BY JEFF PATRUS
Clarkston News Staff Writer

While Clarkston wrestling coach Mike DeGain was disappointed with the Wolves’ level of opposition at the Swartz Creek Invitational, he’ll take the win.
The Wolves defeated host Swartz Creek 60-21 in the finals of the invite Saturday to capture the event. Ten Clarkston wrestlers went undefeated on the day to bolster the Wolves to the win.
Clarkston’s road to the finals started with a 45-12 win against Traverse City Central. From there, the Wolves cruised to 81-0 wins against Standish Sterling and Lapeer East before defeating Perry 66-7 in the semifinals.
The highlight of the day for Clarkston came when Clint DeGain defeated Traverse City Central’s John Ostlund, the defending 171-pound state champion, by a 19-4 technical fall in the first round.
“That was probably the most contested match of the day for us,” Mike DeGain said. “Obviously, the competition level didn’t end up being as strong as I anticipated, but the team wrestled well.”
Clint DeGain was one of the 10 undefeated grapplers for the Wolves. The others were: Matt Herron (103), Josh Henzel (112), Bryan Webb (125), Braden L’Amoreaux (135), John Langdon (145), Sean Turner (152), Brenton Place (160, 171), Clint DeGain (189), Derek George (215) and Joe Wood (275).
On Jan. 11, the team traveled to the Buckeye State to take on two teams, and dropped both of those matches, one to St. Edmund’s of Lakewood, Ohio (outside of Cleveland) 50-29 and the other to St. Francis de Sales in Columbus 38-30.
Clarkston coach Mike DeGain described the latter match as “controversial”, but declined to elaborate.
Despite the two losses, DeGain was pleased with the weekend’s activity. “We didn’t win, but the kids put forth a heck of an effort,” he said. “Against St. Ed’s, we pinned four of their guys and technical falled another one.”
Four Clarkston wrestlers – Joe Wood (275), Clint DeGain (171), Tony LaJoie (125) and Sean Turner (152) – went undefeated on the weekend.
Three days earlier, the Wolves scored a win in Oakland Activities Association Division I competition, defeating Rochester 62-12 and Rochester Adams 65-3.
The Wolves face a stiff challenge when they travel to the Portage Central Tournament Saturday. Clarkston has competed in the tournament the past two seasons, finishing third each time. According to DeGain, Grandville (who finished in the top five in the state last year) and Grand Haven will be two of the top teams at the tourney, but the coach expects quality all-around competition.
“The other teams all have some decent individuals,” he said.