Cape wrestling holds back DMA 39-27
Rehoboth Beach sits at the seaside center of the Cape Henlopen School District and the young athletes of the wrestling team understand the Rehoboth Beach Patrol strategy of “cover down” when the waves build and action gets serious.
“DMA is a strong team, but we match up well against them,” said Cape coach Chris Mattioni before the match. “It will be ranked wrestlers going after each other head to head.”
The battle got tougher when Cape’s Dalton Deevey (220) didn't weigh in – stayed home sick – and Luke Bender remained out of the lineup with an injury.
Cool Hand Lucas Ruppert (285) pinned Cael DiNigris in 1:54 to give Cape a 36-21 lead with two bouts remaining, as the Vikings went on to win 39-27 in another nail-biting, total-team-effort win. Cape won nine of the 14 matches contested.
Holt Baker (120) decisioned Alyssa Mahen 7-3, then John Wright (126) followed with a pin over Edward Orth in 4:46 to give Cape a 9-0 lead to start the match.
The DMA Seahawks came back with Daniel Williams' win by pin over Josh Alvares in 1:17 in the 132-pound match, and Dylan Deicollo (138) won a 13-8 decision over Braydon Cole. The score was tied at 9-9.
The Mattioni bump-and-run strategy gave Cape four hammers in a row, all of whom delivered.
Andrew Schaen (145) scored a major decision over Charles Perrin 15-4, Mikey Frederick (152) won 9-7 over Luke Spoor, C.J. Fritchman (160) pinned Drew Simpson in 3:21 and Carson Kammerer (170) scored a major decision over Steven Novak 14-5. Cape led 26-9.
DMA won the 182-pound bout, as Malcolm Roy pinned Jack Wiggins in 1:10, then Tyler August (220) pinned Sean Costello in 4:19.
The Vikings defended the lead with an Alex Taylor 12-4 major decision over Hayden Moaney at 195 and the Lucas Ruppert pin over Cael DiNigis at 285.
Gavin Mundy (106) won by fall over Jacob Goodsell in 1:03, then Cape’s Max Meadows closed out the match with a 14-8 win by decision over Matt Avery.
Cape will host Sussex Central Wednesday, Jan. 26, then wrestle at Laurel Friday, Jan. 28.
