Brighton Wrestlers Stay Focused on Championship

It's taken years, and it was only by 1 point, but coach Sam Amine and the Brighton wrestling program finally accomplished a huge goal.

The Bulldogs knocked off Hartland at the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Championship Tournament on Saturday to stop the Eagles' 15-year conference streak.  

Now, Brighton moves on to face Pinckney and Howell this Thursday at districts. From there, the road to the state championship is short, Amine said.

If the Bulldogs win in Pinckney, they'll meet next Wednesday in Grand Ledge, and victory there would put the Bulldogs in the top eight Michigan teams left to battle it out for the state title.

"That journey starts Thursday in Pinckney. I’m looking forward to letting it all out and see what happens," Amine said.

If Saturday was any indication, Brighton has a chance at going all the way. Brighton scored 248.5 points, while Hartland ended a hair behind at 247.5.

Brighton placed 13 of its 14 wrestlers in the top eight of their brackets. Two Bulldogs were crowned champions, and five others finished runners-up.

Winning titles were senior Brandon Hill at 171 pounds and senior Kurt Alder at 215.

"I was very proud of our guys," Amine said. "They went out and gave it everything they have. We brought home more medals than I think the KLAA has ever seen."

Amine said he has high hopes for the remainder of the season.

"Our first goal was obviously to knock off Hartland because we know they're a state powerhouse," Amine said. "But our main focus all along was to get to the top eight in the state and possibly be the state champions."