The Dragons lost an emotional state semifinals meet in Battle Creek over the weekend.
In what was Coach Doug Kline’s last team meet (the state final individual meets are this weekend at the Palace in Auburn Hills), the Dragons were up against Rockford.
Kline said he knew what he needed against Rockford were bonus points, points they failed to get.
They lost 30-24.
“We just weren’t able to do it,” Kline said. “We didn’t match up well with them. It wasn’t meant to be.”
Kline, who is retiring this season, said it didn’t hit him until he was going through the line, shaking hands with the opposing team.
When he got to Rockford’s head coach, who is a close friend, Kline said they both started getting emotional.
“Both of us, we just broke down,” Kline said.
The Dragons end the season with a 32-8 record.
The defeat comes after a win the day before against Novi Detroit Catholic Central, who the Dragons rallied to beat 42-27.
“The spark we needed took place when Ladd pinned his guy,” Kline said, referring to Mitch Ladd’s winn. “That totally turned the tide of the meet.”
The Dragons have five wrestlers headed to the state final individual meet this weekend at the Palace: Dougie Mack, A.J. Fligger, Justin Ruddy, Evan Gros and Willie Stewart.