Now that’s storybook: Oxford shocks No. 1 Shamrocks on last match to win D-1 state title
RAISING THE ROOF: OXofrd's wrestling team celebrates with the Division 1 state championship trophy following the Wildcats, come-from-behind, 26-25 triumph over Novi Detroit Catholic Central at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. Staff Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com To view a photo gallery on this event, please visit www.lmckeephotography.com
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
BATTLE CREEK — The last name Smith is one of the most common last names in all of North America. In Oxford, that name now has some new meaning.
And it will have a very special ring to it.
Oxford senior Dylan Smith is the reason for that.
With his team trailing 25-23 entering the final match of the day — the other three state title matches had all already finished — the 103-pounder posted a 9-3 decision over freshman Evan Toth of Novi Detroit Catholic Central for the state-title clinching three points in the Division 1 state championship at Battle Creek Kellogg Arena.
Oxford posted a come-from-behind 26-25 victory over the Shamrocks, giving the school its first team state title in wrestling and first in any sport since the Wildcats took home the Class BB state title in football back in November, 1992.
The match was a battle of heavyweights, as Catholic Central came in ranked No. 1 in the state in D-1 the whole season, with Oxford climbing to No. 2 earlier in the postseason. The two have faced off in head-to-head duals and in various tournaments several times in recent years, with CC coming out on top each time.
The pressure fell on Smith, who stepped up and delivered in the clutch.
NO. 1 SHOCKER: Oxford coaches Brad Keeney (left) and Brandon Rank celebrate the Wildcats' take down of top-ranked Novi Detroit Catholic Central during Saturday's Division 1 state championship at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena. Staff Photo | Larry McKee, www.lmckeephotography.com
“I was nervous before the match,” admitted Smith. “Once I got out there I was (fine). I felt in the third period he was getting a little tired. I just went after him.”
Smith, who lost his match in the semifinals against Hartland, came through with one of the biggest wins in school history.
“I wasn’t thinking anything. I just cleared my mind and let everything go,” said Smith. “I just went out there and did the best I could — gave it all I got.”
His effort gave Oxford the title after being down 25-15 with three weight classes to go.
Nick McMaster (215) picked up a 7-1 decision over Jay Peterson and Prescott Line (285) posted a 21-6, technical fall triumph over Robert Coe to bring the score to within 25-23.
Catholic Central could not halt the momentum swing.
“We should not have put a freshman in that situation,” said Catholic Central coach Mitch Hancock. “We knew it would be close. Hats off to Oxford for coming back. They wrestled great.”
The Wildcats (33-4) lost to CC 40-19 in a dual match in January, finished second to the Shamrocks at the prestigious Oakland County championships in December and dropped two dual meets to CC last season, including the state semifinals last season. This time Oxford took a 6-0 lead after two weight classes.
Keegan Cantara posted a 6-0 decision at 112 and Rocco Borg outlasted T.J Fagan 3-2 in triple overtime for the early advantage.
The Shamrocks won the next four matches behind winning efforts from Ken Bade (125, major decision), Logan Marcicki130, pin), unbeaten Alec Mooradian (135, technical fall) and Riley Hanson (140, overtime decision), which gave CC an 18-6 lead.
Oxford’s Matt Frisch (145) bucked the trend with a narrow 1-0 victory over Nick Mason, to close the gap to 18-9.
Again Catholic Central surged ahead with Andrew Garcia (152, major decision) picking up four points for the 22-9 advantage with six matches to go.
Miles Trealout (189) rallied for a 7-6 win to put his team up 10. The Shamrocks could not score again.
Oxford’s Ben Ralston (171) won the other match for the Wildcats, who took four of the final five clashes and five of the last six matches to rally for the biggest win in school history.
“This was incredible team win,” said Brad Keeney, who took over as Oxford’s head coach this season. “We never gave up. We knew we had a bunch of close losses to them the last time and we had to get a few of those this time in order to win. We needed to win (103, 112, and 119) this time. The last time we wrestled them, we lost those matches. This time we won them. We had guys step up when we needed them to.”
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Category: High School, Oxford, Prep Wraps
Oxford’s wrestling team deserved the title; they worked hard for it. They stamped their seal of approval o the state title…home grown in oxford.
P.S:Who’s that only black kid on your wrestling team?
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