The defeat of both Linden and Flint-Kearsley Feb. 23 meant one thing to the Oxford Varsity Wrestling team ? they’re the new regional champs!
‘I had my doubts at the beginning of the season, but this team’s made me a believer,? said a proud Coach Paul McDevitt. ‘I’ll never doubt them again.?
Oxford defeated Linden 36-28 in the regional semi-finals held at home last week.
The Wildcats won matches in eight of the 14 weight classes. Winners were Mike Upshur (103); Bobby Rhodes (119); Bryant Vielhaber (135); Kyle Nieporte (152); Nick Murrary (171); Kam Mueller (189); Zach Line (160); and Kyle Oliver (215).
Oxford next faced powerhouse Flint-Kearsley in the regional final.
Flint Kearsley had just beaten Lapeer West in the semifinals. ‘Both teams are (ranked) in the top five in the state,? McDevitt said. ‘Everyone thought that was the big match.?
At first, Oxford struggled against the best wrestlers Flint Kearsley had to offer, falling behind 26-3. But the turning point came when Nick Murrary pinned his opponent. This opened the flood gates as Oxford wrestlers Kam Mueller, Kyle Oliver, Adam Duncan and Mike Upshur all pinned their opponents as well.
It all came down to the last match, which McDevitt described as a real ‘back-and-forth? struggle to the end.
Down by two points with less than 30 seconds to go, Oxford sophomore Bobby Rhodes threw his Lapeer West opponent on his back and pinned him in 5:45. ‘That sealed the deal for us,? McDevitt said. Oxford beat Flint Kearsley 38-37.
With the district and regional titles under its belt, Oxford now moves on to the quarterfinals of the team state wrestling championships this Friday and Saturday at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.
McDevitt said Oxford will face defending Division 2 state champion Lowell in the quarterfinals. This is Oxford’s first trip to the team states since 1999.
McDevitt said there is ‘no clear cut favorite? in the states so ‘I think this team has a shot at winning it all.?