Clarkston Wrestling Coach Joe DeGain likes where his team is heading this year.
‘This team has a really good attitude and I think it is going to take them places,? DeGain said.
The Wolves have a fair amount of experience in their corner this season as well.
Seniors Tommy Ellsworth and Josh McAllister and junior Mike Maguire are back after qualifying for the individual state finals last year. The Wolves also return 2005 regional qualifiers Bryant Kraft, Mitch Miller, Bryan Webb and Steve Herron. Webb and Steve Smiley both qualified for states in 2004.
Of those returning to the team, DeGain singled out Craft as having taken his skill set to the ‘next level.?
Wrestling at 152 pounds, Kraft was one of seven Clarkston wrestlers scoring points in the Wolves season opening, 39-30 win over Detroit Catholic Central on Nov. 30.
Ellsworth (160), McAllister (171), Smiley (189), Herron (275), Maguire (119) and Tyler Schneider (125) all won their matches against DCC as well. Herron, Ellsworth and Schneider recorded pins.
Following up their season opening victory, Clarkston took third place out of 16 teams at the John Glenn Invitational on Dec. 3.
‘We’re a better team than the third place we took. Overconfidence kind of shot (us) in the foot,? DeGain said.
Standing out at the invitational were Colton Tweed (145), Craft, Ellsworth, Smiley and Herron, each of whom won all five of their matches.
‘We make a strong run in the middle to upper weights,? DeGain said. ‘We are a little bunched up at some weights. We’ve got some varsity quality wrestlers on the B team right now.?
Showcasing the programs? depth, Clarkston’s B team finished fourth in a field of 16 at the Ferndale Invitational, where they wrestled other varsity programs.
Next up for the varsity team is Howell Invitational on Dec. 10 followed by a dual meet at Davison High School on Dec. 13.
Looming large on the horizon is the annual Oakland County Tournament, Dec. 16-17, which Clarkston is hosting.