Cory Kuzinski, Dragon wrestling’s new head coach, says people tell him he’s got big shoes to fill.
Last year’s varsity lineup included league, county, regional and state competitors and was headed by Michigan Wrestling Association Hall of Famer Doug Kline.
In the last five years, the team’s won two county championships, three Oakland Activities Association titles, four consecutive district titles, two consecutive regional crowns, and two consecutive trips to the state semifinals, in addition to 24 state qualifiers, 15 of which have earned all-state honors, according to the new coach.
‘We’ve definitely reached a point where we get a lot of respect when we walk into a gym,? Kuzinski said. ‘However, my guess would be that a lot of people will think that this would be a good year to take a shot at us since we graduated nine seniors from our varsity line-up.?
But the new coach says the team will get back to its winning ways.
‘Bottom line: We’re going to sneak up on some opponents this year.? Those that follow us closely, however, know that we’re going to come out aggressive for 14 straight weight classes.? Win or lose, LO wrestlers will make you work for the points you earn.?
This season, Kuzinski says he’d like the team to put up a strong fight against Clarkston, Oxford and Detroit Catholic Central.
‘If we got over even one of those teams, I would think we’d have a successful Oakland County Tournament,? he said, adding ‘anytime we beat Clarkston, it’s a good thing; they’re the class of Oakland County.?
But being down nine seniors, Kuzinski isn’t predicting a sweeping season.
‘There are a lot of unknowns with us just because the majority of our guys don’t have varsity experience, but I feel pretty good,? he said. ‘I’d say we’re going to win more than we lose. We might not come at you with the best in the state, but we can come at you 14 weight classes in a row and make you work for wins, and that’s what these kids will do.?
Seniors AJ Fligger and Matt Musary will lead the team as captains. Fligger was a state-qualifier last year and Musary had a 26-26 record and placed in county and league meets.
Also returning to the team are Willie Stewart (2008 state qualifier), Curtis DeGeorge and Adam Gros, who Kuzinski says will be strong contenders.
Dragon fans should keep an eye on up-and-coming Dominik Arnold, John Atwater, Vinnie Gianino, Zach Blomberg, Lance Grzadzinski, Josh Hofmann, Joey Kohler, Devon Meadows and Demitri Hudson, says the caoach.
And though this will be Kuzinski’s first year as head coach, he’s no stranger to Dragon wrestling.
Kuzinski served as assistant coach for the last five years and was on staff for an additional three.
‘If people are looking for huge changes in the way we run things because it’s me instead of Doug now, they probably won’t see too much of it,? he said.
As assistant coach, Kusinski said he and Kline divided responsibilities down the middle.
‘I was running practice for the most part. Doug always had the final say on what moves we made during competition, but any suggestion I threw at him, he was pretty accepting,? he said.
In keeping with tradition, Kuzinski notes that winning county, league, district and regional tournaments is still a goal.
‘Whatever happens after that is definitely icing,? he said.