Same team, opposing sides
Individual tournamnent pits teammates against one another
2/18 - There is a noticeable difference in intensity when you arrive at an individual district tournament. Tension is in the air as everyone knows that everything is on the line. This increase in pressure, tension, and intensity brings out a new level of competetiveness that makes for true wars on the mats. The problem is, what do you do when you are fighting a war against one of your own tribesman?
The MHSAA allows teams to double enter individuals at a single weight class and Michigan
is one of the few states that allows this situation to occur. Year in and year out there is
always a few cases of elite individuals from the same school contending for a state title at
the same weight, and this year is no different.
Mason coach Brian Martel, who had two 112lbers going at it for the district title last
weekend, told the Lansing State Journal, "I've had it happen several times, and it's not
something I enjoy," Martel said. "We (the coaching staff) agree not to coach them. Having
your own guys go against each other can lead to heartbreak, and we've had that happen."
Mason's Conor Youtsey and Tony Burge (pictured) squared off for the 112lb title at Mason's
D2 district, Youtsey won 4-2.
Below is a list of other district finals matches that pitted teammates against each other:
Division 1
at Grand Haven
112 - #1 Kyle Waldo (Rockfrod) dec #2 Jake Byers (Rockford) 2-1
152 - #2 Zakk Sharron (Grandville) dec Caleb Rivera (Grandville) 3-1
at Saginaw Heritage
135 - #4 Zach Labelle (Davison) dec #7 Talon Hodgeson (Davison) 9-2
152 - #7 CJ Barton (BCW) dec #7 Zach Lang (BCW) 5-4
at Wy Roosevelt
160 - #1 Alex Ortman (Bedford) dec Ian Kohlofer (Bedford) 8-5
Division 2
at Adrian
130 - Nick Wellman (NB Huron) tfall #10 Jimmy Mann (NB Huron) 18-3
at Mason
112 - #1 Conor Youtsey (Mason) dec Tony Burge (Mason) 4-2
152 - #2 Devin Milheim (Eaton Rapids) dec Tully Chapman (Eaton Rapids)
Division 4
at Olivet
103 - Carey (Ithaca) dec Brenan Lyon (Ithaca) 4-0
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