Grapplers took sixth place at the Bay City Michigan Duals during the weekend.
At the tournament they defeated three schools and lost to two.
‘We wrestled well,? said Coach Joe DeGain. ‘We are coming out and wrestling hard.?
Alex Popp, Evan King, and Mike Richmond went undefeated in all five of their matches.
‘It was Richmond’s third competition since he dropped down to 215. He has done well with ten wins and one loss,? said DeGain. ‘King is really opening up on offense and it worked for him. He had great takedowns.?
Zak Roberson and Sloan Hadsall were 4-1 at the tournament, and Kyle Broughton was 3-1.
‘Broughton didn’t expect to wrestle and had to step in when another wrestler was injured,? said DeGain. ‘It was great for him to go in.?
They took on Linden during the first round and won, 40-22. The next round they defeated Montrose, 41-23. During the third round they lost to Dundee, 36-29 but came back with a win against Middleville (39-21). They lost the final round to Hesperia, 46-21.
DeGain said the boys are wrestling hard and get tougher with their opponents lighten up on them.
‘When the opponents come at us and battle tough, we don’t get tougher,? said DeGain.
DeGain saw the same at the dual meets on Wednesday when the boys lost to Detroit Catholic Central and Hudson.
‘When going gets tough, we got to work harder,? said DeGain.
The boys will get a chance to get tough this week with a meet against Temperance Bedford on Wednesday and the Hammer and Anvil Tournament in Ohio on Saturday.
Bedford’s meet will give the boys another opportunity to go against the best in the state.
‘They are a fantastic team,? said DeGain. ‘We can do well. We just have to believe in ourselves and get fired up on all cylinders.?
At the Hammer and Anvil tournament the boys can go in with a clear head, not knowing anything about their opponent or who they have beaten.