Grapplers claim 8th straight district title

The Wildcats claimed their eighth consecutive wrestling district title with dominating efforts over Lake Orion and Rochester on Thursday, Feb. 9.
Oxford defeated Lake Orion 53-14 and shut out Rochester Adams 64-0 to claim their title.
Varsity wrestling head coach Brandon Rank said the Wildcats ‘looked real good? in their matches.
‘We wanted to see how a couple of our newer guys were performing, and that is something that we are pretty keen to see, but those guys are taking shape and hopefully those are going to be ready to peak at the right time,? Rank said.
Oxford won’t have an easy road to get to the team state finals as they square off against Anchor Bay at Henry Ford II High School on Wednesday, Feb. 15. If the Wildcats manage to get bye Anchor Bay, they square off in a rematch of an earlier loss against Rochester High School.
Rank said his focus was one team at a time.
‘We have to beat Anchor Bay first,? he said.. ‘We saw Anchor Bay at Individuals this weekend. They have a nice squad and it’s one of those things you don’t look past.?
‘We are a very good team, and I think we are capable of going to the Palace and making some noise, but we can’t look past anybody,? he added. ‘We need to show up on Wednesday and be our absolute best.?
The district titles continued on Saturday as four Wildcats – Kyle Hill (125), Mike Willits (130), Jacob Peasley (152) and Prescott Line (215) – were crowned district champions.
Overall, Oxford will send 11 wrestlers to individual regionals.
Finishing second for Oxford were Eddie Schlickenmeyer (112), Rocco Borg (140), while Dan Curtis (103), Wesley Maskill (145), Marty Giannola (165) and Liam Logan (171) were third at districts. Noah Cantara (135) was fourth.
Rank said Rochester had seven district champions.
‘They have some talented kids (but) I feel we’re the deeper team,? Rank said. ‘Sure, Rochester had seven champions, and that is fantastic, but the Wildcats got the better end of the deal. Our kids were winning all over the place and it’s nice to see that.?
Individual regionals take place at L’Anse Creuse High School on Saturday, Feb. 18.

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