By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
Goal One of the 2006-07 season was accomplished by the Oxford Varsity Wrestlers Nov. 30 as the team beat Lake Orion 39-30 on the Dragons? own turf.
‘It’s a big win,? said Coach Scott Couch. ‘But it was just the first step.?
At that same meet, the grapplers also beat Rochester Adams 47-17 to open what promises to be a exciting and competitive season on the mat.
‘Right now, our team record’s 2-0,? Couch said. ‘It’s a good start to the year. Everybody did really well.?
Senior Mike Upshur, who placed third in the Oakland County tournament last year, secured the 100th win of his high school wrestling career last week.
Looking at his 58-man team this year, Couch said, ‘I think this is maybe one of the better groups we’ve seen, if not the best.?
Not because the team is loaded with stars or full of past champions.
‘We’re a team that no one knows about,? Couch explained. ‘We’re a team of nobodies. No one’s done anything. We don’t have any state qualifiers. No state placers. We don’t have any stand-outs.?
What the Wildcat grapplers do have is a great attitude, strong work ethic, focus and depth.
Whereas a lot of teams have two or three stars they ‘count on? to win, Couch said, Oxford has a ‘wealth of people to choose from? in all of the 14 weight classes from 103 to 275 pounds.
‘That makes us tough,? he said. ‘Every single person has somebody there that if they get hurt, if they get in trouble, if they get beat in a challenge match, they’re ready to step in.?
Who earns a place in the varsity lineup ‘could change from week to week,? according to the coach.
‘There’s no spot that’s locked in,? he said. ‘In practice, you’re fighting for a spot every single day.?
Although they’re constantly competing against each other in practice, all 58 wrestlers are ultimately focused on growing and winning as a team.
‘This group is one of the best teams I’ve ever seen as far as they want to do everything together,? Couch explained. ‘They would rather make sure the team is better than individuals.?
For the seniors, this season is about taking care of some ‘unfinished business? from when they were sophomores and the team made it all the way to the state quarterfinals.
‘They want to go back to the state tournament as a team and be competitive,? Couch said. ‘They want to be state champs.?
But don’t mistake ambition for cockiness or arrogance. Couch said the team prides itself on being ‘professional and respectful? of its opponents at all times.
When they beat Lake Orion last week, the coach said,’They were excited, but they weren’t jumping around. They took it as a business day.?
It’s far too early in the season and the road to the state tournament is too long and bumpy for Couch to make any predictions at this point.
‘I’m not going to say we’re the ‘real deal? because we haven’t done anything yet,? he said.
Leading the team and setting the tone for this season are captains and seniors Brent Mueller and John Logan.
Couch said, ‘They’re both silent leaders,? meaning their ‘presence and actions? speak louder than any words.
‘They’re both great competitors,? he said, noting they’re also strong academically with high grade point averages.
Mueller is ‘always there? at practice and ‘constantly gives 100 percent.?
A ‘positive role model,? Logan has ‘great expectations? for the team and knows when it’s time for everyone to run a few extra laps.
Up next for the grapplers is a Dec. 6 quad meet at Waterford Kettering High School where the Wildcats are expected to square off against Northville and Chippewa Valley. After that, it’s a six-team dual meet tournament at Romeo High School on Saturday, Dec. 9.