Vinicio Estrada-Zerhoudi and Isaiah Ferguson, CFNN Reporters

On January 29th the Cape Fear Wrestling team was victorious in two matches against E.E. Smith and Pine Forest. In the first match, Cape Fear defeated E.E. Smith, destroying their opponents 60-9. They then handled Pine Forest 53-20 in the second match of the evening. 

A big part of the team’s success was multi-sport athlete and Senior Nick Minacapelli. Nick wrestlers in the 220 lb. weight class and won both of his matches by fall. He explained what it takes to prepare for a match. “I tend to clear my mind focus on not thinking about anything and just making sure my mind is focused and know what will I do when I step on the mat.”

Minicapelli went on to explain what he loves most about wrestling. “It’s definitely about mopping the mat with your opponent. Just destroying them.”

Nick made it very clear that he has a prime focus on his opponent and he lets nothing distract him. 

Another great contributor to the Colts’ success, Jayden Paul, wrestles in the 170 lb. weight class. He won both of his matches by Fall (Pin). He pinned his first opponent in 30 seconds and his second in 4:49. “I’m thinking about how I’m going to wrestle this dude. Does he look good? Does he not look good? Stuff like that,” Paul reflected after the match.

Wrestling takes a special level of commitment and an intense work ethic.  Paul discussed what he loved most about this strange sport. “The drive, the people pushing to do certain things, hotels. Wrestling.”

The match began at the 285 lb weight class, or heavyweight, as some call it.  Brandon Petzel won by forfeit, earning six quick team points for the Colts. After a double forfeit at the 106 lb class, 113 lb wrestler Ariana Anderson, the Colts’ only female wrestler, won her match by pinning her opponent. This put the Colts up 12-6 over the Golden Bulls.

Another double forfeit at 120 kept it 12-6 in favor of the Colts.  At 126, Colin Spell won by another forfeit. Five classes in, no official matches had taken place. The 132 lb weight class saw the first real action of the night, as EE Smith wrestler Michal Gaston defeated Dawson Travis in overtime 9-4.  That jump started the energy in the match quickly as the Golden Bulls earned three team points, making the match score 12-9 in favor of the Colts.

Jose Paz brought the energy back in the Colts favor by pinning his opponent in just over a minute.  Two-time state champion and team captain Dallas Wilson kept the Colts in the driver’s seat with another pin in 1:04.

Eric Hansen, Jaden Paul, Mark Burks, and Vinnie Valentin also earned victories for the Colts.

In the second match of the evening, the Colts took on the Trojans of Pine Forest. Pine Forest built a quick lead 16-0. That changed when Dawson Travis tech falled his opponent in the first period. This gave the Colts 5 team points and all the momentum they would need. 

Dallas Wilson at 145 and Austin Hafer 160 kept the energy going with pins at 1:23 and 3:03. Jayden Paul jumped into the action and pinned in the third period at 4:49. Victory was in sight for the Colts after Mark Burks pinned and Vinnie Valentin won by major decision 14-1. Chason Bryant finished off the Trojans with a major decision 16-3. 

With the conference tournament coming up around the corner, the Colts will be back in action this Saturday. Come check out what these Colts can do!