Prep wrestling: One weekend stands between wrestler, perfect record
By Tim Kirby For the Lansing State Journal March 11, 2006
For Lakewood senior Eddie Phillips, only one thing has ever been important: winning.
That's what made losing in last year's 171-pound Division 2 championship match so hard. He lost 12-4 to Allegan's Eric Simaz despite getting Simaz on his back at one point early.
"Being that far and losing is a real motivator," Phillips said.
Phillips returned home from Auburn Hills late that Saturday night. On Monday he began practicing again.
Aside from a few months off to play fullback and linebacker for the football team, he's been wrestling constantly since then.
"Champion is the only word he knows," Lakewood coach Bob Veitch said. "He is the best wrestler I've had in my 26 years in terms of technique and toughness."
Phillips (41-0) is one of only two unbeaten area wrestlers entering this weekend's state individual finals at The Palace. He is the No. 1 seed at 189 pounds in Division 2. The first round is today, with championship matches scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Saturday.
Next year, he will walk on the University of Michigan's wrestling team and likely redshirt, despite receiving partial offers from other schools, including Michigan State and Cleveland State.
"I like the atmosphere, and the program there is so much better," Phillips said.
Veitch is confident Phillips will end up making an impact for the Wolverines.
"He's going to be a player for them, just you wait," Veitch said. "He wants to go where there's a winning tradition. Michigan is always fighting for national championships and Big Ten championships year in and year out."
At Lakewood, Phillips was used to being on a team with winning tradition. The Vikings have won the last seven league titles and five straight district titles before losing to Eaton Rapids last month.
"We had a couple guys let us down this year," Phillips said. "It's all disappointing, but one of the things I love about wrestling is it's individual. You get out what you put in."
Phillips will go to the senior nationals March 30-April 3 in Cleveland.
"If he has a good trip there, he might get picked up by another school," Veitch said.
But as of now, Phillips will attend U-M.
"I don't really have the grades to get in without being an athlete," said Phillips who scored a 25 on his ACT. "But I could make some really good connections and I could excel in a lot of different areas."
For Lakewood senior Eddie Phillips, only one thing has ever been important: winning.
That's what made losing in last year's 171-pound Division 2 championship match so hard. He lost 12-4 to Allegan's Eric Simaz despite getting Simaz on his back at one point early.
"Being that far and losing is a real motivator," Phillips said.
Phillips returned home from Auburn Hills late that Saturday night. On Monday he began practicing again.
Aside from a few months off to play fullback and linebacker for the football team, he's been wrestling constantly since then.
"Champion is the only word he knows," Lakewood coach Bob Veitch said. "He is the best wrestler I've had in my 26 years in terms of technique and toughness."
Phillips (41-0) is one of only two unbeaten area wrestlers entering this weekend's state individual finals at The Palace. He is the No. 1 seed at 189 pounds in Division 2. The first round is today, with championship matches scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Saturday.
Next year, he will walk on the University of Michigan's wrestling team and likely redshirt, despite receiving partial offers from other schools, including Michigan State and Cleveland State.
"I like the atmosphere, and the program there is so much better," Phillips said.
Veitch is confident Phillips will end up making an impact for the Wolverines.
"He's going to be a player for them, just you wait," Veitch said. "He wants to go where there's a winning tradition. Michigan is always fighting for national championships and Big Ten championships year in and year out."
At Lakewood, Phillips was used to being on a team with winning tradition. The Vikings have won the last seven league titles and five straight district titles before losing to Eaton Rapids last month.
"We had a couple guys let us down this year," Phillips said. "It's all disappointing, but one of the things I love about wrestling is it's individual. You get out what you put in."
Phillips will go to the senior nationals March 30-April 3 in Cleveland.
"If he has a good trip there, he might get picked up by another school," Veitch said.
But as of now, Phillips will attend U-M.
"I don't really have the grades to get in without being an athlete," said Phillips who scored a 25 on his ACT. "But I could make some really good connections and I could excel in a lot of different areas."
posted by Alesheia @ 3:34 AM
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