Lutheran North Wrestlers Embrace Change

Wrestling is a tough sport, a disciplined sport, a sport where experience can often mean the difference between a win and a loss.

head coach John Dumar knows he has a more experienced team this season than last. He knows his Mustangs have joined a new, tough conference in the Catholic High School League this season, as well.

Now he hopes the combination of these two factors, combined with the talent the squad brings to the mat every meet, will result in a strong showing for Lutheran North during the dual-meet season, and also in the state tournament.

"We've got great senior leadership this season," Dumar said. "And we're a lot more experienced. I really think that's going to help us."

Looking ahead to regional tournament

Although the Mustangs cannot participate in the CHSL Tourney this season because they are new to the league, Dumar would like to see his team qualify as many wrestlers as possible for the regional tournament at the end of the year.

"Of course, we want to do well during dual meets," he said. "But what we really want to do is send a lot of our guys to regionals. We think we can do that this season. That's a big goal for us."

Competing in the Catholic League can go a long way in helping this cause, and, despite the tough competition, it is a positive change, Dumar said.

"I do like it," Dumar said, regarding the program's switch to the CHSL. "I think that it's only going to make us a better team this season and a better program

Team is strong from bottom weights to top weights

Senior standouts and co-captains Eric Decker (171 pounds) and Jake Sassin (140 pounds) join junior Andrew Devroy (189 pounds) in anchoring a squad that is perennially a strong team at the bottom weights. This season, however, Dumar said his team is solid from top to bottom.

"We've always been a strong team at those bottom weights," Dumar said. "But this season we're more balanced. We've got a few holes, but overall we're solid, and we're going to be a very steady team."

The Mustangs kicked off the 2010-11 campaign by hosting a four-team meet, with Lakeview, Grosse Pointe South and Lake Shore coming to the Mustangs' gym.

At the end of the day Dec. 2, Lutheran North split with Grosse Pointe South and Lake Shore, ousting the Blue Devils 37-36 after a

"I thought we did exactly what I expected us to do," Dumar said. "Our top guys won; the guys that need some work lost tonight. That's what I would expect to happen right now."