MHS wrestlers down Sussex; fall to Caroline
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| Middlesex’s Steve Skelton (top) flips a Caroline opponent shortly before pinning him in the 220-pound weight division. (Photo by Larry Chowning) |
The Middlesex High School wrestling team faced a group of tough Caroline and Sussex Central grapplers on January 11 at MHS.
The Chargers defeated Sussex 38-30, and lost to the Caroline 48-24.
“Our kids showed a lot of heart in the win over Sussex Central,” said MHS coach Joel Anderson. “We also had a great Middlesex fan base to support us.”
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| Middlesex High School’s Blake Damron (bottom) wrestled his way back to victory against Caroline with a pin in the 145-pound weight division. |
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| MHS wrestler Ridge Ellis gains a foothold on a Caroline High School grappler on January 11 at Middlesex High School. Ellis won the match on points. (Photos by Larry Chowning) |
In the Sussex match, Ridge Ellis won on points in the 126-pound weight class; Devante Robertson won with a pin in the 132-pound class; Brandon Jessup won by points in the 138-pound class; Blake Damron won with a pin in the 145-pound class; Steve Skelton won the 220-pound class with a pin; and Vladimir Rowe won the heavyweight class with a pin.
“We came up short against Caroline, giving up 36 points to forfeits but still gave them fits by winning five of seven matches,” said Coach Anderson.
Ellis won the 126-pound class on points; Robertson won the 132-pound class on points; Jessup won the 138-pound class on points; Damron won with a pin in the 145-pound class; and Rowe won with a pin in the heavyweight class.
“I want to give a special thanks to the Lanette Beebe family, Bubbie Crown and all members of the Peninsula Youth Wrestling League who came to support our team,” said Anderson.
At the Franklin Invitational Tournament on January 14, Darrien Fisher took first place in the 170-pound weight class with a perfect 5-0 record.
Jessup took second place in the 138-pound weight class with a 4-1 record, which included the fastest pin of the meet. Jessup won “fastest pin” recognition in the tournament with a pin in 15 seconds.
Others to place were Damron, second place in the 145-pound class with a 4-1 record; Rowe second in the 285-pound class with a 4-1 finish; Ellis third in the 126-pound class with a 3-2 record; and Skelton third in the 220-pound class with a 3-2 record.
“Overall, we had a great tournament facing five good teams, Mathews, Sussex, Norfolk Christian, South Hampton and Norfolk Collegiate,” said Coach Anderson. “We went 2-3 as a team for the tournament. Nice job to our team!”
The Chargers will compete in the Northumberland Invitational Tournament on Saturday, January 21, and will travel to Caroline on Wednesday, January 25.
