A group of Milton grapplers led by Mariner Middle first-year coach Johnny Longo fed their inner Cookie Monster with plenty of chips at the 23rd annual Junior War on the Shore held Jan. 4-5 at the Ocean City Convention Center.

Competing as Cape Takedown Club, Tyler Csala (74-80 pounds), Ty Tillinghast (85-92), Brady Ruffing (95-97), Skylar Erickson (100-115), Nathan Yuan (116-123), Ryder Gomez (128-134), Reeston Poole (132-139) and Wilbert Cruz (165-170) won their brackets in the novice division. Csala (fourth), Erickson (third) and Gomez (fifth) went on to medal in the advanced brackets.

Zane Longo (73-74), Jace Weatherspoon (82-90), Daniel King (120-125) and Caleb Olmstead (128-134) were runners-up in the novice division, while Gunner Glasco (132-139) and Max Yuan (120-125) finished third and fourth, respectively. 

Longo said the results are promising for wrestling in the Milton area.

“I hope to bring a culture to the Mariner team that was similar to what I experienced as I came through and was coached by [Cape head coach] Chris Mattioni,” Longo said. “Wrestling is big on culture and tradition, and I am hoping to teach that to these boys before they enter high school. I was really proud of the boys Saturday; a few of them stepped up to help coach their teammates or just sit in their corner.”

A few guys took advantage of the opportunity afforded to them.

“Wilbert Cruz really stood out and impressed me; he also needed the confidence on the mat, and I think he gained some of that this weekend,” Longo said. “Another one was Reeston Poole. He is not one of my starters, so I have really only been able to see him at practice; I was really shocked with his performance and how well he handled himself.”

Longo also looked to his leaders and thinks the positive experience will prove to be valuable to everyone.

“I really relied on three of my captains – Tyler Csala, Ty Tillinghast and Ryder Gomez. They also helped coach my sons if I couldn't be there,” Longo said. “Caleb Olmstead, Brady Ruffing, Skyler Erickson and Daniel King have all caught on quickly, and I believe [they] bought in to what myself and the other coaches are trying to bring to them. Having Andre Currie there was really helpful because he was just coached recently and maybe more relevant to the boys than I am; he reinforces the same mindset that he and I were taught.”

Mariner, which dealt with postponements before the break, was hoping to start 2025 with back-to-back matches against Georgetown and Fifer middle schools, but the snow had other plans.

“Even without the postponements, I have been wanting the boys to try tournaments on the weekends, so I think this was good for them, to knock some dust off after the holiday while also seeing some things they need to work on,” Longo said. “The boys, from what I can tell, just want to wrestle, so I know they are hoping to see those matches back on our schedule soon.”

Mariner (2-1) is scheduled to take on Laurel Intermediate at 4 p.m., Monday, Jan. 13, at home.