By Paul Kampe & Colin Baumgartner
Clarkston News & Review staff
The team season for the Dragon wrestling squad ended last Wednesday at the hands of Davison in a regional semifinal held at Clarkston.
The Wolves went on to defeat Davison for the regional crown.
The Cardinals knocked off Lake Orion 35-34, although the contest was much more lopsided than the score showed.
The Dragons fell behind 29-0 and couldn’t stem the flow until A.J. Pratt secured a pin at 3:34 over James Hyatt.
In the Lake Orion wins to follow, the Dragons needed to get the points given for a pin, but instead won decisions by Jake Varilek (152), Allen Sigler (160), Morgan Maciejewski (171).
After LO had been mathematically eliminated, the Dragons got pins from Evan Gros (189) and Garrett Roberts (215).
‘We knew we were going to fall behind early,? said Dragons Coach Doug Kline. ‘I told the kids to not let that bring them down because we’re going to make hay at the upper weights and it almost worked.?
Kline said he was forced to shuffle his lineup in order from 130 pounds all the way up to match up with the Cardinals.
‘We didn’t think we were going to get pinned and we can’t give up the sixes like that,? Kline said.
He hopes the team takes its 27-12 record and second place Oakland Activities Association finish as a learning experience, as Sigler is the only significant contributor that won’t be returning next season.
Sigler, meanwhile, led seven Dragons to Holly on Saturday, with a chance to qualify for the individual state meet.
In all, five Dragons qualified to compete at the Palace on March 8-10.
Doug Mack (112 pounds) placed second, while Pratt (130), Varilek (152), Sigler (160) and Gros (189) all finished third in their respective weight classes.
‘I was so excited to see Doug Mack wrestle as well as he did,? Kline said. ‘Doug is peaking at the right time, that is for sure.?
Mack and Pratt will be first time competitors at the state level while Sigler, Varilek and Gros are repeat customers. Gros placed at 189 last year for LO.
‘The wait is what kills us now,? Kline said. ‘Two weeks before we see any action.?
‘We have to make sure we keep the rust off and maintain our shape,? he added. ‘That is the main challenge for us now.?
For a full preview of the state finals, visit next week’s Lake Orion Review.