The varsity wrestling team traveled to Algonac on Saturday, Jan. 4th for a team tournament and went 3-1 on the day to capture 2nd place.  In the opening round Clinton competed against Utica High School and came away with a 45-29 win.  The match started at 106 pounds and Hudson Miller was dominating his opponents and leading 6-1, but was caught in a throw and was pinned at 106.  Wyatt Cooley picked up a win at 113 pounds.  Zach Taylor suffered his first loss of the year at 120 pounds 4-10.  Brock Worden picked him up with a 10-3 win at 126 pounds.  Braxton Randolph followed up with a pin at 132 pounds.  Jaxon Phillip dropped his match at 138 pounds, but Braylon Long locked up his opponent in just 53 seconds for the pin at 144 pounds.  Tanner Bolton wrestled tough against a state qualifier and lost 0-1 in a match that could have gone either way.   Cliff Jones picked up a pin at 157 pounds after pouring on some points.  At 165 pounds Austin Putnam dropped his match, but Bryce Randolph regained the momentum at 175 pounds with a first period pin.  Gradyn Whelan picked up a first period pin of his own at 190 pounds.  Owen Wright dropped his match at 215 pounds, before Hamza Rafferty pinned his opponent at Hwt. in just 43 seconds.  

Clinton is currently ranked 5th in the state in division 4 by MichiganGrappler.com and in the second round the Redwolves faced off against the 8th ranked team in division 4 St. Clare Shores Lakeview.  Clinton was wrestling on all cylinders as they dominated Lakeview 62-18.  Zach Taylor picked up the first win for Clinton at 113 pounds.  Wyatt Cooley showed some tremendous toughness at 120 pounds as he was taken down and put to his back right away, but fought off to battle his way back in the match and earn a pin in the third period.   This was huge for momentum and our young team.  Brock Worden was almost in the same situation, as he was taken down and put right to his back, but he did not give up and fought off to earn a pin at the end of the first period.  You could see the confidence and team building more belief throughout the dual.  Joe Hodges picked up a win at 132 pounds.  Then Braylon Long earned an 18-3 technical fall at 138 pounds.  Isaac Keibler dropped his match at 144 pounds, but picked up a huge takedown and continues to improve with every match.  Tanner Bolton dropped his match at 150 pounds, but freshman Jacob Pope stepped into his first varsity dual action and earned a pin at 157 pounds.  The team was excited for Jacob and the momentum stayed in Clinton's favor.  Jonah Hahn stepped in at 165 pounds but dropped his match.  Bryce Randolph picked up another pin at 175 pounds as did Gradyn Whelan at 190 pounds.  Owen Wright picked up a pin at 215 pounds and is showing what he is capable of.  Hamza Rafferty grabbed another first period pin in just 58 seconds at Hwt.  Hudson Miller picked up a big win to finish the dual at 106 pounds, winning 12-6.  

In round three Clinton faced a tough Carleton Airport Team from division two and came away with another win 44-28.  The match started at 120 pounds where Wyatt Cooley battled, but dropped the opening match.  Brock Worden dropped the next match 1-9 to give up the major decision at 126 pounds.  Braxton Randolph got points on the board for Clinton as he won 7-1 at 132 pounds.  Braylon Long picked up a 15-0 technical fall at 138 pounds to keep things rolling.  Isaac Keibler then wrestled hard for a 7-2 win at 144 pounds.  Tanner Bolton dropped his match at 150 pounds, but Cliff Jones picked the team right back up with a pin at 157 pounds.  John Keibler battled though sickness to help his team, but dropped his match at 165 pounds.  Bryce Randolph picked up a pin at 175 pounds in just 27 seconds.  Gradyn Whelan knocked another state ranked opponent at 190 pounds with a 4-1 win.  At 215 pounds Chance Maddox stepped in for the Redwolves, but dropped his match.  Rafferty picked up a pin at Hwt., this time in the second period.  Hudson Miller picked up another win at 106 pounds and Zach Taylor battled for a pin at 113 pounds.  

Clinton went 3-0 in the their pool to place them in the finals against the host school Algonac who is currently ranked third in division 3.   This was a epic dual, competitive, loud, and back and forth.  Clinton fell short 28-41, but what a great dual it was.  The match started at 126 pounds as Brock Worden hung on for a 9-6 win.  Braxton Randolph showed a lot of grit and he battled all match long but dropped his match at 132 pounds.  Joe Hodges stepped in at 138 pounds, but fell short.  Braylon Long picked up a 14-1 major decision at 144 pounds.   At 150 pounds Tanner Bolton wrestled a tough match but fell short.  Cliff Jones earned another pin at 157 pounds for the Redwolves.  John Keibler battled for his teammates but fell short at 165 pounds.  Bryce Randolph picked up a quick pin at 175 pounds.  Gradyn Whelan bummed up to 215 pounds to take on an undefeated and state ranked 215 pounder after Clinton opted to void at 190 to force a certain match up.  Whelan battled but fell short at 215.  Rafferty picked up a second period pin at Hwt. Hudson Miller lost at 106 but battled all match.  Zach Taylor won a battle at 113 pounds 7-5.  Wyatt Cooley dropped the final match of the day at 120 pounds after a tough battle.  Clinton had four wrestlers go undefeated on the day:  Braylon Long, Cliff Jones, Bryce Randolph, and Hamza Rafferty.  It was a great tournament and the team continues to grow and develop as we gain experience.  We travel to Warren Fitzgerald on Saturday, Jan. 11th for an individual tournament next.