Though the name of the game is the individual state wrestling finals, Clarkston is sending a pack of Wolves to compete at the Palace of Auburn Hills, March 9-11.
Clarkston qualified eight wrestlers for the state finals on Feb. 25 at the Davison regional.
‘Eight wrestlers making it to states, that’s a good year,? Clarkston Coach Joe DeGain said.
Senior Josh McAllister (171 pounds), junior Tommy Ellsworth (160) and junior Mike Maguire (119) are all making their second trips in a row to the state finals. Clarkston’s other qualifiers are senior Mitch Miller (135), sophomore Bryant Craft (152), junior Colton Tweed (140), sophomore Adam Lauzen (160) and senior Steve Herron (275)
Eight qualifiers for the state finals is the highest total for Clarkston since 2003, when the Wolves sent 11 wrestlers. Last year four grapplers made the state finals. In 2004, five wrestlers reached states.
With a little over a week and a half to train, DeGain is focusing on preparing the qualifiers for the enormity of the state finals.
‘I’m trying to get them mentally prepared. Wrestling at the Palace is a lot different than wrestling in a gym; the ceiling is so high and the lights are so bright,? DeGain said.
Barring any mental blocks, DeGain is confident in his charges abilities.
‘I think all eight guys have a chance to get on the podium. At this point of the year a lot of the ability is the same. The only thing that makes a difference is the desire,? DeGain said.
With three wrestlers returning to the state finals, DeGain hopes they can also help spread the word on what to expect at the big dance.
‘It helps that they hear it from their teammates as well as from me,? DeGain said.
Josh McAllister has already begun to draw on his experience as a state finalist last year.
‘I don’t think I will be as nervous. It’s overwhelming being in that atmosphere,? said McAllister, who along with Craft was crowned a regional champion over the weekend.
McAllister defeated MIke Billings of Waterford Kettering 7-6 to win the 171-pound regional title.
Craft’s impressive postseason continued at regionals as he added the 152-pound regional crown to individual titles won at districts and the OAA I meet. Craft defeated Waterford Kettering’s Aron Bland at both regionals and districts.
Other top finishers for the Wolves included Maguire and Ellsworth who both took second place.