Andover opens season with on the road victory
Andover kicked off the 2023-2024 season with a victory over St. Paul’s School. Co-captain George Ryckman ’24 (132 lbs) started the team off strong with a 1:17 pin in the first period. Ethan Principal ’24 won by forfeit at 138 lbs, and Dani Nugent pinned her opponent in the second period, giving Andover an 18-0 lead over St. Paul’s. The Pelicans bounced back with a first period pin of their own at 150, but then at 157 lbs James Bae ’26 won his varsity debut match and, after a back and forth battle, secured the pin with just 25 seconds left in the match, making the team score 24-6. Andover lost the next five matches to St. Paul’s and the team fell behind 24-36, but at 106 lbs Julian Rios ’26 gave the team the momentum it needed with a 16 second pin. Co-captain Sakina Cotton ’24 followed suit with a 37 second pin of her own, and Eva Murphy ’25 and Tasha Bohorad ’26 rounded out the dual meet with two pins, to put Andover in the lead 48-36. In exhibition matches, David Frahm ’26 and Sebastian Haferd ’25 won their matches by pin.
Varsity is on the road again on Saturday and headed to Avon Old Farms for their annual Holiday Dual Tournament.