The competition was split into two preliminary rounds this year, with weights from 106 to 145 pounds being held on Saturday and 152 to 285 being held on Sunday at Cape Henlopen High School. In addition to individual titles being on the line, the state champions in Division I and II will be determined by total points accumulated by each team, as opposed to the traditional dual-meet format used in years past. “I think the format we are using this year is the right way to go. While it may not be to every team’s advantage, it gives everyone a chance to compete and show what they have. With what has been going on, this is obviously the best way to hold the tournament,” Milford coach Don Parsley said. The finals will be Wednesday at Cape Henlopen.
Milford would get rolling at 113 pounds where third-seeded 8th grader Avery Copes has advanced to the semifinals, where he will face Saint Georges junior and second-seeded Matthew Meadows. Being so young, the match presents a huge challenge for Avery but Parsley believes he is up to the task. “Avery has been improving all season and now he has a chance to go against a well polished wrestler in the state semifinals. That’s a great accomplishment for someone his age and I expect him to give it his best, just has he has all season.”
In the 126-pound class, the defending state champion at 120 pounds, junior Jack Thode, the number one seed has also made it to the semis with a bye and two wins by first period fall in his bracket. He will be matched up against freshman Talan Savage of Sussex Central. Savage as the eighth seed, is one of the few lower seeds to advance to the semis and wrestled at 132 during the season. “Savage is a very good wrestler and he will be ready for Jack. Jack has been there before and he always comes ready, it should be a good match,” Parsley said.
Milford senior Trenton Grant, the top seed at 132 pounds, would win all three of his matches by fall Saturday setting him up for a semifinal match against fourth-seeded junior Michael Kling of Caravel Academy. Caravel has come ready to wrestle in this tournament and currently sits atop the team standings, even though they are a D-II school. “When you take a look at how Caravel has come in here and been very dominant, you know that any one of their wrestlers is capable of winning. I think this is going to be quite a challenge for Trent, it’s a match he better be ready for,” Parsley said.
At 138 pounds, junior Aaron Briscoe is in the consolation bracket, he will finish no worse than eighth and possibly as high as third. Also trying to “wrestle back” for a third-place finish is Avery Copes at 160 pounds, who after losing to the weight’s top-seed Joseph Nataracola of Smyrna in the opening round, reeled off two victories also guaranteeing at least an eighth-place finish. Not bad considering being seeded last in his bracket. At 195 pounds, Milford senior Rafael Mejia is still alive in his consolation bracket as well. “Wrestling back is so much harder than just winning out. It can be easy to just throw in the towel when you can’t be the tournament champion. I honestly believe it takes a great deal of guts and determination to wrestle back, it shows a wrestler’s heart in the face of adversity. That is what this sport is all about,” Parsley said.
Milford has faired well, there is one thing missing however, fans. With no fans in attendance the tournament has taken on a different feel. “It has been a little strange, usually it’s very boisterous in here and that really enhances the atmosphere. The good news is that for the finals each wrestler will be allowed two people in attendance, I think that should really liven things up a bit,” Parsley said.
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