2008 MHSAA Individual State Finals
Session #2 Notebook - Championship Quartefinals
March 7, 2008 - Palace of Auburn Hills
by Sean Garner
Michigan Grappler
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The Michigan Grappler is thrilled to inform its readers that Brandon Boone of Montrose is not only doing fine medically, but he is actually back competing and winning.
Boone, who was carried of the mat in a stretcher after injuring his neck against Kameron Jackson of South Haven yesterday unexpectedly returned to competition this morning to beat Jacob Bonetti of Ishpeming, 13-3. A Montrose coach said Boone lost consciousness after getting pinned by Jackson, but the injury is no more serious than a sprain. That is fantastic news for Boone, who is one win away from becoming one of the more improbable state placers.
One of the most anticipated match-ups of the quarterfinals lived up to the hype as Allegan’s John Rizgallah pinned Phillip Joseph of Lapeer East late in the third period. Rizgallah held only a one-point lead before turning Joseph for the fall. Rizgallah will now face Ryan Olep of Lowell who pinned Allen Park’s Larry Cervantes in a similarly entertaining back-and-forth battle.
Rockford’s Ben Bennett again showed why he is considered by many the top wrestler in the state as he demolished a quality opponent in Matt Skzrypcak of Bay City Central, building a 10-0 lead before sticking him in the second period.
The quarter finals of Division I 189 provided the most exciting action of the day as all four contests were spellbinding nailbiters.
George Andary of East Detroit put an end to the title run of prospective favorite Seth Holt of Grand Haven with a takedown in the last twenty seconds to win 15-14. Andary fought from behind the whole match after giving up five points to Holt on a throw early in the match. There was some doubt in the stands as to whether Andary really did earn the final takedown, but the call went unchallenged by Grand Haven coach James Richardson.
Also at DI 189, Lake Orion’s Evan Gros knocked off Temperance Bedford’s Nick Whitenburg 7-4, Raylen Davis of Royal Oak used a lateral drop to defeat Joe Stefanski of Rockford, and Richard Kirksey of Davison beat Jenison’s Nick Raimer in a much closer than the final score indicates match, 8-2.
87 pound Brennan Lyon of Ithaca is on to the D4 103 semis after defeating Cody Carew of Kent City 6-4 in overtime.
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