By John Vrancic
For the Newberry News
On a day which scoring points was a real challenge, one Newberry wrestler found his way to the podium in the 52nd Annual Escanaba Elks Invitational on Saturday.
Indians’ junior Gabe Hamilton accomplished that by taking a 3-1 decision from Menominee sophomore Henry Dobbins in the 285-pound, fifth-place bout.
The match was scoreless until the final 65 seconds when Dobbins got his point on an escape.
That lead stood until the last five seconds when Hamilton recorded a takedown.
“It was a tough match,” he said. “The takedown saved me in the end. I just left it all on the mat. This was the same situation against the same team as last year. It was my first full season last year and I lost to a Menominee guy and took sixth. Having an extra move in my chamber really helped. I really wanted to get fifth, and I’m glad I got it here. This is a nice tournament. You’ve got to keep your patience and wait things out. Our coaches tell me to just wait things out and tire the other guy out.”
Kingsford was crowned Elks champion for the first time in the tournament’s history with 195.5 points
.
The Flivvers were followed by Escanaba 167, Grayling 122, defending champ Benzie Central 120.5, Menominee 108.5, Marinette, Wis. 106.5, Gladstone 105.5, Negaunee 97.5, Reedsville, Wis. 87.5, Cheboygan 81.5, Powers North Central 72.5, Manistique 63, Ishpeming Westwood 61, Marquette 56, Munising 54, Iron Mountain 49, St. Ignace 47.5, Rogers City 46, Rudyard 45, Bark River-Harris 44, Norway 38, Newberry 21.5, Gwinn 15 and Escanaba II 5.
The Indians came to Delta County with just four available wrestlers.
“I’m proud of Gabe’s effort,” Indians’ coach Howard Bliss said. “He has come a long way. At least we’re not going home empty-handed. We have a young team. I’m glad to see the kids working hard to keep the sport going. We have nine kids between the boys’ and girls’ team. We try to provide them with tournaments as much as possible. It’s good to have a team behind when you get to the post-season.”
Also representing Newberry were freshman Aiden Hall at 126 pounds, sophomore Gaijye Depew (150) and junior Kamron Blau (157).
Depew defeated Rudyard sophomore Konnor Trudeau by technical fall (18-2) in the opening round, then lost by pin in the next two matches. Hall and Blau each dropped both of their matches.
The Indians host Rudyard and St. Ignace tonight at 6, then travel to Kingsford for Saturday’s Ray Mariucci Invitational which starts at 10 a.m.
