Milford wrestling snaps on Senior Night, beating Sussex Central 48-21
“The nearer the destination, the more you’re slip-sliding away.” - Paul Simon.
The Milford Central Academy gym was a rocking full house Jan. 29, as the undefeated Buccaneers wrestling team of coach Don Parsley hosted the Sussex Central Golden Knights with coach Shane Miller.
“Sometimes it’s about wrestling and sometimes it’s about humanity,” Parsley said after his team broke away from a close contest by winning six consecutive matches for a 48-21 victory.
“We moved some kids on this Senior Night for reasons that were best for them,” Parsley said.
Central started in good shape at 160, when Tarryl Sturgis pinned Tyler Ayers. The Bucs responded with a pin by Rafael Mejia at 170 over Kody Lankford.
Sam Jones (182) snagged the Golden Knights’ only win by decision, beating Milford’s Marquis Gillis 9-3.
Milford forfeited to Tyler Karr at 285 and Jevon Saffold at 145 – Central’s two studs – but otherwise dominated the lineup.
Bevensky Augustine (195) pinned Terrance Frisby, and Anthony Diaz (220) pinned Hiram Lasher as the match rolled into the light weights with the Bucs holding an 18-15 advantage.
The crowd came totally loose when Emily Thode (106) pinned Lamaze Ross at 4:57 of the match.
“She is the toughest kid on the team in the wrestling room,” Parsley said. “I’m not surprised she won, but I wasn’t expecting a pin.”
Corey Messick (113), back in the lineup from early-season illness, won 7-0 over Dylan King. Jack Thode (120) pinned Evan Broomall, setting up a featured match between Trent Grant of Milford and Mason Ankrom of Sussex Central. Ankrom was leading in the third period when he got caught and pinned.
“That was a huge swing right there,” Parsley said. “Trent always finishes strong.”
Milford led 39-15 and it was all over but the lineup shuffling.
Aaron Briscoe (132) came from behind to beat Tyler Hudson 8-7, Tim O’Hara (138) beat Cole Jester 6-1 and Dominic Feightner bumped to 152 and beat Caden Cope 11-5.
Milford improved to 18-0 on the season and will close the regular season on the road at Caesar Rodney Wednesday, Feb. 5, and at Smyrna, Friday, Feb. 7.
“I think we can hang with a great Smyrna team,” said Milford assistant and two-time state champion Chris Drummond. “It will all come down to bonus points.”
Cape beats Dover
Cape wrestling won at Dover 60-9 Jan. 29, as the Senators forfeited eight weight classes. Cape’s Andre Currie stepped up to 182 and won a 5-2 decision over top-ranked Gabe Evans. The Vikings’ Finbar Rishko (152) went the distance to beat Justice Hefley 10-5. Dover’s Sam Arkwuoille (195) won 11-4 over Jackson Handlin. Dover’s Qualeak Bumbrey (220) beat Cameron Smith 6-4. Then Dover’s Qwantez Watkins (113) beat Josh Wright. And Cape’s CJ Fritchman (126) pinned Ian Russum at 4:32.
Cape will host William Penn at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1.
