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Warrior Wrestlers Make Independent School History
A Delaware sports milestone was set last week, when Sanford’s varsity wrestling team reached the finals of DIAA Dual-Meet Wrestling State Championship—the first Independent Conference school ever to do so.
Though the number-two-seeded Sanford team ultimately fell 36–24 to repeat champions Milford High School, the Warriors, led by coach Cory Frederick, put up a tenacious fight, forcing the decision to the final bout after winning 6 matches.
Four of those six wins came by narrow margins: a third-period escape gave sophomore captain Brendan Lamey a 1–0 win, and eighth grader Niko Chilson and freshman Andrew Brooks won thanks to overtime takedowns. Finally, eighth grader C.J. Frederick earned second-period back points, and an escape and takedown in the third period helped get him a 6–2 win. Senior captain Erik Lundberg also gave the team a huge boost early in the meet. At the start of the second period of his scoreless match, he made the unusual choice to take the top referee’s position. He quickly demonstrated why by scoring a pin with a cradle.
Though even the dramatic overtime wins weren’t enough to overcome Milford, Sanford coaches emphasized the skill of the student athletes and the immense progress Warriors wrestling has made.
“We are thrilled with the growth and great success of our wrestling team over the past three years under Cory's leadership,” said athletic director Joan Samonisky. “This year, the team took another big stride in their pursuit of excellence.”
This year marks only the second time that a DISC school has even reached the semifinals of the state wrestling tournament (the first being Wilmington Friends in 2013). The Warriors’ accomplishment caps off a very successful 9–3 season for the team.
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Four of those six wins came by narrow margins: a third-period escape gave sophomore captain Brendan Lamey a 1–0 win, and eighth grader Niko Chilson and freshman Andrew Brooks won thanks to overtime takedowns. Finally, eighth grader C.J. Frederick earned second-period back points, and an escape and takedown in the third period helped get him a 6–2 win. Senior captain Erik Lundberg also gave the team a huge boost early in the meet. At the start of the second period of his scoreless match, he made the unusual choice to take the top referee’s position. He quickly demonstrated why by scoring a pin with a cradle.
Though even the dramatic overtime wins weren’t enough to overcome Milford, Sanford coaches emphasized the skill of the student athletes and the immense progress Warriors wrestling has made.
“We are thrilled with the growth and great success of our wrestling team over the past three years under Cory's leadership,” said athletic director Joan Samonisky. “This year, the team took another big stride in their pursuit of excellence.”
This year marks only the second time that a DISC school has even reached the semifinals of the state wrestling tournament (the first being Wilmington Friends in 2013). The Warriors’ accomplishment caps off a very successful 9–3 season for the team.
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