Shelby Township, Utica

Eisenhower wrestling closes season

By Mark Vest
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Team members from Utica Eisenhower cheer after one of their teammates gets a pin at regionals. Eisenhower beat Birmingham Seaholm in its regional semifinal matchup prior to being defeated by Rochester in a regional final. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Team members from Utica Eisenhower cheer after one of their teammates gets a pin at regionals. Eisenhower beat Birmingham Seaholm in its regional semifinal matchup prior to being defeated by Rochester in a regional final.

Utica Eisenhower wrestling completed its season, following a 66-11 defeat to Rochester in a regional final matchup Feb. 13 at Oxford.

Although he would have liked to see his team move on, assistant coach Ricky Hinchliffe understands what his team was up against in Rochester.

“We were just out-gunned,” he said. “They are a good team, from top to bottom.”

Eisenhower doesn’t exactly exit the season with nothing to show for its effort, as the Eagles were able to capture the program’s first district title since 2007.

“The team finally pulled together,” Hinchliffe said. “We told them that everything during the regular season was just a warm-up for (what) really matters.”

Eisenhower defeated Birmingham Seaholm 40-36 in the regional semifinal, despite trailing 36-34 heading into the last match.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mark Vest at mvest@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1112. Follow Mark on Twitter.