Cape wrestling wins at William Penn, loses at DMA

Vikings to host Caesar Rodney Jan. 31

Austin Guerrieri controls Cole Perrin at 106. DAVE FREDERICK PHOTOS

Dave Frederick

January 28, 2024

Cape wrestling traveled north Jan. 27 to wrestle two top-tier opponents 10 miles apart.

The Vikings survived at William Penn in a match tied at 28-28 by outscoring the Colonials 11-0 over the final three bouts for a 39-28 victory.

A similar script seemed plausible at Delaware Military Academy, as the Vikings trailed the Seahawks 28-27. This time, Cape was outscored 13-0 over the last three bouts to lose 41-27.

“The William Penn match was the most important, because we’re both Division I teams, and it can impact the postseason state dual-meet seedings,” coach Chris Mattioni said. “We have Caesar Rodney at home on Wednesday night, and that is another big match. DMA is tough; they have a lot of hammers in their lineup.”

There were 28 bouts over the two matches, and the Vikings only had four wrestlers who went 2-0 on the upstate afternoon.

Austin Guerrieri (103) pinned Nazeef Bush of William Penn and won by 5-1 decision over Cole Perrin of DMA.

Cale Baker (113) pinned both Jayden Ellis of William Penn (3:28) and Cyrus Hurley of DMA (0:48).

Nick Walker (144) defeated Mikkell Myree of William Penn by 15-0 tech fall and Jackson Grandel of DMA by pin (4:47).

Patrick Donahue (215) pinned both Anthony Vernacucci of William Penn (1:20) and Emelio Messina of DMA (1:57).

The win at William Penn was secured for Cape when Noah Diamond (150) upset Nicholas Hendricks (6-4) to give Cape a 36-28 lead with only Brady Cole (157) remaining. Cole closed with a 5-0 decision over Jamir Ross for the 39-28 victory.

Takedowns - Sean Costello (285) battled defending state champion Cael DeNigris of DMA, staying off his back but losing 11-3 and only giving up four team points. Cole charged back in the third period, but narrowly lost to Malcolm Roy 6-4. Jeffrey Rainer (175) led off the DMA match with a pin over Nathan Wesberry in 44 seconds. Sussex Central accepted a forfeit from Saint Mark’s 1-0 as the Spartans cited flu and a slew of injuries for not sojourning to Sussex County. Delaware Military beat Salesianum 30-29 on a tiebreaker. Salesianum beat Caesar Rodney 40-25.