Alderman wins semistate wrestling title
Comet staff report

Remains undefeated Delphi senior Donovan Alderman (gold) protected his undefeated record with a 4-3 decision over Mishawaka's Adam Guerra (maroon) at the team semistate last Wednesday in Rochester. Entering the third period, they were tied 2-2 and Alderman pulled off the win with a takedown. On Saturday Alderman kept his record perfect in the individual semistate at Merrillville and won the 119-pound weight class championship. He will compete in the state wrestling finals Friday. Portraits by Lori photo

Two members of the Delphi wrestling team will be competing in the state tournament to be held Friday and Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

At Saturday's semi-state at Merrillville, Donovan Alderman kept his perfect record in tact by defeating all three of his opponents to claim champion honors. Alderman's record is now 47-0. He won all of his matches on points. In his first match, he defeated a Chesterton opponent 11-2, and in round two, a tough Merrillville wrestler 12-3. The last round was a rematch with a Mishawaka wrestler who he defeated 10-4 for the championship in the 119 pound weight class.

Bound for state Braden Atwood's (gold) last second pin (5:53) over Mishawaka's Tim Forte (maroon) earned him the win in the 160-pound weight class at the Rochester Team Semistate last Wednesday. Atwood and his teammate Donovan Alderman had Delphi's only wins against the Cavemen. Atwood, a sophomore, competed in the individual semistate Saturday at Merrillville, claiming fourth place. He will compete Friday in the state wrestling finals. Portraits by Lori photo

"This was the Oracle senior's best tournament yet," said Coach Mike Atwood.

Also placing and advancing to the state tournament was sophomore, 160-pound Braden Atwood. In round one Atwood pinned his Hobart opponent in 0:33. He lost round two to a strong Crown Point wrestler, 2-6. In the consolation round Atwood lost another close contest 2-3. His season record is now 47-3.

Atwood and Alderman will both wrestle Friday evening. Alderman's opponent will be Tyler Clark (27-6) from South Dearborn. Atwood will take on Tanner Wedding (41-3) from Evansville Memorial.

Delphi also had three other wrestlers compete at semistate. They were: sophomore 103-pound Randy McIlrath, who lost to a strong Penn wrestler by a fall in 1:55; freshman Aaron Back at 125, who lost a close contest to a LaVille wrestler 5-7; and junior Bob Floyd, who lost an exciting close match to a Hanover Central wrestler, 10-7, before being pinned in 5:42.

The Oracle wrestling team, ranked 16th in the final pole, competed in the team semistate at Rochester last Wednesday. Their opponent was No. 3- ranked Mishawaka. The Oracles found out why they were ranked third.

"The Oracles only had two winners in the entire match but all the wrestlers just took it to them the best we could," said coach Atwood. "Sometimes in wrestling you just have to get up and shake the other guy's hand because he is better."

Mishawaka was a solid squad from top to bottom. Alderman put the Oracles on the scoreboard with a 4-3 decision over his opponent. The Oracles did not win another match until Atwood pinned his opponent in the third period.

The Oracles lost the match 59-9 and Mishawaka claimed its ninth consecutive semistate title.

"Our guys can hold their heads high finishing in the top sixteen in the state," Atwood said.