Clarkston’s team wrestling season came to an end Saturday in Battle Creek when the Wolves lost to eventual champion Rockford 32-19 in MHSAA semifinals. Rockford beat Hartland to win the state finals, 37-20.
After falling behind 12-0, Colton Tweed (152 pounds) got the Wolves going with a 6-4 overtime win against Alex Murray. The Rams? Ben Bennet’s (160) temporarily stopped any moment with a pin of Bryant Craft to put the Rams up 18-3.
Clarkston looked to start another run at 171 pounds, where Adam Lauzun scored a major decision, 16-6, over Bran Twiest. Then at 189 pounds, Tommy Ellsworth won a 5-3 decision over Joe Stefanski and the Wolves pulled as close as they would get at 18-10.
‘They knew we could come back (at 12-0), but against such a strong team, it’s not as easy, we were definitely wrestling the best of the best. We were trying to get those bonus points and Rockford did a good job of keeping those from us,? Clarkston assistant coach Derek Moscovic said.
‘It was one of those dual meets that could go either way,? Moscovic said. ‘The guys gave it all they had and it was just the Rams? day.?
‘We had a lot of positives, those guys are great wrestlers.?
‘Hopefully everyone of them can come back individually and be a state champ,? Moscovic said.
In the quarterfinals Friday, the Wolves disposed of Clinton Township Chippewa Valley handily, 58-3, for their second win over the Big Reds in the past month.
Zac Roberson (103), Erik Butterfield (145), Craft, Lauzun and Steve Cooper (275) pinned for the Wolves.
Matt Dietz (112), Mike Maguire (119), Alex Popp (125), Evan King (130), Tyler Schneider (135), Frank Sade (140), Butterfield, Tweed and Ellsworth won decisions for the Wolves.
Eight Clarkston wrestlers will again carry the program’s state championship hopes when they hit the mats at The Palace of Auburn Hills Thurs.-Sat.
Last season, four of those eight individuals placed at the state tournament. This team’s hopes rest on the shoulders of Maguire, Alex Popp, Sade, Tweed, Craft, Lauzun, Ellsworth and Layne Upcott (215) this season.