When teams set foot on the wrestling mat at the Oxford Invite, they know they are going to be in for a long day against the Wildcats.
This year’s Invite was no exception, as teams from Durand, Walled Lake Central, Imlay City, Novi and Marysville were witnesses to the Wildcat’s wrestling supremacy as Oxford finished 5-0 and took first place on Dec. 30.
‘It was good to see and it was a good tournament for us over break and gets us back in the swing and ready to go for the start of league,? Wrestling Coach Scott Couch said.
Every opponent seemed overwhelmed against the Wildcats, who averaged a 65-7 score in their victories.
Wrestling Head Coach Scott Couch credits the aggressive nature of his kids for the dominant performances.
‘We were basically the aggressor. We stepped up the intensity and won those close matches that we didn’t win in (the) Oakland County (Tournament). We had some really good rest over the break and we’re basically ready for the rest of the long season,? said Couch.
The closest match was against Durand, who was able to muster a whopping 16 points in their 51-16 loss to the Wildcats.
It was all Oxford after that as they defeated Walled Lake Central 70-9, Imlay City 67-6, Novi 60-6 and shutting out Marysville 77-0.
‘Normally the teams that are there are pretty tough teams,? said Couch. ‘With Durand and Imlay City, it gives us a different look over the break and I think we wrestled really well.?
Seven wrestlers went on to win all five of their matches: Keegan Cantara at 103 lbs., Jacob Peasley at 112 lbs., Steven Ferguson at 119 lbs., Kyle Hill at 125 lbs., Mike Thomas at 130 lbs., Ben Ralston at 145 lbs. and Prescott Line at 215 lbs.
Couch noted that AJ Logan came back into the lineup and wrestled well in his first appearance of the year.
After the Invite sweep, the Wildcats ran their record to 11-2 on the young season.
The Wildcats get a few days off before heading back to the mat against Clio and Kearsley in their Flint Metro League opener at home on Jan. 6 before taking on Detroit Catholic Central and Novi on Jan. 9.