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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

After disappointment last year, Egbert shines in finals

By Bruce Mason, Special Writer

PUBLISHED: March 29, 2007

Greg Egbert said traveling to The Palace of Auburn Hills for the individual state wrestling finals always is exciting.

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The ride home? Well, that depends.

In 2006, it was a downer for Egbert after finishing 1-2 and out of state finalist contention.

But this year, the car ride back to Ypsilanti was cheerful, happy and celebratory.

That's because Egbert took home a third-place medal in the Division 2 119-pound weight class.

After dropping his first match, Egbert reeled off four consecutive victories, capped off by defeating Ben Simons-Scalise of Mt. Pleasant in a major decision, 12-0.

This time around, looking up at The Palace stands - where perhaps 15,000 people sit during the competition and critique every grappler - was not as intimidating. Last year's experience at The Palace paid dividends, so did competing at the Fargo junior nationals in July.

"Oh, definitely," Egbert said. "It wasn't as dramatic as last time."

Two weeks of physical and mental preparation from coaches Claudell Ruffin and James Kelly helped, too.

How helpful? They laced up the shoes, strapped on the gear and took part in the individual workouts and group workouts all while picking on the wrestlers to get them ready for the finals.

Ruffin would even be near the team during running drills, which Egbert said is "unlike a lot of coaches."

"I give all the credit to him and Kelly. They treated us like equals all the way through. They wouldn't expect us to do anything they haven't done."

Egbert finished the season 45-5, along with his state finalist finish. So after such a great year, what's his goal next season?

"To win the whole thing," he said. "I still think I could've done it. Things happen, you get caught."

Bruce Mason is a freelance sports writer for The Courier and View. He can be reached at bruce_mason19@hotmail.com.