The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Dexter grapplers third at Durand invite
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: January 18, 2007
Dexter wrestling finished third at last Saturday's Durand Invitational.
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The Dreadnaughts ended up with 125.5 points.
Winning the 13-squad meet was the host Railroaders with 237.5 points.
Mayville was second with 189 points.
"Our lower four weights have been doing a great job for us recently," said Dexter coach Craig McCalla. "They have all placed in the top three the last two tournaments and are continuing to improve. This group of guys is practicing hard and is pushing each other every day. All of them want to achieve at a high level and they realize that a hard work ethic is key."
Individually for Dexter, Dan Flowers placed first at 103 pounds defeating Mayville's Corey O'Kelly on a pin in 5:19 in the tournament final. Flowers was 3-0 on the day with two pins and a technical fall.
"Dan wrestled extremely well on Saturday dominating his opponents," McCalla said.
At 125, Zeb Klapperich finished first for the Dreadnaughts beating Durand's Logan Dean 8-0 in the final. Klapperich ended up 3-0 on the day.
"Zeb continues to improve on a daily basis," McCalla said. "He is a senior and he realizes the need to work hard and continually improve if he wants to reach his goal."
Corey Chamberlain placed second at heavyweight for Dexter losing 7-4 to George Stauch from Mayville in the final. Chamberlain was 2-1 for the meet.
"Corey did a good job Saturday," McCalla said. "A big key when wrestling in the upper weight classes is being able to control your weight and your opponents. Corey is very good at using his weight and he had chances in the finals to come out on top."
Bret Marsh finished third at 112 for the Dreadnaughts defeating Terrance Frank from Grand Blanc 8-1 in the third-fourth-place match.
"Bret was in the toughest weight class of the day," McCalla said. "Bret lost a close match in the semifinals and rebounded well. He has set high expectations for himself and I know he was disappointed by the loss. Bret is an experienced wrestler and will use today as an opportunity to refocus on his goals."
Mitch Crawford placed third at 119 for Dexter beating Mayville's Travis Berry 10-9 in the third-fourth-place bout.
"Mitch was aggressive all day long," McCalla said. "In his match for third he came from behind to beat a very talented wrestler. Mitch is savvy at capitalizing on his opponent's mistakes."
At 189, Dreadnaught Mike Swager finished third pinning Durand's Devon Brinker in 4:09 in the third-fourth-place match.
"Mike is doing a solid job for the Dexter team," McCalla said. "Mike made a mistake in the opening rounds of the tournament and had to come back to take third. He ended up 4-1 on the day wrestling extremely well and using good, fundamental technique."
Other grapplers performing well for Dexter included Brandon Saunders, Chase Stevens, Mark Bertsos, Larry Gunderson, Brian Hubbard, Scott Santoro and Jake Stacey.
In the meet's JV tournament, Gabe Altomare was the lone Dreadnaught medalist placing second at 103 losing to Grand Blanc's Pat Williams 9-5 in the final.
"Gabe wrestled extremely well in the finals and has shown improvement all year long," McCalla said.
Also wrestling in the JV tourney for Dexter were Tyler Baird, Dom D'Onofrio, Hunter Briggs and Alex Papin.
Last Thursday, the host Dreadnaughts defeated Southeastern Conference White Division foe Ypsilanti Lincoln 54-17 in a dual match.
"Dexter wrestled an exceptional match against Lincoln on Thursday night," McCalla said. "Lincoln was missing some of their starting wrestlers, but our guys went out and wrestled well."
The match started at 140, with Bertsos losing to Brandon Farrell 6-5.
At 145, Dreadnaught Joe Spurr beat Dustin Goette 11-3.
"Joe has his own unique style and works hard on the mat," McCalla said.
Gunderson won by void at 152.
Dexter's Michael Campbell beat Alex Aldridge 6-4 at 160.
"Michael lost a lot of close matches this season," McCalla said. "He has a lot of heart and a never give up attitude. He is an intense young man."
Santoro lost 10-1 to Eric Mitchell at 171.
Swager pinned Tim Barber in 3:26 at 189.
Stacey lost by pin in 2:55 to Evan Graessley at 215.
Chamberlain pinned Terrence Radcliff in 46 seconds at heavyweight.
At 103, Flowers pinned Jared Lilyhorn in 2:26.
Marsh won 19-4 on a technical fall over Mark Farrell at 112.
Crawford pinned Seth LaBombarbe in 1:26 at 119.
Klapperich pinned Nathan Mullins in 4:42 at 125.
Saunders pinned Kendall McDaniel in 1:22 at 130.
At 135, Stevens lost on a 17-4 major decision to Eddie Rakotz.
Wrestling in the JV match for Dexter were Nick Chaconas, Justin Wike, Briggs and Papin.
"These wrestlers are the future of the team and are working hard," McCalla said.
The Dreadnaughts next host perennial state power Temperance Bedford Thursday at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Dexter travels to Jackson Northwest for a tournament at 10 a.m.
On Jan. 25, the Dreadnaughts visit state-ranked and SEC White Division rival Tecumseh for a match at 6 p.m.
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