After locking up their eighth straight undefeated season with a 10-0 record, the Smyrna Middle School wrestlers continued their dominance at the 2010 Henlopen Conference middle school wrestling tournament, held Feb. 22 at Milford.
The Eagles took first place in the team standings with 197.5 points, well ahead of second-place Beacon (125.5) and third-place Dover (121).
This year’s title is the third year in a row Smyrna has won the tournament, and the sixth time the Eagles have won the tourney since they first attended eight years ago in 2003.
Five SMS wrestlers were crowned champions at the tournament, while a total of nine finished in the top three.
Looking back on the team’s undefeated season, SMS eighth grader Jarren Wilson said it’s a relief to continue the school’s winning streak, which is up to 89 dual meet wins.
“It feels really great that we’re not the ones to lose it,” he said. “We thought we might have some holes, but our team pulled through.”
“We all did a good job,” he added. “We worked as a team, wrestled hard and never gave up.”
Wilson will move on to the high school, but he’s looking forward to seeing his younger brother, Kalen, wrestling for the middle school team next year.
SMS wresting coach Steve Stewart expressed his gratitude to everyone involved with the wrestling program.
“Coach Hewes and I would like to thank all the people who make this such a great program – parents, teachers and the community that supports us,” he said.
He also wished to thank the following supporters:
• Volunteer coaches Matt Bivins, Alex Roberts, Charlie Poffenberger, Brian Darrell and Eric Richardson.
• Support of Jody Wilson and Andy Gillan
• Managers/scorekeepers: Hannah Boyles, Jenna Scusse and Morgan Brady
• The Smyrna High School Wellness Center, Mrs. Voss and SMS school nurse Mrs. Willoughby
Henlopen Tournament place winners
76 – Joe Czajkowski, second place
82 – Travis Potter, first place
88 – Luke Russillo, second place
94 – Joe Russillo, third place
100 – Tyler Carney, first place
106 – Othniel Edmond, third place
118 – Corey Keen, first place
136 – Jarren Wilson, first place
165 – Dean Johnson, first place
Undefeated seasons
The following SMS wrestlers went undefeated over the past two seasons (2008-10):
• Tyler Carney (21-0)
• Dean Johnson (21-0)
• Corey Keen (19-0)
The following SMS wrestlers finished the 2009-10 season with an undefeated record:
• Travis Potter (9-0)
• Luke Russillo (8-0)
• Jarren Wilson (10-0)
Carney sets school records
SMS eighth grader Tyler Carney set or tied the following school records during his middle school wrestling career:
• 17 pins in two seasons (regular season matches only)
• 21 pins in two seasons (including two tournaments)
• 10 pins in 2008-09 season (ties school record)
