LaSalle Wrestlers Defeat Rudyard, 50-21, in SAC
By David Latva

The Saints' Matt Arthur won the 103-pound class by the score of 7-5 against Jake Perry.

St. Ignace handed Rudyard a 50-21 defeat as the Saints took 10 of 14 weight classes during a Straits Area Conference (SAC) dual match Monday, January 15.

"This was a good win, but we need to stay focused," said Saints Coach Harvey Bentley. "The team must remember the last two seasons when we suffered disappointing defeats in the districts to Rudyard."

The match started at the 103- pound division with Matt Arthur recording a 7-5 decision over Jake Perry, followed by four consecutive first-period pins by the Saints to build a 27-0 lead. Scoring in wrestling is six points for a pin; five for a technical fall (won by 15 or more points); four in a major decision (8 to 14 points), and three for a decision (1 to 7 points).

Mike McNeely (112) started the string of pins with a win over Tim Knutsen in 22 seconds. Brandon Garries (119) came in over Alisha Thompson at the 1:12 mark, Sam Fitzpatrick (125) downed D.J. Holloway with 51 seconds left in the period, and Tyler Oja (130) pinned Alex Simmon with three seconds on the clock.

Tyler Oja of St. Ignace (130) recorded a pin over Alex Simmon with three seconds left in the first period.

Mario Calcaterra (135) lost to Chris Chamberlain on a 7-2 decision, Shawn Cowell (140) won on a forfeit, Rob Robinson (145) won a 15-1 major decision over Billy Mourufas of Rudyard, and Steffan Saffian (152) lost C.J. Knutsen on a second period pin for a 37-9 score.

Nate Tamlyn (160) defeated Ben Gable in a major decision 12- 4; Derek Marshall (171) hung on to decision against Jordan Mayer 5-4; and James Sayles (215) pinned Dylan Talegetske at 1:01 of the first period. The Saints forfeited the 189-pound and heavyweight divisions.

Parents Night

The parents of the St. Ignace wrestlers will be honored Thursday, January 25, during the Straits Area Conference tri-match against Rogers City and Rudyard. On Saturday, January 27, the Saints varsity will compete at the Northern Michigan Open in Gaylord, while the junior varsity athletes will be at Sault Ste. Marie.

St. Ignace will host SAC opponents Cheboygan and Newberry Thursday, February 1.

At left, Sam Fitzpatrick (125) pins D.J. Holloway during the first minute of his match. At right, Rob Robinson (145) registered a 15-1 major decision over Billy Mourufas of Rudyard.

St. Ignace 3-2 at Munising

St. Ignace finished 3-2 during the Munising Super Dual Saturday, January 20.

The Saints defeated Sault High 44-36, Negaunee 48-27, West Iron County 44-33, and fell to Kingsford 48-27 and the host, Munising Mustangs, 52-30.

Senior Derek Marshall (171) continues his perfect season (28-0) with a 5-0 record that included all pins. Brandon Garries (119) went 5-0 with four pins, while Sam Fitzpatrick (125) posted a 5-0 record with one pin.

James Sayles (215) and Mike McNeely (112) went 4-1 with three pins. John Evashevski (130) 4-1, Shawn Cowell (140) 3-2 with three pins, Mario Calcaterra (135) 3-2 with two pins, Steffan Saffian (152) 1-4, Lee Kelso (189) 0-2, and Billy Grogan (145) and Nate Tamlyn (160) 0-5.

The Saints were open at the 103-pound and heavyweight divisions.

St. Ignace is 22-7 in dual matches this season.