From Friends to Foes

AUBURN HILLS—Two weeks ago they were battling each other for a regional championship. Last weekend they were celebrating together as teammates. This weekend they could be opponents once again.

's Christian O'Guinn (45-9) and Justin Melick (50-5) helped propel the Blue Devils to Division 3 team runner-up honors last week, but the teammates could be pitted against each other this weekend at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Individual State Finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Both are entered in the state tournament at 145 pounds.

The Lake Fenton stars both won opening matches Thursday.

Two weeks ago, the Blue Devils teammates fought for a regional title, with Melick, a former state champ, winning 4-0. Melick also earned another victory earlier this season against O'Guinn.

The two are on opposite sides of the bracket, but they could face each other in the placement matches Saturday—perhaps for the state title.

"We help each other out," O'Guinn said. "But it's an individual sport when it comes down to it."

Melick knows he has a target on his back. The senior won a Division 1 state title last year at 135 pounds, before transferring from Detroit Catholic Central to Lake Fenton.

"It's tough," he said. "Kids know you're the top kid and they watch video and know your moves."

Both had tough matches Thursday, as O'Guinn won 3-1 against Whitehall's Dillon McCarthy (37-12) and Melick won 6-0 against Allendale's Bryce Brown (41-11).

Lake Fenton coach Vance Corcoran said they have had no problem maintaining their friendship during their battles.

While it is an individual tournament, Lake Fenton wrestlers were glad to have nearly their entire team, 10 athletes, participating.

"It's great. During the march we were just walking around making jokes," said Lake Fenton senior Zach Corcoran, who in previous years had been at the tournament with just a teammate or two. "It's a lot different when we are all here sharing the same experiences."

Corcoran (135) won with a 16-1 technical fall victory against Detroit Cesar Chavez's George Fajardo in his opening match.

Corcoran is the favorite in the Division 3 weight class, as his record stands at 54-1.

"It feels great to get started," Corcoran said. "There are always butterflies for the first match."

Last year, he went 62-2 and earned third place at 130 pounds in the individual state tournament. In 2009, Corcoran compiled a 25-4 record and earned seventh place at 112 pounds in the state meet. In 2008, he went 59-6 and placed fourth in the state finals at 103 pounds.

Squad members said going so far in the team state tournament will help them this weekend.

"It teaches you how to wrestle against the really good kids," Corcoran said. "It helps big time."

O'Guinn said he was a little tired during his match, but he said it wasn't because of the extra work at the Team State Meet.

"Team State helped the whole mood of tough end-of-the-season wrestling," the junior said.

Connor Brancheau (160, pin), Drew Morris (171, 11-4 decision), Todd Melick (119. 16-7 major decision) and Buddy Poyner (125, pin) also won their first match.

James Demember (103), Nathan Franks (215) and Bryce Hopkins (125)  lost their opening matches.

Action continues Friday and concludes Saturday at the Palace of Auburn Hills.