Lake Fenton's Todd Melick Falls Short of State Title

Lake Fenton's Todd Melick has been so close to state title, but never able to claim one for himself. He has been so close to being called a state champion, it almost hurts.

The Blue Devils senior had to settle for runner-up honors in the Division 3 119-pound weight class Saturday during the Michigan High School Athletic Association Individual State Wrestling Finals at the Palace of Auburn Hills. It was the second time he's been a runner-up. He has also finished third and fourth at the individual state meet, but never has been a state champion.

He also was part of the Lake Fenton wrestling team that finished second in the state last season. Melick watched his older brother Justin, 

"I thought I had it this year," a distraught Melick said after the match. "I was close, but not quite."

He lost 10-7 to Richmond's Stephen Ireland in the state title match. Ireland took a 4-0 lead early with a takedown and reversal and held the lead through the match.

"He was a lot stronger than I thought he was," Melick said.

Ireland, 24-3, missed a lot of season because of a shoulder injury and all three of his losses came by defaults.

"I prepare myself to be stronger than their strengths and I try to capitalized on their weaknesses,” Ireland said.

Melick finished the season at 47-4.

Melick won his first match Thursday by forfeit. He won his second match with a 9-0 major decision against Remus-Chippewa Hills' Caleb Jernigan and advanced to the final Friday by pinning Richmond's Nick Burg.

Melick placed third in the state in the same 119-pound weight class last season. He was the state runner-up in 2010 in the 1120pound weight class for Detroit Catholic Central. He took fourth for DCC at 103 pounds in 2009.