Matt Vandermeer held Goodrich’s Ryan Perry to the mat and the ref called it a fall, 34 seconds into the match.
Teammate Ethan Frick also move swiftly as the clock counted down to the final 33 seconds in his match against Goodrich’s Jack Zito. It scored him a point to break the previous 8-8 tie, four more points later the match ended and he was declared the winner, 13-9.
The momentum continued to grow as Clarkston Boys Varsity Wrestling team finished their first dual meet on Dec. 1, with two wins. They defeated Goodrich, 35-27, and Grand Blanc, 54-15.
“Goodrich was close,” said Andy Auten, head coach. “We had to move a few guys around in order to get the win. It came down to the last match but we pulled through.”
Michael Henige (160) defeated Carl Smith, 10-8. Scott Devos (285) and Michael Wright (119) won his match by a void, Cameron Wilkie (125) won by major decision, 15-6 over Jacob McKervey, Michael Cardinale (130) beat Jacob McKervey, 6-4, and Nick Vandermeer (140) won by major decision against Seth Tessier, 12-4.
“Wilkie wrestled great for a freshman for his first high school dual,” said Auten. “Matt was bumped up to 189 pounds and beat a guy who was much bigger than him.”
Michael Henige (160), Chris Calvano (171), AJ Schloft (215), Scott Devos (285), Raymond Wilkie (112), and Cameron Wilkie (119) conquered the Grand Blanc Bobcats with pins. Matt Vandermeer (189) beat Cameron Baird, 12-0, Mark Bosnick (130) beat Pellumb Kurtaga, 6-4, Jeff Sloney (135) beat Joey Caleca, 16-6, Nick Vandermeer (140) beat George Camden, 15-7 and Tristen Tozzi (145) beat Connor Moran, 7-1.
The boys went 4-1 at John Glenn Invitational on Saturday. They beat Melvindale, 48-22, Romeo, 38-25, Roseville, 41-22, and Walled Lake Central, 56-21. Their only loss was to Livonia Franklin, 42-20.
The JV B team took second place at the John Glenn Varsity B Invitational.
The team has three sets of brothers this year, senior Raymond Wilkie (112) is joined by brother Cameron, a freshman, competing in the 119-pound weight class. Matt Vandermeer, a senior in the 171-pound class is with his brother, returning sophomore Nick, in the 135-pound weight. Senior Ty Foltz (145) and freshman Brett Foltz (103) will have help from dad, Joe, taking on the role as assistant coach.
The team welcomed back returners, newcomers and two new coaches – Auten and Foltz.
Auten is a 1999 Clarkston High School graduate. He started coaching wrestling at Sashabaw Middle School the year after he graduated.
He was an All-State wrestler and runner-up for the 160-pound weight class.
“I started in the Clarkston Wrestling Club at five and wrestled until my senior year,” Auten added.
Being part of the program for almost 25 years he is confident where he sees the direction of this year’s team.
“I don’t see any reason why we can’t challenge for the county championship and be right there with the top eight in the state at the end of the season,” Auten said.
The boys are put to the test when they take on Oxford, ranked second in Division 1, and Troy Athens on Wednesday.
“Hopefully we will have a guy or two we didn’t have against Goodrich but I know our lineup will not be near full strength,” said Auten. “I hope to have it together for county (Dec. 17 and 18) and a run at states.”
They start at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Clarkston High School.