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Two-mat mayhem: Smyrna and Caravel win dual-meet state titles

Individual Henlopen Conference Championships this weekend
Smyrna’s Joe Natarcola works to pin Ryan Mejia of Milford. DAVE FREDERICK PHOTOS
Dave Frederick
February 17, 2020

“If you can’t be the Big Dog you gotta be the Scooby Pup.” - Bloodhound Gang

Smyrna was the big dog hunted at the Feb. 15 DIAA Dual Meet State Championships. First, the Eagles had to battle back against a ferociously forward-charging Sussex Central team, then they had to deal with a Milford team that was an overtime takedown away from snatching a victory.

The Golden Knights jumped out 21-0 over Smyrna on pins by Jevon Saffold (152), Jaden Savage (160) and Sam Jones (182) with a win by decision for Tarryl Sturgis (170), but Smyrna battled back with pins from JT Davis (195), Hugo Harp (220), Gabe Giampetro (106), Isaiah Jenkins (138) and Joe Natarcola (145) to win 39-30.

Smyrna was right back in the fight a few hours later, trailing Milford 34-27 with two matches remaining after Jenkins (138) defaulted to Tim O’Hara due to an ankle injury. 

Natarcola pinned Milford’s Ryan Mejia to cut the deficit to 34-33. 

Then, Smyrna’s Bryce Mullen got a takedown of Dominic Feightner in overtime to secure a 36-34 win for Smyrna and a state championship.

The two-mat mayhem was rocking across two divisions through semifinal and final rounds. Caravel defeated DMA 43-19 in the semifinals then rolled over Woodbridge in the finals 57-7. 

Conference tournaments are Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21 and 22, with placing wrestlers advancing to the state championships at Cape a week later, Feb. 28-29.   

Expanded wrestling results can be found at trackwrestling.com.

 

John Antonio of Caravel is careful not to drop Hunter Smith of DMA on his head.
Caravel’s Luke Poore works to get Alyssa Mahan’s shoulders to the mat.
Sussex Central coach Justin Illian tells Jevon Saffold to just go out and pin him.
Jevon Saffold pins Bryce Mullen of Smyrna in the first match of the semifinals. Mullen would be a hero in the finals match.
Milford’s Gage Copes overtakes Quinn Bartkowski of Salesianum.
Central’s Sam Jones controls Kael Howell of Smyrna.
Smyrna’s JT Davis works over Terrance Frisby of Sussex Central.
Dylan King of Sussex Central gets a 2-1 win over Garrett Hudson of Smyrna.
Amir Pierce of Smyrna lifts Mason Ankrom of Central.
Smyrna’s Joe Natarcola works on pinning Central’s Caden Cope at 145.
Hugo Harp of Smyrna holds down Hiram Lasher of Central.
Smyrna’s Andrew DeBenedictis-Bayne and Central’s Tyler Karr roll out of bounds.
Andrew DeBenedictis-Bayne gets an overtime takedown and win over Tyler Karr.
Gage Copes of Milford gets a takedown over Gavin Sembly of Smyrna.
JT Davis of Smyrna pins Milford’s Rafael Mejia.
Anthony Diaz of Milford bides his time waiting for the period to end.
Milford’s Anthony Diaz moves up to 285 and gets a 19-2 tech fall over Andrew DeBenedictis-Bayne.
Corey Messick of Milford and Garrett Hudson of Smyrna battle.
Amir Pierce of Smyrna gets 17-0 tech fall over Trent Grant of Milford.
Milford’s Tim O’Hara grapples with Isaiah Jenkins of Smyrna.
Isaiah Jenkins hurts his foot and is forced to default.
Dominic Feightner of Milford and Bryce Mullen of Smyrna battle for the match with a state title on the line.
Smyrna wins the state title, but coach Aaron Harris reminds Bryce Mullen to go back out and shake hands.

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