Madison Heights

Warren Lincoln wrestling team knocks off Southfield High to advance to Division 2 state quarters

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Deb Jacques Warren Lincoln captured a regional wrestling championship Feb. 13. Pictured is Lincoln's Demarco Dixon with the regional trophy. Photo by Deb Jacques Warren Lincoln captured a regional wrestling championship Feb. 13. Pictured is Lincoln's Demarco Dixon with the regional trophy.

MADISON HEIGHTS — The Warren Lincoln wrestling team is headed back to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state quarterfinals after the Abes bested Southfield High 54-9 in a D-2 regional final Feb. 13.

Matches took place at Madison Heights Lamphere.

Lincoln next wrestles in a state quarterfinal match set for 7:45 p.m. Feb. 22 at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. Pairings will be released Feb. 17 on www.mhsaa.com. You can also watch the match on the website when it takes place.

The Abes are making their first trip to the state quarters since 2004.

"I'm really proud of everybody, coaches and wrestlers," Lincoln coach Vito Delia said. "They all worked really hard to accomplish this and it means a lot to everybody."

After being down 6-4 after a pin from Southfield 135-pounder Delano Davis-Wright in the first round of his match with Lincoln's Riwan Hormiz, Lincoln ran off five straight wins to take a 25-6 lead going into the 189-pound bout. The Blue Jays would score three points in that match before the Abes ran off 29 unanswered over the course of six matches to seal the win.

"Lincoln is a good team. They had too many guns," Southfield coach Mike Conflitti said. In advancing to the regional final, the Blue Jays advanced further than the program had in its history.

The Abes downed Madison Heights Lamphere 44-21 in a regional semi; Southfield bested Auburn Hills Avondale 45-32 in the other.

"This was one of our goals and it's nice to see it come to fruition," Delia said.

Lincoln recorded six pins in the match, at 145, 152, 160, 215, heavyweight, 112 and 119 pounds.

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