By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Dowagiac varsity wrestling team learned a few lessons on Wednesday at the Montrose wrestling tournament.
Some really tough lessons.
The Chieftains won just one match on Wednesday, ending up 1-4 on the day in 10th place.
The Chiefains' lone victory came against Lapeer East in the opening match, 42-30.
Lapeer East went on to finish third in the tournament.
Dowagiac lost to host Montrose 65-7, lost to Clinton 40-36, lost to Napoleon 48-28 and lost to Carman Ainsworth 37-36.
Dowagiac coach John Green felt his team easily could have been 4-1 on the day had it not been for the fact that he was missing three starters.
Dowagiac was without Nathan Cottrell (family holiday) and Elijah Caldwell (flu) going into the tournament.
The Chieftains then lost senior Nate Behnke to a possible shoulder seperation.
Two bright spots for Dowagiac were senior Tony Stewart at 275-pounds, who went 5-0 on the day.
Sophomore Terry Prowoznik was 4-1 with three pins and a technical fall.
His lone lost came at the hands of a state champion.
Dowagiac's Deshaun Baylock also pinned Clinton's 152-pounder, who finished seventh in the state last year.
Dowagiac returns to action on Friday, Dec. 30 at the Big 16 team tournament.