Ben Murphy
Sports Scene
The Meridian wrestling team has lost more matches so far this year than it did all of last year, but third-year head coach Jeremy Sampson is hoping that the losses add to growth in his team.
“It has been an up-and-down season; we have wrestled very well at times and rather flat at times,” he said. “We have wrestled a brutal schedule thus far. Our tough scheduling should pay off when the postseason tournament starts. We are in a very tough district and regional and should do very well.”
A year ago, the Mustangs went 20-3, won the Gladwin team tournament, took second in the Jack Pine Conference, and won their second straight district title. Meridian advanced six grapplers to regionals and three to the state finals, which were highlighted by Joe Shuler taking fifth at 112 pounds.
Despite its difficult schedule, Meridian has had plenty of solid showings this year. It was runner-up at the Ogemaw Heights Invitational, placed fourth out of 19 schools at the Freeland Invitational, and took seventh at the prestigious New Lothrup Invitational. Chase Robinson (130 pounds) and Kaine Sturgeon (285) have both already picked up their 100th career wins, and Eric Fader (215, ranked third in Division 3) has a chance to reach the 150-career win mark.
Other standouts so far this season have been Tyler Brinley (103), Shuler (ranked eighth in Division 3), Matt Hoffman (135), Jesse Fellow (140), Paul Streeter (152), and Jess Levier (160).
“I just want us to stay healthy and continue to improve,” Sampson said. “We have improved so much already this year, it’s only fitting that we continue to work hard and leave our mark. I think we have a heck of a chance to win our conference and then to win our team districts. Once you get to regionals, strange things can happen, so a trip to team states is one of our goals, as well.”
Those are rather lofty goals, considering conference foe Roscommon has won 10 straight league titles. Both squads were 2-0 in league action as of Jan. 22. Their district doesn’t get any easier, as they’ll be pitted against Freeland, Bullock Creek, and Garber.
“Our wrestlers need to continue to work hard and to stay disciplined,” Sampson said. “We have made a good name for ourselves for not giving up in matches, and that is huge to postseason success.”