Sports

Sports & Recreation www.oceancitytoday.com Apr. 22, 2022 Page 58

PHOTO COURTESY STEPHEN DECATUR WRESTLING FACEBOOK

WRESTLING TEAM CELEBRATED

The Stephen Decatur wrestling team was recognized for its accomplishments this winter season during Tuesday’s Worcester County Public Schools Board of Education meeting in Newark.

August new Decatur head wrestling coach

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (April 22, 2022) Josh August was recently named the new Stephen Decatur varsity wrestling team’s head coach.

“It’s an honor. Not everyone gets the chance to take over a four-time, state championship-level team, especially on the Eastern Shore,” August said. “There’s a lot of expectations within the team itself … There’s like a legacy behind Decatur wresting and I’d like to continue to keep that going. It’s a big undertaking, and like I said there’s pressure to continue to be good, but it’s pressure we’re putting on ourselves, and I look forward to it.”

August, an assistant coach with the program for six years, will be taking over for Todd Martinek, who announced at the beginning of the season that after 29 years, this would be his last coaching the Decatur wrestling team.

“As an alumni, Josh has more devotion, loyalty and knowledge than anyone around,” said Martinek, who was named Bayside Coach of the Year this past season – his third time overall – and was also just recognized as State Coach of the Year. In November, Martinek was honored for lifetime service to wrestling during the 2021 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Maryland Chapter induction ceremony. “[Josh] was the head coach of the 2021 club team that won a state championship over the covid season. While coaching here, he certainly knows what it takes to win and the sacrifices coaches make of their own time and energy. He is the right guy for this job.”

August wrestled for Decatur all four years of high school, from 19962000. He went into the Marines for 14 years, then got his teaching degree at Salisbury University. He was hired in 2016 as a longterm substitute.

In 2017 he became the instructor of the Naval Science class at Decatur, which is part of the Navy JROTC program.

August said over the years he’s adapted the way Martinek has coached.

“He’s very technical. He was a good coach in the [practice] room. We wrestled hard, we pushed the pace and our kids were in shape,” he said. “They wrestled tough competition all year and I think that helps us at the state tournament and to have success as a team. I plan to stick with the coaching style and philosophy, because it’s been working and I don’t feel like I have to try and change it.”

August said he has learned a lot from Martinek.

“There’s a lot involved that people don’t see. I’ve tried to pick his brain and take what I could over the last few seasons,” he said. “I’ve known Todd since I was 15 years old. I’m 40 now. He’s been around the game for a long time. He’s a wealth of knowledge.

“He definitely left the program in a good position to move on. We were lucky we had him,” he continued. “We talk every day. I’ve known he was leaving, but I didn’t know I was going to be the coach, and he’s been giving me pointers. I have all the practice stuff, he kind of knew he was going to hand it down to someone.”

August praised the Decatur coaching staff, all of who plan to return next season. Some new coaches may also be added.

“We’re lucky. We have a good coaching staff,” he said. “You can’t do it with just one. They’re great.”

This past winter, the Decatur squad went 14-1 during the regular season (26-1 overall), and captured its third consecutive regional dual and state dual titles.

Decatur also won the Bayside Conference championship title by more than 100 points. Decatur took home

the Bayside Conference championship 10 consecutive seasons (2002-2011), then again in 2017, 2019 and 2020. There was no wrestling season last year because of covid. Several wrestlers also won individual Bayside and regional titles this winter season. Twelve wrestlers – seven boys and five girls – competed in the MPSSAA 1A/2A state championship meet in March, and six came home with medals. August said his goal is to get back to the state dual finals next season. Josh August “I know we have the team that can get there,” he said.

SD tennis players perform well against NC competition

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (April 22, 2022) The Stephen Decatur tennis teams faced solid competition when North Bayside Conference team, North Caroline, came to Berlin on Wednesday.

“It’s the first time we’ve played a [Bayside Conference] north team in eight or nine years,” said Jamie Greenwood, coach of the Decatur girls’ squad. “They’re the only north school we’re playing this year, but we’ll look to schedule more teams in the future.”

The Decatur girls’ team won three matches and lost four, but Greenwood was pleased with the Lady Seahawks’ performance.

“Overall I was happy with the way we played and the way we fought. It was good to see some competition, especially going into the state tournament. We’re just two weeks from the [regular] season ending,” he said. “We went in blind. We knew nothing about them and that was the challenging part for us playing against players we haven’t seen. I thought we were all evenly matched. The three matches we lost could have easily gone the other way.”

Decatur junior Ridgley Lake won her first singles match, 8-4. Freshman Anika Karli outscored her fourth singles opponent, 8-1.

Freshman Brooke Berquist and junior Paula Magathan topped their third doubles competition, 8-6. See PLAYING Page 59

WP tennis teams playing well with tourney coming up

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (April 22, 2022) The Worcester Prep boys’ tennis team earned victories over the Gunston School Herons and Sussex Central Golden Knights last week.

The Mallards won 5-2 over Gunston last Tuesday in Centreville.

“I thought they played well,” said Prep Coach Terry Underkoffler. “Gunston jumbled their lineup to create favorable matchups. We adjusted pretty well. We still need to serve stronger to gain an advantage.”

Freshman Aleksey Klimins won his first singles match, 8-1. Senior captain Riley Schoch outscored his third singles opponent, 8-4. Senior captain Graham McCabe edged out his fourth singles opponent, 8-5.

Junior Ian Lewis and sophomore Carson Rayne won their first doubles match, 8-5. Sophomore Dylan Simons and freshman James Haley topped their second doubles competition, 8-3.

“Carson Rayne really stepped up in his first-ever match to sub in last minute for Jason Todorov. He and Ian played very well [and] aggressive at the net,” Underkoffler said. “Graham McCabe also had a dramatic finish. He was down 5-3 and won the next five games straight.”

Worcester’s girls’ team won three of the seven matches.

Senior captain Sumira Sehgal earned an 8-1 victory at first singles. Sophomore Natasha Richter shut out her third singles opponent, 8-0, and freshman Lydia Schwartz won, 8-4, at fourth singles.

“Gunston had great energy today. They came ready to play, so credit to them,” said Prep Coach Kevin Chalk. “We had some close matches that were competitive to the end, especially the second doubles match, which came down to a few points. We definitely were overthinking out there, but there’s no doubt that our opponents had the competitive edge.”

Worcester hosted Sussex Central last Thursday in Berlin.

The boys’ team won, 6-1.

Schoch (8-0), McCabe (8-3) and Todorvo (8-6) topped their third through fifth singles opponents. Sussex forfeited the first singles match.

Lewis and junior JR Hamer shut out their first doubles competition, 80. Freshman James Haley and Simons took down their second doubles opponent, 8-0.

“They played well. Got to give big credit to Jason Todorov. He was losing 6-3, came back and won [his] first singles match [ever],” Underkoffler said. “We’re coming along nicely [but] still are not ‘tournament ready.’ We need to be able to construct points more than one way.”

The Lady Mallards also won, 6-1.

Sehgal (8-0), junior Morgan Schoch (8-0), sophomore Lebby Becker (8-4), Richter (8-2) and Schwartz (8-0) recorded first through fifth singles victories.

Freshmen Angeline Todorov and Savannah Palmisano edged out their second doubles competition, 8-5.

“The team bounced back from our recent loss exceptionally well,” Chalk said. “They played with purpose and energy. I’m particularly proud of the win at second doubles because it was the first time those two had played together in a competitive match … so they have a bright future together as a team.”

There are only about two weeks remaining before the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference tournament.

“We’ve had a couple of close matches and that has toughened us up,” Chalk said. “At this point, we’ve learned not to be overconfident and not to take any opponent for granted. Our seniors are providing wonderful leadership and the team feels very cohesive at this point, so I’m hopeful that our success will continue in the second half of the season.”

Worcester will take a trip to Delaware to play the Sussex Academy Seahawks on Monday at 4 p.m.

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY (Right) Stephen Decatur freshman Anika Karli outscored her fourth singles North Caroline opponent, 8-1, on Wednesday in Berlin. (Left) Sophomore David Janney and partner, sophomore Matt Beck, were successful, 8-1, at second doubles.

Playing against good tennis squads benefits Decatur

Continued from Page 58

The Decatur boys’ squad won, 5-2.

“North Caroline was a good team. They’re well coached. The [Bayside] north is a little bit stronger so they’re used to having tough competition,” Decatur Coach Steve Berquist said.

Senior captain Noah Fisher earned an 8-2 victory at first singles. Sophomore Matt Beck won, 8-1, at fourth singles.

Fisher and senior captain Ben Johnson shut out their first doubles opponent, 8-0.

Beck and sophomore David Janney were successful, 8-1, at second doubles.

Senior Ethan Hansford and sophomore Jacob Ritz won, 8-1, at third doubles.

“It was good competition for us to prepare for the post-season. Playing better teams will benefit us,” Berquist said. “I’m glad we got the opportunity to play a good team. We played well with not being able to practice over spring break – some did play on their own – and not great weather [the two days before the match]. With the amount of practice, they showed up today and I was pleasantly surprised.”

Decatur will host the Pocomoke Warriors today, Friday, at 4 p.m. The Seahawks will then head to Princess Anne on Monday to play the Washington Jaguars at 4 p .m.

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LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY Stephen Decatur sophomore Brycen Coleman sprints to first base during Wednesday’s game against Queen Anne’s in Berlin. Decatur won, 7-6.

Serving Maryland and Delaware OFFERING COMPETITIVE PAY AND BENEFITS CALL US TODAY AT 410-641-1434 OR APPLY ONLINE ARCTICHEATANDAIR.COM Decatur baseball team holds off Queen Anne’s, wins 7-6

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (April 22, 2022) The Stephen Decatur baseball team held off the Queen Anne’s Lions to win, 7-6, on Wednesday in Berlin.

“Queen Anne’s hit well, they run pretty well, they play defense,” said Decatur Coach Rich Ferro. “We jumped out 5-1 after three and then they crept back in [with] some timely hits.

“We had some issues defensively, but as a coaching staff we were talking that we were really happy that they kind of didn’t back down from it,” he continued. “They could easily have just sat there and gotten quiet. They were still in there hanging around making sure that we had good at-bats and came back through.”

Decatur scored one run in the bottom of the first inning. Queen Anne’s tied it up in the top of the third.

The Seahawks added four in the bottom of the third inning to take a 51 lead.

The Lions cut the lead to two, tallying two runs in the top of the fourth. Decatur tacked on one in the bottom of the inning to pull ahead, 6-3.

Queen Anne’s scored two in the fifth to only trail by one. Decatur then made it 7-5 in the bottom of the sixth, before Queen Anne’s added one in the top of the seventh.

With runners on second and third in the top of the seventh and with two outs, Decatur junior pitcher Ryan McLaughlin struck out the final batter to end the game.

“Ryan normally starts. He’s not used to relieving, so it’s one of those things where you just kind of feel it could either be good or really bad because he could have been a little bit cold,” Ferro said. “It takes time. If he starts off in the first he has a little bit of time to get loose and we can suffer through a hiccup here and there, but when you come into the game in the seventh there’s no room, so he has to be near perfect or reduce any type of free passes.”

Senior Logan Tapman started on the mound. He struck out three, gave up eight hits and five runs and walked one in six innings.

McLaughlin struck out one, walked two and gave up a run in the final inning.

Sophomores AJ Kolb, Caden Shockley (one RBI) and Brycen Coleman (one RBI), junior Stephen Wade (two RBIs) and McLaughlin (one RBI) had one hit each.

“They keep themselves in the game, which is good. That makes your life a little bit easier that you don’t have to worry about having to tell them to get excited,” Ferro said. “We got some timely hits and I thought we had some good at-bats, but then we kind of threw some bats away with swinging at pitches. We could have gotten some more free passes, some more walks, but we chased a little bit. We took extra bases on passed balls and dirt balls. We were intelligently aggressive on the bases, which I liked.”

Decatur will head to Princess Anne on Monday to play the Washington Jaguars at 4 p.m. On Tuesday, the Seahawks will host the Parkside Rams at 4 p.m.

With runners on second and third in the top of the seventh and with two outs, Decatur junior pitcher Ryan McLaughlin struck out the final Queen Anne’s batter to end the game.

Draw controls key for Wor. Prep girls’ lacrosse squad

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (April 22, 2022) Tied 4-4 at halftime, the Worcester Prep girls’ lacrosse team outscored the Salisbury School Dragons, 7-1, in the second half to win Wednesday’s game, 11-5.

“Draw controls. We possessed the ball more [in the second half], and our defense tightened up and didn’t give them opportunities to score,” Prep Coach Chris Williams said after the game in Salisbury. “On offense, Emma and Myranda took charge and made the plays we needed.”

Freshman Emma Zajdel scored seven goals and had one assist. Senior captain Myranda Beebe netted four goals with one assist and four draw controls.

“I also felt we were ‘tight’ in the first half. Many unforced turnovers,” Williams added. “We relaxed and had fun in the second half. They played the type of lacrosse we try to practice.”

Sophomore captain Caitlin Williams recorded eight saves in goal for Worcester.

Junior captain Caitlin Hoen was dominant on draw, Coach Williams added, with three draw controls.

“I really thought we got our spark from great play on the draw circle,” he said. “We are on a two-game win streak [with] sole possession of second place in conference right now.”

Worcester will host St. Mary’s Ryken today, Friday, at 4 p.m. Salisbury School will come to Berlin on Monday for a 4 p.m. match against Worcester.

DECATUR LACROSSE

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Stephen Decatur junior Jessica Beck is ready for a shot during Wednesday’s game against Queen Anne’s in Berlin. She played in the goal in the first half and recorded three saves. Decatur lost, 166.

Boys ‘out of the gates fast’ and keep ‘foot on the gas’

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (April 22, 2022) The Worcester Prep boys’ lacrosse team outscored the Salisbury School Dragons, 15-4, on Wednesday in Berlin.

The Mallards led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and 12-1 at halftime. After three, the Prep team held a 142 advantage.

Freshman Ryan Mann had five goals and an assist. Junior captain Griffin Jones chipped in with four goals and four assists.

Junior captain Jack Gardner netted three goals and had three assists, and freshman Jack Lynch scored two.

Sophomore Hunter Simons netted one goal and sophomore Dylan McGovern tallied four assists.

“Offensively, our attack accounted for 14 of our 15 goals … In our last two games we have outscored our opponents 35-8. We have been able to get out of the gates fast, and have kept our foot on the gas in order to put the other teams away,” Prep Coach Drew Haugh said. “Everybody has contributed to our success. Many of the less experienced guys have logged a lot of minutes in the last two games. When everybody plays, it’s that much sweeter.”

Sophomore Connor Ferguson recorded eight saves in goal for Worcester.

“We felt it was a good opportunity See FERGUSON Page 62

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY (Left) Sophomore Dylan McGovern controls the ball for Worcester Prep during Wednesday’s game against Salisbury School in Berlin. He had four assists. (Right) Freshman Jack Lynch scored two goals in the 15-4 victory.

Ferguson solid performance in goal

Continued from Page 61 to get Connor some playing time in the goal, as you never know when you may need your backup,” Haugh said. “Connor has never played lacrosse before this year, but has embraced the sport and has shown an unmatched enthusiasm to do whatever we wanted him to do to contribute to the team. He’s a coach’s dream-type player that puts his ego to the side and steps up to volunteer to do whatever it is he can do to help the team.

“Connor earned the right to start this game, and he proved himself from the get-go,” Haugh continued. “He had eight very nice saves, he cleared the ball effectively, and four or five times he hustled to the end line to get us possession of the ball off of the other team’s shot. Very headsup play for a first-time starter.”

Haugh said Ferguson has also been helping to give the team some depth at midfield, especially as a defensive short stick.

Worcester will travel to Centreville to play the Gunston School Herons today, Friday, at 4 p.m. On Monday, the Mallards will face Stephen Decatur on the Seahawks’ home field down the road in Berlin at 5 p.m. FILL

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