Cape wrestling beats Lake Forest 77-0 on Teacher Appreciation Night
Cape wrestling was back on the mats Dec. 1 after capturing the Division I state championship in February. The Vikings took visiting Lake Forest to the Big House dark side, winning 77-0 behind nine pins, three major decisions and two forfeits.
“They are not a bad team; they had four state placers in their lineup,” said coach Chris Mattioni. “It’s always good to get the first match out of the way with weigh-ins and certifications. And the crowd tonight was tremendous. The Cape students really support our wrestling team.”
The event began with Teacher Appreciation Night, as 48 wrestlers invited a teacher and they all showed up.
The crowd came unglued when senior Jack Wiggins (182) pinned Ayden Young at 1:40 of the first period. That dramatic moment just wasn’t expected.
And in the final match at 285, Sean Costello pinned Tre’sonz Stanley at 2:11 of the second period. Costello was in the varsity lineup because Lucas Ruppert made weight but failed a hydration test. Ruppert dropped to 285 from his football weight of 315.
Holt Baker (120) returned to wrestling after a year away and recorded a pin at 1:47.
Transfers Josh Alvares-Ramos (132) won by fall and Andrew Schaen (138) decisioned Cael Moyer 10-3.
Mikey Frederick (145) pinned Abdullah Ahmad-Statts at 3:12. Frederick beat Ahmad-Statts in last year's state tournament for third place.
Cape travels to South Carolina this weekend for the talent-packed Southern Slam tournament. The Vikings will wrestle at Sussex Tech Wednesday, Dec. 8.
