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WRESTLING: Oxford no match for Hartland in state quarterfinals

Dan Stickradt | February 25, 2017 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT

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MT. PLEASANT — The flip can become a huge factor in the sport of wrestling, signaling which team must send out a competitor first.

It paid dividends for Hartland Friday but hurt Oxford in the Division 1 state quarterfinals at Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena.

In the end, defending Division 1 state champion Hartland, ranked fifth, toppled No. 4 Oxford 43-27.

“I think the flip really helped them because we had to send out our guy and they could match up with us based on who we sent out,” admitted veteran Oxford coach Paul McDevitt. “The flip can really make a difference. I know we could have done things differently if we’d won the flip.”

Oxford led 6-5 after the first two matches (160 and 171). Hartland responded with a decision and pin over the next two weight classes for a 14-6 lead and the Eagles would never trail again.

Hartland (33-3) captured wins in nine of the 14 weight classes to prevail. The Eagles drew top-ranked Novi Detroit Catholic Central in the state semifinals Saturday morning.

Joey Livingston (171), Reece Anguish (189), Andrew Spisz (215), Wyatt Nault (103), Corey Cavanaugh (112), Kyle Kantola (119), Carter Hankins (125), Tanner Culver (140) and River Shettler (152) all won matches for Hartland.

“You know every time you faced Oxford, you’re facing a quality opponent,” said Hartland coach Todd Cheney. “Now we have to be ready for Catholic Central. They are ranked No. 1 in the state for a reason. They are very talented without any holes in their lineup.”

Oxford was making its ninth quarterfinals appearance in 10 seasons — missing only in 2013) and 11th trip since 1999. It wasn’t meant to be for the Wildcats.

“We had a great run, but the 4-5 matchups are always tough,” said McDevitt. “We’re excited to be here again, but we’e never satisfied with that result. I’m proud of the boys for the dedication and hard work to get here. We have a lot coming back next season.”

Devin Trevino (160), Byron Schlickenmeyer (285), Garrett Tyrrell (130), Sergio Borg (135) and Caleb Tabert (145) all had wins for Oxford (24-6).

BOX SCORE

HARTLAND 43, OXFORD 27

(Feb. 24 at CMU McGuirk Arena)

160: Devin Trevino (O) tech. fall Jacob Hartman 17-1; 171: Joey Livingston (H) p. Thomas Wandrie (Oxford) 2:57; 189: Reece Anguish (H) d. Peter Veltigian 4-2; 215: Andrew Spisz (H) p. Dallas Winkelman 3:21; 285: Byron Schlickenmeyer (O) p. David Dunville 4:23; 103: Wyatt Nault (H) p. Matthew Curtis 5:38; 112: Corey Cavanaugh (H) d. Liam Hillary 6-4; 119: Kyle Kantola (H) p. Daltan Myers 1:03; 125: Carter Hankins (H) maj. dec. Jacob Call 8-0; 130: Garrett Tyrrell (O) maj. dec. Hayden Culver 13-5; 135: Sergio Borg (O) p. Greg Pietila 1:55; 140: Tanner Culver (H) d. Ryan Miller 2-0; 145: Caleb Tabert (O) p. Devon Pietila 0:45; 152: River Shettler (H) p. Trent Myre 1:34.