‘Battle’ bound
Hazel Park High wrestling takes Division 2 regional championship

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

ST. CLAIR SHORES — According to Hazel Park High wrestling coach Mike Conflitti, his team wasn’t even supposed to be there Feb. 20 in a Division 2 regional final against Auburn Hills Avondale at St. Clair Shores Lakeview.

But there the Vikings were, celebrating their second regional championship in the past three years.

“Mathematically, we shouldn’t be here,” Conflitti said after a 33-29 victory. “But what doesn’t get added in math is the X-factor, and the X-factor in economics is one person’s willingness to do their job better than someone else.

“They had to be the X-factor, and everyone was.”

The Vikings fought back from a 14-point deficit with four matches remaining and earned a spot in the team state finals in Battle Creek Feb. 29.

The comeback started at 189 pounds, when sophomore Dominic Wiggins earned a come-from-behind 9-4 decision to cut the lead to 11 points.

Junior Ron Clore then earned a hard-fought 1-0 decision at 215 pounds to cut the lead to eight points.

Junior Chris Bible took over next at 285 pounds knowing that if he lost, the Yellow Jackets would clinch the victory.

Bible stuck his opponent with 1:01 left in the first round to cut the lead to 29-27, with freshman Kyle Countryman on deck in the final match at 103 pounds.

“I was really nervous,” Countryman admitted.

After racking up a 9-1 lead, Countryman pinned his opponent with 58 seconds remaining in the match.

“It’s unbelievable,” Bible said. “We’re going to the dance.”

Juniors Ethan Bogaert and Kyle Comerford, and freshman Jeff Brown also earned victories for the Vikings.

You can reach sports writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1062.