Sussex Academy wrestling battling through Henlopen South

February is prime time for high school wrestling in Delaware and grapplers across the state are hoping to hit their stride in the shortest month of the year.

Sussex Academy has three matches left to sharpen their talons before the post season starts following the Seahawks 76-3 loss to Seaford Jan. 28. Before the Blue Jays ran away with the varsity match, the middle school teams of both programs engaged in a dogfight. Sussex Academy showed they will be viable opponents in the Henlopen South over the next few years as they nearly pulled off the upset, but ultimately fell to a talented Seaford squad 44-43.

Through a combination of pins, forfeits and wins, the high school Blue Jays soared to victory in every single match…except for the one Jeremy VanPelt trotted out onto the mat for.

VanPelt kept things close against Therrensky Alexis, but the Blue Jay remained in control for much of the six minutes. VanPelt flipped the script in the final third of the match and managed to take an 8-7 lead.

The Sussex Academy junior was on top and Alexis just needed to escape to force overtime, but VanPelt was just as stubborn with the advantage as he was while trailing and refused to concede the escape. Alexis had a chance with seven seconds and again with two seconds, but was unable to break free.

It proved to be the only three points Sussex Academy would put on the scoreboard as the home team took back control for a 76-3 victory.

Delmar will come into town for the Seahawks next match, set for 4:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30. Sussex Academy will have a few days off before their senior night against Lake Forest at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4. They end their season the next night, Feb. 5, against Laurel.