Decatur) So. - Went from 33-8 and a 6th place finish last year to 36-1 and state runner up this year.  

120

Ryan Grant (Capac) Sr.  - Went from 19-17 last year to 41-13 this year and lost in the blood round at state.  His combined freshman/sophomore record was 18-34.  Awesome improvement!

126

Mason Langlois (Houghton Lake) So.  Mason improved from 26-22 a year ago to 30-12 and made to the blood round of state.  He beat another strong candidate in Hunter Wolf of New Lothrop who went from 23-16 to 39-12.

132

Gus Carper (Inland Lakes)   Carper went from 23-12 to 36-7 from last year to this, his sophomore year.  He also wrestled his way to a spot in the State Finals.

138

Hunter Pant (White Pigeon) Jr.  Hunter improved from 33-16 his sophomore year to 50-10 and a 6th place finish at state this year.  Very well done.

144

Aiden Wiggins (Decatur) So. Was a solid  26-15 his freshman year but improved to 43-13 with a 5th place finish at the State Finals. Special mention goes to sophomore Andrew Tucker of LakeVille who improved from 27-12 to 33-17 and a 7th spot on the podium. 

150

Zak Iobe, sophomore, of Mendon wins the most improved at 150 as he improved from 19-17 to 34-13 with defeats of quite a few ranked wrestlers.

157

Brennan Allen (North Muskegon) Jr.  Allen improved from 15-12 to 36-7.  Quite the jump in wins and winning percentage!  He was 9-12 the year before that.  He beat a state placer at regionals before eventually losing in the blood round.  Great job Brennan and way to persevere.

165

Crew Tyler (Roscommon) Jr. Tyler rose incredibly from 12-7 to 45-6 in the last year and a 4th place finish at the state finals.

175

Peyton Ewalt (Carson City Crystal) Sr. Peyton did a phenomenal job, rising from a losing record at 10-11 to a 7th place finish this year at the state finals.  What a story!

190

Aiden Tucker (LakeVille) Sr.  There are some amazing things going on at LakeVille as this is the 2nd Tucker in this listing and other LakeVille wrestlers were really close to being named most improved in other weight classes.  Tucker was 16-5 a year ago and was 51-3 and placed 3rd on the podium this year.   Additionally, he was 5-8 his sophomore year.   Also, a shout out to Brody Marshall of Gobles who went from 21-20 to 50-9 and a 6th place finish.

215

Owen Wright (Clinton) So.  Wright went 3-8 as a freshman.  This year he improved greatly to 26-22 and made a great postseason run to the blood round at state.  I can’t imagine too many folks had him in this position at the beginning of the season, other than maybe Wright himself!

285

Joey Cain (Michigan Lutheran Seminary) Jr.  Cain made a huge jump this season.  He went from 18-24 last year to 37-5 in the 24/25 campaign. That is incredible and he is our most improved 285 of the year.