Smyrna uses five pins in victory over Sussex Central

Benny MitchellHeadlines, Sports

Brandon West 160lb Smyrna gets the Pin against Sussex Central photo by Ben Fulton BF Imagery

Georgetown – For the second time this season Smyrna head coach Aaron Harris sent his young heavyweight, Chi Chi Eule, out onto the mat with the match on the line. For the second time this season Eule delivered.

Eule, who at one point was the fifth guy on the depth chart according to Harris, recorded a pin in 2:53 over Michael Harmon giving the Eagles a 40-28 victory over Sussex Central.

“I have all the faith in the world sending Chi Chi on the mat in big moments, we are building confidence in him” Harris said.

The number two ranked Eagles improved to 6-1 in the conference and 7-1 overall on the season with rival Caesar Rodney left on their conference schedule. The two teams will meet next week.

The match began at 106 pounds where Sussex Central’s top ranked Malachi Stratton recorded an 18-0 technical fall over Warren Coates. The Golden Knights Chase Murray followed with a 5-2 upset over number five ranked Wyatt Miller at 113 pounds giving Sussex Central an 8-0 lead to start the match.

Smyrna answered by winning five consecutive bouts beginning with three time state champion Gabe Giampietro pinning Tony William in 58 seconds at 120 pounds. Qwantez Watkins followed with a 12-9 decision over Evan Cordrey as Smyrna took a 9-8 lead.

The match took a big swing at 132 pounds as Smyrna’s Jake Wagner won a 10-6 decision upsetting number five ranked Evan Broomall.

Wagner used two big throws in the first period building a 10-1 lead that he would not relinquish. Broomall chipped away during the final four minutes, but could not make up for the big first period by Wagner.

“I knew I would have to fight in this match, every opportunity I got I just wanted to score points and try to get a big lead. I felt comfortable once I got that lead,” Wagner said.

“Jake Wagner is a young guy and he does those big moves and we encourage them in practice all the time and he is the one that really tries them and tries them and tries them and he is also a good technician,” Harris said.

Jamar Wells then won a 14-4 major decision over Gunnar Abbott at 138 pounds and Tyree Heath was inserted into the lineup where he pinned Justin Negron in 5:03 at 145 pounds as Smyrna jumped out to a 22-8 lead at the halfway point of the dual.

The two teams traded bouts following the five match streak by the Eagles. Caden Cope recorded a pin for the Golden Knights over Michael Blair in 2:32. Brandon West then answered with a pin for the Eagles over Cody Layfield in 3:56.

Ivan Neal won a 3-1 decision for the Golden Knights over Derek Davis at 170 pounds.

Trailing 28-17 Sussex Central sent out Gabe Cannon at 182 pounds where he won a 15-0 technical fall over Shaun Atkinson. Defending state champion Josh Negron pinned Tyler Downward at 195 pounds in 5:16 tying the match 28-28.

“We needed to win the toss so they could send out first at 182, but they won the toss and we didn’t get the match up we wanted,” Harris said.

“Downward was able to go out there and show he was able to go with the state champ. It was 8-6 before he got pinned, great job by Negron closing out that match.”

Kael Howell recorded a pin over Ryder Robinson at 220 pounds in 1:31 setting up Eule to seal the victory for Smyrna.

Smyrna will host rival Caesar Rodney on Wednesday, March 3. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00pm.

Sussex Central falls to 6-6 overall, 2-3 conference and will travel to Wm Penn on Monday (weather permitting).

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