WRESTLING: Oxford wins eighth straight league title
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
Dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
OXFORD — Wesley Maskill’s extra effort Friday night exemplifies what best describes Oxford wrestling.
The senior worked some overtime at 171 to topple Rochester’s Shane Shadaia in a heated battle, 7-5, at the OAA Red Division championships. The extra effort is what has separated Maskill and the Wildcats in recent years from other top teams in the league.
“I knew I had to get that last takedown,” said a determined Makill. “I had to (dig deep) to get him. I really wanted the league championship.”
Oxford captured its eighth straight league championship in wrestling on the Wildcats’ home mats. Following a perfect 7-0 league dual meet record, Oxford racked up 212 points to topple the deep eight-school field and clinch the deal.
“It means a lot,” added Maskill. “It just shows how hard we work every year to win eight in a row.”
Oxford, 25-4 on the year, won four straight titles in the Flint Metro League and have added four more consecutive championships in the OAA Red Division. Before that, the Wildcats finished second in the FML three straight times and have not have not finished lower than fourth in the final conference standings in more than 15 years.
“We’ve been pretty consistent over the years,” said Oxford coach Paul McDevitt, who returned to the head coaching spot for the first time this winter in seven years. “I think the first year we came into the OAA (Red) we were state champs. But now, this was a battle with Clarkston. It was really close going into that final round. It was great competition.”
Clarkston grabbed the runner-up slot with 1678 points, while Rochester (133), Rochester Adams (109), Rochester Stoney Creek (108.5), Farmington (88.5), Farmington Harrison (56) and Lake Orion (50.5) followed in the star-studded field.
Clarkston coach Derek Moskovic was not embarrassed of finishing second, considering the competition.
“This league is so tough,” he said. “You have a couple of (defending) state champs, a couple of kids who were (state) runner-up last season and a bunch of kids who medaled at the state (finals) last year in the league. Kids that do well here often do well at the state meet. (That being said), I’m proud of our kids. I think we had (seven) guys in the finals. It’s a big accomplishment.”
Oxford had top four finishers in 10 of the 14 weight classes, including six champions, two runners-up and two third-place finishers. Clarkston had two champions, five second-place finishers and a trio of third-place finishers.
Rochester posted two champions, two runners-up, two third-place finishers and two fourth-place finishers.
Oxford’s Jacob Call defeated Farmington’s Chase Walkowiak 10-7 in the finals at 103 to set the tone, while Alex Hrisopoulos followed with a 5-4 victory at 112 over Harrison’s Michael Volyanyuk, as the Wildcats grabbed two champions out of the gate in the finals.
Edwin Schlickenmeyer (135), Ben Line (215) and Zach Wood (285) also won titles for Oxford. Line became the third brother in his family during the past decade to win a league championship, while Wood ended the meet with a gutty 7-4 victory over Rochester’s Cameron Daniels, again showcasing the Wildcats’ extra effort philosophy.
“It’s never easy,” reminded McDevitt.
Clarkston’s Brett Foltz (130) and Kyle Masters (140) anchored the Wolves’ runner-up finish, while Rochester’s Ryan Morgan (145) and Shwan Shadaia (189) both won titles to lead the Falcons to third place.
Rochester Stoney Creek’s Kyle Noonan (125) and Andrew Price (160), Lake Orion’s David Moore (119) and Rochester Adams’ Jack Addy (152) rounded out the winners circle.
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