2004 Male Athlete of the Year

This year’s selection for the State Bank Athlete of the Year is an outstanding athlete. He earned many school, league and state honors. Matt played baseball, football and was a wrestler.

Regarding baseball, during his junior year he earned 2nd team all conference honors for his outstanding play as shortstop.

Matt also excelled on the football field. He was named team captain his sophomore, junior and senior years. He was chosen as the teams MVP during his senior year. Flint Metro League honors include: honorable mention linebacker his junior year, 2nd team linebacker and 2nd team running back his senior year.

The sport that brought Matt statewide recognition, was wrestling. His high school career record is 187-12. His goal of 200 wins was not made possible as he had injured his knee and had to have surgery ½ way through his senior year. He was the team captain and earned MVP honors his sophomore, junior and senior years. He was 2nd team Oakland County his sophomore year, and 1st team Oakland County his freshman, junior and senior years. He was also the Oakland County upper weight classes MVP his junior year. A very prestigious tournament that Holly hosts is the Bob Varner Memorial Tournament. Matt was that tournaments’ MVP both his junior and senior year as well as the Lake Orion team tournament MVP his sophomore year. The Flint Metro League recognized his outstanding abilities each year. His freshman year he earned 2nd team all conference, his last three years he earned 1st team honors. Finally, our honoree placed all four years in the state finals wrestling meet – a feat never before accomplished by a Holly wrestler. He was 3rd his freshman year and 2nd the last three years.

In his spare time, he volunteered with the MMWA (Mid-Michigan Wrestling Assoc.) youth wrestling and the Holly Youth Football organization. His hobbies included refereeing youth wrestling, youth football and umpiring youth baseball.