Sports

Sports & Recreation www.oceancitytoday.com Jan. 20, 2023 Page 47

Decatur wrestlers perform well at War on the Shore

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Jan. 20, 2023) The Stephen Decatur wrestling team battled stiff competition during its annual War on the Shore tournament, held last Friday and Saturday at the Berlin school, finishing in fourth place overall.

“We wrestled really good. Everyone won at least one match, nine won at least two … and we had three guys in the finals and two won it,” said Decatur Coach Josh August. “Our goal was to get top five. There were some really tough weight classes where guys didn’t place.”

Twenty-four varsity teams participated in this year’s WOTS from five states – Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut – and the District of Columbia.

Mt. Saint Joes, a private school in Maryland, won the tournament with 243.5 points. Sussex Central of Delaware came in second place, scoring 218 points.

Xavier of Connecticut, took third with 175 points. Decatur tallied 158.5 points.

Seven Decatur wrestlers placed eighth or better in their respective weight classes.

Senior captain Logan Intrieri earned first place in the 132-pound weight class. Junior captain Gavin Solito won the 152-pound division.

Freshman Elijah Collick took second in the 106-pound weight class and junior Reid Caimi placed third at 126 pounds.

Junior Parker Intrieri came in fifth place at 170 pounds.

Sophomores Juan Hinojosa and Nate McDaniel placed eighth in the 113- and 182-pound divisions, respectively.

“It puts us in a good place. We’ve got some tough duals coming up,” August said. “We’ve got to keep the momentum going. We’re wrestling well and we’ve got to keep getting better. There’s always ways to improve.”

Five wrestlers representing Decatur competed in the girls’ division.

Sophomores Azariyah Johnson (171-185 pounds) and Chaniah Bernier (204-215), and senior Madeline Reed (105-109) earned first place in their weight classes.

Senior Jenna Danner (110-117) and sophomore Rachel Plata (124-125) came in second place in their divisions.

PHOTO COURTESY SD WRESTLING FACEBOOK Stephen Decatur senior captain Logan Intrieri earned first place in the 132-pound weight class of the annual War on the Shore tournament held at the Berlin school last weekend.

PAGE 48 Lady Seahawks wrestle well, SD JV team takes 1st

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In addition, Decatur’s JV team won its WOTS tournament.

This week, Decatur hit the mats with the Queen Anne’s Lions on Wednesday in Centreville and won, 55-12.

Logan Intrieri (138), Caimi (126), junior Kole Kohut (195) and seniors ZJ Lyons (145) and Eden McMullen (285) pinned their opponents.

Sophomore Amarian Manuel earned an 11-2 major decision at 152 pounds.

Solito topped his 160-pound opponent, 5-4, and Parker Intrieri outscored his 170-pound competition, 12-6.

McDaniel edged out his 182-pound opponent, 7-5, and Collick won his 106-pound match, 6-1.

Sophomore Aaron August topped his 132-pound opponent, 7-6.

Queen Anne’s forfeited the 113 pound match to Decatur. The Lions scored pins at 220 and 120 pounds.

“Queen Anne’s is really tough. We had some close matches,” Coach August said. “Our guys wrestled hard.”

Decatur’s seniors will be recognized during Wednesday’s competition against the Kent Island Buccaneers at 5 p.m in Berlin.

PHOTO COURTESY SD WRESTLING FACEBOOK Five wrestlers representing Decatur competed in the girls’ War on the Shore division. Sophomores Azariyah Johnson (171-185 pounds) and Chaniah Bernier (204-215), and senior Madeline Reed (105-109) earned first place in their weight classes. Senior Jenna Danner (110-117) and sophomore Rachel Plata (124-125) came in second place in their divisions. In addition, Decatur’s JV team won its WOTS tournament.

Decatur swim teams score wins over KC, Sussex Central SD Lady Seahawks focus on getting ‘offense clicking’

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Jan. 20, 2023) The Stephen Decatur swim teams picked up two more wins, topping the Kent County Trojans last Thursday and the Sussex Central Golden Knights on Tuesday, both in their home pool at the Pocomoke YMCA.

The Lady Seahawks earned a 12825 victory over the Kristina Watts Trojans.

Winning their individual races were: senior captains Natalie Canham (200-yard freestyle, 2:13.29; 100-yard backstroke, 1:07.90) and Kaden Hamby (50-yard freestyle, 27.78 seconds; 100-yard butterfly, 1:10.31), and junior Trista Harner (100-yard freestyle, 1:01.34; 100-yard breaststroke, 1:24.15).

Canham, Hamby, Harner and sophomore Kaolin Riser came in first place in the 200-yard medley relay race (2:09.29).

Harner, Hamby, Canham and senior captain Kaelyn Pizlo won the 400yard freestyle relay race (4:11.56).

Riser, freshman Emma Walsh, junior Hannah Allam and senior Katie Mitchell out-swam their competition in the 200-yard freestyle relay event (2:02.09).

“The girls’ team had a dominating meet, winning by over 100 points. The size of our girls’ team is a huge strength for us since we are able to score more points by having more girls in each event,” said Decatur Coach Kristina Watts. “Kent County girls did give us some good competition to challenge us. With only two more meets left we are trying girls in new events to see who will best represent us at Baysides and regionals.”

The Decatur boys’ team won their meet, 89-56.

Seahawks who placed first in their individual races were: senior captain Gavin Stearn (100-yard freestyle, 50.34 seconds; 200-yard individual medley, 2:11.18), junior captain Daniel Karcheuski (100-yard butterfly, 59.80 seconds), junior Mason Castanares (200-yard freestyle, 2:13.41) and freshman Jake Harner (100-yard breaststroke, 1:14.56).

Karcheuski, Castanares, Stearn and sophomore Gavin Conway were victorious in the 200-yard freestyle relay race (1:38.39).

The group also took first in the 200-yard medley relay race (1:48.87).

Harner, sophomores Chance Ponton and Bryce Gill and freshman Jamison Strawley won the 400-yard freestyle relay event (4:38.21).

“We have been working with the boys’ team to try to fill the events as much as we can to score more points since we are a smaller team. Our boys who are newer to swimming are trying new events and had a great performance in them,” Watts said. “Our veteran boys have been willing to do a variety of events to better support the team. Overall, our team is looking strong going into the later half of the season.”

The Decatur girls’ team also won by a large margin over Sussex Central. The Seahawks outscored their opponent, 129-33.

Decatur swimmers who touched the wall first in their individual races were: Canham (200 IM, 2:32.81; 100yard butterfly, 1:07.63), Hamby (100yard freestyle, 1:00.47), Harner (100-yard breaststroke, 1:18.28; 50yard freestyle, 27.22 seconds) and freshman Emily Henley (200-yard freestyle, 2:20.69; 100-yard backstroke, 1:09.34).

Canham, Riser, Hamby and Harner took first in the 200-yard medley relay race (2:06.51).

Williams, Harner, Hamby and Canham were victorious in the 200yard freestyle relay race (1:52.22).

Pizlo, Williams, Henley and sophomore Molly Hoffman out-swam their competition in the 400-yard freestyle relay event (4:31.44).

The Decatur boys’ squad came out on top over Sussex Central, 97-47.

Seahawks who scored a victory in their events were: Castanares (200-yard freestyle, 2:18), Stearn (100-yard breaststroke, 1:05.85; 50-yard freestyle, 22.35 seconds), Conway (100-yard freestyle, 58.06 seconds) and Karcheuski (500yard freestyle, 5:30.40).

Conway, Stearn, Castanares and Karcheuski won the 200-yard medley relay race (1:49.32). The boys also took first in the 200-yard freestyle relay event (1:38.34).

Gill, Ponton, Harner and Strawley came in first in the 400-yard freestyle relay race (4:46.64).

“The team overall was feeling a little sluggish coming off the [threeday] weekend and the previous week of workouts, but that is how they should be feeling at this point in the season,” Watts said. “We have just a few more weeks of hard work before we start preparing for the championship meets. This meet was special for us too because a former club teammate swims for Sussex Central, so it was a little reunion for us.”

Decatur’s final meet of the regular season was yesterday, Thursday, against the Easton Warriors.

The Bayside Conference championship meet is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4, beginning at 9 a.m. in Cambridge. By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Jan. 20, 2023) The Stephen Decatur girls’ basketball team continues to take down its Bayside Conference opponents. On Wednesday, the Lady Seahawks earned win number 11, topping the James M. Bennett Clippers, 46-18, in Berlin.

Decatur led 18-2 at the end of the first quarter. By halftime, the Berlin squad had Scott Kurtz increased its advantage to 34-4.

Coach Scott Kurtz said he sat the starters in the second half and gave his reserve players time on the court.

“We used everybody in the first half,” Kurtz said. “[In the second half] we wanted to try to get different girls looks and work on different things.”

After three quarters, the Seahawks held a 46-9 advantage.

“Our focus was to try to get the offense clicking,” Kurtz said. “Everyone has good games, but at different times. We can’t quite get everyone playing their best at the same time. It’s all hit or miss.”

Senior captain Mayah Garner led Decatur with 15 points. She also had three steals and two rebounds.

Sophomore Allison Swift chipped in with 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals.

Senior captain Shelby Rosemond had seven points, five assists, five steals and a rebound.

Junior Sadie Kauffman pulled down 12 rebounds and also had two assists and four points.

Decatur will travel down the road to face the Snow Hill Eagles today, Friday, at 6 p.m.

“Snow Hill has a nice little team this year. It will be a tough battle on Friday,” Kurtz said. “We’re going to have to be on it and play our best.”

The Seahawks will then host the Washington Jaguars on Monday at 6 p.m. in Berlin.

Decatur boys’ basketball team gets big win over JMB

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Jan. 20, 2023) After trailing at the end of the first quarter and at halftime, the Stephen Decatur boys’ basketball squad battled back in the second half to win, 81-75, over the James M. Bennett Clippers on Tuesday in Salisbury.

When the two teams went head-tohead in the season BJ Johnson opener on Dec. 6, Bennett came out in top in overtime, 81-73.

The difference between the two games, Decatur Coach BJ Johnson said, was that in the first matchup his team was missing three players who were sidelined with injuries, and junior captain, point guard Jayden Hudson fouled out.

“They capitalized on our younger kids’ inexperience,” Johnson said. “They all played in the second game.”

In the second competition, Bennett put 25 points on the board and held Decatur to 15 in the first quarter.

The visiting Seahawks chipped away at the Clipper’s advantage in the second quarter. At halftime, Bennett was on top, 42-38.

“Forty-two points they scored. That’s a lot of points. In the first half we had some defense issues. We were giving them second and third shots,” Johnson said. “We can score, our problem is rebounding and defense. We need to do a better job with that. We discussed it at halftime and we came out with a better defensive mindset in the second half.”

Decatur came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring its opponent, 23-10. At the end of the quarter, the Seahawks led, 61-52.

“The more games you play the better you get. Bennett got better and we got better,” Johnson said. “These kids really wanted to win that game. They came out [in the second half] and were locked in.”

Junior captain Brycen Coleman led Decatur with 25 points. He also had 13 rebounds, four steals, two assists and two blocks.

Hudson chipped in with 17 points, five rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block.

Sophomore Trybe Wise scored 15 point and had nine rebounds, one steal and one assist.

Sophomore Davin Chandler contributed 10 points, seven assists, four rebounds, four steals and a block.

“Bennett is well coached and they’ve got some good kids,” Johnson said. “It was a big win for our program. I’m happy for the kids.”

Decatur will take a trip to Princess Anne to compete against the Washington Jaguars on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

PAGE 50 SD indoor track athletes improve with each meet

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (Jan. 20, 2023) Stephen Decatur indoor track athletes get better with each meet they compete in, and it was evident during last Wednesday’s competition at the Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill.

“Although our team did not score a lot we did have several athletes continue to show improvements,” said Decatur Coach Brenda Hommel. “I will be readjusting some relay teams for the [Jan. 18] Bayside meet based on improved times by new runners in individual events. Hopefully, these adjustments will put us in a better position to score in the Bayside [Conference championship] meet.”

Twenty-four schools participated in last Wednesday’s meet.

The Decatur Lady Seahawks scored 12 points to finish in 13th place.

Junior Macy Woroniecki came in third place in the 3,200-meter race (12:46.06) and seventh in the 1,600meter event (5:57.06).

Junior Tiara McDonald took seventh in the 500-meter run (1:32.14).

Woroniecki, sophomores Clarice Piela and Alessandra Fernandez and freshman Ellie Cheynet finished in seventh place in the 3,200-meter relay race (11:58.20).

The Decatur boys’ squad scored seven points to come in 19th place overall.

Sophomore Brandon Karvoski tied for sixth place in the high jump, with a height of 5 feet 4 inches. Junior Waylon Hobgood took seventh in the 55-meter dash (6.92 seconds).

Hobgood, sophomore Ethan Cowder, and seniors Riley Calloway and Jaden Holland crossed the finish line in sixth place in the 800-meter relay race (1:42.62).

The final meet of the regular season is Wednesday, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Worcester County Recreation Center.

LACROSSE COMMITTMENT

Worcester Prep School senior student-athletes, Caitlyn Hoen of Bishopville, right, and Isabella Borsoni of Ocean City, recently signed letters of commitment to play NCAA Division III lacrosse at Mary Washington University in Virginia, and St. Mary's College-Notre Dame in Indiana, respectively. Hoen is a member of the Charles R. Jenkins Chapter National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. In addition to being a two-time All-Conference player on the lacrosse team, she has also excelled as a two-time All-Conference runner in cross country, two-time honorable mention in cross country, 2020 ESIAC Female Runner of the Year and three-time team MVP. Caitlyn is also a long-time equestrian, as she rode, trained, and competed for 10 years in various local, state and regional Hunter/Jumper events. Borsoni transferred to Worcester this year from Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn. At ASHS, she was heavily involved in athletics, various clubs and the theatre program. Also, a member of the National Honor Society, she chose to take the most rigorous curriculum available throughout high school, combining honors, IB, and AP coursework. Upon arriving at Worcester, she signed up to serve as the team manager for the varsity volleyball team and is gearing up to play on the lacrosse team this spring. She also serves as the captain of the East Coast Select 2023 woman’s lacrosse team.

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