By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
On Friday, February 6, the Lake Orion wrestling team walked in to West Bloomfield High School having a better than average season.
When they left that evening, the 34 wrestlers were the OAA White Division champions.
They were 8-2 going into the last round and they would finish with four individual champions and two runners up. Among the four were sophomore Noah Smith (130 pounds), freshman Jaden Fisher (145), senior Anthony Orselli (171) and senior Brendan Thompson (285). Junior John Moll and senior Tyler Modoc followed up as runners up.
‘I think it was good for the team. They’ve been down a little bit lately so being able to win the league was good for them,? Coach Jeff Smart said. ‘It was good for the seniors especially, send them off on a high note in terms of the league and it helps build their confidence getting ready for districts.?
Senior captains Thompson and Orselli gave solid performances increasing Thompson’s record to 32-2 and Orselli’s to 29-5.
In preliminary rounds it was looking like the Dragons were going straight to the top. Lake Orion’s John Moll took the win over West Bloomfield’s Mark Kamash in the 125-pound class. Fisher was a winner of West Bloomfield’s Eulojio Rodriguez in the 145-pound preliminaries, and Smith pinned Austin Crutchfield of Farmington Hills Harrison in the 135-pound preliminaries.
Smart has only seven senior wrestlers and double that number of freshman and sophomores. But despite the team’s youth, Smart, alongside assistant coaches Mike Dibble, Charlie Highlen, Randy Morgan and Eric Ghiaciuc, are obviously doing something right.
‘I think the kids have grown up rather quickly, especially the younger ones have really built their confidence,? Smart said. ‘We did well in the league and in the regular season and I think we’re peaking at the right time.?
On Thursday, Feb. 11, the Dragons host the MHSAA Team Districts and Smart says his team will be ready.
‘I think we have a legitimate opportunity but it’s going to be tough,? he said. ‘I expect the matches to be close but I like our kids and where we’re at right now; We’re healthy and the kids are wrestling well.?