Seahawks wrestlers wrap up regular season against Lake, Laurel

A lot can happen in 15 days, especially in wrestling, and the grapplers at Sussex Academy will have that long to prepare themselves for conferences.

The Seahawks ended their year with back-to-back losses against Lake Forest (69-12) Feb. 4 and Laurel (73-5) Feb. 5. Despite the defeats, the squad had a few bright spots. Sussex Academy honored seniors Ryan Buckler and Talah Patton on Senior Night Feb. 4. with Buckler scooping up a pin for the Seahawks.

Buckler’s bully barely buckled early, but as the match progressed, the senior started to heat up.

“Later in the match, I feel a lot more comfortable taking my shots and trusting my moves,” Buckler said. “I'm happy it was a good match and I got to show up and show out for everybody.”

In the stands, a contingent of Buckler’s family and friends erupted with cheers when he managed to get six team points with less than a minute to go in the second period.

Patton’s supporters were also in the bleachers, sending love and receiving grins from the smiling senior. A tech fall resulted in her losing the match in the third period, but she left it all out on the mat.

“I was just trying to test out what he would do,” she said. “He blocked everything; he just wasn't doing anything, so there's nothing I could really do but try everything.”

Girls’ wrestling is emerging in Delaware, but Sussex Academy is a young program, leading Patton to wrestle against the boys. But you won’t hear her complaining. In fact, she thinks it gives her an edge in the girls’ tournaments.

“She's always ready to get after it, and I try to tell some of our younger guys that Talah is never scared,” coach Billy Ott said. “She's ready to scrap, no matter who it is.”

Patton will have fond memories of the moments on the mat.

“I'm just happy that I was able to wrestle, and that I've stayed with the program for so long,” Patton said. “It's built me as a person more than anything else.”

Wrestling is notorious for constructing character and inner-discipline, along with a few other bonuses for the old resume. Buckler’s coaches have noticed those leadership qualities in the wrestling room.

“Ryan has always been the type of kid that's going to be at practice, ready to go, shoes on and setting up the mats,” Ott said.