Huron coach says ?nothing will stop us next year?:

It was hard to put into words the feeling in the Rogers City High School gym Wednesday at the team regional tournament, as the Hurons had their bid for a regional title spoiled by Munising, 39-38. Numb would be a good word to start with.

In front of a loud, encouraging hometown crowd, the Hurons battled through 13 matches, recording upsets, such as Matt Tomas?s pin at 145 pounds, and impressive wins, but they also gave up points they shouldn?t have, leading up to the final match between sophomore Austin Fairbanks (135 pounds) and David Bowerman of Munising. Going in, the Hurons had a five point edge, 38-33. Fairbanks, as time expired in the second period, surprised Bowerman with a reversal, and took a 7-5 advantage.

To Bowerman?s credit, he knew the Stangs, facing elimination, needed a pin to win. He found his opportunity early in the third period, taking Fairbanks to his back. The sophomore tired to pull out of it, but couldn?t. Munising won the match, 39-38.

The Mustangs advanced to the regional final to face Straits Area Conference member St. Ignace, who defeated Gwinn in its semifinal match. The Saints pulled off the upset, in exciting fashion, 36-33, to advance to Battle Creek for the first time in school history. With only one senior graduating

from Rogers City, and the other top teams at regionals graduating a large number of upper classmen, the Hurons chances look extremely good for advancing next season. They have all the motivation they need, a dejected coach Pat Lamb said Wednesday.

?Nothing is going to stop us next year. Mark my words,? Lamb said. ?Nothing is going to stop us, unless, we stop ourselves. ?This bitter taste that we all have in our mouths right now is going to drive us through our competition next year. Right now, I feel sorry for the first team that we strap the head gear up against next season, because this is going to burn deep.?

Winners against Munising included Justin Kelley (140 pounds, 18-7 decision), Tomas (pin, 4:47), Cody Wenzel (152 pounds, void), Chris Rhode (189 pounds, 15-5), Josh Christ (275 pounds, 28 second pin), Brent Freel (119 pounds, 1:52 pin), and Dylan Centala (130 pounds, 23 second pin).

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