Seaholm upsets Southfield A&T to claim district title

SOUTHFIELD >> Birmingham Seaholm wrestling coach Neil Tuomi knew his team would need to bring its best if it wanted a chance at winning the Division 1 district title Wednesday at Southfield A&T High School.

Guess what? His team did just that.

The Maples fell behind early before rallying twice to defeat the host Warriors, 36-30, to capture a team district championship.

PHOTO GALLERY FROM WEDNESDAY’S DISTRICT

“This was the best we’ve wrestled all year,” said Tuomi, whose team improved to 14-10 overall with the win. “(Southfield) won the (OAA) White. In the deciding match, our kid is good. Their kid is good. They just went at it.”

The match Tuomi was referencing was at 125 pounds. Seaholm held a 33-27 lead with two matches remaining when its wrestler, Jackson Vance, took the mat against Southfield’s Terry Johnson. It was a battle of Oakland County placers. Vance scored a late takedown to eke out a 3-1 victory and seal the win for his Maples.

Southfield jumped out to an early 10-0 lead thanks to a major decision victory by Dejon James and a pin by Isiah Berry at 135 and 140 pounds. Seaholm, however, had an answer.

The Maples rattled off four wins in five matches to snag a 21-13 lead. Nick Law started things off with a pin at 145 pounds and after a narrow, 5-3 decision by Dominick Campbell at 152 pounds, Marcus Manzo and Chase Mentag picked up back-to-back falls at 171 and 189 pounds to give their team an eight-point lead at the halfway point.

A&T answered back, with Landon Clark (215) winning by fall and Keon Walker (285) defeating Dan Harwood. The Warriors led 22-21 at that point. Unfortunately for coach Eric Moon, his team had to void at 103 and 119 pounds, setting up the pivotal match at 125 pounds.

Seaholm defeated Birmingham Groves, 52-21, in its semifinal match. Southfield A&T took down Birmingham Brother Rice, 51-30, in the other semifinal.

The Maples advance to the Division 1 regional at Hartland, where they’ll take on the hosts in a regional semifinal. Walled Lake Central and Warren-Mott will face off in the other half of the draw.

DISTRICT FINAL

Birmingham Seaholm 36, Southfield A&T 30

135 pounds - Dejon James (A&T) major decision Miles Monty, 14-3; 140 - Isiah Berry (A&T) p. Jack Burdick, 3:19; 145 - Nick Law (S) p. Keith Baldwin, 2:22; 152 - Dominick Campbell (S) dec. Cheikh Sere, 5-3; 160 - Deonta Wrach (A&T) dec. Tyler Firestone, 8-3; 171 - Mark Manzo (S) p. Derek Carter, 4:26; 189 - Chase Mentag (S) p. C.J. Buck, 3:50; 215 - Landon Clark (A&T) p. Owen Everett, :50; 285 - Keon Walker (A&T) dec. Dan Harwood, 8-3; 103 - Cayden Donley (S) won by void; 112 - Jaylen Bush (A&T) major dec. Mark Kruszewski, 18-3; 119 - Dominic Mastrangelo (S) won by void; 125 - Jackson Vance (S) dec. Terry Johnson, 3-1; 130 - Kris Smith (A&T) dec. Julian Akkashian, 9-5