Berkley

Title time

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

Berkley High wrestling dreaming of championship

BERKLEY — In Berkley High wrestling coach Dave Roche’s recollections, it’s been around a decade since the Bears have won any kind of a wrestling championship.

But with nearly a full lineup — something they haven’t had in years — Roche believes that is about to change.

“That’s their goal, to go in there and win the tournament on Friday night,” the coach said of the Oakland Activities Association Blue Division tournament, which gets under way at 4 p.m. Feb. 5 at Southfield High.

“They know as a team they can go in there and win that tournament.”

At press time, Berkley was 7-3 overall, 3-2 in the division.

Last season, the Bears voided between four and six weight classes out of the 14 total in each match, putting them in nearly an insurmountable hole.

This season, though young, the Bears are voiding only one weight.

“It’d be great to see it as a team,” senior Asher Parr-Besemer said of winning a title. “We’ve never even had a team big enough to contend for a league title. This year, we’re big enough and getting better every day.”

Out of the 12 starting weights, Berkley sends an underclassman to the mat in eight of them.

“In two or three years, they are going to be right there,” Roche said. “They are going to be able to compete with the kids at the state tournament.”

The coach credits assistant coach Chris Ekola for helping develop the young talent and the team itself.

“If it wasn’t for him, the program wouldn’t be where it is right now,” said Roche, who added that Ekola often handles practice when Roche’s work schedule doesn’t allow him to be there.

Roche added that Parr-Besemer — a four-year varsity member — has also played a large role in the team’s success.

“He’s our hardest worker in practice and a captain. He’s a captain for a reason. When we’re running, he’s the first one done, and he’s always the first one in the (wrestling) room,” Roche said. “Asher has been a good role model, and the kids look up to him. If you can have a kid on your team like that, it helps. It helps a lot.”

At press time, Parr-Besemer was 26-5 overall at 145 pounds. He finished sixth in the Oakland County Tournament earlier in the season, and Roche said he’s only been getting better.

“Asher has always been one of those type of kids that as the season goes, he gets better, and that’s exactly what he’s doing this year,” the coach said. “He’s putting it together and he’s doing well.”

Parr-Besemer said he tries to lead by example, and his goal is to place in the state tournament.

“I’ve put in three years so far, and now I’m putting in another one as hard as I can, because this is it for me,” he said. “I’m going to show these guys what it’s all about and where they have to go.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062.