The Manchester Enterprise
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To be continued...
Dream season stopped in semifinals
By Ed Patino, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 8, 2007
Experience beat exuberance, and a campaign to remember came to an unwanted end for the Manchester varsity wrestling team.
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Being held to five victories in 14 matches, the Flying Dutchmen's dream season was halted Saturday in a 50-23 loss to New Lathrop in the Division 4 state semifinals at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.
Addison (39-3) captured its third straight state championship with a 45-19 victory over New Lathrop (30-6) in the finals. Manchester (30-8) fell one match short of facing its Cascades Conference rival, but can look back on a fine season that saw the Dutchmen set numerous school records.
"We had an incredible year," Manchester coach Steve Vlcek said. "The kids had a remarkable run and learned so much this season. They're already excited about next year and that's nice to see."
During the season, Manchester had seven wrestlers win Cascades Conference titles, 11 regional titles and qualified eight for this weekend's individual state tournament. All are school records.
As a team, the Dutchmen advanced to Battle Creek for the first time since 1991. Friday's 47-16 victory over Bangor in the quarterfinals sent the Dutchmen to their first-ever semifinal appearance.
It was there where Manchester met its match. New Lathrop, entering the weekend No. 3 in the Division 4 team state rankings, won nine of the 14 matches. Six victories came by pin and the other three were technical falls.
The Hornets scored key points in the middle weights. Marc Confer (140) scored an 18-3 technical fall over Dustin Catalano and then Kyle Trent (145) pinned Zack Alexander in 34 seconds. Ryan Confer (152) followed by pinning Bill Cloke in 3:07, putting the Hornets in control.
"They matched up well with us at weights that we've been getting lots of points," Vlcek said. "They didn't get on their backs and we did, and that hurt us."
Dan Lobbestael (215) and Cevin Walker (119) each scored a pin for the Dutchmen. Lobbestael improved to 57-1 on the season by pinning Roger Emmendorfer in 5:13. Emmendorfer is 41-3, with two of his losses to Lobbestael, who is Manchester's career wins leader with 188.
Walker gave the Dutchmen their other pin by defeating Taylor Copes in 30 seconds. Walker moved his season record to 45-11.
Scott Conway (135), Jimmy Hamilton (103) and Jason Alber (160) had the other victories for Manchester. Conway scored a 19-4 technical fall over Luke Dawes. Hamilton notched a 9-4 decision over Blake Birchmeier, while Alber recorded an 11-6 victory over Brad Rivette.
Allen Krupp (112), Kelly Krupp (125), David Spiegel (130), Dennis Emmendorfer (171), Ethan Bishop (189) and Kevin Wheeler (285) each had a victory for New Lathrop.
"The other teams have been to states over the last three or four years and had experience on us," Vlcek said.
Addison was ranked No. 2 in the state entering the tournament, while Hesperia was No. 1. Addison defeated Hesperia in Friday's quarterfinals.
The Dutchmen were not ranked, but showed they belonged by routing Bangor in the quarterfinals Friday. There were no signs of nerves as Manchester posted victories in 10 of the 14 matches.
Starting at 189, the Dutchmen began fast as Will Rickert (189) pinned Randall Dibble in 2:37 and then Kyler Ritter (215) scored a 6-5 decision over Nick Murphy. Lobbestael (285) pinned Kade Messersmith in 4:53, giving the Dutchmen a 15-0 lead.
"We started at the right weight and got the momentum going," Vlcek said. "The kids began feeding off the emotions like they've done for the past month."
A major decision by Hamilton (103), pin by Coyle Render (112) and decision from Walker (119) stretched the lead to 28-0. Dusten Burrows answered with a major decision over Dakota LaDouceur at 125, but Mike Garrison (130) routed William Hodge for a 19-2 technical fall.
Conway (135) scored a 9-0 major decision over Tyler Melvin, giving Manchester a 37-4 lead.
"We wrestled well Friday and beat four state qualifiers," Vlcek said. "Ritter and Walker had huge wins, and we frustrated them by knocking out four of their state qualifiers."
Cloke (152) and Alber (160) closed out the match with a major decision and pinfall, respectively.
Manchester loses only three seniors to graduation, which bodes well for upcoming seasons.
"Our older guys give us leadership and have stayed positive with the young kids," Vlcek said. "We have a lot of youth in the middle weights, but they've been improving each week."
The Dutchmen will have eight wrestlers in this weekend's individual state tournament, which begins Thursday at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Lobbestael and Ritter (both 215) will join teammates Hamilton (103), Render (112), Walker (119), Garrison (125), Cloke (152) and Alber (160) in the state meet.
"I think last weekend helped by having that atmosphere around them," Vlcek said.
"They won't be as shocked by the crowds and the noise."
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