Derek Marshall notched a 5-0 mark at the Super Dual and a 2-0 record during the tri-match. Brandon Garries became the 12th wrestler at LaSalle High School to post 100 career victories after the junior recorded a 4-1 record during the Sault Super Dual Saturday, February 3.

Garries needed three victories to reach the milestone and, during the fourth match of the day, he registered his 100th win on a first-period pin against Cheboygan.

"Brandon has wrestled hard to reach this mark. It doesn't happen very often that a junior will reach 100 wins," said Saints Coach Harvey Bentley.

The previous Saints wrestlers to reach the mark were Billy Rickley, Michael Green, Andy Fitzpatrick, Matt Beaudoin, Rand Litzner, Tom Horn, Sam Fitzpatrick, Jason Frazier, Tim Moore, Mike Amacher, and Aaron Rickley.

Saints 4-1 at Super Dual

The St. Ignace wrestling team enjoyed a successful day at the Sault Super Dual after three grapplers posted perfect records of 5-0 and four at 4-1. The Saints finished the meet with a 4-1 team record.

Senior James Sayles, in the 215- pound weight division, and juniors, Derek Marshall (171-189) and Shawn Cowell (140) were 5-0, and seniors Sam Fitzpatrick (125) Mario Calcaterra (135), junior Brandon Garries (119), and sophomore Mike McNeely (112) all completed the meet at 4-1.

Brandon Garries earned his 100th career win with a pin against Cheboygan during the Sault Super Dual. The Saints started the day with a 51-27 win over Petoskey's junior varsity squad. The team then downed Newberry 57-15, followed by a loss to Gaylord's varsity team 50-19. The Saints then upended Cheboygan 45-36, and edged out Sault Ste. Marie 36-35.

Other Saints wrestlers with victories were Nate Tamlyn (189) at 2- 2 and Rob Robinson (145) and Steffan Saffian (152) at 2-3.

"I was pleased with our effort during the entire day," said Coach Bentley, "even against a strong Gaylord team."

The most exciting match of the day was the final team competition between the Saints and the host Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils.

The match started at the 130- pound weight class with Tyler Oja dropping a tough 7-2 decision before Mario Calcaterra (135) and Shawn Cowell (140) pinned their opponents for a 12-3 lead.

Shawn Cowell (140) recorded a 5-0 record at the Super Dual and a 2-0 record during the tri-match. The Blue Devils won the next four matches as Rob Robinson (145), Steffan Saffian (152), Eric Grondin (160), and Nate Tamlyn (171) were defeated as the Blue Devils increased their lead to 23-12.

Derek Marshall (189) won on a pin and James Sayles (215) scored an 8-2 decision to cut the Blue Devils lead to 23-21, but the Saints had to forfeit the heavyweight and 103 divisions, which made the score 35-21, in the Sault's favor.

Trailing by 14 points, Mike McNeely (112) won on a forfeit, Brandon Garries (119) posted a 10- 0 major decision to cut the score to 35-31 and, during the final match of the meet, Sam Fitzpatick (125) won on a technical fall (five points) to give the Saints a 36-35 win.

Saints Wrestlers

Split SAC Matches

The St. Ignace wrestling team split its Straits Area Conference matches, defeating Newberry 48- 23, and falling to Cheboygan 50-28 Thursday, February 1.

The biggest drawback for the Saints was giving up 18 points after forfeiting the 103-, 189-, and heavyweight classes, which was evident in the matches against Cheboygan.

"It is tough winning a match after giving up 18 points," said Coach Bentley.

The Saints were led by a trio of grapplers that included Sam Fitzpatrick (125), Derek Marshall (171), and Brandon Garries (119) with 2-0 records, one pin each. St. Ignace's Shawn Cowell (140) finished with a 2-0 mark.

James Sayles (215) recorded a 1- 1 mark with one pin and Mario Calcaterra (135) and Steffan Saffian (152) were 1-1 during the tri-match.

St. Ignace will compete in the Straits Area Conference Tournament at Newberry Saturday, February 10, and will host the Michigan High School Athletic Association's district tourney (Rudyard/Charlevoix) Thursday, February 15 at LaSalle High School.

The Saints will travel to Marquette for the Upper Peninsula Finals Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17.