Clinton Township

Chippewa wrestling team pushes on despite injuries, holes in lineup

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Chippewa Valley senior grappler Ben Villella, back, tries to take down sophomore teammate Trever Cowles during practice. Villella is one of a handful of Big Reds wrestlers who’ve changed weight classes between various matches because of holes in the team’s lineup. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Chippewa Valley senior grappler Ben Villella, back, tries to take down sophomore teammate Trever Cowles during practice. Villella is one of a handful of Big Reds wrestlers who’ve changed weight classes between various matches because of holes in the team’s lineup.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Chippewa Valley wrestling coach Gary Brundirks said finding the right matchups has been key this season because of the holes in the Big Reds’ lineup.

The longtime coach has asked various grapplers on his squad to bump up — or down — weight classes, so the team has a shot at winning team matches. Brundirks, who before the start of the season thought a lack of wrestlers in certain spots would pose a problem, said his team has been without grapplers in the 171, 189, 215 and heavyweight classes.

That has led to Chippewa Valley, Brundirks said, being down anywhere from 12 to 24 points before the start of a given match. The team has fought through that setback, injuries and illnesses to post a record of 11-13 overall and 3-4 in the Macomb Area Conference Red Division at press time.

Senior 160-pounder Greg Dolland, who won that weight class at the Macomb County Wrestling Invitational in December, said coming out on top in a match in which his team started in a hole is a great feeling. He added, though, that losing is still unacceptable — even given the position his squad’s been in this season.

“We could have just as easily given up on the season a long time ago,” Brundirks said. “But I’ve got some guys who’ve stepped up and done what’s best for the team.

“We’ve got guys wrestling at 140 who normally wrestle at 130. We’ve pushed for the guys who win matches to get bonus points and tried to make sure guys who might have lost didn’t lose a major position.”

Senior Shaun Lee, whose natural spot in the lineup is 135 pounds, has wrestled up as high as 145 this season. Drinking plenty of fluids and hitting the weight room hard have helped the senior in making weight, he added.

Lee (32-5 at press time) said making weight for multiple classes has been difficult, but he sees some advantages to it, as well.

“For the guys on the team who’ve had to go up or down weight classes, it really shows up if we can compete on a high level with some of the best wrestlers around,” Lee said.

Senior Ben Villella, a natural 135-pounder who has wrestled at 140 and 145 pounds this year, believes the squad can make some noise in the upcoming postseason. He believes the squad has the talent to place at the state finals.

“We’ve fought really hard as a team this year,” Lee said. “That’ll make us better, too, knowing we didn’t fold.”

Chippewa Valley next hits the mat for its MAC Red Divisional meet, slated for 9 a.m. Feb. 4 at Roseville High.
 

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107.