Historic victory, back-to-back district titles story of season for Lakers wrestling

WEST BLOOMFIELD — With an historic win for longtime head coach Greg Alessi, back-to-back district championships, and West Bloomfield’s first Oakland Activity Association league title since 2014, it’s looking like the right time to hop aboard the Lakers wrestling program.

From savvy veterans to talented underclassmen, West Bloomfield has the pieces in place to become a perennial contender in Division 1 wrestling.

“Our goal is to always win the league,” Alessi said. “That’s our No. 1, and then districts is our No. 2. That’s what we set our goals on and what we work for.”

Alessi, who’s been the mainstay of the Lakers coaching staff for 35 years, notched his 500th career win this season at the Dexter Invitational Jan. 20, headlining an unbeaten 6-0 dual meet season to capture the OAA White league. West Bloomfield also accomplished its district championship goal with a 42-25 win over Bloomfield Hills Feb. 7.

The Lakers held no shortage of standout performances this season, flexing their muscles at the OAA White tournament championship Feb. 3 at Berkley High School with a second place finish courtesy of their freshman and junior class putting on a clinic.

The ninth grade class stormed out the gate this season with Carson Acree, Bryan Valentin and Leath Hadeed all posting consistent performances their first year.

Acree (106) and Valentin (113) both captured league titles in their respective weight classes while compiling a successful regular season record of 22-11 and 18-10, respectively.

Alessi said the middle school wrestling program has played a vital role in the development of his underclassmen.

“I think just the continuity and the fact that us coaches have been together so long,” Alessi said. “We have a good system in place with the middle school, and they’re getting some numbers up now. We’re getting kids that actually have a little bit of wrestling history when they come to high school.”

As the young Lakers were making their mark, the junior and senior class continued to be productive this season, forefronted by University of Dayton football commit Alex Walton, a senior at the 285-pound weight class.

Walton, who compiled a 27-4 regular season record, was a focal point of a West Bloomfield football team that reached the state semifinals, and he continued to add to an already impressive high school career with an individual district championship title Feb. 10 at Birmingham Groves High School. Walton was a regional qualifier in 2023 as well.

Senior Elan Bekker, a league champion in the 157-pound weight class, posted a 22-7 record this year after finishing 8-5 as a junior in 2023. Gavin Truman (190) and Jonah Owen (138), who finished runner-up in the league meet, both posted an above .500 record this season for West Bloomfield.

As impactful as the Lakers senior class was, the juniors were the story of the season in terms of improvement as Julian Brenner (144), Alexander Hampton (150) and Mohammad Hadeed (175) headline the returning senior core for West Bloomfield next season.

Brenner, who led the team in wins with a 35-4 record, was a first-year wrestler his sophomore season and caught fire late as the year came to a close.

“I got better towards the end of last season, so all my goals were within reach, and I felt that way this year as well,” Brenner said. “When the goals feel like they’re right there in front of you at the tip of your tongue, it just feels so much better.”

Adding an individual league and district championship to his name, it’s safe to say Brenner checked off all the boxes on his goal sheet in 2024.

Brenner was a regional qualifier this year but fell short of earning a shot at the state finals. Still fine tuning his craft, Brenner said another offseason before his senior year has him poised for a state finals run in 2025.

“I want to make up for what I didn’t do this year,” Brenner said. “I want to take better care of my body next year, and I’m really coming for it next year. I’ve talked with my coaches and family, and I thought about it, and it’s so within reach. The goal to take states next year is within reach.”

After collecting only eight wins as a sophomore, Hampton, a league champion in the 150-pound weight class, was arguably the most improved wrestler on the Lakers, holding a 25-11 record.

Mohammed Hadeed built off of a successful junior campaign with a league title in the 175-pound weight class and a district runner-up, earning a regional qualification.

Where West Bloomfield wrestling stands right now, winning league and the district should become a constant with the talent the Lakers possess.

With a crop of skilled freshmen and a core group of juniors ready to take on the leadership role, the Lakers should be strong contenders once more in Division 1 wrestling.