BY ED DAVIS
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Six Clarkston varsity wrestlers headed to the Palace of Auburn Hills last weekend to go up against the very best the state of Michigan had to offer. Two Wolves proved they were just that.
Senior Tony Lajoie (130) and junior Braden L’Amoreaux (140) each took first in their respective weight classes, Lajoie for the second year in a row.
‘I think this one was tougher for me,? Lajoie said. ‘I had much higher expectations on me entering the season.?
Lajoie defeated Temperance Bedford’s David Brighton 2-1 in double overtime in the final. Lajoie admitted Brighton had studied him well, but the two-time state champ did his own homework as well.
‘I knew he was a better top wrestler. I think I knew his style pretty well,? Lajoie said.
Entering the final match, the senior remained calm, cool and collected.
‘Nerves didn’t really set in until after,? Lajoie said with a slight laugh. ‘I guess I didn’t let them get to me, or realize what had really happened until it was all over.?
Lajoie finished the season 52-2. He has been contacted by both the University of Michigan and Central Michigan University to wrestle next year, but he remains undecided.
For now, however, he looks back on his career and can only smile.
‘The friendships I’ve made in wrestling are great,? he said. ‘Those kids are definitely like family to me.?
Meanwhile, Lajoie’s teammate and friend, L’Amoreaux became only the fourth wrestler in Clarkston history to go undefeated. Coach Joe DeGain, Pat DeGain and A.J. Grant are the other Wolves to equal L’Amoreaux’s accomplishment. Last year, he qualified for state, but did not place. Over the summer, he put in hours and hours of hard work and won a national title in North Dakota, which fueled him for the upcoming season and gave him added confidence.
‘It (winning the state title) means a lot,? L’Amoreaux said. ‘All the hard work has paid off. I had no idea I’d go undefeated, I just tried to take it one match at a time. But, I think over the course of the season it gave me a psychological edge. I didn’t really feel the pressure, but I think my opponents looked at me different because of it (my record).?
L’Amoreaux finished the season 51-0, but that was not a surprise to coach DeGain.
‘Braden had an awesome summer of wrestling. His success stems from all of his hard work. Those two (Lajoie and L’Amoreaux) complement each other well. They both deserve all the success they got. They worked harder than every other wrestler in the state in my opinion. They just feed off each other and make each other work as hard as they can.?
The two agree. They don’t claim to have a rivalry, but rather a bond to simply make each other the best he can be.
‘Me and Braden just kind of have a partnership. We just try to make each other better,? Lajoie said.
L’Amoreaux agreed. ‘We’ve been wrestling each other since I was a freshman. We really don’t let up on each other. We just push each other. He’s just a good kid and a great competitor.?
Lajoie and L’Amoreaux were joined at the Palace by senior teammates Elliot May (125), who placed 7th, Sean Turner (152), who also took 7th and sophomore Steve Smiley (171). DeGain spoke highly of the efforts of these three wrestlers.
‘Elliot and Turner I thought did a good job capping off the year with all-state honors,? DeGain said. ‘Now, those two can really look back and say they really did something special while they were here. And Steve, he wrestled very, very well and he beat some good kids. And he’s got a lot more room for improvement. Once he improves more he’s going to be very hard to handle.?
DeGain, in only his first year had a tremendously successful season leading the Wolves to league, district and regional titles and as a team, Clarkston made the final four, which he hopes to build on next year.
‘I thought it was great for me personally,? DeGain said. ‘I can’t complain. For our seniors to get the all-state honors and for us, as a team to go to the big dance I thought was huge. For our young kids to taste that success, I think that will pay off for years to come.?