The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Marsh competes in national meet
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: April 10, 2008
Dexter's Bret Marsh has been one of Michigan's best wrestlers for the past few seasons, winning a state title at 112 pounds as a junior and placing fourth at 119 this past year.
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On March 28 through 30, Marsh tested his skills against the rest of the country, competing in the prestigious Senior Nationals Wrestling Championship in Virginia Beach, VA.
The tournament brings together the best senior grapplers from throughout the nation. Forty-nine of the nation's 50 states sent teams to the meet.
Winning the tournament was New Jersey with 230.5 points.
Michigan, in its best showing ever, placed second with 213 points.
Rounding out the top five were Pennsylvania with 210 points, Ohio with 164 points and California, last year's champion, with 156 points.
Michigan three-time state champion Ben Bennett (Central Michigan recruit) from Rockford was named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler after winning the 171-pound individual title defeating California state champion Hunter Collins 7-2 in the final.
Also winning a national title was Oak Park's Marcel Dubose who defeated Flint Kearsley's Travis Pettengill in an all Michigan final 4-1 in overtime at 215.
Marsh, participating in the 119-weight class, opened the tournament facing Pennsylvania standout Nico Cortese losing 8-1. Cortese ended up finishing second overall in the tournament.
In the consolation rounds, Marsh performed much better winning three out of his next four matches.
In his second bout, Marsh defeated Wyoming state champion Ricky Fairbanks 7-0.
In match No. 3, Marsh continued his winning ways, defeating Kansas state champ Jesse Barber 4-2.
Marsh then lost to Arizona state champion Paul Garza 5-1.
In his final match, Marsh defeated Maine state champion Christopher Smith 6-4.
Marsh finished 3-2 overall in the tournament.
Locally, Manchester's Kyler Ritter also competed in the meet. Ritter captured the Division 4 state title at 215 pounds this past March.
Ritter ended up 0-2 at the tournament.
In his opening match, Ritter lost to Kentucky champion Adam Dials 6-4.
In his final bout, Ritter lost 12-5 to New York champ David Christopher.
Other Michigan finishers of note were Mark Weber (University of Michigan recruit) of Goodrich who placed second at 135, Mason's Jacob Burge (North Carolina State recruit) who was third at 171, Monroe's Zach Stevens fourth at 125, Utica Ford's Brett Correll fourth at heavyweight, Davison's Bryan Rickard fifth at 112, Warren Woods Tower's Brennan Brumley sixth at 160 and Mason's L.J. Helbig (University of Wyoming) seventh at 189.
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