Canton wrestlers beat Seymour for first time

CANTON, Jan. 19, 2009 — In three tough matches, the Canton High wrestling team won just once but it was still a satisfying effort.

Despite missing four starters, the Warriors scored 30 points off Derby (14-2) in a 47-30 defeat and wrestled valiantly in a 51-21 loss to Gillbert (13-1). Canton (12-6) beat Seymour for the first time ever with a 45-30 victory.

“It wasn’t an easy day for anybody,” Canton assistant coach Ed deSimas said. “Derby came out 3-0 but they had to do their work. There were no easy matches for anybody.

Rich Jones and Nate Getler each finished 3-0 on the afternoon. Jones improved to 20-1 while Getler remained undefeated at 21-0. Nate Scull (152) was out with an injury after getting slammed to the mat last weekend against Gilbert, Ben Miner (160) was competing in a national gymnastics competition and Sean Delany (215) was ill. The other missing starter was skiing.

Still, the Warriors wrestled passionately. “We lost a few matches by a point because we let our guard down. I hope the boys will learn from that,” Ed deSimas said.

Against Derby, Matt White (103) dropped a 10-9 decision to Derby’s Matt Poppa, who scored a two-point reversal with two seconds left. Steve Carpenter (119) dropped a 3-2 decision to Vincent Delprete, who controlled Carpenter for the entire third period. At 215, Mike Frazier was tied with Derby’s Jesse Gilbert at 9-9 before he got caught in a move and pinned.

Getler (135) and Brandon Leach (140) each had pins for Canton along with Nate Haller (171).

Against Gilbert, the Yellowjackets won six of the first seven matches to take a commanding 33-4 lead. Gilbert’s Ross Lopardo (171) outlasted Nate Haller, 2-1. For Canton, Getler outlasted Tony Decato in a hard-fought 13-2 decision while Brandon Leach (140) outlasted Eric Parsons, 4-3. Carpenter (119) had a pin in 15 seconds.

Canton won the first six matches against Seymour to take a 33-0 lead with pins from Leach, Anthony Santiago (152), Greg Coles (171) and Nate Haller (189). Jones earned a 9-5 decision over Bill O’Donnell, erasing a four-point deficit after one period. Carpenter and Getler each earned a pair of hard-fought 9-2 decisions.

Canton faces Avon (13-1, 3-0 NCCC) on Wednesday at home before going to the Eagle Classic on Saturday.