By Colin Baumgartner
Review Editor
Junior Jake Varilek’s fourth place finish highlighted Lake Orion’s weekend at the individual state championships, with Allen Sigler and Evan Gros also earning a place on the podium.
‘I was so happy to see Jake get the monkey off his back,? Coach Doug Kline said of his 152 pounder. ‘Placing fourth in arguably the toughest weight class was a tremendous accomplishment.?
Sigler, a senior, finished in sixth place at 160 pounds.
‘Allen is one of our hardest workers and to have watched him from a freshman grow all the way to being a state placer was so much fun,? Kline said. ‘He certainly deserved it.?
Gros placed seventh at 189, a year after his fifth place finish as a freshman. But Kline said the experience was a good one for Gros.
‘There is very little difference, if any, between all the finishers, first through eighth,? Kline said.
Gros, Varilek and state qualifiers A.J. Pratt (130 pounds) and Doug Mack (112 pounds) will return to lead a promising squad next season.
‘What they take from this experience and how they use it will determine where they end up next year,? Kline said. ‘The state finals are filled with kids, who through their careers, continually climb the ladder. Hopefully this will be the case for all four of the underclassmen.?
The coach added that most of the team’s non-qualifiers were in attendance rooting their teammates on.
‘They too have learned a great deal,? Kline said. ‘I am so excited about next year.
‘We should be very solid and this year has been such a valuable learning tool.?