Co-Captain Duncan Crystal ’10, with 82 career victories wrestling for Andover, wrestled two impressive matches this weekend, including a decisive 11-4 victory against a Governor’s opponent and a dominant first period pin against a Tilton opponent. Crystal moved up to sixth on Andover’s all time win list with his two victories on Saturday, and under his leadership, Andover dominated its competition, improving to a 9-4 record on the season. Co-Captain Ryan Gaiss ’11 said, “Duncan’s hard work in the room is certainly beginning to pay off as he climbs the wins list. He is always the guy looking to go the extra mile and now the wins are piling up for him. I’m glad to see that he is now receiving the accolades he deserves.” Coach Mark Efinger ’74 said, “In the tri-meet, the team beat our toughest competition, but there were certainly some tough individual matches. Nikhil [Baradwaj ’13] had a great pin using a half-nelson and Duncan had two more wins, moving him higher up on the all time wins list. Not only was this an impressive feat in itself, but he also wrestled our best competition of the day.” Andover started off the day in a match with Governors. Having to forfeit three matches, Governors was in a hole going into the match. Andover did what it could to maintian its edge over the competition. At 152 pounds, Will Park ’11 secured a 16-1 victory for five points in the second period. At 160 lbs, Robert Palmer ’11 had a first period pin for six points, putting Andover up 11-0 early on. After falling to an 11-24 deficit, Andover rallied to win the next eight matches with pins from Brandon Sneider ’12, Colton Dempsey ’12 and Anthony Tedesco ’12 to finish the dual meet. Andover crushed Governor’s 56-24. In the second dual meet of the day against Tilton, Andover saw newcomer Nikhil Baradwaj ’13 pick up a thrilling win by technical fall at 103 pounds. Sven Lerner ’13, who also won by technical fall in the Tilton match, said, “Nikhil had a great weekend, which is terrific for a newcomer. His pin in the Tilton match was especially impressive. Wins like this prove that his hard work during practice is certainly paying off. ” Andover also had pins from Brain Hanafin ’12, Sneider, Dempsey, Crystal, Gaiss and Tedesco, and smashed Tilton 59-15. This weekend, Andover faces off against cross-town rivals Andover High School. Although Andover High comes into the match an underdog, the rivalry will produce some exciting matches. Coach Efinger said, “Andover High School is a relatively new program and has only wrestled for three or four years now.” Coach Efinger continued, “Although they may be inexperienced, they have done a great job getting kids out for the team and teaching solid, technical wrestling. Although we may be favored, they are no team to be overlooked.”
