Alderman and Atwood earn top four finishes

Wrestlers earn state honors Delphi wrestlers Donovan Alderman, left, and Michael Atwood earned top four finishes at the state wrestling tournament held last weekend in Indianapolis. Alderman, a senior, placed third in the state in the 119-pound weight class, while sophomore Michael Atwood, placed fourth in the 160-pound class. Photo provided

Oracle wrestlers Donovan Alderman and Michael Atwood both finished in the top four of the state tournament on Saturday.

Competing in the individual portion of the Indiana State Wrestling Tournament, Alderman finished third in the 119-pound weight class and Atwood, fourth, in the 160-pound class. Delphi has only had one other wrestler, Kameron Banes, who finished in the top four, earning fourth place two years ago.

Alderman, a senior, took his undefeated season into the tournament Friday night, beating Tyler Clark of South Dearborn 12-2.

Atwood, a sophomore, also wrestled on Friday. He was only one of three wrestlers who placed fourth in the semi state to win Friday night. Fourth place finishers wrestle a champ from one of the other semi states. Atwood beat the Evansville champ, Tanner Wedding, 11-6.

Alderman started Saturday morning off defeating Steve Bartlett of Southwestern 7-2. Atwood also won in this round by beating the second ranked wrestler at 160, Caleb Freeman of Greenfield Central. 1-0.

After winning two rounds, this put both young men in the state's final four.

In the semi final round Alderman lost a tough match to the eventual state champion, Louis Queggra, 1-6.

Atwood also lost to the eventual state champ, Andrew Howe, 5-23. Howe has won three straight state titles and many consider him to be the best wrestler in Indiana history.

Both young men wrestled in the consolation round for third and fourth. Alderman wrestled Anthony Napules of Merrillville. This was a rematch from last week's semi state in Merrillville. Alderman won 7-3 to claim the third place state finish. Atwood was the only wrestler in the tournament to place fourth in the semi state and place in the top four. He wrestled Ron Baker of Belmont who was the champ from Fort Wayne in the consolation round. At the end of regulation the score was tied 11-11. Atwood attempted a throw and just missed getting the take down, losing a close match to finish fourth.

"These two young men not only represented Delphi in the tournament, they opened a lot of eyes to where we are heading with our program," said coach Mike Atwood.