Termini still undefeated for Burlington Central
Nick Termini is more than just a defending Class 2A state wrestling champion and Division I athlete headed to Old Dominion.
The Burlington Central senior proved it Thursday night in the Rockets' 53-12 nonconference dual victory over host Hampshire.
It was only fitting the schools' match started at 152 pounds as Termini bumped up a weight from his 145-pound state-championship weight.
Scoring in every conceivable fashion, Termini registered 23 total points before terminating his match in the third period with a technical fall.
The short-handed Whips had few answers for Central in coming classes as the Rockets scored the first 41 points of the night.
Termini extended his season-long winning streak to 25 matches with his most recent truncated victory.
"In duals like this, especially in nonconference meets, I wrestle wherever (the coaches) need me," Termini said. "I'm kind of the utility guy and they throw me wherever they need the points. I'm OK with it; I like getting points for my team. It's exciting to see the team win."
Central improved to 4-7 on the season while keeping the Whips winless at 0-10.
Termini has also captured tournament titles at Antioch and Niles West during his unblemished conclusion to the end of the calendar year.
"We have been to two tournaments so far, and I have been OW - outstanding wrestler - at both," Termini said.
In the final match of the night, the Rockets' Shawn Adkerson had a memorable outcome.
"At the very beginning I was really nervous as this was my first varsity match," the Rockets' freshman said. "I saw the scoreboard, and that was less pressure. I knew (my opponent) was going to be stronger than me."
But Adkerson had a third-period fall to complete the Rockets' one-sided victory.
Patrick Paez and Sam Kang had back-to-back simple decisions for the Rockets at 160 and 170 pounds, but the remainder of the match belonged to Central.
Hampshire could not field athletes in six weight classes; the damage was obviated by Central having neither a wrestler at 113 nor 132 pounds.
But Central still earned points the Whips could not hope to match behind forfeit wins by Alejandro Uribe (182), Noah Ross (195) and heavyweight Michael Dubanowski.
During the Rockets' unanswered run to start, Josue Ferro and Justin Genenz made short work of their matches at 220 and 106 pounds.
The Whips' points came in consecutive matches as Christian Rivero and Palmer Larson had falls at 120 and 126 pounds.
"Christian is a very coachable athlete," Hampshire coach Randy Mitty said of his lone returning sectional qualifier. "He listens, he works hard. He is a leader on the team."