Well, so far we have been doing pretty well. We have only eight active wrestlers, and two of them are banged up, but still wrestling. We took on Manton/TCC last week. We beat TCC but came up short 33-30 to Manton.  Over the past weekend we traveled to Lakeview Invitational. The teams consisted of Frankfort, Newago, Clinton, Morley Stanwood, Claire, Beaverton, Lakeview, Clinton, and Houghton Lake. We beat Newago and Beaverton, but suffered losses to Clinton and Morley Stanwood. Not having a full team really hurts our chances. We are averaging 36pts given each time we meet up with a full team.

Zak Fix earned a medal at the Lakeview tourney. Nathan Morrill did post a win in the tourney. His two other opponents were state qualifiers from last year.  Zak Fix had to forfeit one of his matches due to an asthma attack. He was ahead 6-1. The opposing coach and his team stopped, and was stunned when we took the shoulder brace off of Zak, so that he could get more air. One wrestler said, “Man how does he wrestle with that on?” Their coach gave Zak’s efforts high acclamations. He said, "I hope my team saw this. Now I can tell them, 'see what playing through pain really is'". Pain and wrestling go hand in hand as with other sports. However there is a line at which we will not allow a wrestler to go onto the mat. And as always, our wrestlers earn the right to wrestle. You don’t keep up your grades-you don’t wrestle. We have lost a couple of matches because of ineligible wrestlers. We have come across teams with the same challenges.

Unfortunately, we didn’t pick up anymore wrestlers over the Christmas break. A few smaller schools like us were talking about this also. We told them of our co-op, and they said that was a great idea. Perhaps they would do it also. Well, this week we travel to Forest Area and then up to Charlevoix for the Takedown Tournament. The Takedown Tournament is fast. One minute rounds, points scored on takedowns. It’s a race against the clock.

FORMER PORTAGER EARNS

WRESTLING MILESTONE

 

Mike Cole of the Frankfort Wrestling team earned the prestigious milestone of High School Wrestling last Saturday at the Lakeview Tourney. Mike earned his 100^th career win. Actually he finished the day at 101 wins. A large congratulations card was signed by all the wrestlers and coaches. A cake bearing his accomplishments was also presented.

Mike Cole has had great success and has overcome many obstacles with injuries from time to time. Hard work and dedication has paid off for Michael. His senior year at Frankfort has been filled with success both academically and on the football field also.

Congratulations Mike Cole on a superb wrestling career, and best wishes for your continued success.