Delphi wins regional
Five Oracle wrestlers to compete at semi-state
Comet staff report

Delphi Oracles Wrestling Team won its first regional title ever by defeating Winamac and Harrison last Wednesday in Lafayette. They are now one of 16 teams remaining in the state.

The Oracles first defeated Winamac 46-22 in round one and then beat Lafayette Harrison in the championship match 38-28.

In round one, the Oracles had wins from Donovan Alderman at 119 pounds, Nathan McTigue 130, Cory Smith 140, Braden Atwood 160, Brandon Delaney 189, Wesley Everett 285, Randy McIlrath 103, and Bob Floyd 112.

"Even though we did not have all our kids win, the kids who did not win saved team points by not getting pinned or keeping their match close," said Coach Mike Atwood.

In round two, winners for the Oracles were: 125 Aaron Back, 130 McTigue, 160 Atwood, 171 Shane Evans, 285 Everett, 103 McIlrath, 112 Floyd and 119 Alderman.

"There were many great matches in this duel," said Coach Atwood. "Floyd had a huge pin of one of Harrison's best kids. The heavy weight match had the whole gym on its feet. Everett rose to the occasion and beat the Harrison heavy 8-6."

"The fan support was amazing for the Oracles," said Coach Atwood. "I may not be a smart coach but I have learned through the years if you surround yourself with good people, good things will happen. This victory goes to the coaching staff and the kids. I have a great staff in Craig Shaw, Joe Fassnacht, Mark Back Jeff Delaney, Ted Lynde, and Chip Dale. I can't say enough for how these guys work at making our kids better. Shaw has raised the enthusiasm and wrestling skills ever since he has been here. We have the kids believing in themselves and working their butts off to achieve what we have. It is a tribute to the staff and the kids for the victory."

"There were many exwrestlers at the meet and they are just as much a part of it as the guys here," added Atwood. "Wrestling is a crazy sport where you make up one big family. Once you are in, you are always in. This was for them, too."

The Oracles are now 24-9 on the season and will wrestle tonight, Feb. 6, at 7 at Rochester High School. They will wrestle Mishawaka in a duel to see who goes to the state.

The Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association final Top 20 teams for 2007-08 has Delphi ranked 16th.

Individual competition

Three Oracle wrestlers earned champion honors in the Individual portion of the regional wrestling tournament, held Saturday in Logansport.

At 112 pounds, Floyd beat Craft from Seeger in a close match, 3-2. Floyds' record is now 44-4. At 119, Alderman remained undefeated at 43-0, defending his "07 regional title by pinning Hicks from Seeger in 2:46. Atwood at 160 pinned McCoy of McCutcheon in 5:49 to defend his regional title and run his record to 45-1.

Back at 125 placed second to a tough Winamac opponent. Placing third for the Oracles was 103 Randy McIlrath, pinning Draper from Jeff in a time of 0:45.

These five wrestlers advance to semi-state competition on Saturday at Merrillville. The champions will have first round byes.

Placing fourth for the Oracles were: 152 Tyler Cooper, who lost 4-10 to a West Central wrestler. At 189, Delaney lost to a strong Logansport opponent. Everett lost a close match to the heavyweight from Harrison, 3-5. Cooper, Delaney and Everett are alternates to semi-state.