By William Darden Jr.
SMYRNA, De. – Smyrna and Milford were crowned Division I and Division II champions on Tuesday following the 24th annual DIAA Wrestling Championships.
The wins on Tuesday mark the fourth straight Division I championship for Smyrna, and the third straight Division II championship for Milford.
On the Division I end, the Smyrna Eagles were gifted a number one seed and a first round bye, before facing Cape Henlopen in the semifinals. Smyrna was able to pull out a 32-26 victory over Henlopen after trailing 26-20 earlier in the match.
The Eagles handled their championship match with much more ease, dispatching Sussex Central 50-15.
2016 State Champs (Photo Courtesy: Smyrna Wrestling)
“It was the best we’ve wrestled all year,” Smyrna Head Coach Kurt Howell said, “Momentum started for us with the comeback in the Semi-Finals, and we were able to carry that into the Finals.”
Congratulations to @smyrnahs for capturing their 4th straight Division 1 Wrestling State Title #delhs #dynasty
— WBOC Sports (@WBOCsports) February 17, 2016
In the Division II bracket, Milford was crowned champions for the third straight year, and for the fifth time overall.
Milford had a first round bye and faced Delaware Military Academy in the Semi-finals with a 50-24 win.
In the finals, Milford found themselves down 21-5 against St. Georges before storming back to win 57-24. Milford was able to secure eight pins in their final ten bouts against St. Georges.
Milford Varisty Wrestling Team (Photo: http://buccaneers-sports.com/)
Milford Head Coach Don Parsley tells WBOC his team performed well.
“The DMA match set us up for the final, and gave us a lot of confidence,” Parsley said.
Congrats to the Milford Buccaneers and coach @dparsley1962 on winning the D2 Delaware State Wrestling Championship Milfords 3rd consecutive
— 1st State Sports (@1stStateSports) February 17, 2016
