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Cape grapplers lock down Polytech 44-24

In an exciting back-and-forth match, Cape’s Eduardo Saez, top, wins a close 15-10 decision over Polytech’s Matthew Gordy in the 195-pound class. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dave Frederick
January 9, 2018
Cape’s Chris Handlin, top, works for a close 1-0 win over Polytech’s Evan Harris in the 182 class.
Cape’s Billy Ott grapples to a 10-4 decision over Panthers 220-pounder Dylan Craighton.
Anthony Caruso, top, took a 16-0 tech fall win over Adam Greenly in the 138-pound class.
Cape’s Jonah Robertson pins Polytech’s James-Michael Porter in 55 seconds in the 285 class.
Not the Wobble, just Chris Handlin getting out of a hold by Polytech’s Evan Harris in the 182 class. He won a 1-0 decision.
Cape’s Zane Kesler, top, points to his crowd after pinning Polytech’s Zachary Klinkenborg at 5:15 of the 160-pound match.
Cape’s Zane Kesler, top, stretches out Polytech’s Zachary Klinkenborg and gets the pin at 5:15 of the 160-pound match.
Cape’s Finbar Rishko pins Jalen Alexander at 1:35 in the 132-pound class.
Cape’s Dajour Bailey pins Polytech’s Austin Lebeau at 2:30 in the 126-pound match.
Cape’s Richard Garcia, left, gets tangled with his Polytech opponent and loses a close junior varsity match.
Cape’s Bryan Garcia, top, grapples to a close decision win in the junior varsity match.

Cape grapplers did some bump and run early in their match versus Polytech, sliding stalwart Anthony Caruso up two weight classes to 138. Caruso wasn’t fazed, earning a technical fall 16-0 over Adam Greenly and five team points to help lead the Vikings to a 44-24 win Jan. 3.

The match started at 120 pounds with Ronald Graham of Poly defeating Cape’s David Naselli 6-1.

Cape followed with a pair of pins by Dajour Bailey at 126 and Finbar Rishko at 132.

The technical fall by Caruso, a forfeit by the Panthers and a win by Andre Currie at 145 gave the Vikings a 23-3 cushion five bouts into the match.

The young Vikings went on to post a 44-24 dual-meet victory over a very respected Polytech team. 

Poly got back in the win column at 152, with Kenel Decembre earning a 10-4 decision over Dylan Ketchersid.

Zane Kesler of Cape earned a pin at 160 over Zach Klinkenborg, followed Avery Maya of Poly winning by fall at 170.

Chris Handlin decisioned Evan Harris of Poly 1-0 in the 182-pound bout, the closest match of the night.

Eduardo Saez, a crowd favorite, earned a 15-10 win over Matt Gordy at 195 pounds, and Billy Ott of Cape followed by beating Dylan Craighton 10-4. Jonah Robertson then won by pin over James-Michael Porter of Poly.

The Panthers closed out the match with pins at 106 by Michael Rodriguez and Chase Master at 113.

Delcastle tournament 

Cape then competed in the Delcastle Invitational over the weekend. The top seven  teams from the Delcastle tournament were Salesianum, Sussex Central, Sussex Tech, Delcastle, Delaware Military Academy, Cape Henlopen and Indian River.  

Cape results and comments from coach Chris Mattioni: Anthony Caruso led the Vikings with a first-place finish at 126 pounds. He was 4-0 with two tech falls, a pin and a major decision in the finals over Ta’Jon Knight from IR. Finbar Rishko (132) had a great performance in his first varsity tournament, finishing third by going 5-1. He had two pins and three major decisions.  Andre Currie (138) finished third with a 4-2 record. Chris Handlin (170) also finished third with a record of 4-1. He defeated Tyler Bunting of Sussex Central 3-1 for third place. Eduardo Saez (182) finished sixth in his first varsity tournament. “He is undersized, weighing in just over 170,” said Mattioni. “He is working hard and having success.” He finished 3-3. He was winning in the fifth-place match when he hurt his knee, which affected his performance. Billy Ott (220) was 2-1 and finished second. He had an exciting finals match, losing to Loma Thomas from McKean 5-2. Jonah Robertson (heavyweight) finished sixth in his weight class. He was 3-1, but injury defaulted his last two matches because of a tweaked shoulder.

Cape will return to the mat Wednesday, Jan. 10, with a match at Smyrna. The Eagles are 4-0 so far this season. 

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