Ten Andover wrestlers pinned their opponents to dominate Tilton School and Governor’s Academy in Andover’s last home meet of the season this past Saturday.
Christian Vallis ’14 opened Saturday with a pin the first minute of his match against Tilton at 120lb. Vallis’s match marked Andover’s second win of the day, as it took the previous match by forfeit at 106lb.
Andover next suffered a loss at 126lb, but Co-Captatin Brandon Sneider ’12 brought Andover roaring back with a 17-1 victory at 132lb. Feeding off of Sneider’s momentum, Andover collected four consecutive pins from Sven Lerner ’12 at 138lb, Brian Hanafin ’12 at 145lb, Min Jae Yoo ’12 at 152lb and Colton Dempsey ’12 at 160lb.
Andover then took 170lb by forfeit before losing matches at 182lb and 195lb. After another win by forfeit at 220lb, Khalil Blassingame ’12 pinned his opponent late in the match to seal the win for Andover 59-15.
“I would say we had the best meet of the season against Tilton. Everyone wrestled hard and well,” said Yoo.
Andover continued taking its opponents by storm when it faced Governor’s later that day. The team first took its grip on Governor’s with a win by forfeit at 120lb. Nikhil Baradwaj ’13 then swept his opponent 16-0 at 126lb and Sneider and Lerner both followed with pins.
After another win by forfeit at 145lb, Yoo took down his opponent 10-6 before Dempsey recorded his second pin of the day, remaining undefeated thus far in the season. James Palmer ’14 took the mat next at 170lb and beat his opponent 5-3. Andover lost the next three weight classes before Blassingame pinned his second opponent. Despite a loss at 106lb and a loss by forfeit at 113lb, Andover emerged triumphant over Governor’s 47-30.
“The team really came together today and had a strong outing. This is a great meet to build off of and working up to tournament season,” said Vallis.
“We have tournaments coming up as well as the last dual meet of the season against Exeter. I strongly believe if we have the same mentality that we had against Tilton, we will finish strong this 2012 season,” said Yoo.
Andover Wrestling will next compete in the Northern Invitational at Tilton before its last dual meet this Wednesday against Exeter.
