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WRESTLING: Adams storms past Stoney Creek with comeback for the ages

Dan Stickradt | February 18, 2020 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

Twitter: @LocalSportsFans

ROCHESTER HILLS — Perhaps this was one for the ages.

In wrestling terms, faced with what seemed like an insurmountable disadvantage in a 36-0 deficit following seven weight classes, the Highlanders dug deep and accomplished the unthinkable.

Adams captured wins in the final seven matches — six by pin and one by major decision — and closed with a 40-run. The Highlanders could not — and did not — allow rival Rochester Stoney Creek to win one final match and win the meet and district title.

Comeback Kids: Rochester Adams senior Bobby Anderson recorded a pin in the 285-pound weight class, capping the Highlanders’ improbable 39-0 run to win a Division 1 district championship. Photo | Dan Stickradt

Minus the one-point deduction for excessive celebration, Adams posted a magical come-from-behind victory with a thrilling 39-36 triumph — an extreme rarity of comebacks in the sport.

“In all of my years around wrestling, I have never seen anything like it,” beamed Adams coach Mike Holtz.

The win gave Adams (15-8) their second straight district championship, fourth in five years and seventh in the 13 years Holtz has served as Highlanders’ head coach.

When 285-pounder Bobby Anderson walked onto the floor for the weight class, Stoney Creek (31-12) still led 36-34, setting the stage for a winner takes all match. Anderson gain the victory by pin in 2:23 to close out the comeback.

Kevin Gibbons (145) started the vaunted comeback with a pin late in the third period. Sean Phalen (pin, 152), Ken Jackson (major decision, 160), Joe Dreon (pin, 171), Chse Montour (pin, 189) and Mohammed Murray (pin, 215) set the stage for the final points.

“We not only had to win all of the final seven matches, but we had to get pins in almost all of them,” noted Holtz. “High School sports is all about memories and I don’t think these guys will ever forget this comeback. It is something that rarely happens.”

Adams defeated Utica Eisenhower 49-24 in the semifinals, while Stoney Creed held off Rochester 34-33 in the other semifinal.

The Cougars won the first seven matches for what normally is a comfortable lead in wrestling.

Zack Gittens (103 by void) gave Stoney Creek a 6-0 cushion, followed by Cade Odrobina (112, decision), Andy Hampton (119, pin), Luke Gittens (125, decision), Blake Noonan (130, pin), Parker Yearego (135, injury default) and Luke Braun (140, pin) aided the Cougars’ early lead.

Stoney Creek finished its best team season with a 31-12 record, but one match win shy of the school’s first team district championship.

“We had two big (team) goals at the beginning of the season. One, win the OAA White Division league championship and we did that. And two, win our first district,” offered Stoney Creek coach Jed Kramer. “We came so close. Adams is a very good team and they seem to be stronger at certain weight classes. They started to gain the momentum back and we almost looked nervous (down the stretch). Credit Adams for coming back. They are a good team.”

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Wrestling

MHSAA Team Districts

ROCHESTER ADAMS 39

ROCHESTER STONEY CREEK 36

(2-12, District Finals at Adams)

103: Zack Gittens (RSC) by void; 112: Cade Odrobina (RSC) d. Aaron Wildrink 3-0; 119: Andy Hampton (RSC) p. Brendan Green 4:44; 125: Luke Gittens (RSC) d. Noah Vibert 6-4 (OT); 130: Blake Noonan (RSC) p. Tanner Buck 3:28; 135: Parker Yearego (RSC) d. Benny Kekhova inj. def. 1:21; 140: Luke Braun (RSC) p. Drew Brown 1:57; 145: Kevin Gibbons (RA) p. Stanley Czabonski 5:47; 152: Sean Phalen (RA) p. Zack Hager 3:02; 160: Ken Jackson (RA) maj. dec. Seth Luman 10-1; 171: Joe Dreon (RA) p. Steven Lambert 4:59; 189: Chase Montour (RA) p. Sam Allen 2:21; 215: Mohammed Murray (RA) p. Matt Daines 0:27; 285: Bobby Anderson (RA) p. Austin Jordan 2:23.