By Andy Walter

WOODSIDE — It’s already been a good senior season for Greg Long.

The Polytech High 182-pounder is considered a top-five wrestler in the state in his weight class.

But, with the Henlopen Conference tournament looming this weekend, Long wants the chance to make it an even better year.

“I’m excited,” said the Camden resident. “I’ve been training all year for this. I’ve had a good season but all that really matters is conferences and states.”

Only a handful of teams get to seriously contend for a DIAA dual-meet team state championship. For everyone else, their chance to shine will come this weekend at the Henlopen tournament.

A year after being canceled by the pandemic, the tourney returns on Friday at Sussex Central High. The preliminary matches start at 5 p.m. with the quarterfinals slated for 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, the semifinals begin at about 11 a.m. with the finals scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

After finishing 5-5 during the regular season, Polytech has a few individuals who are hoping to contend for state tourney spots.

“We wrestle in the toughest conference in the state,” said Panthers’ coach James Demko. “We go against the toughest competition. But it’s also rewarding because you know what kind of work you need to get us ready for conferences.

“They’re willing to step up and do what it takes.”

Like Long, Polytech 220-pounder, Connor Bartlett, is considered a top-five wrestler in the state in his class. He has a record of 12-8.
But the Henlopen has as many as four of the state’s top six wrestlers in the weight class.

“Two-twenty is a tough weight class,” said Bartlett, who is a senior from Smyrna. “Everybody’s been beating each other up. It’s been crazy this year. I think it will be a pretty exciting tournament.

“In the conference, as a team we might not be the best. But when we show to the conference tournament, we do well as a team.”

At 160 pounds, senior Wyatt Simmons gives Polytech a third top-six wrestler in his weight class.

With everything going involving the pandemic last winter, Simmons took last season off from wrestling. But the Camden resident returned for his senior season with a lot of motivation.

“I missed it more than ever and I’m giving it my all,” said Simmons, who started wrestling when he was in sixth grade.

“It’s my last chance, I’ve got to make it count,” he said. “Of course I want to represent my school but really what’s most important to me is making sure I don’t waste my opportunities.”

As a junior — and with the Henlopen not held last year — this will be Polytech junior Avery Rosen’s first time competing in the event. The 126-pounder knows the tourney is a chance for some redemption.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing some rematch competitions and seeing what we as a team can do,” said Rosen. “When you walk on the mat, a lot of times, they’re expecting you to lose. Obviously, that’s not fun.

“But then, when you beat them, that shows that it was worth it — and all the work you put in was worth it.”

With a record of 19-3 this winter, Long might have the best chance of any Panther at contending for a title this weekend. He has two older brothers who also wrestled for Polytech.

“He’s the toughest kid in the room, hands down,” said Demko.
Long said he’d love the chance to remind people of what the Panthers are capable of.

“I think that would definitely be pretty cool, to have somebody from Polytech place,” he said. “I lay it all out there when I go out on the mat. No regrets.”

Takedowns

This year, only the top four finishers in each weight class at conference tournaments earn an automatic berth in the following weekend’s DIAA individual state tournament — not the usual six. The other top finishers will go into a pool from which the remaining state qualifiers will be selected. ... The seeding meeting for the tourney will take place on Thursday evening. ... The individual state tournament is being held at Cape Henlopen.

Follow Andy Walter on Twitter @DSNSports.