When the mats are rolled up in March, the Wolves varsity wrestling team might look back on their first place finish at the Oakland County Tournament as the turning point in the season.
Clarkston won their fourth straight OCT on Dec.17 & 18, notching 262 team points, 26 points ahead of second place Holly. .
‘This win could really catapult us into the second half of the season,? said Coach Joe DeGain.
Clarkston came into the OCT with a 2-8 record in dual meets.
Especially crucial to the Wolves victory were wrestlers Braden L’Amoreaux (145 pounds), Tommy Elsworth (152) and Steve Smiley (189). All three won their respective weight classes.
‘I was really happy with the whole team,? said DeGain. ‘Every single one of our wrestlers put up points for us.?
Bryant Wood especially impressed his coach, after losing a match on day one, he pinned three straight opponents to take third in the 125-pound weight class.
The Wolves were further buoyed by the efforts of Bryan Webb (135) and Josh McAllister (160), who also finished third; Mike Maguire (103) who took home fourth; and Bryant Craft who scrapped his way into sixth place.
Aside from being charged with turning their season around, the Wolves also played host to the OCT. The tournament openend in a timely and orderly fashion, and the only setback was an overheated printer which held up the action for approximately thirty minutes.
In total, 46 teams participated in the weekend’s activities? and Clarkston got a good look at some of their in-county competition.
‘I definitely think Holly has put together a good team, and we’ll see them later this year,? said DeGain.
Clarkston will not wrestle again until after the holiday break when they take on Waterford Mott and West Bloomfield on Jan. 5.
According to DeGain, Clarkston will focus on mat strategy in the practice time over break.
‘We are going to try to start peaking for the rest of the year.? said DeGain.