Cape wrestling gets pinned by Smyrna 47-12

The bleacher-stomping prelude was followed by the quaalude, as the Cape varsity wrestling team seemed sedated, as if in a hypnotic trance Jan. 18 versus Smyrna at the Big House.

Tyler Lecates, a 6–foot-6, 200-pound sophomore, a universally liked kid, got it going. He nearly got pinned twice in the final junior varsity bout, but then he caught the Smyrna grappler in his wheelhouse and squeezed until he got reversed fortunes and the pin. No one saw it coming. The crowd went bonkers.

The stage was set. Smyrna was protecting a 50-meet win streak against in-state teams. Cape was lying in wait, as everyone knew the Vikings had a chance.

Six bouts into the match that started at 285, the score was 28-3. Cape studs Anthony Caruso (120) and Max Norquest (132) got pinned by Cole Sebastianelli and Greg Baum, respectively. There was no way back against an Eagles squad with three returning state champions in Baum, Chase Archangelo and Larsen Wilson, along with Tony Wuest at 195, perhaps Delaware’s best wrestler, who was injured during last year’s state meet.

Cape would lose 47-12, as only Zach Flores (285), Vinnie Diego (138), Cory Lawson (160) and Billy Ott (220) would get wins by decision for the Vikings.

Coach Chris Mattioni: “We were outwrestled tonight. We made several mistakes, and Smyrna was able to capitalize on our mistakes. You cannot make mistakes like come out of position against a good team. When we did, they capitalized. Losses can be good if it results in a positive change and a refocusing of an athlete. It is better to lose now and correct mistakes so that we can change the outcome in the future. I am looking forward to the challenge moving forward and think it will motivate our team.”

Smyrna is the state champion until some team takes it away from them. Sussex Central, one of Delaware’s best teams, wrestles at Smyrna Friday, Feb. 10.

Cape’s biggest looming challenge will come when Milford visits the Big House Wednesday, Feb. 8.