Beacon wrestling gets big win at Postlethwait 44-43, falls to Smyrna 47-31

Beacon wrestling coach Patrick Irelan and assistant Garrett Smith stay as amped as Apple Electric during Christmas season.

“This is one of our better teams,” Ireland said before heading into the shredder to face Postlethwait on the road Dec. 4 and then hosting powerhouse Smyrna Dec. 6.

Beacon trailed at Postlethwait 43-13 and came all the way back for a dramatic 44-43 win, which was decided on the fourth tiebreaker, as Beacon outpinned Postlethwait 6-5.

The victory was secured when heavyweight Lucas Ruppert got a pin in the final match.

Ruppert, a seldom-attacking heavyweight, also closed out the Smyrna match with a quick pin. Lucas pulls his opponent into his wheelhouse, then falls forward for the pancake pin.

Smyrna, with tough customers up and down the lineup, prevailed over Beacon 47-31. A 12-point swing in the match occurred when Jordan Baines was squeezing for an apparent pin, but got reversed and pinned himself by Kael Howell, the son of Kurt Howell, Smyrna’s head varsity coach.

“Two years ago, they beat us 82-4, so if you look at our program, then add the Mariner success, we are where we need to be,” Irelan said. “There is no doubt the Henlopen Conference is the best in the state.”

Beacon will wrestle at home versus Woodbridge Monday, Dec. 11, then face Mariner at Cape Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m.