Tecumseh’s varsity wrestling team went 4-1 at Columbia Central Varsity Duals on December 12, and placed second behind Anchor Bay, a Division I school.
The Indians defeated Sand Creek 51-30, Columbia Central 71-12, Mason 52-27 and Perry 41-30 but lost 36-25 in the finals to Anchor Bay.
The Indians were leading 25-24 against Anchor Bay with two matches remaining and still had a chance with one match to go, down 30-25. A Fall would have given Tecumseh a victory. Unfortunately for the Indians, that didn’t happen.
“Overall we wrestled well, started slow but recovered and finished strong,” said Tecumseh’s new head coach AJ Marry. “The kids went out and competed for each other and that is what I liked.”
Going undefeated during the event were freshman Vince Perez (103), sophomore Gabe Bechtol (145), junior Drew Marten (125/130) and senior Landon Pelham (215).
Going 4-1 for the Indians were Josh Marcum (171), Bryan Tripp (160) and Ryan Roberts (152).
“We are looking forward to this Wednesday, which is our first home dual of the season against Ann Arbor Pioneer and Ypsilanti Lincoln,” said Marry.
Tecumseh’s “B-team” traveled to Blissfield on Saturday and finished seventh out of 14 teams.
Placing first with three falls was Tecumseh freshman Clayton Boatright (160). Other place winners for Tecumseh were Ken Thornton (4th, 103), Andrew Winkler (6th, 140), Adam Shelby (5th, 152), James Clark (6th, 171) and Tyler MacLachlan (4th, 189).
This is Marry’s first season with the Indians. He graduated from Hudson High School (2001) and went to Adrian College (2003-2006) to play football after graduation. He earned his teaching certificate at Eastern Michigan University and is currently a math instructor for Tecumseh Public Schools.
Before joining the Indians, Marry was a teacher and coached wrestling and football at Adrian High School.
“I was fortunate to get to come back here where I live,” he said.
His assistant coach, Matt Smith, is also a Hudson graduate. Marry said Smith was a three-time state placer and two-time finalist and one time state champ as well as multiple team state title member. He also played football in college at Northern.
“They won three when he was there at Hudson,” Marry said. “He brings a whole array of good things. He’s a gamer and he’s got that college level experience. He’s a great guy to have and he’s a good friend.”
During a pre-season interview Marry said the Indians would be a tough team to handle his first season.
“We are going to be physically and mentally tough,” he said. “We’ll be in shape. Our goal is to make sure we are the tougher wrestler both physically and mentally when we go out there. That’s our main goal and then anything else after that is a bonus. We think that’s going to be the key to our success.”
Marry said he will look to three-time state placer Pelham for wins at 215-pounds.
Marten returns at 125 or 130-pounds and a couple of new freshmen, Patton and Perez, will cover a couple of lower weight classes. He said that Josh Hilton would be in there battling it out as well.
At 119-pounds will be Hayden Whitehed and at 135 will be newcomer Ricky Amador. Marry is still looking for a main starter at 140-pounds.
Bechtol is expected to wrestle at 145-pounds. “He should be a break-out performer for us this year,” Marry said.
The coach is also expecting big things from sophomore Roberts at 152-pounds.
The upper weight classes are filled more with senior leadership.
“We’re going to really rely on them because we’re real young down below,” said Marry.
The coach has a combination of Marcum, Luke Vandenburg, Tripp, and McGlautchin for three positions that need filling at 160-, 171- and 189-pounds.
At heavyweight will be newcomer Donavin Curley, a junior, and Isaac Acuna, another newcomer, who is a senior.
“We’ve got people,” said Marry. “We’re really excited. We don’t know what the season’s going to bring but we’re pretty pumped. Everybody’s been working hard.”
Results from the Indians Wednesday home meet will be reported in next week’s Herald.
Wed, 04/17/2024 - 12:38pm
