Before Clarkston’s wrestling team could get rolling this year, they are knocked out for the season. After advancing to the State semi-finals last year, the Wolves were ousted by on Feb. 16 Holly in the first round of districts by a count of 31-27.
‘It’s been a trying season for the guys. They learned a lot. Even though it did not pay off tonight, I think either next year, or maybe not even in their wrestling careers, they are going to learn how to deal with adversity because of all the stuff they had to go through this year,? said Clarkston Coach Joe DeGain.
The Wolves began the season with many of their best wrestlers suspended, endured an extremely competitive schedule, battled illness and injury throughout and had too much depth at too few weights.
‘You could tell that some of our guys that we had rested up until now. We could tell they weren’t where they should be. But that is how the cookie crumbles,? said DeGain. ‘Our lineup is a little bit traffic jammed. We have some good wrestlers that are all in the same weight and we can’t spread them out enough.?
The season did have high moments as Clarkston won their fourth straight Oakland County Tournament on Dec. 18.
At districts, drama ran high towards the end of Clarkston and Holly’s match. The Wolves Mike Maguire (103 pounds) and Tyler Schneider (113) defeated their counterparts to knot the score at 27-27. Clarkston’s Kevin Park (118), however, was unable to overcome Rich Hallowell as the Bronchos staked claim to the victory and later the district, waylaying Lake Orion 39-18.
Some individual Clarkston performances at team districts were commendable. Josh McAllister (160) beat Colin Nordmen 26-11, under strange circumstances as the referee failed to notice McAllister’s technical fault upon recording 20 points. Tommy Ellsworth won a 14-5 victory at 145 pounds, after being forced to leave the OAA league tournament on Feb. 11 due to illness. Bryant Kraft earned a close 6-4 decision over Adam Barber at 135 pounds. Steve Smiley, hobbled by a knee injury for the past two weeks, out pointed Chris Turner 5-1. Braden L’Amoreaux registered six points for Clarkston at 152 pounds due to a Holly void.
‘I’m sure the guys are bummed out about the (loss), the ones who made it (to States) last year. If they make it that far, they make a pact with themselves to make it back and do better? but we’ll live through it,? said DeGain.
While the season is done for the team, some wolves will continue on to regionals.
Several Clarkston wrestlers grappled well enough during individual districts at Chippewa Valley on Feb. 19 to move to individual regionals on Feb. 26, hosted by Bay City Western. L’Amoreaux was king of the hill in the 145-pound weight class. Also moving on to regionals are: Mike Maguire (third, 103 pounds); Bryant Kraft and Mitch Miller (third and fourth, 135 pounds); Bryan Webb (second, 140); Tommy Ellsworth (third, 145); Josh McAllister (fourth, 152); and Steve Herron (second, heavyweight)