New coach. New league. Same results.
The Oxford varsity wrestling team keeps on going, no matter who they face or where they face them.
This week saw the Wildcats tackle their first ever Oakland Activities Association opponents, Clarkston and Rochester in a dual meet on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Clarkston.
The Wildcats would dominate both meets, defeating Clarkston 54-7 and Rochester 44-21.
‘The kids were fired up and focused,? varsity head coach Brad Keeney said. ‘The kids are doing what they need to do in order to improve.?
Rochester gave the Wildcats all they could handle early in their match. The Falcons jumped out to a 15-6 lead before Oxford turned the match around when junior Noah Cantara pinned Rochester’s Joey Gunther, cutting the lead to 15-12.
‘We had to play comeback and we weren’t expecting that,? Keeney said. ‘The OAA is going to be tough.?
After two straight voids by Rochester put Oxford up 24-18, the Wildcats never looked back, winning four of the last six matches.
At 112 lbs., senior Keegan Cantara was able to avenge his loss to Josh Wood in the state 103 lbs. semifinal match last year when he beat Wood 9-7.
Oxford also took the battle of state placers when sophomore Rocco Borg defeated Kalean Richards 5-2.
The Wildcats would show little mercy on Clarkston, jumping out to a 28-0 lead before the Wolves got on the scoreboard. Oxford would win 12 of the 14 matches overall.
Senior Nick McMaster (215), junior Prescott Line (285), sophomore Daniel Curtis (103), Keegan Cantara (112), freshman Mike Willits (119), Borg (125), junior Kyle Hill (135), senior Mike Thomas (140), sophomore Marty Giannola (145), senior Matt Frisch (152), senior Dakota Peasley (160) and junior Matt Anger (189) all picked up wins for Oxford.
‘We’re just going one match at a time,? Keeney said.
On Saturday, the Wildcats traveled over to Romeo to take part in the Romeo team tournament. They went a perfect 5-0, winning the tournament.
Along the way, they defeated Highland Park 64-9, Richmond 42-16, Wyandotte 67-10, Romeo 47-16 and Grand Blanc 82-0.
In previous action, the Wildcats defeated Lowell 56-16 and lost to Davison 34-31 in their home opener on Wednesday, Dec. 1.
On Dec. 4, Oxford traveled down to Warren Woods Tower High School to participate in their tournament. They went 5-0, defeating Hazel Park 68-2, Walled Lake Northern 80-0, Goodrich 48-8, Canton 46-16 and Dundee 30-28.
Overall, the Wildcats are 13-1. Up next for the Wildcats is the Oakland County Tournament, which will take place Friday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 18 at the Pontiac Silverdome.