Start of Wrestling Was ‘Fluke’ for Haselius, Winning a State Title Was Not

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(March 13, 2022 8:00 AM) Getting into the sport of wrestling was a “fluke” according to Northwest High School wrestler Adam Haselius.

Winning a Michigan High School Athletic Association state individual wrestling title a week ago was not.

It took a lot of time, effort, and a year-round commitment.

Haselius finished the season with a 45-1 record and won the state title in Division 2 at Ford Field last Saturday defeating Kael Wisler of New Boston Huron 7-2 in the championship match at 189 pounds.

He became the first wrestler from NWHS to win an individual state title since Mike Leholm in 2008.

The Northwest wrestler lost to Wisler in the first match of the season, but gained the upper hand over the New Boston Huron grappler midway through the season.

“Losing my first match of the season was a wake up call,” Haselius said. “It helped me to focus on what the goal was for the season.”

Haselius took control in the championship match against Wisler and was digging for more late in the match.

“You can’t let up in a match … you have to keep grinding,” Haselius said. “It doesn’t matter what the score is.”

Haselius has been wrestling for a dozen years, urged by a co-worker of his mother to join the sport. He wrestles all year long, winning a national tournament last summer.

“The national competition in the summer is great preparation of the wrestling season,” Haselius said. “That is when the great athletes are born … during the summer.”

After losing his opening match of the season, the junior rattled off 45 consecutive wins including four in the state tournament with a pin, major decision, and two decisions.

“It feels great to bring back a state title for my school,” Haselius said. “I was doing it for my community.

“I want to change Northwest to be the best of the best (in wrestling) that people respect.”

Haselius – one of the first wrestlers on the mats in the championship round at Ford Field – had a simple message while running onto the mat … a T-shirt that said “We are Northwest.”

“It was nothing fancy … this is just another match,” Haselius said. “It is an important match, but every match is important.”

Haselius does not know if he will wrestle at 189 pounds next year. It is a weight class filled with linebackers.

“The weight class has some great athletes with size,” Haselius said. “Speed and strength are valuable, but it is not a super technical wrestling weight class.

“If you can control the match with skill, you are better off,” Haselius said.

Haselius looks forward for the opportunity to return to the state meet in 2023 and win another state title.

“It is the greatest feeling of all time.”