Grosse Pointe Woods

Lack of depth hurts Grosse Pointe wrestling teams, as both fall in district round

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes The Norsemen fell to University of Detroit Jesuit High 48-24 Feb. 9 in a district final. Pictured is Grosse Pointe North 152-pound grappler Michael Bowden. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes The Norsemen fell to University of Detroit Jesuit High 48-24 Feb. 9 in a district final. Pictured is Grosse Pointe North 152-pound grappler Michael Bowden.

GROSSE POINTE — Grosse Pointe North High’s wrestling team fell short of a trip to the regional round after falling 48-24 Feb. 9 in a district final to the University of Detroit Jesuit High.

Holes in the lineup played a role in the decision, as North took four voids in the 14-bout match — in the 103, 189, 215 and heavyweight classes. Those four voids — worth six points apiece — led to the Norsemen surrendering 24 points without hitting the mat.

Voids affected Grosse Pointe South in the three-team district, as well, as the Blue Devils fell to North in a semifinal match. South, with an eight-man lineup, took six voids totaling a loss of 48 points.

“I told the guys they’d have to overcome us being shorthanded because we’ve been that way all year,” Blue Devils’ coach Greg Snider said.

“That just killed us. It was tough for us to make up points after taking those voids.”

The Norseman battled issues similar to those South faced all season long. Only half of the 10 grapplers on North’s roster had any varsity wrestling experience. North graduates just one wrestler from this year’s team, 119-pounder Patrick Salazar.

The Blue Devils are in a similar position, as South should have everyone back next year. Outside of a couple of juniors, according to Snider, the team comprises all underclassmen.

“I think we’ll be able to build something in the coming years,” Snider said. “Once our guys get a little more experience, we could be a team to look out for.”

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