Andover started off an exciting wrestling season with an impressive 46-27 win at home against a scrappy Nobles and Greenough team. Looking to continue its winning streak against Nobles dating back to 2007, the starting line-up for Andover consisted of a mix of accomplished veterans and eager rookies looking to impress in their first matches as Andover wrestlers. The meet began at the 119 lb weight class, featuring Nikhil Baradwaj ’13. The match was hard fought, with both wrestlers battling tirelessly to gain an advantage. Although Baradwaj was successful in many attempts to pin his opponent, he lost in a major decision 8-5. Although the first match ended in a technical defeat for Andover, the team quickly bounced back in its next match. Three year veteran Brandon Sneider ’12, wrestling at 125 lb, quickly demolished his opponent, pinning him :31 into the match. The winning continued for Andover in the 130 lb match, wrestled by veteran Tim Arena ’12. Arena worked intensely during the match, thwarting every attempt his opponent made to gain a foothold in the match. Arena won a hard fought match with a major decision, 8-0, effectively earning his title as Wrestler of the Day from Coach Gorham. Needing a win to gain some momentum in the meet, Andover sent out Captain Ryan Gaiss ’11 to the mat, wrestling at 145 lb. Gaiss wrestled masterfully, completely overpowering his opponent from the beginning of the match. Although his opponent showed great persistence, Gaiss pinned him as time was running down in the 3rd period. Feeling confident after their win, Andover sent out Min Jae Yoo ’12, wrestling at 152 lb. Yoo spurred on by the entire team, battled the entire match to pin his opponent. The Nobles wrestler proved too much for Yoo, winning by major decision, 7-3. Anthony Tedesco ’12, a three year veteran, wrestled next at 160 lb. Tedesco used a combination of skill and veteran knowledge to overpower his opponent, pinning him midway through the 2nd period. Dominic Chang ‘11, wrestling at 171 lb, was unfortunately pinned by a very skilled Nobles wrestler as the 1st period ended. Veteran Ken Tharp ’11,wrestling at 189 lb, showcased brute strength and skill, pinning his opponent after a minute into the match. Khalil Blassingame, wrestling his first varsity match at 215 lb, was unfortunately pinned by a skilled Nobles wrestler, concluding the varsity matches for the day. Newcomers, Auggie Horner ’14, Christian Vallis ’14, and Corbin Lee ’13, each earned forfeit victories for the team at 103 lb, 112 lb, and 285 lb, respectively. Co-Captain Colton Dempsey ’12, unable to wrestle due to an injury, said about the team, “We were definently brushing off some cobwebs in this meet, but every wrestler outlasted their opponent, and every wrestler should be proud of their performance.” Andover wrestling looks to pick its season back up with an away varsity meet at Choate on January 8th. Andover will also be preparing tirelessly for their rival match with Northfield Mount Hermon, the following week, January 14th.
