state wrestling final match
BY CHARLES
ROTHWELL
Feb.
25, 2010,
10:15 p.m.
Detroit
Catholic Central had one simple straight-forward goal; win the team
state wrestling title. They have been
absolutely phenomenal so far this season and have their shot at
achieving the goal this weekend. It all
begins Friday afternoon when the number 1 seeded Shamrocks take on the
unseeded Tars of Anchor Bay. Anchor Bay
has also had an excellent season. Even
though they graduated 10 seniors from last year’s line-up, they were
league co-champions, team regional champions, and have qualified six
wrestlers for the individual state tournament. Nonetheless,
barring an upset of epic proportions, the Tars’ season will end
tomorrow.
Lower weights: It appears that for the five lowest weight classes, Anchor Bay will send out four freshmen and a junior against the strongest wrestlers on DCC’s team. Eric Rybarz (103) is a state qualifier, but he has already faced, and was pinned by, Catholic Central’s T. J. Fagan. Tar junior, Ben Donovan (125), is also a state qualifier, but he most likely will face either returning state champion Alec Mooradian or regional runner-up Charlie Joseph. I see Catholic Central getting four pins and a decision at these weights.
Middle weights: This is the strength of the Tar line-up. Larry Rybarz (135), Steve Sattler (145), and Matt Wiliming (152) are regional champions and Matt Schodowski (160) will also be participating in the individual state tournament. The Shamrocks will counter with state qualifiers as well and we could see some exciting matches of these four against Justin Melick, Doug Eldridge, Gerid Gee, and Andy Erickson, respectively. Look for Catholic Central to win three of these five middle weights.
Upper weights: The Shamrocks did not enter a 171- pounder at individual districts, but they have a couple tough wrestlers to put on the mat if they do use Erickson at 160. State qualifiers Miles Trealout (189), Mike Kinville (215), and Mike Johnson (215) and formerly ranked David Knuth (285) give DCC a decided advantage in the upper weights. Anchor Bay did not get anyone out of districts at these weights, but Nick Black (171), Eddie Pare (189), and Dave VanOverbeke (285) each made it to the “blood round.” VanOverbeke defeated Johnson 4-2 at the Catholic Central individual tournament, so Anchor Bay could come away with an upper weight win tomorrow.
If Catholic Central wins as expected, they will face the winner of the Oxford-Holt dual. Oxford was the runner-up in Division 2 last year and dropped a close 30-25 decision to the Shamrocks one month ago. Holt lost the Division 1 state championship match to Rockford last year by one point. Whoever wins that match tomorrow will provide a stiff challenge to Catholic Central.
