VIDEO: SOUTH JERSEY CHAMPS! LCM claims first sectional title in 42 years

Posted: February 7th 2024

Lower Cape May coach Billy Damiana celebrates with the trophy after his team won the South Jersey Group II title. (photo from Caper Tigers Facebook page)

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

After the Lower Cape May Regional High School wrestling team won its South Jersey Group II semifinal match earlier this week, coach Bill Damiana was asked what it would take for his Caper Tigers to win the sectional championship against West Deptford.

“Our guys have to show up,” he said.

They certainly showed up.

Thanks to four narrow victories by decision, a massive win by fall and a clinching major decision by its heavyweight, No. 2 seed Lower Cape May slipped past top-seeded West Deptford, 31-22, in Wednesday’s South Jersey Group II title match.

The sectional championship is Lower’s first in 42 seasons, the Tigers last winning one as a Group III school in 1982.

With his team ahead 27-16 prior to the penultimate match, Lower heavyweight Ben Rue scored a 14-3 major decision to clinch the team victory. Lower’s wrestlers, coaches and fans erupted in euphoria as the final seconds of the bout ticked away.

Lower Cape May won three bouts by one-point decisions in dramatic fashion. Conor Barikian executed a last-second takedown to win 5-4 at 126, Danny Byrne slipped away for a late escape to post a 9-8 win at 157 and Deron Azile rallied from a two-point deficit in the final period with an escape followed by a takedown with 30 seconds to go to win 7-6 at 165.

Logan Haggerty registered perhaps the most exciting victory for Lower Cape May. He trailed 6-2 at one point of the first period and 6-4 going into the second. He gained a quick escape in the first two seconds of the second period before getting a takedown to take the lead and shortly thereafter executed a tight cradle to win the match by fall and send Caper Tiger fans into a frenzy.

Also for Lower, Jahcere Harris (132) won by 17-9 decision and Gabe Tosto (144) took a 4-2 decision. Chase Hansen (138) was a forfeit winner for the Caper Tigers (22-5).

West Deptford fell to 22-3 with the loss.

(Videos courtesy Chris Baker/D2 Sports Network)