Despite a winless showing at their tournament Saturday, Jan. 14, the Brandon wrestling team showed signs of hope for the future.
The Blackhawks went 0-5 in the six-team Brandon Team Wrestling Tournament at Brandon High School. Wyandotte Roosevelt went 5-0 on the day to win the event, edging second-place Linden, which went 4-1. Imlay City, Owosso and Fraser each went 2-3.
In their opening match of the day, the Blackhawks put up a good fight against Fraser before eventually falling 43-33. Brandon then lost 53-15 to eventual tournament champion Roosevelt, then gave Owosso a battle before losing 47-27.
Brandon closed out the day with a 54-24 loss against Linden and a 54-21 loss against Imlay City.
Despite the team’s record in the tournament, Brandon coach Josh Cross said the Blackhawks competed hard throughout the day.
‘In our first dual match, we only gave up three pins against Fraser,? he said. ‘We wrestled pretty consistently throughout the day. The kids wrestled hard and didn’t have a letdown.?
Three Brandon wrestlers went 4-1 on the day: Andrew Hyde (152), Zeke Grounds (275) and Aaron Hyde (171). In addition, Travis Murphy (103) and Jack Boswell (125 and 130) each went 3-2.
On Jan. 11, the Blackhawks lost both their matches in a double dual meet at Brandon, dropping a competitive match against Waterford Mott, 46-30, before falling to Corunna 63-6.
Against Mott, four Blackhawks earned pinfall victories: Murphy (103) in 2:23; Jimmy Millar (119) in 57 seconds; Andrew Hyde (152) in 43 seconds and Aaron Hyde (171) in 1:13.
Shana DeVoe (112) earned the Blackhawks? lone win against Corunna, scoring a pinfall victory in 2:43.
The Blackhawks were scheduled to open their Flint Metro League dual meet season Wednesday, Jan. 18 when they hosted Clio and Holly. Brandon is also slated to take part in the Petoskey Invitational Saturday, Jan. 21.