Twins must face each other for title

Saturday, March 11, 2006
By Jeff ChaneyThe Grand Rapids Press

AUBURN HILLS -- It was time to double their pleasure at the Michigan High School Athletic Association individual state finals Friday night.

Two sets of twins headlined 30 area wrestlers who tried to work their way to today's finals during Friday's semifinals at The Palace.

Northview's Alex Phillips and Lakewood's Eddie Phillips will meet for a state title this evening at 189 pounds in Division 2.

Alex Phillips, who lives with his father in Grand Rapids, beat Ogemaw Heights' Scott Kimball, 18-9, while Eddie Phillips, who lives with his mother in Lakewood, beat Lowell's Alex Fleet 9-2.

According to the MHSAA, it will be the first time in state history that brothers will be wrestling for a championship, let alone twin brothers from different schools.

Alex Phillips can't wait for today's finals to start at 4 p.m.

"I think it will be fun," said Alex Phillips, whose record is 44-1. "We are both good sports, so nothing will turn out bad. I'm just looking forward to it."

Lakewood coach Bob Veitch, who coached both wrestlers before Alex transferred, isn't looking forward to the match.

"You have two good kids that have been wrestling since they were 6 years old," Veitch said. "I'm not looking forward to this. It is sad that two brothers have to go for it, because somebody has to lose."