In a decisive display of skill and determination, the Romeo wrestling team claimed the lead in the Macomb Area Conference (MAC) Red Division by defeating defending champions Macomb Dakota and Warren Woods-Tower in a quad meet held in New Baltimore. The Bulldogs triumphed over Dakota with a score of 47-29 and overwhelmed Woods-Tower 67-6 on Wednesday night, solidifying their position as the only team in the division without a league loss.
The Bulldogs’ performance was highlighted by their strong showing against Dakota, who had previously gone undefeated in the MAC Red Division last season. Romeo’s victory came on the heels of a challenging schedule, as noted by veteran coach James Cali. “This was actually our first league duals. We had some cancelled last week,” he stated. Despite the challenges, Romeo’s success marks a promising start to the season. “This does put us in (the driver’s seat) at least for today. There’s still a ways to go,” he added, emphasizing the need for continued focus with three more league matches approaching.
Romeo’s strategy was notably effective, particularly with the inclusion of a talented freshman at 138 pounds. The team adjusted their lineup, bumping up four wrestlers to secure the upper hand against Dakota. This tactical decision paid off, as the Bulldogs won seven matches via pinfall against the Cougars, significantly contributing to their points total.
In the match against Woods-Tower, Romeo quickly established dominance by jumping to a 19-0 lead. The Bulldogs continued to build their advantage, winning 12 of the 14 weight classes and finishing the match with a comfortable 43-3 edge.
The performance of Macomb Dakota, while not as successful against Romeo, shone through in their subsequent match against Anchor Bay. The Cougars showcased their resilience by winning 12 of 14 weight classes, demonstrating their competitive spirit. Coach Ed Skowneski remarked, “Against Romeo — they are just solid all the way through their lineup and were better than us today.” He also praised standout performances from Carl Nihranz and Lucas Harper, both of whom ended the day with victories.
Warren Woods-Tower faced a setback, suffering their first league loss of the season to Romeo. Coach Greg Mayer acknowledged the youthfulness of his team, which has been a factor in their performance. “With a young team, you don’t always know how they’ll (perform) against some of the better teams,” he noted, expressing optimism about the team’s development as they prepare for the state tournament.
Anchor Bay, also fielding a predominantly young team, is taking valuable lessons from their current competition. Coach Travis Wrickerson stated, “We don’t have very many seniors in our lineup, and we have a lot of sophomores.” He recognized Romeo’s current strength, declaring them as the team to beat in the league.
As the season progresses, Romeo’s commanding performance in the MAC Red Division sets the stage for an exciting competition ahead. With matches still to come, their journey to secure the top spot continues, and their recent successes serve as a strong foundation for future challenges.
