Nobody will be surprised if Reeths-Puffer’s Landon Learn wins a state wrestling championship sometime over the next three years.
Or maybe even a couple of them.
Learn capped off an amazing freshman season this weekend by taking third place in the 113-pound bracket at the Division 1 individual state finals at Detroit’s Ford Field.
Landon Learn, who finished third in the state as a freshman. Photo/Alicia Learn
He posted a 4-1 record in the tournament and finished the season with an amazing 52-2 mark. He earned a medal and finished with All-State honors.
Learn pinned Utica Eisenhower’s Ryan Theisen in the first round and Dearborn’s Ryan Fitch in the second round, before falling to Detroit Cass Tech’s Cyrus Woodberry 9-5 in the semifinals.
He went on to pin Hastings’ Hunter Sutfin in the consolation semifinals, then beat Detroit Catholic’s Gabriel Ryzyi 1-0 in an overtime tiebreaker in the third place match.
“Falling short of a state title never defines the season,” said R-P head coach Brad Cowles. “Landon wrestled an incredible tournament and battled his way to a third place finish. His grit, toughness and determination were on display every match.
Sidney Shackelford, who finished fifth and also earned All-State honors. Photo Alicia Learn
“We are proud of the way he competed and represented our team and Reeths-Puffer. That podium finish is something to be proud of.”
Sophomore Sidney Shackelford also had a great outing in the girls state finals, taking fifth place in the 145-pound bracket and earning a medal and All-State honors.
She posted a 3-2 record in the tournament and finished the season at 32-12.
“Sidney took full advantage of her opportunity to compete in the state tournament and wrestled her best performance of the season,” Coach Cowles said. “She wrestled every match to the last second. She's already looking forward to doing even better next season.”