Goodrich’s varsity wrestling team held their own in their first tournament of the 2005-06 season.
Led by sophomore Mark Weber, who captured first place in the 119-lb. weight class, the Martians placed seventh out of 16 teams at the Lansing Eastern Invitational Saturday, Dec. 3.
The Martians finished with 120 points on the day, only 7.5 points behind sixth-place Eaton Rapids. Grand Haven won the tournament with 201.5 points, edging out second-place Fowlerville (198 points) and third-place Howell (158).
Weber won the 119-lb. championship by defeating Eaton Rapids? Justin Sklapski by a 7-6 decision. He advanced to the division finals by pinning Howell’s Nick St. Amant in 3:54.
Sophomore Grant Overcashier was the next-highest finisher for the Martians, placing third in the 135-lb. bracket. He defeated Hudsonville’s Joshua Zimmerman 5-3 in the third-place match. Overcashier advanced to the semifinals of the 135-lb. bracket before losing a 6-3 decision to Carson City-Crystal’s Ben Jason.
The Martians had three other competitors place fourth in the tournament: freshmen David Garr (112), Kirk Britton (125) and Kyler Elsworth (160).
The Martians split their first dual meet of the season Dec. 1, defeating Morrice 75-6 while losing to Grand Blanc 49-29.
Against Morrice, seven Goodrich wrestlers earned pinfalls: Elsworth (160), Kyle March (189), Garr (112), Weber (119), Britton (125), Billy Feldmann (145) and Brad Armstrong (152).
Five other Goodrich wrestlers won by void ? Ethan Tessier (215), Alan Easton (275), C.C. Weber (103), Drew Weil (130) and Overcashier (135).
Against Grand Blanc, four Martians earned pinfall victories ? Elsworth (160), Garr (112), Britton (125) and Gatchell (140). In addition, Mark Weber (119) won a 17-2 decision.