ESCANABA---It's called the "Battle of Delta County" for a reason.
Whenever the Escanaba Eskymos and Gladstone Braves face off in any sport, the outcome is usually a surprise until the very end. And that was the case Thursday night in wrestling as the two Delta County teams ended their dual meet in a 40-40 tie.
It was only a tie, though, because the Braves lost two points earlier in the match because two boys were cited for unsportsmanlike conduct. And after the match was thrown into a tie, Escanaba won the tiebreaker based on the number of individual wins.
Gladstone Coach Jesse DeBacker was angry and disappointed with the result.
"I don't know if disappointment is the word," DeBacker said. "Words can't describe it. It's one of the worst feelings of my life, when it comes to coaching. We expected some kids to stay off of their backs, and that didn't happen."
DeBacker was especially upset with the two unsportsmanlike penalties that ended up costing his team two valuable points.
"I expect my kids to conduct themselves as gentlemen, whether they win or lose," DeBacker said. "We had a couple kids where that didn't happen. We had two points taken away, and when it comes to a tie like it did, the first criteria is sportsmanlike behavior."
And, DeBacker added: "That cost us the match."
Escanaba Coach Jamie Segorski was happy with his team's upset victory.
"Coming in, we figured that they'd win seven matches and we'd win seven matches, but we didn't know how it would go," Segorski said. "We didn't have Alec Slaga or Devin Olsen wrestling.
"If we did, I think the score might have been a whole lot different."
Gladstone also had the handicap of having no 103-pounder or 112-pounder.
Those forfeits gave the Eskymos twelve crucial points, after the Braves had taken a 40-28 lead with wins by Jack Cronick at 215 pounds and Tommy Bailey at 285 pounds.
So, will the Braves continue to concede twelve points every single match this year?
"Let's hope not," DeBacker said. "We're working on that right now."
Segorski pointed out that the Eskymos were shorthanded, too. Escanaba gave away a forefeit to Jake Cronick at 189, and senior Devin Olsen was broadcasting the match on the radio because of on-going blood-clotting issues that limits his wrestling time.
Bobby Beauchamp picked up a dramatic win for the Braves, beating Cory McInerney on a pin in the closing seconds of the second period.
"Bobby has been wrestling very hard for us and he's a good kid," DeBacker said. "Before he went out, I said 'we've got to get six (points, for a pin). He knew it, and he got it."
The only match of the night not to be decided by a pin came at 171, where Escanaba's Travis Heller defeated Brad Gagnon on points, 10-1.
Despite earning four points for his team, Heller was upset that he did not get the pin.
"I was really impressed with Bradley Gangon today," DeBacker said. "Man, he did awesome. He stayed off his back, and Travis is the best you can get around here. That was an extremely impressive match."
But, in the end, Escanaba still won the overall match.
Both Escanaba and Gladstone compete at the Marquette Challenge this Saturday. Gladstone ended up winning all three junior varsity matches Thursday night.
DeBacker says that his Braves have something to prove on Saturday.
"I promise, this won't happen again," he said of the lack of discipline.
We will have updates on both Esky and Gladstone Sunday morning right here.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos from the match, and listen to the radio replay and interviews.
Whenever the Escanaba Eskymos and Gladstone Braves face off in any sport, the outcome is usually a surprise until the very end. And that was the case Thursday night in wrestling as the two Delta County teams ended their dual meet in a 40-40 tie.
Tommy Bailey (purple) wins for Gladstone.
Gladstone Coach Jesse DeBacker was angry and disappointed with the result.
"I don't know if disappointment is the word," DeBacker said. "Words can't describe it. It's one of the worst feelings of my life, when it comes to coaching. We expected some kids to stay off of their backs, and that didn't happen."
DeBacker was especially upset with the two unsportsmanlike penalties that ended up costing his team two valuable points.
"I expect my kids to conduct themselves as gentlemen, whether they win or lose," DeBacker said. "We had a couple kids where that didn't happen. We had two points taken away, and when it comes to a tie like it did, the first criteria is sportsmanlike behavior."
And, DeBacker added: "That cost us the match."
"Coming in, we figured that they'd win seven matches and we'd win seven matches, but we didn't know how it would go," Segorski said. "We didn't have Alec Slaga or Devin Olsen wrestling.
"If we did, I think the score might have been a whole lot different."
Gladstone also had the handicap of having no 103-pounder or 112-pounder.
Those forfeits gave the Eskymos twelve crucial points, after the Braves had taken a 40-28 lead with wins by Jack Cronick at 215 pounds and Tommy Bailey at 285 pounds.
So, will the Braves continue to concede twelve points every single match this year?
"Let's hope not," DeBacker said. "We're working on that right now."
Dallas Potvin and Devin Olsen call the varsity match, whcih ended 40-40
Bobby Beauchamp picked up a dramatic win for the Braves, beating Cory McInerney on a pin in the closing seconds of the second period.
"Bobby has been wrestling very hard for us and he's a good kid," DeBacker said. "Before he went out, I said 'we've got to get six (points, for a pin). He knew it, and he got it."
Despite earning four points for his team, Heller was upset that he did not get the pin.
"I was really impressed with Bradley Gangon today," DeBacker said. "Man, he did awesome. He stayed off his back, and Travis is the best you can get around here. That was an extremely impressive match."
But, in the end, Escanaba still won the overall match.
Escanaba's Zach Priebe with the pin.
DeBacker says that his Braves have something to prove on Saturday.
"I promise, this won't happen again," he said of the lack of discipline.
We will have updates on both Esky and Gladstone Sunday morning right here.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos from the match, and listen to the radio replay and interviews.
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Escanaba 40, Gladstone 40** 119: James Bruce (Glad) pinned Marli Gillis 0:57 125: Zach Priebe (Esc) pinned Brayden Williams 2:24 130: Tyler Adams (Esc) pinned Kyle McKenzie 2:20 135: Bobby Beauchamp (Glad) pinned Cory McInerney 3:59 140: Kaleb Rahoi (Esc) pinned Jared Syverson 1:52 145: Hunter Sadler (Esc) pinned Sam Taylor 4:40 152: Jeremy Kadish (Glad) pinned Brent Picord 0:43 160: Brandon Gagnon (Glad) pinned Teddy Peippo 3:55 171: Travis Heller (Esc) def. Brad Gagnon, 10-1. 189: Gladstone wins on forefeit. 215: Jack Cronick (Glad) pins Mo Hoque 2:32 285: Tommy Bailey (Glad) pins Bryant Beem 0:23 103: Escanaba wins on forefeit. 112: Escanaba wins on forefiet. **Gladstone had points deducted for sportsmanship at 125 and 130 pounds. **Escanaba WINS tiebreaker based on number of match wins. |
Escanaba's Travis Heller (orange) scores points against Gladstone's Brad Gagnon Thursady night.
