Cape grapplers deck unbeaten Charter Force 49-18

The Cape wrestling team spotted unbeaten Charter School of Wilmington 12 points Dec. 19, forfeiting the 106 and 113 weight classes. But veteran coach Chris Mattioni conveyed confidence before the match.

“We should be fine,” he said. “They have some really good kids, but I don’t think they have enough depth to beat us.”

Mikey Frederick, down to 120 for the first time this season, secured a first-period pin to cut the margin to 12-6. And it was game on, as Cape roared to a 49-18 victory.

The Force earned wins by decision at 126 and 285, but the Vikings cleaned up the other weight classes. And for the second match in a row, a team forfeited at 132 to Anthony Caruso, even though an able-bodied grappler had weighed in.

“There should be an extra penalty for that,” said Mattioni. “It’s not good for the sport if the top guys get ducked on a regular basis.”

Cape secured pins from Frederick at 120, Juan Lares at 145, Eduardo Saez at 182 and Chris Handlin at 195. Andre Currie, fresh off injured reserve, won by tech fall at 152. 

Cape will take seven wrestlers to the weekend Beast of the East tournament at the University of Delaware. Frederick, Finbar Rishko, Jackson Handlin, Chris Handlin, Caruso, Billy Ott and Roy Jones will test themselves against the best field in the nation. There is no ducking there.

The Saturday Beast competition is contested all day long on 11 mats, with the survivors returning Sunday.