The Dragon’s of wrestling took their first losses Jan 6. during a quad meet hosted at Lake Orion High School.
Despite coming in third place, Head Coach Corey Kuzinski said the meet was a good mix of competition.
‘You really don’t want to come out and beat up on everyone because you want the good competition to get better,? said Kuzinski. ‘You don’t want to lose to everyone either, but the competition was welcome.?
Facing off against Chippewa Hills, Farmington Hills Harrison, Holly and Huron Northern, Orion took a close third place behind the Warriors (20-46) and Bronchos (39-76). Midland (52-21) and Port Huron (55-19) fell easily, but going into the final weight class with Farmington Hills Harrison at 31-31, sophomore Paul Scott (285 lb.) pinned his final opponent, securing the win at 31-37.
Other notable performances include sophomores David Moore (103 lb.) and Charlie Highlen (125 lb.) who both took third in their weight class at 3-2, senior Daniel Deachin (152 lb.) who took second with 4-1. Junior Ethan Gros (160 lb.) and senior Mac Boyer (215 lb.) both took first with 5-0.
Scott was second in his class with 4-1.
In particular Kuzinski commended Gros and Deachin for doing as well as they did despite injuries earlier in the year.
‘Gros has been battling back from an ankle injury from the end of the football season but he’s really started to put it back together out there,? he said. ‘Deachin goes 4-1 and that’s a really nice breakout night for him because he’s also putting things back together after an injury earlier in the season.?
The losses against Holly and Chippewa were the first two for Lake Orion, which is now 12-2. Kuzinski was disappointed, said he expected to do better against Holly, but was quick to say he meant no disrespect toward the team.
‘Our kids just kind of wrestled flat overall and I’ve expressed to them that we really have to bring the heat even in the late sections,? he said. ‘We also need to create our scoring opportunities better, more often and fall back on plan B moves more than we are now.
‘From a positive standpoint I’m really happy with the effort they give for the six minutes they’re out there on the mat. They may be in different weight classes or have different endurance but they give me everything they’ve got.?
Today (Jan. 11), the Dragons open OAA Red play in Avondale, against Clarkston and Rochester Adams. The match against Avondale will happen another night, as is common with quad matches on weekdays.
Kuzinski said Clarkston placed high in the county and the match ups do not favor Lake Orion when competing against the Wolves.
‘Clarkston has always been good, but we’ll try to minimize damage as best we can,? said Kuzinski. ‘We beat Rochester Adams in the county meet and last year we beat them in the county meet again by about a point. It will be a battle and I think it will come down to the last weight class.?
Lake Orion then completes on Saturday in Fruitport, Mich.