The Milan News-Leader
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Milan to wrap up Huron slate
Reds down Riverview, take solid fourth in Battle Creek tourney
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 7, 2008
The Milan varsity wrestling team reached the 30-wins plateau last week with commanding victories over league rival Riverview, 43-24, and Woodhaven, 51-26.
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The Big Reds are now 30-8 overall and 5-1 in the Huron League heading into their final league match of the regular season against Flat Rock Wednesday night.
Junior Dan Vivian (125) kick started it for Milan against Riverview, winning his 30th match on the year.
"Vivian has been wrestling outstanding," said head coach Gary Jonseck. "He really got the momentum swinging in our direction."
Entering the middle weights, where the Big Reds are younger and less experienced, freshman R.J. Gaskill (135), freshman Tim Sims (140), and sophomore David Wilson (145) came through with important, hard-fought wins.
"These young kids are wrestling so tough right now. They're really coming out and wrestling tough and giving us everything they have," said Jonseck, who described the meet as a "heartstopper."
The older, more experienced wrestlers Milan enjoys in the higher weight classes followed suit. Jacob Nelson (160), Dan Bailey (171), Sean Domas (215) and David Box (285) all delivered wins. Also winning at 103 pounds was Aaris Gruber, whose record now stands at 27-16.
Against Woodhaven, Gruber, Vivian, Gaskill, Sims, Wilson, Nelson, Domas and Box each earned their second wins of the night. Sophomore Cody O'Keefe (130) pulled out a victory to break the 30-wins mark.
Milan continued its pattern of strong and consistent performances at the Battle Creek Invitational over the weekend, placing fourth behind Plainwell, Linden and Bronson.
"We really weren't expecting to do that well," Jonseck said. "It's the highest Milan has ever finished there."
Vivian, who placed first at 125 pounds, was voted the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler in the lower weight classes.
Earning second-place honors were Box and Gruber. Box lost a tight match in the final 5-3 and Gruber fell in overtime. Box is now 42-2 on the year and leads the team in falls with 34.
O'Keefe was the surprise of the day, entering the tournament seeded seventh and defeating the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds to go 4-1 and finish in third place at 130 pounds.
Domas and Nelson placed fifth and Sims came in sixth, wrestling up in the tough 140-pound class.
Other Big Reds winning matches but not placing were Jeff Fletcher (119), Gaskill (135), Wilson (140), and Mark Thorton (152).
Five Milan wrestlers have now surpassed the 30-wins mark and 19 members can boast a winning record.
The Big Reds wrapped up the regular season Wednesday night at home against Flat Rock. The league meet is Saturday at Monroe Jefferson.
Milan is hosting the team districts Feb. 13. Milan will face Ypsilanti in the first round. A win would see the Big Reds taking on the winner of the Tecumseh-Adrian match.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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