As expected, Phillipsburg's wrestling team will be without the services of seniors Brandon Paetzell and DJ Wissing after they sustained injuries in the Stateliners' 49-21 win over Voorhees on Wednesday night at The Pit.
According to coach Dave Post, Paetzell sustained a broken left hand, while Wissing suffered a high ankle sprain as they were forced to default in their bouts at 132 and 160 pounds, respectively.
Paetzell (5-3), who missed most of last season with a broken left thumb, is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks. The latest injury occurred during a scoreless first period against Voorhees state placewinner Kyle DiNapoli, who built a 5-2 lead en route to recording his 100th career victory by injury default in 5:27.
"It's just not fair to happen to one kid twice," Post said of another hand injury for Paetzell.
Paetzell, a two-time state medal winner, finished second in the state as a sophomore at 106 and is heading to Rutgers next fall. He posted the following on his Twitter feed after the match:
"Thanks so much everyone. The support has been overwhelming and it's the only thing keeping me going, Love you all."
Wissing (3-3) was injured in his matchup with Michael Fernandes. Post said the timetable for Wissing -- a District 1 runner-up -- to return is likely two weeks.
Phillipsburg will turn to sophomore Lance Wissing to help fill the void at 132, and will hope to catch lightning in a bottle like it did last season when Tom Kosar entered the lineup in place of Paetzell at 113 pounds. Kosar, now the starter at 120, went 11-11 and finished second in District 1.
"We will fill in as best we can," Post said.
The Stateliners will return to action on Monday at the rugged Bethlehem Holiday Classic at Liberty (Pa.) High School.
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