By Teddy Rydquist
Leader Staff Writer
During their February 27 quad with the Croswell-Lexington Pioneers, New Boston Huron Chiefs, and Walled Lake Western Knights, the Oxford Wildcats wrestling program, led by head coach Ross Wingert, held their annual Senior Appreciation Day.
This ceremony not only recognizes the young men for all they have given to the program, but their parents and grandparents, who have sacrificed and devoted their time to help their sons and grandsons reach this point in life and have been there every step of the way.
The Class of 2021 featured six members, beginning with Logan Edwards.
Edwards, the son of Don and Leslie, has been wrestling for 12 years. His most memorable moment with the Wildcat program was attending the team state finals as a freshman in 2017-18. Following his graduation from Oxford, he plans to attend Grand Valley State University in Allendale.
Succeeding Edwards was Liam Hamilton, with his parents, Mike and Amy. A 13-year wrestler, Hamilton’s most memorable moment was his first varsity match, and he will be entering the United States Marine Corps.
Third, Ty Myre and his mom and dad, Sheri and Buck, took the floor. Like Edwards, Myre’s top moment was attending the state finals three years ago. He plans to attend a community college in the fall.
Wrestling for eight years, Isaac Tabert’s parents are Brian and Kristen. Another member of the 2017-18 state final team, he will attend Rochester University for one year, then hopes to pursue an avenue to play college football.
Jack Thompson, who also played football for head coaches Bud Rowley and Zach Line, was joined by his parents, Joe and Karen. Remembering the first time he stepped on the Ford Field mats, he enjoys playing guitar and hopes to wrestle at the collegiate level.
Rounding out the festivities was Jack Wandrie, with his grandmothers, Joanne Lane and Genevieve Wandrie. The football team’s leading tackler in 2020, he will attend Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and study finance.
The Wildcat grapplers will begin Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) District action today, March 17, at Lake Orion High School against the Dragons and Romeo Bulldogs.