Alma’s wrestling team was 4-1 at the Corunna Invitational on Saturday, but barely missed going 5-0.
Alma defeated Ithaca 54-22 and Swartz Creek 67-12, and then topped No. 1 seed Corunna 36-30 and No. 3 seed Dearborn Crestwood 42-21. In the final match, Alma lost on third criteria to No. 2 seed Hastings 36-36.
“Not wrestling since last Saturday where Alma faced several of the state’s best at the Brighton Invite, I didn’t know what to expect,” Alma coach Randy Miniard said. “To my surprise the Alma wrestling team went 4-1 losing to Hastings in the finals 36-36 on the third criteria.”
Miniard said his team needed a pin for six points from freshman sensation Alex Rosas in the last match at 125. Rosas had several nearfalls but had to settle for the five-point tech fall, which tied the match and gave Hastings the win on the third criteria.
Undefeated Alma wrestlers were Gio Moreno (103), Alex Rosas (125), Gilbert Rosas (130) and Boyd Hubbard (171). Going 4-1 for the Panthers were Jaden Jerome (119), Damian Castillo (135) and Sage Gonzales (145)
“My kids really worked hard over break and we looked fantastic on our takedowns all day long,” Miniard said. “Beating Corunna was a huge upset and even though we lost to Hastings, my kids wrestled well enough to win and showed a lot of heart.”