The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Dexter advances to regional meet
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: February 21, 2008
Dexter wrestling participated in one of the state's strongest individual district meets last Saturday at Mason.
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"It was definitely one of the toughest in the state," said Dexter coach Shane Rodriguez. "I was hoping we could have had more guys advance to regionals."
Despite the top-notch competition, the Dreadnaughts were able to advance to wrestlers to the state regional meet Saturday in Charlotte.
Defending state champion Bret Marsh qualified for the regional meet by dominating his 119-pound weight class placing first overall going 3-0 on the day. In the final, Marsh beat Justin Garza of Eaton Rapids on a 14-0 major decision.
"That kid (Garza) is ranked No. 7 in the state," Rodriguez said. "He was a state placer last year."
Marsh, a senior, was impressive in improving his overall record this season to a perfect 51-0.
Also advancing to the regional meet was Dreadnaught heavyweight Corey Chamberlain. The junior finished third overall, pinning Jackson County Parma Western's Keenan Crowley in 23 seconds in the third-fourth-place match.
"I'm really proud of our two regional qualifiers," Rodriguez said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do.
"I'm proud of the entire team. Our program is headed in the right direction."
Though Marsh and Chamberlain will continue on in the state individual tournament, numerous Dreadnaught grapplers also performed well at last Saturday's district meet.
Dan Flowers, Mark Bertsos, Anthony Chisolm, Andrew Collins, Mike Swager and Brandon Saunders were all one match away from qualifying for the state regional meet.
"If things could have tipped our way a little bit it could have been different," Rodriguez said.
On Feb. 13, Dexter lost to the Division 2 No. 1-ranked team Mason 55-24 in a first round district match-up at Fowlerville. With the loss, the Dreadnaughts' team season came to a close.
"We wrestled the No. 1 team in the state," Rodriguez said. "We wrestled tough. They're one of the premier programs in the state. We won more matches than I thought we would."
At 103, Dexter's Derek Fead pinned David Felt in 1:29.
Flowers lost 7-0 to Conner Youtsy at 112.
Marsh won by void at 119.
Chisolm lost by pin in 1:35 to Tony Burge at 125.
At 130, Dreadnaught Evan Oxner lost by pin in 3:36 to Nick Baughman.
Saunders won by void at 135 for Dexter.
Collins lost by pin in 1:07 to Garrett Rozeboom at 140.
Mason's Keenen Carter won by void at 145.
Dreadnaught Chase Stevens lost by pin in 4:08 to Myles McGinthy at 152.
Dan Anderson won by void at 160 for Mason.
Jacob Burge, who'll wrestle at North Carolina State, won by void at 171 for the Bulldogs.
Dexter's Jeff Root lost by pin in 50 seconds at 189 to L.J. Heldig, who'll wrestle at the University of Wyoming next season.
Swager lost by an 11-0 major decision to Nick McDirmid at 215.
Chamberlain won by pin in 2:33 over Jerry Dane at heavyweight.
Mason ended up winning the team district title.
The individual regional meet is Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Charlotte. To advance to the state meet, a wrestler must finish in the top four at the regional.
The individual state meet is March 6 through 8 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
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