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

