WASHINGTON TWP. -- Both the Voorhees and Warren Hills wrestling teams learned quite a bit about their respective squads in the season opener on Saturday.
For the Vikings, coach Eric Hall's team finished 2-1 -- capping the day with a 35-25 win over the Blue Streaks -- and came away feeling pretty good knowing they went toe-to-toe with two of New Jersey's Top 20 teams, dropping a 32-25 decision to Clearview after opening the day with a 44-20 win over Palisades (Pa.).
"I think as a coaching staff and team, we needed ourselves to be tested," said Hall, who has nine starters back from the 2012-13 squad that won the North 2, Group 2 sectional title. "We knew on paper that Warren Hills and Clearview were tough. I'm real proud of our kids."
Voorhees' win over Warren Hills was tempered due to a knee injury sustained by senior heavyweight Alex Fischetti, a District 17 champion last season, against state title hopeful Andrew Pacheco. Just 36 seconds into the bout, Pacheco attempted to roll Fischetti, whose right knee buckled under him. Needless to say, the loss of Fischetti would be tough for a team that's already thin up top.
"It doesn't look good," Hall said of his 285-pounder, who left the gym on crutches and his knee immobilized.
Warren Hills (1-2) opened with a 42-30 loss to Clearview before rebounding with a 58-18 win over Palisades in the middle session. Coincidentally, the Streaks also lost a wrestler to right knee injury as senior 132-pounder Tai Adetula was forced to default against Clearview's Mike VanBrill just 34 seconds into their bout.
It was a long and frustrating day for the hosts, who came in ranked No. 15 in the initial New Jersey Wrestling Writers Top 20. The loss of Adetula is the latest for a squad that's already without seniors Justin Pidoto at 145-152 (personal) and Evan Butka at 160 (out for the season with a shoulder injury).
"We're not going to make excuses," said veteran coach Jarrett Hosbach, when asked about being short-handed in the losses. "That's part of the sport. We've got to get better at certain spots. We have to find a way to adapt and overcome these things."
Voorhees held a slim 28-25 lead on Warren Hills with two bouts left before junior Devon Thomas, a junior varsity member last season, sealed the win with a 13-4 major of Shane Deemer at 160. Thomas, who was 4-6 as a sophomore fill-in, built an 8-3 with a four-point move in the second period and converted two takedowns in the third to secure the major.
Senior Jordan Juliano capped it with a somewhat-surprising 3-2 win over senior Ryan Ostir at 170. Juliano converted a takedown with 29 seconds left in the third period for the victory. Voorhees won the takedown battle overall, 20-7.
After Steve Cleaver's 8-4 win in the first bout at 182 gave Warren Hills a 3-0 lead, sophomore Derek Howerth got the Vikes rolling by decking Will Turner, who rated as a slight favorite, in 2:52 at 195.
Pacheco's win by injury default gave the Streaks a 15-6 advantage before Harley Sacks' pin of Ryan Mosher triggered a run of three straight wins to give Voorhees a 18-15 lead through seven bouts. Included was Kyle DiNapoli's 7-3 win over promising freshman Matt Valli at 113 and Cody Ihling's 3-1 decision over John Fluck at 120.
Warren Hills sophomore Austin Pidoto temporarily stopped the bleeding with an 8-0 win at 126 -- giving the Streaks a 19-18 lead -- but Thomas Beishke's 9-0 major of Carsen Johnson at 132 made it 22-19 in favor of Voorhees.
Max Nauta's pin at 138 gave Warren Hills its final lead -- 25-22 -- as Voorhees swept the last four bouts.
Against Clearview, Voorhees led 25-19 with three bouts to go after Dale Hull's pin at 138.
Pioneers senior John VanBrill, a district and region champion last season, earned an impressive 12-3 win over Region 5 qualifier Christian Okulicz to help Clearview sweep the final three bouts.
Voorhees junior Tommy Riley was hanging in against Region 8 runner-up Edward Lenkowski -- trailing 11-4 -- before giving up the pin with 12 seconds left in the second period. Clearview sophomore Henry Eisenhart closed it out with a tight 9-8 win over Will Gonsiewski at 160.
In the opening bout, Thomas dropped a close 7-5 decision to Kyle McMahon, a region fourth-place finisher two seasons ago.
"A couple breaks here and there," Hall said of his team's upset bid, as the Vikes were without the services of senior 138-pounder Mike Muscatello (hip injury). "I was happy with our kids. We saw both sides of the fence -- a tough defeat and a rewarding win."
For Hosbach's Streaks, this should serve as a major wakeup call.
"Hopefully this is something that refocuses us," he said. "It's tough not to be focused the first week of the season."
Getting homesick, Mike. You don't know how much I miss this.
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