Lauderback, Sovel runners-up at D1 regional tourney

A number of lakes area wrestlers turned in strong performances at the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 1 Individual Regional Tournament in Davison on Saturday, Feb. 18.

Walled Lake Northern’s Christian Lauderback (42-10 record), a district champion, advanced to the regional final in the 130-pound bracket, where he was defeated by host Davison’s Matthew Miller by major decision, 13-4.

Also finishing as a runner-up was Walled Lake Central’s Charles Sovel (42-7), who fell in the 189-pound final to North Farmington’s Kevin Miller by a 3-1 decision.

Sovel’s teammate, Ildo Luca (25-18), also finished second in the 285-pound bracket after falling to Clarkston’s Scott Devos by a 4-0 score, while the Vikings’ Conner Marion (30-10) finished fourth in the 171-pound bracket.

Waterford Kettering’s Deven Acker (29-11) was the runner-up in the 112-pound division, as he fell to Jacob Gorial of Hartland by pinfall 41 seconds into the bout.

The Captains’ Matt Okaiye (32-11) and Daulton Arthur (26-15) finished third-place and fourth-place, respectively, in the 215-pound bracket; while Dave Dolehanty (34-17) finished fourth in the 140-pound division.

West Bloomfield’s Ross Bahro (47-6) was third in the 119-pound bracket. Teammate Danny Davidson (16-8), was fourth in the 135-pound division.

Other top finishers at the Hartland regional included Brandon Calma of Huron Valley Lakeland finishing third in the 112-pound bracket, while Huron Valley Milford’s Steve Shay took fourth in the 130-pound division.

The MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals will be held at the Palace of Auburn Hills from Thursday, March 1 to Saturday, March 3.

The pairings for the finals are scheduled to be posted on mhsaa.com today, Wednesday, Feb. 22.