Despite entering the season with just four returning seniors, the young Oxford Wildcat Wrestling team is already making a name for themselves.
Over the holiday break, the Wildcats led the Oxford Invitational Tournament, for a fifth consecutive win, muscling a dynamic 22 point lead over Flint Powers.
This past weekend, the young grapplers again surprised Head Coach Paul McDevitt by bringing home another first place title from the 16-team tournament at Swartz Creek High School.
‘The team at Swartz Creek showed they are among the best around,? said McDevitt, explaining that Oxford was represented at both the Swartz Creek and Detroit Catholic tournaments over the weekend.
‘We sent seven sophomores and freshman to Swartz Creek and the rest went to the Detroit Catholic tournament,? he said. At Swartz Creek, the team’s inexperience on the mat was never revealed as every Wildcat fought hard for a place in the individual finals.
Sophomores Cavan Cappuccilli (135) and Jay Regan (152) both placed first in their weight class, while sophomores Brent Mueller (140), Aaron Moore (215), and 130-pound freshman Kyle Brammer (who was bumped up a weight class) placed second. Sophomores Bobby Rhodes (119) and Josh Rutkowski (215) both earned third place wins.
‘This is Rutkowski’s first year of wrestling and he has worked extremely hard in practice and did really well,? said McDevitt. ‘He’s improved a lot.?
At the Detroit Catholic tournament, the team placed 12th out of 16 teams, and although McDevitt called it a tough meet, he was pleased with individual performances on the mat.
Sophomore Mike Upshur (103) placed second overall and seniors Bryant Vielhaber (135) and Kyle Nieporte (152) each won four matches and lost one, finishing in fifth place.
Juniors Nick Murray (171) and Kam Mueller (189), and sophomore Nathan Musgrove each won two and lost two matches.
‘I was very happy with their performances down there,? McDevitt said. ‘I was pleasantly surprised with both teams performances . . . Every kid walked away with a winning record.?
The Wildcats wrestle tonight (Wednesday, January 12) at Waterford Mott.