Sussex Academy wrestling wraps season with Teacher Appreciation Night

Before the final dual meet of the year, a 62-12 loss to Sussex Tech, Sussex Academy wrestlers took time to acknowledge the teachers who have had an impact on their lives.

“I find that to be very important for not just the wrestling team, but also for these students to give back to their teachers who are coming to school day in and day out, working with them, trying to keep them motivated, keep them being a student, not just an athlete, which is something very important to us as a team,” said Seahawks coach Justin Bennett. “As coaches, we tell them all the time that ‘you’ve got to keep your grades up, we can't slack off in class,’ and to be respectful to our teachers.”

Sussex Tech put the pressure on quickly, as Drake Rogers and Anthony Andrews picked up pins before Gavin King’s relentlessness led to a tech fall. Sussex Academy senior Gabe Hill got the Seahawks on the board first, and William Hendershot doubled the home team’s score with another six points. 

“He tried hitting a headlock, and I have enough experience that I know how to get out of it,” Hill said. “Just rolled him right through, pumped to his back, got my four count and then from there, we kind of just went to work.”

Hill said he wanted to show his team that the Ravens were beatable at some weights. Hill was validated in his belief when Hendershot recorded his pin.

Sussex Academy sophomore Rico DiSalvo put up a good fight against reigning state champion Dustin Elliott, but the senior's experience led to a pin, right as DiSalvo began going on the offensive.

Seahawks senior Doug Horton suffered his first Delaware loss of the year, 7-1, after going the distance with Bennett Brumbley.

Despite the loss, Sussex Academy is looking forward to getting back to work for the post-season.

“Our guys are wrestling well, but I think at the same time, we have a lot still to work on,” Bennett said. “No matter what – doesn't matter if you're a state champion wrestler right now or not – there’s always something that you have to find, that you're going to have to improve on.”

Sussex Tech, which clinched their 11th win of the year against Sussex Academy, are also peaking at the right time, but they have a saying in their wrestling room: forget the rankings. Sussex Tech will face No. 1 Salesianum in the Division I state tournament Wednesday, Feb. 12.