Bucs' Lucas, Bertucci fight hard at state finals

Chris Lucas and Collin Bertucci continued the recent trend of outstanding performances by Grand Haven wrestlers at the state finals as they placed second and fourth, respectively this past weekend's Div. 1 state meet.

Lucas, wrestling at 171 pounds, won his first three matches against a loaded field, only to run into Rockford's Jake Dorulla in the championship match. Dorulla won that competition, 10-3, to claim the state title, with Lucas setting for second.

Lucas said his training and preparation helped him tremendously throughout the state meet.

"I just trained really hard the whole week," Lucas said. "I've heard some coaches don't do as much conditioning heading into the state tournament, but at Grand Haven, we do everything even harder to make sure we're prepared. My practice and preparation were spot-on perfect to get to the state finals."

That was never more evident than in his quarterfinals match against Kyle Sutterfield of Heartland. The two were tied after regulation, and neither scored in the first two extra sessions.

"We went into the last overtime, and my coach looked at me and said, 'What do you want to do?' I had the choice of top or bottom, and it's sudden death. I chose down, and as I sat down, I said, 'Wow, I'm not even tired,'" Lucas said. "My preparation, practice and conditioning were so built up, I wasn't tired, and within 15 seconds, I was out and won the match."

Lucas cruised in his semifinal match, winning 8-0, before falling short against Dorulla in the finals.

"He's a great wrestler, and I knew I had to brawl with him," Lucas said. "I had a pretty physical mind-set going in. We're very different style-wise. I like to have a lot of space, and he's just a real sound wrestler. I guess it's more of a mental block for me.

"I'm very satisfied. I placed my junior year, and to be in the finals was great. Just to be out on the floor was awesome."

Coach James Richardson said Lucas' accomplishment was all the more impressive considering the strength of the field and the tough path Lucas had to take to reach the finals.

"Chris had one of the toughest draws I've ever seen at the state tournament," Richardson said. "The No. 2, 3 and 4 kids came out of his quarterfinals bracket, and six of the eight state placers came out of his half-bracket. In 18 years, I've never seen six placers in one half-bracket."

Richardson said there's no shame in finish second, especially when the champion is a wrestler like Dorulla, who has been runner-up the previous two years.

"I often tell the boys, if you do everything you're supposed to, if you train the way you're supposed to, if you prepare for championships, and you lose one match, you can't feel bad about that," Richardson said.

Bertucci also had a tough path to the consolation finals. He trailed in four of his matches before coming back to win, including his opening victory over Flint Carmen Ainsworth senior Josh Goodman, who was the No. 2 seed entering the tournament.

After losing in the quarterfinals, Bertucci battled his way back to the consolation finals by coming from behind to beat Tristan Kang of Escanaba, then edging Andy Jones of Grand Ledge, 3-2.

In the consolation semifinals, he faced East Kentwood's Paul Vilker, who had beaten him earlier this year. Bertucci trailed in the third period before coming back to win, 11-6.

"We just called it the revenge day," Bertucci said. "It was fun to beat everybody I had lost to in previous seasons. It's not hard to prepare for someone you've lost to. I had plenty of motivation.

"My first match was probably my most important of the weekend. I found out that I could go out there and win."

Bertucci's run finally came to an end in third-place match as he lost to Canton's Donnie Watkins, 9-3.

"It didn't sink in until after I had taken a rest, fallen asleep," Bertucci said of the state finals experience.

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Photos by Bonnie Proctor