The wrestling team started their season strong, standing at 4-2 after their first six matches. After losing three matches in a four-way match on Jan. 15 versus West Deptford, Cherry Hill West, and Cherokee, they are now sitting at 6-10. Although they lost all three matches, they were closely fought. The team was defeated by Group 4 powerhouse Cherokee by just two points in a 38-36 loss.

The team has secured the top spot of the BCSL Patriot Division, winning the division title last week versus Delran in a blowout 43-18 victory. Senior Sam Kotch came out strong, starting off the match with a pin for the Pirates. The match was tied at 12 when the Pirates pulled away. They have lost only one match since.

Kotch has been a huge factor in the team’s success the past three years. During his career at Cinnaminson, Kotch is 49-8; this season, Kotch is undefeated with 12 of his 15 victories coming from a pin.

“Sam Kotch is one of our most reliable guys; he’s ranked in the state, and he’s our ‘sure thing,’” Coach Joe Henshaw said.

But Kotch isn’t what defines this young team, as the potential from the underclassmen has been strong throughout the season.

“Dylan Vallone is a great first-year wrestler,” junior Isaiah Ruiz said. “He puts a lot of hard work in, and has lots of time to improve for the future of our program.”

Sitting at 10-5 with three years still to improve, Vallone will continue to work for the Pirates. Another standout among the freshmen include Thomas Lorimer. Lorimer has come through in clutch situations for the Pirates this season and like Vallone has time to improve and lead the team to victory.

“Our team has looked very good, considering that we are very young, and lack some of the experience we had in prior years,” Kotch said.

Next year’s team will be led by juniors Patrick Ghegan, Isaiah Ruiz, Colton Urweiler, Eoin Toryk and Alex Ramos. But freshmen Vallone, Lorimer and Eddie Frey have already made their mark on the team and plan big things in the program’s future.

Although this season may be somewhat of a buffer year, as the team waits for the underclassmen to get older, the seniors still continue to lead the way for the team.

“They’re just showing a perfect example. Some of the guys that started here as freshmen are showing how they put in the work, and it’s a perfect example to the freshmen of what they can be in three years,” Coach Henshaw said. “They’re great leaders, they lead everyone in workouts, and they show everyone what’s expected of them before the match.”

As the team sits at 6-10, they look to further their previous success thus far. The team has their next match on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 9:00 a.m.