Lakeland's Alex Sokoll Advances to the State Tournament

The following was submitted by reader Lauri Rowley.

For senior Alex Sokoll  the overtime win against Milford in his final football game will always be a favorite memory. However, the celebration was short lived. The following day his focus shifted to every wrestlers ultimate goal, the 2011 MHSSA State Wrestling Tournament to be held March 3-5 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.  

Sokoll began wrestling in middle school and quickly developed a passion for the sport.  Taking advantage of every opportunity he could  to attend camps or classes for additional training, he steadily improved year after year. Starting high school as a heavyweight, on the advice of newly hired coach Matt Bishop, he dropped to 215 his junior year.  Sokoll's dedication and determination along with Coach Bishops knowledge and experience set the stage for a promising future.  

At the end of this years regular season Sokoll entered the district tournament with a 35-10 record.  His efforts that day earned him the title of District Champion and more importantly, the privilege to compete at the Regional Tournament.

On February 19th, the best in their districts competed all across the state. Lakeland sent three wrestlers to the L'Anse Creuse Regional.  Junior captain, Brandon Calma at 112 pounds, junior Kyle Babin at 125 pounds and senior captain Sokoll at 215 pounds. The top four in each weight class would advance to the State Tournament.

First up for Lakeland, Sokoll took Macomb Dakota's Anthony Johnson down with an overtime win of 3-1.  Sokoll then lost his second match in triple overtime to Rochester's Marcel Johnson in a 6-5 decision. Storming back he defeated his third and fourth opponents, Don Dzierbicki of L'Anse Creuse, 4-1,  and Ethan Frick of Clarkston with another overtime decision of 6-4 which secured a third place finish. Next up is a trip to the Palace.

Wrestling is hard, real hard. This sport is grueling on the body and constantly challenges the mind. Coach Bishop has taught is wrestlers well and has established an up and coming program. They will continue to prepare in the next two weeks. Bishop will keep Sokoll focused, find worthy opponents for him to practice with and share in the excitement of Sokoll making it to the big show.