Rochester

Rochester High team portion of wrestling comes to an end

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Rochester High senior Cody Devoe has his hand raised after a victory in a match earlier this season. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Rochester High senior Cody Devoe has his hand raised after a victory in a match earlier this season.

It was quite the compliment for Rochester High wrestler Cody Devoe.

After his team fell against Oxford High 31-27 in a Division 1 regional final Feb. 15 at Utica Ford II, coach Frank Lafferty called the senior the best leader he’s had in his nine years at Rochester.

“He’s done a great job with the team and has contributed as much as the coaches have with this team,” Lafferty said. “The kids (look up) to him. He leads by example, makes the right choices and is a great kid. He’s the best captain I’ve had here.”

Devoe helped lead the Falcons to an Oakland Activities Association Red Division title and one of its best seasons in years.

“I’m real proud of everyone on the team,” he said. “They wrestled as hard as they could. We came out a match short, but Oxford is a good team, and I think they’ll go far this year in states.”

Rochester had beaten Oxford, the defending D-1 state champion, earlier this season, but were unable to overcome the Wildcats this time around.

“I knew it was going to be close, and it was their night,” Lafferty said. “I knew it was going to be about bonus points, and bonus points is what did it.”

Each team won seven matches and had two pins apiece, but Oxford gained an additional six points when Rochester voided at 215.

“The reality is, we have a really young team, and the guys that got pinned did the best job they could do. Nobody has anything to be ashamed about. We fought hard, I think. It was a great, hard dual,” Lafferty said. “We’ll be all right; we’re not going anywhere.”

In the regional semifinal, Rochester beat Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse 66-12.

“I’m really proud,” Devoe said. “We never made it to states as a team at Rochester, but to make it this far, I thought was an accomplishment. It was fun.”

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