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Photo by Brian Cox
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Milan junior Dan Vivian pinned John Popham of warren Woods Tower in 3:30 to secure a ticket to the Palace of Auburn Hills later this month, where the state tournament will be held. Vivian placed fourth at 135 pounds..
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For the first time in at least a decade, three Milan wrestlers will travel to The Palace of Auburn Hills next week to compete in the individual state finals.
Making the cut at regionals on Saturday in Warren were David Box, Dan Vivian, and Jacob Nelson.
Box (275), who last year fell short of advancing out of regionals, was a dominating force this time around. It took him a full 28 seconds to pin Hazel Park's Chris Bible in the championship round to become Milan's first heavyweight regional champ.
Bible made the mistake of charging Box with the idea of getting a quick take-down.
Box was having none of it.
"I don't think (Bible) expected Box to have that kind of strength and athleticism," said Milan coach Gary Jonseck afterwards. "He'll be thinking about that move for a long time. I don't think he'll try that again."
"I just felt the move and went with it," said Box. "It was a great match against Bible. It's an overwhelming feeling."
Box sliced through the competition in the early rounds, pinning Mike Berbeke of Marysville in 57 seconds before facing a mountain of a wrestler from Highland Park. Relying on balance and quick foot movement, Box worked the larger Travis Ramsey to a 3-0 win, getting a take-down in the first period and not allowing Ramsey to use his weight advantage.
"I knew it was going to be a tough match," said Box. "I had to look for an opportunity and take it. Footwork and balance were key."
Vivian (125) and Nelson (160) each placed fourth at the tournament.
Vivian had trouble early on, falling to Adam Dueweke in a 15-4 major decision, but stormed back in the consolation round to pin Josh Popam in 3:03 and then exert everything he had to pull out a tight 8-7 win over Jeff Jenkins of Tecumseh.
"I wasn't sure I was going to win that one," said a sweating and smiling Vivian, having notched a certain berth in the state finals. "I gave it everything I had in that match."
Vivian said it was an "amazing feeling" to make states after not having the opportunity his freshman and sophomore years because of illness and injury.
His nemesis Dueweke defeated Vivian a second time to take third place.
At 160-lbs, Nelson defeated Justin Mattox fromMarysville, pinning him in the third period, but lost his next bout to Larry Cervantes of Allen Park in a tighter match than the 14-8 score reflects.
In the consolation round, Nelson earned a 9-5 decision against Patrick McGauley of Trenton after falling behind 5-2.
In come-back fashion, the Big Red junior got a reversal and two near pins in the third period to secure a bid to the state finals.
"I got it in my mind that I didn't feel like losing and that I wanted to make it to The Palace," said Nelson. "It feels great."
Nelson lost third-place honors to Mattox, whom he had defeated in the first round.
Now it's a clean slate.
Now, its states.
"Anything can happen at The Palace," said Box. "You've just got to wrestle your match."
He was echoing Jonseck.
"At this time of year, it's about taking your game out on the mat," said Jonseck. "This is a big-time event. It's exciting when you get to this part in the season. Anything can happen."
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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