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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Ypsilanti garners first place at Woodhaven

Varsity grapplers suffer defeat to Trenton on Jan. 25

By Bruce Mason, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: February 1, 2007

Ypsilanti wrestling coach Claudell Ruffin says it is better for a team to peak later rather than earlier.

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Apparently his team grasps that concept.

On Jan. 20, the Purple and Gold took first place out of 15 teams at the Woodhaven Invitational. Six grapplers made it to the finals and five took home a first-place trophy.

Greg Eggbert (119 pounds), Alonzo Richardson (152), Chris Harris (135), Ben Hand (189) and Chris Prevost (130) were the prize-winners. Malcom Bibbins took home second place in the heavyweight division.

"We seem to do a little bit better in tournaments," Ruffin said. "We're still working it out. Just because in the dual meets we gave up 18 points."

Varsity grapples had to give up 24 points in a dual meet Jan. 25. Ypsilanti lost to Trenton in that meet, 38-19, because one wrestler was sick and another had an ear infection, Ruffin said.

The scheduling of dual meets and tournaments "kind of balances itself out," Ruffin said. They give up points in the dual meets, but in the tournaments, Ruffin said he has a solid core of guys.

On Jan. 27, Ypsilanti's grapplers, once again, fared well in a tournament, and took fourth place out of 15 teams at Lincoln Park.

Eggbert and Richardson each took first place. Eggbert was a 10-1 winner and Richardson an 11-1 winner.

"What we're trying to do is peak at the right time," said Ruffin, whose team is now 10-8 overall on the season.

"That's the name of the game; make sure they peak at the right time," Ruffin said.

With a team that features just two seniors, Ruffin said this year has been a learning experience. Team districts will begin in three weeks, and he wants to get everybody in at one time.

"That's what we're working toward right now," Ruffin said. "We want it to come all together by the end of the year. That's the whole key. I'm pretty confident that it's going to work itself out."

Bruce Mason is a freelance sports writer for The View/Courier publications. He can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.