Post by CoachB on Mar 23, 2007 19:15:44 GMT -5
Cardinal quartet to end stellar careers at state
03-01-2007
It seems fitting that four Onaway senior wrestlers, who have been competing together for the last eight to nine years, are heading to the state finals together. It is dream that some of them have been pondering since they were freshmen.
Andrew LaLonde, Steve Bassett, Tyler Chapman, and John Pomranke are the winningest foursome in school history, with more than 600 victories. Their road to the finals this season caps remarkable careers, but also means so much more for the Cardinal wrestling program.
“They are truly the reason people are recognizing Onaway wrestling right now,” said head wrestling coach Mark Grant. “People who don’t give them the attention they deserve, find out quickly who they should have.”
Pomranke, Bassett, and LaLonde all have more than 150 individual wins, while Chapman eclipsed the century mark early in the 2006-07 season. An injury ended his junior season early. All four have handled the duties of captain this season. ALL FOUR earned a spot in the state finals at The Palace of Auburn Hills by placing fourth or higher in Manton. The state tourney gets under way next Thursday.
Bassett, a three time qualifier, and for the moment, the single season record holder for victories with 55, won a regional championship last Saturday. LaLonde and Chapman placed second, while Pomranke took third.
While injuries prevented the Cardinal quartet from wrestling under the Detroit Piston championship banners last season, everything has fallen into place this year.
Their experience and hard work for most of the last decade has made them a dominant force. “This year it definitely has clicked for us,” said Pomranke, who leads the group with 165 career wins. “Everything has fallen into place.”
Bassett is 48-1 this year with the best winning percentage (80.9 percent), followed by Pomranke (52-4), LaLonde (52-4), and Chapman (45-10). Pomranke and LaLonde need three wins to tie Bassett’s single-season record.
WRESTLING TOGETHER for so long has made it possible for them to learn from each other – and take lumps from each other. Chapman said this year’s success is a culmination of “A lot of years of practicing together and knowing each others movements, and beating up on each other for so many years.” There also have been a lot of tireless hours put in during the off season and in the weight room.
“The work we’ve done in the past is what’s gotten us this far,” said LaLonde. “In summer time, we would go to camp for a week straight.”
“They listened, they learned, they worked” said Grant. “They understood what it takes to be a champion. I didn’t make them champions, they made themselves champions.”
Their accomplishments have already made an impact on the Onaway wrestling program.
“In the hallways people come up to us, for me at least, and say ‘oh, you wrestle,’ ” said LaLonde. “They’ll call you by your nickname. One kid said he wanted to play basketball but is going to wrestle now.” Bassett added, “I hope it inspires the younger guys, to be as good as us.”
Grant said the four some has done more than teach other wrestlers. “They have set the example for the future. We have had a ton of comments, not just about the wrestling, but the behavior in what a great group of athletes, students, and people they are.”
Regardless of the final outcomes next weekend, there is no question in anyone’s mind that these talented young men, who have worked so hard to improve themselves, and represent the school and community so well, have made a far-reaching impact that should be felt for years to come.
03-01-2007
It seems fitting that four Onaway senior wrestlers, who have been competing together for the last eight to nine years, are heading to the state finals together. It is dream that some of them have been pondering since they were freshmen.
Andrew LaLonde, Steve Bassett, Tyler Chapman, and John Pomranke are the winningest foursome in school history, with more than 600 victories. Their road to the finals this season caps remarkable careers, but also means so much more for the Cardinal wrestling program.
“They are truly the reason people are recognizing Onaway wrestling right now,” said head wrestling coach Mark Grant. “People who don’t give them the attention they deserve, find out quickly who they should have.”
Pomranke, Bassett, and LaLonde all have more than 150 individual wins, while Chapman eclipsed the century mark early in the 2006-07 season. An injury ended his junior season early. All four have handled the duties of captain this season. ALL FOUR earned a spot in the state finals at The Palace of Auburn Hills by placing fourth or higher in Manton. The state tourney gets under way next Thursday.
Bassett, a three time qualifier, and for the moment, the single season record holder for victories with 55, won a regional championship last Saturday. LaLonde and Chapman placed second, while Pomranke took third.
While injuries prevented the Cardinal quartet from wrestling under the Detroit Piston championship banners last season, everything has fallen into place this year.
Their experience and hard work for most of the last decade has made them a dominant force. “This year it definitely has clicked for us,” said Pomranke, who leads the group with 165 career wins. “Everything has fallen into place.”
Bassett is 48-1 this year with the best winning percentage (80.9 percent), followed by Pomranke (52-4), LaLonde (52-4), and Chapman (45-10). Pomranke and LaLonde need three wins to tie Bassett’s single-season record.
WRESTLING TOGETHER for so long has made it possible for them to learn from each other – and take lumps from each other. Chapman said this year’s success is a culmination of “A lot of years of practicing together and knowing each others movements, and beating up on each other for so many years.” There also have been a lot of tireless hours put in during the off season and in the weight room.
“The work we’ve done in the past is what’s gotten us this far,” said LaLonde. “In summer time, we would go to camp for a week straight.”
“They listened, they learned, they worked” said Grant. “They understood what it takes to be a champion. I didn’t make them champions, they made themselves champions.”
Their accomplishments have already made an impact on the Onaway wrestling program.
“In the hallways people come up to us, for me at least, and say ‘oh, you wrestle,’ ” said LaLonde. “They’ll call you by your nickname. One kid said he wanted to play basketball but is going to wrestle now.” Bassett added, “I hope it inspires the younger guys, to be as good as us.”
Grant said the four some has done more than teach other wrestlers. “They have set the example for the future. We have had a ton of comments, not just about the wrestling, but the behavior in what a great group of athletes, students, and people they are.”
Regardless of the final outcomes next weekend, there is no question in anyone’s mind that these talented young men, who have worked so hard to improve themselves, and represent the school and community so well, have made a far-reaching impact that should be felt for years to come.
