wrestling opponents this
season. That certainly was
the case at state.
“Lev got a tough draw at
state. Both guys he wres-
tled had to be around 270
pounds,” said Berkley wres-
tling coach Ron Fritz.
“Lev will tell you he didn’t
wrestle his best at state, but
just getting there was a major
accomplishment and a testa-
ment to his hard work.”
Fritz wasn’t surprised that
Mechnikov qualified for
state.
“Lev’s goal was to make it
to regionals, but I thought
he had what it takes to
make it to state,” he said.
So did Berkley football
coach Sean Shields.
Shields, a former All-State
wrestler at Madison Heights
Bishop Foley High School,
told Mechnikov before this
wrestling season that he’s
a college-level athlete and
could accomplish big things
in his senior year.
Football is Mechnikov’s
No. 1 sport. He might play
football at the next level.
A two-year starter for
the Berkley football team at
offensive guard and defen-
sive tackle who relied on his
quickness, work ethic and
wrestling skills to fight off
bigger opponents, Mechnikov
has a couple of Division III
college football offers.
“Lev would have a whole
lot more offers if he was
6-3,” Shields said. “He actu-
ally has the skill set to be a
Division II football player,
but he probably won’t get
that opportunity because of
his size.
“He can be a contributor
at the Division III level.
Maybe not in his freshman
year, but certainly after that.”
If playing football in
college doesn’t pan out,
Mechnikov said, he’s hoping
to attend the University of
Michigan or Michigan State
University.
Mechnikov was well-liked
and respected by his now
former Berkley wrestling
and football teammates and
coaches.
He was one of four wres-
tling team captains chosen
by Fritz.
He was one of five football
team captains selected by his
teammates. He helped the
Bears finish 7-3 last fall and
qualify for the state playoffs.
“Lev is a great kid. Very
funny,” Fritz said. “He’s an
outstanding member of our
high school community.”
Gabe and Daniella
Mechnikov are Lev’s parents.
Daniella is the executive
director of the Berkley-
based Yad Ezra kosher food
pantry.
Lev is 18. He has two sisters,
Pelli, 20, a junior at Michigan
State University, and Mia, 16, a
junior at Berkley.
The family lives in
Huntington Woods.
Please send sports news to
stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
“I DIDN’T EXPECT TO GET TO STATE.
I DIDN’T THINK THAT WAS
A POSSIBILITY.”
— LEV MECHNIKOV
T
o celebrate the
15-year anniversary
of the comedy teen
movie Superbad, NEXTGen
Detroit hosted a movie birth-
day party at The Maple in
Bloomfield Hills.
On Feb. 27 a group of
NEXTGen Detroiters gath-
ered for some popcorn,
drinks and socializing. For
some, it had been a while
since they’d been out to go
see a movie at the theaters
because of the pandemic.
One of the co-chairs of
the event, Lauren Blanck,
expressed how it was nice
to gather safely for a private
screening and watch a fun
movie with friends.
They even had a card-
board cutout of the famous
McLovin driver’s license to
take pictures with.
To see all the upcom-
ing events with NEXTGen
Detroit, go to https://jew-
ishdetroit.org/events/
Group of NEXTGen Detroiters schmoozing and getting popcorn and
drinks before the movie starts.
COURTESY OF NEXTGEN DETROIT
NEXTGen Detroit hosts a movie
party at The Maple.
Superbad 15 Year
Anniversary Screening
RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR
NEXT DOR
VOICE OF THE NEW
JEWISH GENERATION
Josh Davidson, Joey Unger and Kristie Good.
MARCH 24 • 2022 | 37