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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

State, here we come

Purple and Gold sending three to state finals

By Bruce Mason, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: March 1, 2007

In just over a week's time, three Ypsilanti grapplers will travel to The Palace of Auburn Hills for the state wrestling finals.

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Greg Eggbert, Chris Harris and Alonzo Richardson all finished in the top four of their respective weight classes at Saturday's regional competition in Milan – each earning a trip to the coveted Michigan High School Athletic Association championship, March 8 through 10.

At regionals, Eggbert (119 pounds) won a 4–2 decision against Chris Hopson of Warren Woods-Tower to earn a third-place trophy. Harris (135 pounds) took a decision victory against Tecumseh's Sean Bagby, 4–2, also for third place.

Trailing on the heels of wins from his teammates, Richardson (152 pounds) battled against Ronnie Szuch of Carleton Airport wrestling hard for a win but coming up just short in the championship match finishing second.

Ypsilanti head coach Claudell Ruffin said the upcoming trip to the Palace is very exciting.

"I'm pretty happy about our team's performance and where we're headed," he said.

"All three of (the wrestlers) have to make sure they're focused, and work as hard as they can in the upcoming week."

For Eggbert and Harris, this year will mark the second consecutive trip to The Palace. It will be the first trip for Richardson, who Ruffin said is "very pumped up right now."

Eggbert and Harris each finished 1–2 in the state finals last season, and were one match away from earning all-state honors.

With as many as 15,000 spectators on hand last year, Ruffin said his wrestlers were nervous and didn't compete to their full potential but with the added experience – things are different this year.

"They know what to expect. We're pretty much passed all of that," Ruffin said.

One reason for that is because Eggbert and Harris – after last year's trip – competed in freestyle state competitions, at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena, the following month. While they were in Battle Creek, both of the Ypsilanti kids wrestled well enough to qualify for the junior national championships in Fargo, N.D.

During the competition, Eggbert and Harris saw quality competition. It was good exposure, Ruffin said, and it should help them this time around in the state finals.

"I think they're ready for it now," Ruffin said. "I think this time they'll take it all in and do very well."

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