Clare wrestlers cap off season at state finals, Ann Marie Green finishes second

By BEN MURPHY

Cleaver Sports Writer

The Clare wrestling team battled it out on the biggest stage in the state on Friday and Saturday, as they had three members compete in the individual finals down at Ford Field in Detroit. Their time at the finals was highlighted by Ann Marie Green taking second place in the 235-weight class in the girls’ tournament.

She started her run with a second period pin on Elloise Norman of Watervliet and in the quarterfinals, she had a third period pin on Azaria Lane of Dundee. In the semi-finals she had a late first period pin on Sydney Smith of Portage, but she lost in the championship match to Halle Spears of Midland, via pin late in the first period.

Green finishes the season 27-2 overall, and she caps quite the remarkable career on the mats with the Pioneers.

“Ann Marie finished her career as Clare's second, four-time placer,” head coach Dennis Doyle said. “She finished fifth as a freshman, third as a junior, and second both as a junior and a senior.  She had a great tournament and a great career.  Ann Marie will continue wrestling next year at Baldwin Wallace and study Criminal Justice.  She will be missed greatly next year but I can't wait to see the great things she does after graduation.”

Kyle McGraw and Chris Green were also taking part in the Division 3 boys’ tournament, but they were unable to reach the podium.

McGraw (113) won his first match, getting a second period pin on Blake Wallace of Whitehall. He dropped his next two bouts though to end his run, falling to Colt Robbins of Montrose in a second period pin and William Lawson of Yale on a pin midway through the first period. He wraps up the year with a solid record of 32-15.

Green (157) went 0-2 in his matches and finishes the year 37-11 overall. He opened with a 14-1 major decision loss to Bryson Boucher of Lake Odessa Lakewood and then fell to Deandre Ellis of Comstock Park on a 13-10 decision.

“Both Kyle McGraw and Chris Green were both first time qualifiers, Kyle as a sophomore and Chris as a freshman,” Doyle said. “Both wrestled tough and have a lot to be proud of.  I'm confident they will both put in a lot of time in the offseason and be back at Ford Field next year.  We will be young again next year as Ann Marie is our only senior and we don't have any juniors.  I'm sure Kyle and Chris will help bring along the new freshmen and the team will continue to grow closer and make great improvements.”