Cape wrestling beats Milford 41-31 on Teacher Appreciation Night
A magic moment on the mat brought to you by Cape’s Teacher Appreciation Night. It all started with case of a strep throat that kept Patrick Donahue out of the lineup at 215.
Cape was hosting Milford, once again powered by head coach Don Parsley after a five-year hiatus. Parsley, retired from teaching, also drives the team bus.
Cape escaped its own Big House with a 41-31 victory, with the knockout delivered in the 215-pound bout when Daniel Calderon – who weighed in at 189 – pinned Xavier Avellanet in 41 seconds.
The victory was the first varsity win for Calderon.
“I was confident and ready for the moment,” Calderon said. “I didn’t want to let my teammates down. I’m on a decent plan. I started at 220 hoping I can get to 175.”
Calderon’s chosen teacher was Nikki Miller, his principal as a freshman. He has invited Miller the last four years.
“The principal's office to the wrestling room, that's the backstory with Dan," said assistant coach Shane Jensen. “That’s what keeps him anchored.”
Miller stayed through all the bouts and was there to congratulate Calderon after his big night.
“This is just so great for him,” Miller said.
Cape garnered 41 points thanks to pins by Blake Walker at 112, Austin Guerrieri at 120, Jacob Goodsell at 175 and Daniel Calderon at 215.
Max Meadows at 138 and Nick Walker at 157 received forfeits. There was a double forfeit at 150.
Cale Baker at 126 won by tech fall.
Milford wins by pin came from Ryan Farissier at 106, Davonne Dallas at 144 and Brian Seward at 190. Milford tech falls came from Jami White at 165 and Greg Lockett at 285.
Dan Mcelwee at 132 won by decision 9-3 over Cape’s Tripp Gannon.
Notes - Cape will go beast mode Dec. 21-22, competing in the Beast of the East tournament at the Bob Carpenter Center on the University of Delaware campus. “We’re bringing 10 wrestlers to the tournament,” said coach Chris Mattioni. Cape's next dual meet is Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Sussex Central. Douglas Horton of Sussex Academy won the 175-pound weight class at the recent Delmar Invitational. The Seahawks are coached by Justin Bennett with Cory Lawson and Billy Ott serving as assistants. Caesar Rodney beat Caravel 65-8. The Riders’ Trevor Copes, who usually wrestles at 138, bumped up to 144 to have a go against Eddie Radecki but lost 5-2. Freshman Quade Cummings (120) won by fall over Logan Pleasanton. Cummings won the Seashore Striders’ Run With Santa 5K Dec. 15 in Lewes in a time of 18:39.
