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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Dutchmen collect local, area honors

Boosters present gifts to team, nine wrestlers make All-Area teams

By Ed Patino, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: March 27, 2008

While its season ended earlier this month, the Manchester varsity wrestling team is still reaping the benefits of a record-breaking campaign.

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All-Area and team awards were announced during the Dutchmen's season-ending banquet March 21 at the American Legion Post 117.

About 250 people attended the banquet.

Along with the awards, the Manchester Athletic Boosters honored the Dutchmen with a gift presentation.

"The boosters have been supportive of us all year and worked with the team," Manchester coach Steve Vlcek said. "The banquet was a nice way to close out a great season, and we thank the boosters for their support."

Kyler Ritter was named Wrestler of the Year by the Ann-Arbor News and headlined the All-Ann Arbor Area wrestling team. The senior was also named to the All-Area First Team by the Jackson Citizen Patriot and was voted as the team's Most Valuable Wrestler.

Ritter ended his prep career by capturing the 215-pound Division 4 state championship March 8 at the Individual State Wrestling Tournament at The Palace of Auburn Hills. He went undefeated in four matches at the three-day tournament, clinching the title with a 3-1 decision over Bangor's Zack Ritter. For the season, Ritter posted a 59-4 record.

Along with Ritter's Wrestler of the Year award, eight other Manchester wrestlers were part of the Ann Arbor News' team. Jimmy Hamilton, Scott Conway and Jason Alber were named to the First Team, while Ryan Abrigo, Cevin Walker and Bill Cloke made the Second Team. Tyler King and Will Rickert received All-Area honorable mention from Ann Arbor.

Hamilton, Walker and Alber joined Ritter on the Jackson Citizen Patriot's All-Area First Team. Conway and Cloke were named to the area's All-Division 4 team, while King and Rickert also received honorable mention honors. Abrigo received All-Jackson Area special mention.

All nine qualified for the Individual State Tournament, a Manchester school record. Hamilton took second overall in the 112-pound division, while Alber was third at 160 pounds. Walker, Cloke, Conway and Abrigo also earned state medals for the Dutchmen.

Conway was selected as the team's Most Improved Wrestler, while Alber received the Coach's Award.

Manchester finished the season 32-6 and won the Cascades Conference championship, its first league title since 1973 when it was a member of the Lenawee County Athletic Association. The Dutchmen appeared in Battle Creek for the second straight year and advanced to their first-ever state championship dual. They were stopped by No. 1-ranked Hesperia, denying Manchester its first state title in any sport.

The Dutchmen are only the second Manchester team to advance to a state championship, the other being the 1993 football team.

"It's the second time in many years that Manchester took a runner up, so the boosters thought they deserved nice rewards," Vlcek said.

Manchester Athletic Booster members Pat and Mary Fielder presented the Dutchmen with commemorative hats celebrating the season.

"We wanted to recognize them for the season and their support of the boosters," Pat Fielder said. "We helped them with busing to weekend tournaments, and they helped with the concession stands. The biggest events during the winter were the wrestling events, and they brought in a lot of money. We felt that was worth recognizing."

Sew-Write owner Nancy Bihlmeyer purchased a large number of hats, which are on sale at her store.

The Manchester wrestling program has experienced significant growth over the past decade. Participation dwindled to seven wrestlers nearly eight years ago, but the Dutchmen have watched the numbers reach a level that allows them to fill all 14 weight classes, have backups in most classes and develop a junior varsity team. Participation has also grown with the middle school program and the youth wrestling club in Manchester.

"They took nine to states this year, and that was more then their entire team a few years back," Fielder said. "Steve does a good job and has a well-oiled machine. The youth program is also paying dividends."

Staff Writer Ed Patino can be reached at 428-8173 or epatino@heritage.com.