Last year’s Oxford High School Wrestling team finished at 26-4, winning the Flint Metro League and making it to the state semifinals. Their season ended when they lost in the state team dual meets.
Think they’re satisfied?
Guess again.
‘I think after being in the state semis last year, we won’t settle for anythign less than the state tournament (this season),? said Head Coach Scott Couch.
‘We are still looking for respect from teams. We don’t have any state champions, and we have guys who want to come out and wrestle hard.?
Couch describes this team as very focused and determined.
With the new season comes departures and additions.
Gone from this year’s squad are Zach Line, who wrestled at 215 pounds and took third in state last season and Kyle Bremer, who wrestled at 140 pounds and qualified for state. There are 70 wrestlers on this year’s squad.
While the drive and refusal to accept anything but success is there, Couch wants his team to focus on one step at a time.
‘We need to not look past anybody,? he said. ‘Our focus needs to be one meet at a time.?
Couch sees Lake Orion, Linden and Holly as tough opponents, as will be Romeo. He sees tough competition as good for his team.
‘We wrestle a lot of teams some shy away from,? he said. ‘It’s the true test to see where we’re at as a team. These are schools that we respect a lot.?
The wrestling teams’s first dual meet is Dec. 3 at home against Lake Orion.