Days after being ranked no. 3 in the state and in division I wrestling by the Wrestling Coaches Association, Clarkston traveled to Bay City Western for the Michigan duals competition.
The tournament was scheduled to have 13 state-ranked teams in the field, and the Wolves met two, facing Dundee and Hesperia Community.
The Wolves (19-3) finished 3-2 on the day, after losses to both the (Dundee) Vikings, ranked no. 1 in division III, and the (Hesperia) Panthers, no. 1 in division IV.
The Wolves beat Middleville 58-15. Zac Roberson (103 pounds), Mike Maguire (125), Alex Popp (130), Josh Booker (145), Colton Tweed (152), Bryant Craft (160), Adam Lauzun (171) and Layne Upcott (215) pinned for Clarkston.
In the Wolves? 60-9 victory over Montrose, Matt Dietz (112), Maguire, Tyler Schneider (135 pound) and Craft earned pins.
In a 39-27 loss to Dundee, Tweed, Craft and Steve Cooper (275) pinned and Maguire earned an 8-5 decision.
Clarkston beat Roscommon, 57-12, with Zac Roberson (103 pounds), Dietz (112), Erik Butterfield (140), Craft, Lauzun, Upcott and Cooper pinning.
The Wolves lost in their final match of the day-long event, 38-30, to Hesperia.
‘A lot of guys wrestled well. A lot of our older kids really stepped up,? Clarkston assistant coach Derek Moscovic said.
‘We wrestled fairly well, it’s a tough tournament,? Moscovic said.
Several matches were competitive and could have easily gone in Clarkston’s favor, he said.
‘We had a couple matches that were close where we lost by one point and some matches that were one point (difference in score) and we got pinned,? Moscovic said.
Keeping an eye on the remainder of the season is key, Moscovic said.
‘We will remain focused. Our goal is always to wrestle to the end of the season.
‘Right now, it’s not the state championship, so hopefully, we can learn from our mistakes,? he added.
Clarkston’s only other loss this season came to Hartland, ranked no. 2 in the state and division I.
The Wolves take on Rochester and West Bloomfield in a double-dual meet at Rochester Adams on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Going into league matches with the Falcons and Lakers, Clarkston is undefeated, 5-0, in OAA competition.