Going into the OAA Division 1 tournament on Feb. 11, Clarkston wrestling was looking for a measure of redemption for their 4-3 league record.
Clarkston trailed Lake Orion by only three points going into the medal rounds. But the Dragon wrestlers went 2-1 against the Wolves in the finals to push their winning margin to 169.5-160.
‘This was a tough tournament to win. Clarkston, even though they’re damaged goods, they have some kids out of their lineup, they’re still formidable,? said Lake Orion Coach Doug Kline. ‘I’m still pinching myself, still trying to figure out how we accomplished so much with our kids being so young.?
The last time Lake Orion won the OAA was in 1990. The Dragons also won the state title that year.
‘It’s always a bummer to not win league,? said Clarkston Coach Joe DeGain. ?(Lake Orion) has really had a heck of a season. A team like that deserves to win league.?
Three Clarkston wrestlers netted individual championships in their weight class:
Steve Herron, despite being down on points, won the heavyweight division by pinning Troy Athens? Jimmy Kinaia at 1:43 of the second round. Herron advanced to the second round on a bye and won that match with a pin halfway through the first round.
Braden L’Amoreaux, after pinning his first two opponents in the first round, won an 8-4 decision over Avondale’s Chris Gillen to claim the 145-pound championship.
Mike Maguire stormed through the 103-pound championship match, besting Troy High’s Jon Thomas 10-2.
Also placing for the Wolves were Josh McAllister (160) and Bryant Craft (140) finishing in second; Adam Lauzen (171) and Tyler Scheirder (112) in third; and Steve Cooper (189) and Sam Cooper (215) in fourth.
After Clarkston, Rochester came in third at the league meet with 145 points followed by Avondale (138), West Bloomfield (132), Waterford Mott (77), Troy Athens (57) and Troy (52).
‘It will be nice to get one last shot at (Lake Orion) when we are 100 percent healthy,? said DeGain.
Tommy Ellsworth left the league meet before his second match due to illness. Bryan Webb and Steve Smiley were sidelined for the past few weeks. All three, especially early in the season, wrestled well for the Wolves.
Lake Orion will host team districts on Feb. 16. Clarkston is scheduled to go up against Holly in the first round but could meet the Dragons in the finals.
‘We match up well with Holly… But it’s been shown multiple times this year that if we aren’t on our game, we can be beat,? said DeGain.