The expectations are high this year as the boys varsity wrestling team try to match or exceed their accomplishments last year.
The team won their O.A.A. league title. They were also crowned Oakland County, district and regional champions.
Varsity wrestling coach, Doug Klline said right now the team is ranked 6th in the state and ranked number 12 in all divisions.
This year’s team captains Kline said will be, Evan Gros, Justin Ruddy and Doug Mack.
‘Gros is a four year starting wrestler,? said Kline. ‘He is also a three time state placer in the individual tournament. He will be placed in heavy weights at 189 pounds,? said Kline.
Kline said Ruddy has placed in the state competition individually and this will be his third year as a full-time wrestler for LOHS.
‘Mack placed in three returning state placers. He had an interesting story last year. He was a state finalist qualifer in four sports. Cross country, state qualifier in wrestling and placed. He was also in the state finals for power lifting and in the spring was a state qualifier in track,? said Kline.
A returning varsity wrestler, Kline said Jake Pratt got hurt in a regional qualifier, however before he got hurt, he won 36 matches. ‘We should have him back as strong as ever,? said Kline.
Another wrestler who won a lot of matches last year Kline said was A.J. Fligger.
‘He won 39 matches last year,? said Kline.
Plagued with an injury last year, Curtis DeGeorge Kline said will be back. ‘He won some big matches for us last year,? said Kline.
Cory Kuzinski, my varsity assistant, is my right arm. I put a lot on his plate to do and he does a great job. The kids love him,? said Kline.
Junior varsity wrestling coach, Eric Carpenter, Kline said was a previous Lake Orion High School graduate. ‘Eric has a lot of credibility with the kids, he does a great job.?
The two graduate student assistant coaches this year Kline said will be Ben Knight and Jason Bothwell. ‘These guys do a great job. They wrestle with the kids every day and our coaches love them,? said Kline.
Bobby Harr Kline said had a fantastic football this season. ‘We are looking for great things from Bobby,? sad Kline.
Back for his senior year, Kline said Layne Upcott only wrestled half of the season last year because he was transferred to LOHS mid-year, but Kline said he will be very strong this year.
Kline said Jake Arnold didn’t get to wrestle last year due to injuries but he expects him back strong and healthy this year.
‘Getting back to the state finals at Battle Creek is definitely our goal this year,? said Kline. ‘Last year when our wrestlers were walking in the ‘March of Champions,? it was very emotional. One of my wrestlers said, ‘Do you think we will ever get here again coach? I said there is no reason why we can’t come back every time,? said Kline.