KENTWOOD – The East Kentwood wrestling team has been through the ups and downs of a long season, but with the individual and state team tournaments getting started, the Falcons are determined to end the season on an upswing.

The Falcons started the wrestling season on a high note, winning their first nine dual matches. The OK Red Conference season brought the Falcons down to earth, however, and injuries and illness have also hit.

Despite the hurdles, the Falcons have made plenty of progress this season and are looking to end the season strong.

“We’ve made a lot of progress this season, right up through the Holt invitational,” said East Kentwood head coach Ben DeMaagd. “We’ve been battling the flu and are a little banged up, so we have not had a full lineup lately.”

At full strength, the Falcons are a competitive team, with several wrestlers gearing up for success in the individual state tournament.

Kionte Blakely(Karen Waite | Advance Newspapers)

Kionte Blakely is one of the Falcons turning in a huge season. Blakely, a junior, entered the month of February with a 27-1 record. Blakely’s lone loss came in the finals of the Kent County Classic, when he dropped a decision to defending Division 2 state champion Austin Boone of Lowell. Boone is also ranked 18th in the nation at 145 pounds.

“Kionte has done a great job for us,” DeMaagd said. “He’s very athletic and has really learned how to develop a good plan of attack on the mat.”

Rayvon Perkins(Karen Waite | Advance Newspapers)

Fellow-junior Rayvon Perkins is also turning in a solid season. A defending conference champion, Perkins won the 112-pound title at the Kent County meet.

The Falcons have a deep and talented junior class this season. At 171 pounds, junior Jacob Yingling won a title at the Holt Invitational. Yingling, however, is one of the Falcons battling the flu and hopes to return for team and individual districts.

Marcus Hurst(Karen Waite | Advance Newspapers)

Junior Marcus Hurst won the 125-pound title at the Holt Invitational.

“Marcus has shown a lot of improvement,” DeMaagd said. “He won at title at the Holt Invitational, but then he hurt his ankle in the dual with Caledonia.”

Will Hefron(Karen Waite | Advance Newspapers)

Junior Will Heffron is a returning regional qualifier who just missed qualifying for state last season by one match. Heffron placed fourth at Holt.

The lone senior in the starting lineup, Zsigmond Squiers is capping his final season of high school wrestling in strong fashion. Sauiers won the 152-pound title at the Holt Invitational.

“Zsigmond has really stepped up in a leadership role for us,” DeMaagd said.