Falcon Wrestling News: December 2023

Monthly Issue #4

Dec 23, 2023

Kestrels Making Big Waves

Bashaw, SMCC’s first Blissfield Champ since 2015

SMCC Takes Home ‘Battle of the Birds’ Trophy

Cuccia’s Corner

Falcons Finish 9th of 11 at Counties

Upcoming Home Events

Merry Christmas

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Kestrels Making Big Waves

MaryAlice Lynch, Brianna Lynch, and Isabella Grippi-Amoroso are making some noise on the girls wrestling scene. So far they have competed in three girls tournaments and have wrestled extremely well. At the East Jackson Invitational, the girls team finished 15th out of 40 teams with just three girls. The other two tournaments did not have team scoring but in both events all three kestrels placed.

Check out some of the action thanks to Rosa Cuccia!

East Jackson Girls Invitational: MaryAlice Lynch (1st - 115), Brianna Lynch (2nd - 100)

Howell Highlander Classic: Brianna Lynch (1st - 100), MaryAlice Lynch (3rd - 115), Isabella Grippi-Amoroso (4th - 170),

Allen Park Rumble in the Jungle: MaryAlice Lynch (1st - 115/120), Isabella Grippi-Amoroso (1st - 170), Brianna Lynch (3rd - 100)

Bashaw, SMCC’s First Blissfield Champ Since 2015

2015 was kind of a long time ago. Before Fortnite. Before covid. And before Chat GPT and the artificial intelligence craze. That was the last time SMCC had a Blissfield Invitational Champ in 171 pounder Phillip Lehmann ('16). But SMCC gained another Blissfield Champ in Kyle Bashaw who won it at 190 lbs. Kyle squared off against teammate Eric Mathies in the finals and won a 7-2 decision.

The Blissfield Invitational is a great tournament to open the season. Many wrestlers get to compete and find out what a wrestling tournament really is in this event. Kyle and Eric were the only two placers this year but several wrestlers gained victories and three wrestlers picked up their first career pins: Cole Reinhardt (157), Davis McDonald (175), and Ethan DeLand (215).

The team finished 8th of 13 with 77.0 pts.

SMCC Takes Home ‘Battle of the Birds’ Trophy

The SMCC Falcons and the Erie Mason Eagles have faced off in six competitive duals since 2019. The coaches of both teams understand that competition forces its competitors to get better and decided to make an official ‘Battle of the Birds’ rivalry to motivate their respective athletes and put their kids in the spotlight. SMCC hosted this year and came away with the victory.

The location for this rivalry will rotate each year with Erie Mason hosting next year and SMCC the following. The trophy will also rotate and find a home each year with the winning squad.

MaryAlice Lynch, Kenny Pham, Henry Wickenheiser, Simon Vandervlucht, Caleb Totten, Landon Barron, Cole Reinhardt, Philbert Dietrich, Eric Mathies, Kyle Bashaw, and Braiden Kenney logged victories in the dual.

Check out the action: Battle of the Birds Video

Cuccia’s Corner

Merry Christmas Wrestlers and our Wrestling Families. We are off to a great start to our year as we build to be what we want to be. All the practices, workouts, dieting, are starting to come together. At this point in the season it starts to get a little easier because it becomes normal. Don’t let it! Don’t let it become easier because easier means you are not pushing yourself to be better. Don’t let it become normal because normal is like being stuck in the mud and not going anywhere. Remember if it was easy everyone would do it. This sport is not for everyone, its for those that want to be better all the time, those that don’t want to settle and be normal. Wrestlers have to be in control not only on the mat but off the mat. And that is not only the most important things (being in control of your emotions), it is also the hardest thing you will ever do.

So Merry Christmas and remember why we celebrate Christmas. It is for the birth of our Savior. The reason we are here. The birth of the Man who gave it all for us. Coach Eby has the saying “the credit belongs to the man in the arena.” Remember Jesus is always in your corner and all credit goes to Him everywhere.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Coach Cuccia

Falcons Finish 9th of 11 at Counties

Twelve Falcons did battle at the annual Sheriff’s County Tournament this December. Ten of the twelve wrestlers made it out of pool play and into the top 8. Placing in the top 6 for the Falcons was Kyle Bashaw (5th - 190), Philbert Dietrich (6th - 165) and Ethan DeLand (6th - 215).