By Kristi McDevitt
Sports Correspondent
The varsity wrestling team participated in the 46th annual Oakland County Championship Wrestling Tournament this past weekend held at Clarkston High School.
The Wildcats finished an impressive 5th out of the field of 44 Oakland County teams.
According to Coach Paul McDevitt, ‘The team was happy with a top five finish, but we were unhappy with the way we achieved it.?
Due to the size of the event, the tournament runs over a two day period. Going into the second day the Wildcats were in sole possession of first place.
‘We had a great day on Friday, took the lead but then squandered it away on Saturday.? McDevitt said ‘Each time they would announce the overall standings on Saturday it seemed as if we dropped a position. We didn’t have the same confidence and intensity that we did on Friday.?
Besides finishing in the top 5 as a team there were several other individual bright spots for the ‘Cats.
Senior captain Kam Mueller won the county championship at the 215-pound weight class, becoming only the fourth wrestler in Oxford School history to accomplish such a feat.
When asked how it feels to join such an elite group Kam modestly replied, ‘It feels good. I was seventh last year and getting into the finals this year was a thrill.
I had seen my finals opponent earlier in the day and I could tell I had my work cut out for me. After the first period, I could feel that I was in control and had a pretty good shot to win it all.? Junior Mike Upshur finished 3rd in the 112-pound weight class, Senior Nick Murray finished 4th at 189, and Junior John Logan finished 5th at 171 for the Wildcats.
‘I would have liked to have seen a few more of our kids place, but I am very proud of our achievement,? McDevitt said. ‘The team and every individual that competed improved over their performance last year. You can’t ask for much more than that.? Clarkston again dominated the field winning their fifth straight crown.
The Wolves were followed by Lake Orion, Waterford Kettering, Walled Lake Central and Oxford respectively.
Oxford does get a chance to move up in the rankings when they host Waterford Kettering on January 11th.
‘That is certainly a date we will be circling on our schedule. Dual meets and tournaments are scored differently and I think we are a little better of a dual meet team right now? added McDevitt
The Wildcats have little time off for the holidays as they prepare for the 10 team Oxford Invitational next Thursday, December 29th at Oxford High School.
It will be an all day event beginning around 9:30am and finishing around 4pm.
The Wildcats are the reigning champs of the invitational, winning the title for the past five years.
According to senior Mike May, ‘We generally do pretty well at our home tournaments, so I expect us to challenge for the championship again this year.?