IR answers quad meet with win over DMA on the mat
After facing some strong competition in last weekend’s quad meet, Indian River has responded nicely, pulling a convincing 40-29 win over Delaware Military Academy (DMA) on Monday, Jan. 30, leveling their overall dual team record to 5-5.
Coastal Point • Ryan Saxton: Junior wrestler Jalen Griffin (145 pounds) prepares to bring Delaware Military Academy's Geremy Cox to the mat this past Monday, Jan. 30, as Indian River secured a 40-29 win over the Seahawks.Last Saturday, Jan. 28, the Indians headed to Cape Henlopen, where they faced the hosting Vikings, as well as the Ravens of Sussex Tech and Woodbridge Blue Raiders. Despite falling to Cape and Tech, the Indians pulled through a crucial win over division rivals from Woodbridge, solidifying a 52-23 win and improving to 4-2 against Henlopen South contenders.
“We had some good matchups throughout the day,” said Indian River head coach Jeff Windish. “If a couple of those matches went in a different direction, I think we could have been on the other side of that outcome, especially against Sussex Tech. Versus Cape, I would have liked to see the Mohr and Wilkinson match-up, which many people argue are the No. 2 and No. 3 wrestlers in the state “ in their class.
Indian River’s Max Wilkinson earned a pin against Cape Henlopen’s Sean Sheehan, but the Vikings’ Samuel Mohr entered the 160-pound category versus Indian River, despite wrestling at 152 against Woodbridge and Sussex Tech opponents that same day.
Indian River followed up on Monday, Jan. 30, with a solid victory over DMA as they closed in on the final weeks of the season. After the Seahawks of DMA got off to an early start in the lighter weight classes, Indian River responded with vigor, winning seven of the next nine matches, with four pins.
Rashaun Odom (120 pounds) earned a major decision, while decision wins for Jalen Griffin (145 pounds) and Devontae Mitchell (160 pounds) helped propel the Indians to victory. Justin Lopez (138 pounds) pinned DMA’s Patrick Hagelstein in the second round, while Garrett O’Neal (126 pounds), Jake Troublefield (182 pounds) and Wilkinson (152 pounds) got the fans fired up with pins in the opening round of their matches.
“We came into today knowing that we had to win to keep our postseason hopes alive,” said Windish. “DMA is a well-coached team. The Kelley brothers, Pat and Darren, have developed a strong program, and we knew their kids would come ready to wrestle. They’re scrappers, and they come at you. Fortunately, we got what we needed and finished the matches we needed to.”
After trailing by a slight margin early in the evening, Windish knew the power his roster possessed in the middle weights.
“You really don’t try to put pressure on your team,” said Windish, “but there were spots where we needed pins and certain guys that we expect to deliver. Nine times out of 10, I’m sending Max [Wilkinson] out there to get a stick, and he did what he does best today. Jake [Troublefield]’s pin was huge, too. I knew that one was a pivotal match, and we knew what we needed to do at that point. That win put it out of DMA’s reach, so that match was really big.”
Even those who were unable to secure wins in their matches showed determination that would eventually lead to a win for the Indians.
“You look at guys like Eddie [Lyubchenko] and Colt [Kollock],” said Windish. “They may have lost their matches, but they fought off their backs and denied their opponents a pin. We asked them not to give up a pin, and they did just that. Colt was out there against a state-ranked opponent. All of our guys battled through it and, as a coach, that’s all you ask for. DMA is coming off some hot matches after getting a big win over Caravel, so for us to come out and put up the numbers we did, it feels good.”
This Friday, the Indians were set to head northwest to face North East and Aberdeen, both from Maryland, in an out-of-state tri-meet.
“These are two matches that we need to walk away from with wins,” said Windish. “If we can put those in the bag, I think those victories can pretty much lock up a shot at the state duals.” The Indians will round out the regular season on the mat with a Saturday hosting of William Penn on Feb. 4 at 2 p.m., part of the team’s Senior Recognition Day, then finish up the schedule with a bout on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. against rival Sussex Central.
