Sussex Central Division I wrestling state champions posing with the state championship trophy, photo courtesy of Sussex Central Facebook
Smyrna – Sussex Central head coach Shane Miller used the experience of last year to motivate his team on what it would take to win the DIAA Division I state wrestling championship.
“Last year after we lost I took them into the locker room and told them we will be back here and remember what this feels like,” Miller said.
That would be all the motivation the Golden Knights needed as they rolled through the lower weights winning the first five bouts all with bonus point victories to win the DIAA Division I state championship 36-34 over Cape Henlopen.
The dual meet began at 113 pounds where Sussex Central put out one of the team’s best wrestlers in two time state champion Malachi Stratton who won a 19-3 technical fall over Cael Baker. Jayden Meith then won a 19-8 major decision over Hudson Senard at 120 pounds followed by Chase Murray’s 8-0 major decision over Tripp Gannon at 126 pounds.
Evan Cordrey recorded the first of two pins for the Golden Knights over Max Meadows in 1:34 at 132 pounds. Talan Savage finished the early run with a 16-1 major decision over Colin Poulis at 138 pounds giving the Golden Knights a 24-0 lead to start the match.
“Where we started when they sent out I was thrilled and I knew we were going to put points on the board, momentum was definitely in our favor,” Miller said.
Nick Walker got the Vikings in the win column with a 16-3 major decision over John Rovillard at 144 pounds.
Sussex Central then won the next two bouts when Justin Craig won a 7-1 decision over Noah Diamond at 150 pounds and Justin Negron won a 5-1 decision over Brady Cole at 157 pounds as the Golden Knights extended their lead to 30-4 with just six bouts left in the match.
Hayden Wheeler (165) pinned Maddox Roberts in 2:42 and Luke Arnold-Decyk (190) pinned Ivan Flores in 4:35 for Cape Henlopen. Those two pins sandwiched Gabe Cannon’s 2:26 pin over Jeffery Rainier at 175 pounds that would seal the match for Sussex Central who led 36-16 at that point of the match.
“When Gabe goes out on the mat we know he is coming off with six points. It’s always nice to have on the back end,” Miller said.
Sussex Central forfeited the final three bouts claiming their first state title under Miller and the third in program history.
Sussex Central’s Justin Negron looks to turn Cape Henlopen’s Brady Cole to his back during the DIAA Division I dual meet state championships. Negron won a 5-1 decision, photo courtesy of Ben Fulton
Chase Murray of Sussex Central (top) holds Tripp Gannon of Cape Henlopen to his back for nearfall points during the DIAA Division I dual meet state championship, photo courtesy of Ben Fulton
Malachi Stratton of Sussex Central finishes an early takedown on Cael Baker of Cape Henlopen during the DIAA Division I dual meet state championship. photo courtesy of Ben Fulton
