Grapplers posted their first two wins in the OAA Red league last week after defeating Lake Orion and Avondale.
“We did good,” said Clarkston Varsity Wrestling Coach Derek Moscovic. “I was happy about it. Lake Orion and Avondale always send kids out to compete. They both have a long history of outstanding programs. Our guys had to be ready every time.”
He noted a few wrestlers were missing from the line up due to injuries.
“The other guys stepped up and did well,” he added. “I was proud of them.”
The boys defeated Lake Orion, 43-22.
Grapplers contributing with pins were Brett Foltz (112) over A.J.Shepard; Chris Calvano (171) over Durham, 53 seconds into the match-up; Ethan Frick (189) pinned John Yeglinski with 21 seconds remaining in the match; and Scott Devos over Paul Scott, 42 seconds into the first period.
Mike Cardinale defeated Anton Letica, 4-0, in the 135-pound weight class. Grant Ulrich (145) defeated Dan Sheridan, 5-3; Nick Vandermeer won the 152-pound weight class with a 10-2 win over Dan Deachin. Adam Myers (215) rounded out the win over the Dragons against Mac Boyer, 7-3.
“It is a nice rivalry we have with Lake Orion,” said Moscovic. “It is always competitive. We always look forward to competing against them.”
The Wolves beat Avondale, 67-6.
Winning with pins over their competition were Vandermeer against Cartier Shelton; Calvano against Jacob Blomberg; Frick against Wilson; Myers against Cody Badgero; Scott Devos against Chris Wilson; and Cal Heady (119) over Baldwin Liu.
Ulrich won his match over Colby Tuck with a 8-4 scored. Greg Hill (140) defeated Tyler Slating, 9-8; and Dillon Brancheau (160) defeated Josh Cohoon, 8-2.
Foltz, Greg Miller (103), Matt Wright (125) and Jack Dione (135) won by voids.
“Chris Calvano had a nice match,” said Moscovic. “It was a good day for all of them.”
The Wolves finished the week at the Detroit Catholic Central Super Duals and went 0-4.
“It is a tough competition,” said Moscovic. “Every match was a battle so the end score didn’t show how we really performed against that caliber of wrestlers. You are dealing with the number one teams across the state in each division. Some of those teams are ranked nationally in the top ten.”
The boys lost to Richmond, 49-24; Detroit Catholic Central, 40-12; Bedford, 40-12; and Dundee, 34-30.
“It was a good dual meet against Dundee,” Moscovic added. “Devos wrestled really well to kids from Dundee and Richmond, both ranked. He lost a close match to Bedford. Greg Miller wrestled well also. Vandermeer had one loss. “
He added the next toughest meet is the state meet and it helped to see these teams because one of the goals is state finals.
“It was a long day but it was a good day to see where we measure up because that is where we strive to be with that kind of caliber,” said Moscovic. “I was proud of them even though we didn’t come out of there with a win.”
The Wolves keep the toughness in mind as they head to Rochester Adams on Wednesday to take on the Highlanders and North Farmington.
“You always have to be ready to compete and Adams has a nice team,” said Moscovic. “The Super Duals showed the guys we can go down to the dragon’s lair and come back with two arms and two legs. We should be able to compete at the same level with other teams like Adams. It definitely tested us and gave us preparation for this week.”
The boys go in with an overall 13-6 record and 2-0 in the OAA Red. The dual meet begins at 5:30 p.m., 3200 Tieken Road.