Seahawks clipped by Cambridge-South Dorchester 41-37

Sussex Academy wrestling falls just short of first win of season

Sussex Academy sophomore William Hendershot celebrates his triumph in the 150-pound match, won with a reversal in the closing seconds during the Seahawks’ 41-37 loss to Cambridge-South Dorchester Jan. 18. AARON R. MUSHRUSH PHOTOS

Aaron R. Mushrush

January 20, 2025

It came down to the wire, but the Sussex Academy wrestling team came up just shy of its first win of the season in a 41-37 home loss to Cambridge-South Dorchester Jan. 17.

“Overall, I was very pleased; I've seen the guys doing some stuff I haven't seen them do all season long,” said Seahawks coach Justin Bennett. “Andy [Escalante-Roblero] hitting the fireman's carry out there, that was cool. Gabe [Hill] coming up on top with the pin.”

Bennett said his roster competed top to bottom. He was pleased with Ryan Buckler’s win and Jeremy VanPelt’s first dual-meet win for the year.

The 120-pound Buckler scooped the Seahawks’s first win, setting off a string of Sussex Academy wins. VanPelt followed before Escalante-Roblero put on a show in the 138-pound bout.

“Honestly, I didn't really want to wrestle ... I just wanted to end the match right away,” Escalante-Roblero said. “I try to get us a pin as fast as I can. It's just he was a little strong, but I tried my best and I pushed through like my coach said to.”

The sophomore has a tremendous amount of faith in and gratitude toward his trio of coaches.

“Honestly, I think [Bennett] is one of the best coaches I've ever had. He taught me a lot,” Escalante-Roblero said. “He taught me so many life lessons, so many wrestling lessons and so many school lessons.”

Gabe Hill was also in for a surprise when he took to the circle at 144 pound and tried to end things quickly before being given a fight. Eventually, he settled into his strength and kept things close to the mat.

“I did go into that match a bit cockier than I should have, but once I got my legs, I knew it was wrapped for that kid,” Hill said.

One of, if not the, most thrilling match came from sophomore William Hendershot immediately after Hill’s pin. Trading points with the Viking, Hendershot found himself trailing late in the match before earning a reversal with about four seconds to go. The sophomore maintained his position on top following an out-of-bounds reset, and secured three points for the Seahawks.

Sussex Academy sophomore Rico DiSalvo kept things rolling with a quick pin, then senior Doug Horton followed it up with the fastest six points in wrestling – a forfeit.

Leading late, the Seahawks fought hard, but were unable to hang on to their lead, falling 41-37.

“Win or lose, you just can't go out there and get pinned,” Hill said. “You can't give up those extra points.”

The close match was a heartbreaker, but overall a good experience for the young program.

“Everybody was excited, everybody was screaming, everybody was shouting,” Hill said. “We were excited for our teammates, win or lose. With a lot of close matches, we had a better team environment.”

Seahawks sophomore Jeremy VanPelt tries for a single-leg takedown while his left heel is grabbed.

Sussex Academy sophomore Jeremy VanPelt looks over to his coaches for advice.

Seahawks coach Justin Bennett praised Andy Escalante-Roblero’s implementation of a fireman’s carry early in the 138-pound match.

Sussex Academy sophomore Andy Escalante-Roblero praised his coaches, Justin Bennett, left, Billy Ott, and Cory Lawson, not pictured, for helping him with wrestling, school and life.

Seahawks sophomore Andy Escalante-Roblero picked up his second fall in as many dual meats against Cambridge-South Dorchester.

Sussex Academy sophomore Andy Escalante-Roblero earns the victor’s hand raise after pinning his respectful opponent as the two grapplers compliment one another.