Lake Fenton Wrestlers Bring Home Three State Titles

AUBURN HILLS — Zach Corcoran waited 13 years to jump into his father’s arms after winning an individual state wrestling title.

On Saturday, the Lake Fenton senior’s dream came true.

 The 135-pounder captured a state championship at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Individual State Finals at The Palace of Auburn Hills and immediately ran and leaped to hug his father, Vance Corcoran, who is the Lake Fenton coach.

“I’ve seen it in my dreams,” Zach Corcoran said. “I can’t even explain it.”

The senior wrestler capped a 60-1 season by defeating Fremont’s John Wiggers 16-4 in the title match.

“I’ve been waiting 13 years for that,” said the elder Corcoran, who said he has been training Zach since he was 6 years old. “I’ve always wanted that more than anything. This is by far the happiest day of my life.”

Zach Corcoran wasn’t the only one jumping into the coach’s arms, however. After Corcoran’s state title, Justin Melick and Connor Brancheau also claimed individual crowns.

Melick, a senior, earned his second state title by beating Dundee’s Travis Reinhart 6-4 in the title match at 145 pounds. Melick won a championship at 135 pounds while attending Detroit Catholic Central last year.

“This one feels better,” said Melick, who ended the season with a 56-5 record and his career 179-32.

After winning, Melick flexed his muscles for the cheering crowd.

Brancheau made it a Blue Devil trifecta with his state championship at 160 pounds. The senior defeated Saginaw Swan Valley’s Jerry Flores 5-4 in the championship match.

Brancheau earned a late takedown in the first period to take a 2-0 lead; he then led 4-2 before Flores, whom he had wrestled three times previously and beaten twice, earned a reversal to tie the score at 4 in the second period. Brancheau then earned an escape, however, putting him up 5-4, and then he rode Flores the entire final period for the win.

The senior pumped his fist in the year and put up one finger before leaping into coach Corcoran’s arms.

“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s indescribable,” said Brancheau, who said he saw Zach Corcoran’s medal before his match and told him, “I want one of those.”

Brancheau, who is called ‘The Machine” by his team because of his incessant work ethic, finished the season with a 59-3 record.

“I’ve wanted this my whole life,” he said. “All the hard work paid off.”

Lake Fenton also had several other placers in the tournament.

Buddy Poyner (125) lost a 4-2 overtime heartbreaker in the state title match to Dundee's Joey White and had to settle for runner-up honors. last week in overtime to put his team in the state finals.

Todd Melick (119 pounds) earned third place and finished the season 49-5. Drew Morris (171) took fourth place with a season record of 55-5. Christian O’Guinn (145) took eighth place at the tournament.

Nate Franks (215), Bryce Hopkins (125) and James Demember also qualified for the tournament but did not place.

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