Not resting on their early season accomplishments, the Clarkston Wolves (14-1, 3-0 OAA) eked out a 36-23 over Lake Orion in the first match of a double-dual meet at Troy on Jan. 3.
The match, actually closer than the final score would indicate, started with the Dragons taking an 18-3 lead after Steve Cooper’s 3-1 opening victory at 285 pounds.
Mike Maguire (125 pounds) led the comeback for the Wolves with a 6-3 decision over Justin Ruddy. Alex Popp (130) and Tyler Schneider (135) pinned their opponents to make the score 18-14.
Lake Orion (11-4, 2-1 OAA) temporarily stopped the bleeding when Jake Verilek (152) took Colton Tweed the distance for a 2-1 victory.
The 160-pound match was the highlight of the night as Bryant Craft and Allen Sigler (Lake Orion) took their match to double overtime, where Sigler scored a 4-3 decision.
‘I’m so happy for Allen because he lost to him (Craft) 1-0 in the county finals and we talked about it afterward,? Dragons Coach Doug Kline said.
‘At the county meet, he really didn’t wrestle to win as much as it was he didn’t want to embarrass himself, but tonight he wrestled like he really wanted it.?
With Sigler’s victory, the Dragons closed the gap to 27-20, leaving themselves a chance to take revenge after a second-place finish behind Clarkston at the Oakland County meet in December.
Adam Lauzun’s (171) victory and Layne Upcott’s (215) pin, sealed the deal for Clarkston.
‘If I was told beforehand if we had beaten Tweed, Craft, Ellsworth and that we would have lost the meet, that’s impossible,? Kline said.
‘Those are key pivotal matches.?
Kline said two matches, a 130-pound victory for Popp and Erik Butterfield’s (140) 10-9 decision over Jake Arnold, could have shaped the outcome differently for Lake Orion.
‘Our kids wrestled hard, I don’t have a single complaint. They really did a nice job, I was really proud of them,? Kline said.
The Dragons? focus is on the long run for now.
‘Our goal right now has to be the regionals, because if we get through the districts, we get another chance at these guys,? Kline said.
‘They (Lake Orion) will come out just as strong and as hungry to beat us even more the second time when we will likely see them at the team regionals, and our guys know that,? Clarkston Assistant Coach Derek Moscovic said.
‘These guys respect us, but they want to beat us,? he added.
Clarkston Coach Joe DeGain said the victory was not accomplished as many planned.
‘Everybody- wrestlers, coaches and parents, they all go through the meet on paper and there are matches that are supposed to be won and lost on paper and it never pans out exactly that way,? he said.
‘We knew they were real tough in those weight classes down below.?
DeGain complemented Lauzun’s ability to stay focused on his opponents, regardless of other matches before his.
‘That’s a strong part of our lineup and (he’s) been wrestling great. He’s doing a great job no matter who he steps on the mat with,? De Gain said.
‘He does a great job of wrestling the same, no matter what. He doesn’t adjust to anyone else’s tempo, he always runs the same consistent speed and because of that, that can propel the team to get right back on the horse.?
The Wolves had a much easier time with Waterford Kettering in the nightcap, coming out with a sound win, 60-10.
Clarkston had six wrestlers pin against the Captains: Zac Roberson (103), Maguire (125), Lauzun (171), Tommy Ellsworth (189), Layne Upcott (215) and Cooper (285).
Two victories at the meet pushed Lauzun’s undefeated record to 22-0.
Kettering Coach Fred Jensen said his team is still getting used to the atmosphere after moving up to division I this season, as well as the inexperience of a team with only one senior and six juniors.
‘We’ve got a lot of really young kids, it’s a learning experience,? Jensen said.
As far as the Wolves are concerned, DeGain said this team’s start is likely it’s best in five years. The team’s destiny is in it’s own hands, he said.
‘Anything’s possible if they get the ball rolling, it will be up to them.?
Clarkston plays host to its next event, where the Wolves take on Rochester Adams and Troy on Jan. 10, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Clarkton High School.