Canton fourth at talent-rich event

BY CHARLES ROTHWELL
Dec. 14, 2009, 7:30 a.m.

  Canton continued facing some of the toughest teams in the state at the Bedford Invitational on Saturday. The host team is currently ranked No. 8 in Division 1.

  Dundee, which is ranked No. 3 in Division 3, won the tournament with 266 points, followed by Lakewood Lake Odessa (266), Bedford (169), Canton (162) and Southgate Anderson (160).

  "I thought our team looked really good overall," said Canton coach Cory Mancuso. "We were able to finish fourth and we were missing four of our regular starters, so that says something about how well we are wrestling right now.

  "Our young guys are wrestling really well and their technique is way beyond their experience, but we continue to make mistakes because of our lack of mat time."

  Three Chiefs placed first: Brent Winekoff (152 pounds), Keith Zech (171) and Anthony Abro (189). Winekoff cruised with a void, two technical falls and a major decision over returning state qualifier Kevin Nash from Roseville in the finals. Abro also faced a returning state qualifier, Thomas Gomez of Southgate, in the finals.

  Donnie Watkins (140) had three first-period falls, but lost in the championship round to Brian Gibbs in overtime.

  "Donnie should have won the match but the referee made a bad call that forced the match into overtime where Gibbs was able to get the take down to win the match," said Mancuso. "Hats off to Gibbs; he just wanted it more tonight than Watkins. I think this will be a loss that Donnie will use for motivation the rest of the season."

  Waleed Faraj (125) wrestled well, with two technical falls and a fall, but an early-round 3-0 loss to eventual champion Travis Fish of Ida led to a third-place showing.

  Ben Poirer continued his early-season success with two falls and a 7-0 decision en route to a third-place finish. Poirer's lone loss was to Roseville's Chris Nash, who was third in the state last year.

  Rounding out the Canton placers was Zach Marsh, who finished fourth at 130.

  Canton sent its freshman and sophomore wrestlers to Wayne Memorial to compete against other wrestlers in those grades. Winning their weight classes were Keshav Patel (103) and Sean O'Keefe (152). Marc Przbylski (119) placed second.