CLARKSTON — Clarkston senior Auggie Anderson has all his priorities in order. He wants his team to make it to the state and win an individual state championship.
Whatever happens along the way, be part of that journey.
On Wednesday night, his side defeated rivals Oxford 42-20 to close out an undefeated Auckland Activity Association Red season and clinch a second consecutive title.
It was also senior night, and Anderson had his 100th career win by the fall.
“I had a blast tonight,” said Anderson after Oxford’s Ryan Thompson’s landmark win. “I believe in God and I don’t think he could have written a better script for me or had a better plan for me. It was against Oxford tonight.”
Anderson’s pin gave his team a commanding 22-4 lead and all the momentum needed to fend off the Wildcats, who entered the game with the same 5-0 record as the Wolves. Clarkston won his first four games and had an 18-point lead in five of his first six games. Archer led the team 4-0 with his 11-2 win over Dominic his Anderson over Benjamin. Preston LeFevre followed suit with a 19-4 technical fall victory. Senior Brady Voigt, at 126 pounds, beat Cohen his Eberhardt 14-5 to give the team his 13-0 lead. The win avenged his 12–1 loss to Eberhardt at the county convention in December.
Nate Carter improved Clarkston’s lead to 16-0 with a 11-7 win over Nico Hatzigerzieu at £132.
Oxford’s Lucas Smith stopped the bleeding and beat Marco Marino 11-2 at 138 pounds, leading to Anderson’s match at 144.
“I am happy with Auggie. He is one of our captains this year and has really stepped up this past month as the leader of the room and his personality and work ethic are on the mat. It’s showing up,” Clarkston coach Brian Gibbs said.
Oxford won three of the four matches between 150 and 175 pounds to extend Clarkston’s lead. Luke Johnson defeated Clarkston’s Caleb Strong in his 9-4 at 150lbs, Myka Roper pinned Clarkston’s Trey Setter at 165lbs and Ian Jones overtook Ethan Zack at 175lbs to his 9-7 win, and won 27-16. of Clarkston.
But the Wildcats had to void at £190, Clarkston’s Tony Cash and Cam Newman winning by £215 and £285 to close out the Wolves (6-0 OAA Red).
“Honestly, this was better than I expected,” said Gibbs. We put together a tough team, but I thought we played a little harder tonight.”
Oxford’s other win came in the final match of the night at £106 as Gavin Lewis beat Tyler Lee 8–0.
“There’s a lot more strategy in putting together a lineup than many realize,” said Oxford manager Ross Wingert. “The definition of a tough matchup is where you’re good at who you’re good at. And[Clarkston’s]better, and they showed it tonight. They handled it at the top, they have a lot of credit, they are well coached and they have good wrestlers.
“I told my kids I worked hard, no doubt about that. I was beaten in some technical areas in certain familiar situations. and we need to keep working with this young team.”
Photo gallery of the OAA Red Wrestling Triangle between Clarkston, Oxford and Bloomfield Hills
Clarkston beat Bloomfield Hills 53-15 that night. Clarkston’s winning streak was Archer and Auggie Anderson, Preston and Ethan Lefebvre, Lillian Francy, Voigt, Carter, Strong, Zack, Brock Trevino and Kyach. Bloomfield Hills winners were Alan Spencer, Jonathan Abrams and Emile Sarkic.
Oxford also beat the Blackhawks 54-15. Lewis, Benjamin, Chase Beale, Eberhardt, HatziGeorge, Smith, Thompson, Johnson, Roper, Jones, Devon Strimpel. Garrett Jansen, Steven White and Spencer won at Bloomfield Hills.