Golden Knights outlast Cape wrestling 36-28
Sussex Central at Cape Henlopen wrestling Jan. 3 at Cape’s Big House featured two top-tier teams in Division I and Route 9 rivals.
The Golden Knights prevailed at the end of 14 bouts 36-28, winning eight matches with 12 bonus points, while Cape won six matches and earned 10 bonus points.
“A Central versus Cape wrestling match is just so much fun," said Central senior Gabe Cannon, who won by pin at 175 pounds. “All the matches were so close – it was intense.”
The match started at 157 pounds with Cape’s Brady Cole winning a 3-1 decision over Justin Negron.
“That was a big win for Brady,” said Cape coach Chris Mattioni. “It will do a lot for his confidence.”
Cruz Mota won a 4-1 decision over Cape’s Noah Diamond at 165, which was followed by Cannon’s pin of Jeff Rainier.
Cape responded with consecutive pins from Luke Arnold-Decyk at 190 over Jimmy McLane and Patrick Donahue at 215 over Ivan Flores.
Cape led 15-9 after five matches.
A critical swing match was at 285, with Landon Steele of Sussex Central winning by decision over Tyler Costello 6-3. Cape’s lead was cut to 15-12.
The match rolled to the lightweights where Cape’s Austin Guerrieri won by major decision over Austen Decker 14-2.
After the Vikings forfeited to Malachi Stratton at 113, Cape led 19-18 with six bouts remaining.
The Golden Knights won the next four matches. Jayden Mieth decisioned Cale Baker 10-8 at 120; Chase Murray won by decision over Tripp Gannon 4-2 at 126; Evan Cordrey pinned Max Meadows at 132; and Talan Savage pinned Colin Poulis at 138.
The score was 36-19 in favor of Central.
Cape won the final two bouts, as Nick Walker won a 5-0 decision over John Rovillard at 144, then Hayden Wheeler pinned Justin Craig at 150 for the final score of 36-28.
“These dual meets are battles and give kids exposure in a crowded gym with only one live mat,” Mattioni said. “It matters when it comes to the postseason and seeding for the state duals. We like where we are right now, and we know we will get better as the season rolls on.”
Notes - Cape’s Nick Walker (144) and Patrick Donahue (215) were weight-class champions at the Governor Mifflin Holiday Tournament. Placing third for Cape were Austin Guerrieri (107) and Cale Baker (114). The Cape team placed fourth in the tournament behind Quaker Valley, Pa.; Upper Perkiomen, Pa.; and Souderton Area High School, Pa. Cape will compete in the Iron Horse Duals at C. Milton Wright High School in Maryland this weekend before wrestling at Polytech Monday, Jan. 8. Sussex Central will wrestle at the Battle at the Bridge Friday and Saturday, Jan. 5 and 6, at Bohemia Manor High School in Maryland.
