The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Milan nabs team, individual wins
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 21, 2008
A trio of Milan wrestlers qualified for regionals on Saturday at the Division 2 individual districts in Adrian.
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One claimed the district championship.
Dan Vivian (125), Jacob Nelson (160) and David Box (285) emerged from the tournament with the right to represent the Big Reds in the regional tournament at Warren-Fitzgerald Saturday.
Box earned his second straight district championship title at heavyweight, streaming through the competition in short order.
After drawing a bye in the first round, Box proceeded to pin Matt Gable of Melvindale in 1:01, Jesus Quesuda of Melvindale in 1:29 and Jon Mandelka of Dearborn Heights Crestwood in the title match in 1:01.
"(Box) dominated the heavyweights because he is a strong, powerful and hard-nosed individual," said Milan head coach Gary Jonseck. "He's wrestling real good right now."
With a record of 52-2, Box stands a chance of cracking the 58-win mark to become the first Milan wrestler to enter the state record book for wins in a season.
Last year, Box won his regional quarterfinal match, but was unable to advance further. He had missed six weeks at the end of the regular season with a fractured pelvic bone.
He enters regionals with the best record among heavyweights.
After wining a 14-12 decision over Adrian's Rodney Galvan in the first round, Vivian earned his 30th fall of the season in the quarterfinals with a pin of Allen Park's Trent Wolf in 0:52.
Airport's Chris Cavins, the eventual district champion, knocked Vivian out of contention for the district title in a 12-3 decision, but Vivian came back in the consolation round with a 5-2 decision over Melvindale's Michael Gable and a 6-2 decision over Steve Burkett of Dearborn Heights Annapolis to earn a third-place finish.
"(Vivian) wrestled smart and beat some good kids to get to regionals," Jonseck said.
Vivian enters regionals with a 44-7 record.
At 160 pounds, Milan's Jacob Nelson came away with a third-place finish after pinning Jake Fletcher of Riverview in 1:46 and defeating Shane Elkins of Tecumseh in a 10-6 decision.
In the semifinals, Nelson fell in overtime to Michael Hotvedt of Dearborn Heights Annapolis in a close 6-4 decision before securing a regional bid with two more wins, pinning Will Dotson of Tecumseh in 0:56 and earning a 9-0 major decision over Patrick McGauley of Trenton.
Nelson's record now stands at 46-13.
On the day, 12 Milan wrestlers competed.
Aaris Gruber, who placed third at the team districts at 103 last week, pinned Andrew Passuello of Gibraltar Carlson in 1:38 to end the year with a record of 33-17.
Jeff Fletcher (112) finished the year at 21-24 after falling in the first round.
Cody O'Keefe (135) went 2-2 on the day, earning an 18-3 technical fall against James Monday of Adrian and a getting a fall in 2:30 against Melvindale's Randy Jolly. He finishes the year with a record of 37-16.
David Wilson and Tim Sims both wrestled at 140. In the first round, Wilson defeated Mike Romanowski of New Boston by a 7-4 decision and Tim Sims won by disqualification. After both lost in the quarterfinals, they faced each other in the consolation round.
Wilson pulled out a narrow 7-6 decision.
Wilson ends the year at 26-26 and Sims at 21-25.
Mark Thornton (152) lost in the first round to finish the year at 12-22, while Dan Bailey (171) pinned Zachery Vakerics of Dearborn Divine Child in 1:54 before getting eliminated in the quarterfinals to post a final record of 28-15.
Warren Losee (189) went 2-2 on the day, defeating Daniel Korte of Ypsilanti by technical fall (21-3) at 4:10 and Sam Bishar of Tecumshe by a major decision of 24-16, ending the year at 28-15.
Also wrestling at 189, Kyle Latta fell in the first round to Bishar in an 11-4 decision, wrapping up the year at 14-11.
Overall, Jonseck was pleased with the Big Reds' performance.
"We had six wrestlers in the blood round," he said. "I think that may be the best we've ever done. I think the kids wrestled at about the best level they could."
It will not get any easier for the Big Reds moving on to regionals.
"Only the strong survive at this level," Jonseck said. "Whoever can show up and execute the proper move at the proper time is who moves on."
Milan edged out Adrian 36-31 in the first round of team districts last Wednesday. Winning for the Big Reds were Dan Vivian (125), Cody O'Keefe (130), R.J. Gaskill (135), Jacob Nelson (171), Warren Losee (189), Sean Domas (215) and David Box (285).
Against powerhouse Tecumseh, the Big Reds did not fare as well, falling 64-9, with only Nelson and Box earning wins for Milan.
The Big Reds ended the season with a dual record of 33-9.
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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