By TANYA GARCIA
FOWLERVILLE – With District Finals complete, the field of competitors has narrowed as top wrestlers from the Greater Lansing area prepare for the regional rounds. An area defending champion and multiple 2024 All-State finalists are among those advancing, aiming for a shot at the State Championship later this month.
Leading the charge is Lansing Eastern High’s 115-pound junior, Olivia Delacruz, 27-4, secured a second-place finish in her division to punch her ticket to regionals to be held at Chelsea High School on February 16, 2025. Delacruz, an All-State honoree, is making her third consecutive bid for the State Championship, set to take place at Detroit’s Ford Field on February 28. She finished eighth in the 105-pound division last year and looks to improve on that performance.
“I am thrilled to have made it back to Regionals,” Delacruz said. “Although I didn’t finish first I am very happy to have defeated Anna Buurma to reach the championship round.”
Buurma, an All-State honoree, finished No. 4 at the State Championship last year, ahead of Delacruz.
Lansing Sexton High’s senior, Ayan Kelley, 29-6, also advanced, placing third in the 155-pound division. With this marking her second appearance to the regional round for a chance to punch her ticket back to the State Championship, Kelley is determined to make a statement in the competition.
According to Michigan High School Athletic Association, two Greater Lansing state ranked powerhouse programs, No. 2 ranked Fowlerville High Lady Gladiators and No. 6 ranked DeWitt High Lady Panthers, continue their dominance. Each are sending six wrestlers to regionals respectively. Both teams feature returning 2024 All-State finalists who placed in the top five at the State last year setting the stage for a strong showing.
Fowlerville senior Margret Buurma, with a 34-2 season record, is one of the top contenders to watch. A three-time regional qualifier and reigning three-time State Champion, Burma is seeking to make history. Competing in the 145-pound division, she aims to become Michigan’s first female wrestler to win four consecutive MHSAA State Championships. With an impressive season record, she remains a heavy favorite heading into regionals.
As the road to Ford Field continues, these wrestlers will look to solidify their legacies and bring home more championship titles for Greater Lansing.
Hard Work
Lansing Wrestlers Shine at CAAC Girls Championship Tournament
Leading up to the District Championship and regional round, the gymnasium at Holt High School was electric on February 5, 2025, as over 1,000 spectators packed the stands to witness some of the best high school wrestling talent in the area. The CAAC Girls Championship Tournament delivered intense competition, and two Lansing School District wrestlers emerged victorious, solidifying their dominance on the mat.
According to Flowrestling.com, Sexton High School’s Senior, Ayan Kelley is now caring a 26-4 record as she successfully defended her title in the 155-pound division, securing back-to-back championships with a commanding performance. Kelley, who has been a standout all season, showcased her strength and technical skill, overpowering her opponents on her way to the top of the podium. Her ability to control matches and execute flawless takedowns proved why she remains one of the premier wrestlers in her division.
“I’ve been working hard all season to defend my title,” Kelley said. “Winning again feels amazing, but I know the job isn’t done yet. The district finals are coming up, and I’m focused on making it all the way to Ford Field for the state championship.”
Joining Kelley in the winner’s circle was Eastern High School Junior, Olivia Delacruz, who also clinched her second consecutive CAAC championship in her 120-pound weight class. Delacruz holding a record of 25-3. She is known for her agility and strategic wrestling style, navigated through a tough bracket to reclaim her title. With each victory, she demonstrated her resilience and determination to remain at the top of her game.
“This year’s competition was tougher, and I had to push myself harder,” Delacruz said. “But hearing my name called as champion again makes all the hard work worth it. I’m excited to take this momentum into the district finals.”
The CAAC Championship marked the final tournament of the year before the crucial Michigan High School Athletic Association District Tournament, where wrestlers will battle for a chance to compete at regionals leading up to the Michigan High State Tournament, held at Ford Field in Detroit. With their latest victories, both Kelley and Delacruz have positioned themselves as top contenders to make deep postseason runs.
According to Michigan High School Athletic Association, the District Tournament will be held in Fowlerville, Michigan hosted by the No 3 ranked team in the state, Fowlerville Lady Gladiators wrestling team on February 9.
Coaches and fans alike were thrilled with the level of competition at the tournament, and the energy in the gym reflected the growing excitement around girls’ wrestling in Michigan. As the road to the state championship continues, all eyes will be on Kelley and Delacruz to see if they can carry their championship form onto the grandest stage in high school wrestling.
“Wrestling is the fastest growing high school sport in America,” according to the Regional Business News Report published in January. “From just 112 high school girls who wrestled in 1990† to now over 64,000 female wrestlers in 2024‡, participation in the sport is exploding thanks to girls embracing a space traditionally dominated by boys.”
The report was reported by e.l.f . Beauty sponsored the Wonder Women of Wrestling Tournament in New York City and attracted 700 athletes from 83 teams and 3,000 spectators for 1,300 matches over the two-day event held January 3-4, 2025.
“I don’t pay attention to rankings,” said Brian Byars, Dewitt High School head wrestling coach when asked about his girls No. 6 ranking in the state. “We go out and do our work.”
He talked about the difference in coaching male and female wrestlers.
“One of the big differences is a lot of the females start the sport when they hit high school.” Byers said. “Most of the guys start the sport when they are much younger, which makes the girls really coachable because they listen really, really, really well and for the guys you need to explain why they are doing something wrong because they have been doing it for a while.”
He added that his DeWitt Lady Panthers are working hard to qualify six or seven wrestlers for the State Championship.
“We are very confident we will get three or four, and we just need to make sure that happens and keep improving everyday,” Byers said.
Last year, three Lady Panthers earned All-State honors at the State Championship: Jamie Cook (125-pound) finished second, Ryleigh Ruiz (105-pound) placed third, and Elliana Hillard (135-pound) secured seventh place.