Cardinal wrestlers open season with tough tournament
A young Onaway High School wrestling team, which figures to improve as it gains experience throughout the season, took some lumps Saturday at a tough, 10-team tournament at Sanford-Meridian.
The Cardinals dropped all four of its matches in pool play, falling to Freeland (72-6), Leroy-Pine River (77-5), Whitehall (39-36), and Midland (48-30), before defeating Breckinridge in the match for ninth place (34-30).
Leroy-Pine River finished as tournament champ, while Freeland finished third. Senior Morgan Robins, sophomore Joe Traynham, and freshman Isaac Nave all won four matches on the day for Onaway.
Robins, wrestling at 145 pounds, pinned Trip Thommen of Whitehall and Zack Donoghue of Midland, defeated Adam Dresden of Breckinridge by 10-2 major decision, and defeated Freeland’s Cavin Compton, 10-6.
Nave, wrestling at 112, won a pair of matches by forfeit, pinned Zach Potter of Midland, and earned a 17-2 technical fall over Jordan Stone of Leroy-Pine River – his team’s only victory in that match.
Traynham, wrestling at 119, won three matches by forfeit and defeated Kolten Radaz of Freeland, 6-4. Robins, Nave, and Traynham all have records of 6-1 this season.
The only other Cardinals to post non-forfeit wins in the tournament were senior Justin Gedda (160 pounds) and sophomore Jamal Porter (285), both of whom earned pins in the Cards’ victory over Breckinridge.
“We wrestled some great competition down there,” said OHS coach Mark Grant. “It was a learning experience for our guys, and we talked about how each time on the mat is about learning and getting better.
“I really like the attitude of this team. They understand that this is a tough sport, and that hard work will pay off, whether it is this year, next year, or in life after sports.”
Two days earlier, the Cardinal wrestlers opened their season with a pair of wins at Charlevoix. Onaway knocked off Mancelona, 47-18, before defeating its host, 32-22.
Nave, Traynham, and Gedda all recorded pins against the Ironmen. Robins won by technical fall, 20-3, while Chris Crusoe (135), Bryan Brenner (140), Brad Brewbaker (145), and Casey Watson (189) all won by forfeit.
Nave, Traynham, Gedda, and Porter all recorded pins against the Rayders. Robins earned a 9-7 overtime win, while Crusoe
According to Grant, the highlight of the day, in addition to strong showings by veterans Robins and Traynham, was the first varsity victories for Gedda, Nave, and Porter.
“I always get a great deal of satisfaction watching one of my wrestlers reach that milestone,” the coach said. “I am very proud of all three of them, and very pleased with all of our guys who made their varsity debuts.”
The wrestling team returns to the mat Wednesday at St. Ignace.