Locals set to join Team Michigan, wrestle against the best at Disney Duals

During the high school wrestling season, Kaijehl Williams was able to show he was one of the best wrestlers in this area. When it came to the state tournament, the Battle Creek Central grappler took his talents up against the best in Michigan and shined.

Now, he wants to see how he measures up against some of the best wrestlers in the country.

The Bearcats' Williams is among a local contingent of high school wrestlers who are on Team Michigan and will travel to Florida this week to compete in the 2022 AAU Scholastic Duals.

Heading to what is known in wrestling circles as the Disney Duals, Williams will be joined by BCC teammates Angelo Williams and Noah Nichols as well as Lakeview standouts Dane Harper and Dayveon Rupert.

"Just excited to be competing nationally, trying to perfect my craft for next year," Williams said. "Wrestling on this team, helps all of our guys to get their name out there. Competing against the best guys in the country helps with recruiting, helps you get seen.

"It will be fun heading to Florida with these guys. I think we have a really good team, we will have a really good time."

Williams went to states last year for BCC and will wrestle this week at 220 pounds. BCC's Angelo Williams is at 160 and the Bearcats' Noah Nichols is at 152. Lakeview's Dane Harper will go heavyweight and the Spartans' Dayveon Rupert will be at 145.

Battle Creek Central wrestling coach Liam Knapp is helping with Team Michigan as the squad held one of its final practices at the BCC Fieldhouse on Thursday.

"There is a team element, so there's some pride wrestling for these guys as they get to be on Team Michigan. Especially, when you are going up against a team, say from Wisconsin, it's a lot of great competition for these guys," Knapp said. "What they are looking at, is every match they will be involved in down there will essentially be a state finals level match. And that's several times a day for several days. It is a great way for our guys to get better, being thrown in the fire."

Todd Skinner, a 1990 Battle Creek Central graduate, has headed the Team Michigan AAU program for several years. The traveling group features state champions and state placers from all over Michigan.

"I've been all over and the Disney Duals is about as good as you can get. There will be some great wrestling," Skinner said. "It's great to be back in Battle Creek to get some of these wrestlers to go with us. I have taken a Battle Creek Central kid in the past, some Lakeview kids, a Pennfield kid, a Harper kid last year. It's a really good experience for all of them. Especially if you are an underclassmen. You want to see this kind of competition because it can prepare for next season."

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Locals join Team Michigan, will wrestle against the best at Disney Duals