On Saturday, Jan. 14th the boys varsity wrestling team traveled to Traverse City for a 10 team dual tournament.  The tournament was hosted by Traverse City Central HS, but held at the Grand Traverse Resort.  This was a unique experience for our wrestlers and the spectators.  This team trip was excellent and the boys had a great time while competing well.  Overall the team finished the tournament at Runner up only losing in the finals to division 1 #3 team Hartland in the finals.  Clinton came away going 4-1 on the day.  Opening the tournament Clinton defeated Gladstone 43-30, who was the #10 ranked team in division 3.  Pins during the match were earned by Maurice Ames at 150, Bryce Randolph at 165, Landon Lakatos at 190, Hamza Rafferty at Heavyweight, Nate Arntz at 106, and Dylan Badge at 132.  Connor Younts picked up a tech. Fall at 126 pounds, while Braylon Long picked up a 6-0 win at 113.  This turned out to be a great start for the day for the Redwolves.  In round two for the Redwolves they defeated Dearborn 60-9.  Ethan Younts started the dual at 157 and earned a 5-4 win to put Clinton on the board.  Bryce Randolph followed up with a pin at 165.  Landon Lakatos picked up his second pin of the day at 175 pounds this time and continues to contribute as a freshman in the upper weights.  At 215 pounds Wyatt Hicks took his match into overtime and came away with a 4-2 win in double overtime.  Hamza Rafferty and Nate Arntz picked up back to back pins for the Redwolves at Hwt. and 106.  Braylon Long earned a 7-2 win at 113 to put the Redwolves up 33-6.  Freshman Brenden Benschoter stepped in at 120 pounds and picked up a pin.  Connor Younts and Dylan Badge each won at 126 and 132.   Zak Shadley earned a 7-0 win at 138 pounds, while Maurice Ames pinned his opponent at 144.  Cliff Jones battled at 150 pounds but fell short 1-6.  

In the third round Clinton had a great dual with Wyandotte Roosevelt and came out on top 39-31.  The dual started at 165 and Bryce Randolph picked up the pin to get Clinton on the board to start the dual.  After dropping three straight matches Clinton bounced back with back to back wins from Hamza Rafferty and Nate Arntz.  Braylon Long and Connor Busz then collected back to back pins at 113 & 120.  Connor Younts then won at 126 before Dylan Badge dropped a close match 2-8 at 132 and Zak Shadley lost another close match 1-5 at 138.  Clifford Jones battled to the end and fell short of his comeback effort dropping his match at 144 5-7.  Maurice Ames picked up the 12-6 win at 150, before Ethan Younts dropped a tough match at 157.  

In round four Clinton wrestled Traverse City Central and won 56-21.  Clinton opened the match down 18-0 before putting together six straight wins and never looked back. Hamza Rafferty started the Redwolves off with a pin at Heavyweight. Followed by a pin by Nate Arntz at 106 and a 16-0 technical fall by Braylon Long at 113.  Connor Busz made quick work at 120 pounds with a pin in just 41 seconds.   Not to be out done, Connor Younts picked up a pin in 25 seconds at 126 pounds.  Dylan Badge battled back and get a takedown in overtime to win 6-4 at 132 pounds.  Zak Shadley battled all match, but gave up a takedown in overtime and dropped his match 3-5 at 138.   Maurice Ames grabbed a pin at 144, while Clifford Jones earned a pin at 150 pounds.  Ethan Younts grabbed a pin in the first period at 157, while Bryce Randolph finished the match with a second period pin at 165 pounds.  

Clinton went 4-0 in duals within their pool and wrestled Division 1 #3 Hartland in the finals.  Hartland controlled the match but Clinton battled throughout the dual.  Hamza Rafferty was winning midway through the third period, but dropped his match at heavyweight.  Connor Busz battled and got the Redwolves on the board with a 3-2 win at 120 pounds.  Connor Younts won at 126 pounds for Clinton and so did Zak Shadley at 138.  Maurice Ames was in control of his match deep into the third period but lost a tough match at 144 pounds.  Bryce Randolph finished the Clinton scoring as he won 4-0 at 165 pounds.   Individuals going 5-0 on the day were Connor Younts at 126 and Bryce Randolph at 165.  Wrestlers winning 4 matches on the day were Nate Arntz, Braylon Long, Maurice Ames, and Hamza Rafferty.  Winning three matches were Connor Busz and Dylan Badge.  Others winning matches on the day were Brenden Benschoter, Zak Shadley, Clifford Jones, Ethan Younts, Landon Lakatos, and Wyatt Hicks.  Clinton will be up next at Onsted for an LCAA Quad on Wednesday, Jan. 18th starting at 5:30.  Then they will travel to Williamston for an individual tournament on Saturday, Jan. 21st starting at 9am.  

The girls varsity wrestling team traveled to Fowlerville on Friday, Jan. 13th for an individual tournament and came away with three placers.  Raven Aldridge placed second at 135, Leanne Mercier placed third at 155, and Michelle Arntz placed fourth at 110 pounds.  Gabbi Pearce came away with two pins just falling short of placing and Kierra Fivenson collected a pin of her own, but also fell short of placing.  Next up for the girls will be traveling to Birmingham Groves HS for a tournament on Friday, Jan. 20th.