Safe to say that Phillipsburg liked what it saw in a convincing 48-6 win over Washington in the seventh annual event under the lights on Thursday night at Warren Hills School District Stadium. P'burg won 12 of the 14 bouts and finished with an 18-8 advantage in takedowns, while improving to 6-1 all time in this event.
Junior Cody Cruts capped the victory with a mild upset at 285 pounds -- 7-5 over Washington senior Duro Ajayi, a Region 3 fifth-place finisher, in the final bout.
"I was trying to outmaneuver him and stay to the outside, keep that big frame off me," said Cruts, who weighs around 220.
The upper weights figure to be a question mark for a Phillipsburg team that will be strong down low and through the middle as it seeks a sixth straight Group 4 championship in 2018-19. P'burg won three of the final four bouts on Thursday, including wins from junior Jacob Wicks at 180 and senior Austin Roth at 200.
Wicks, a junior varsity wrestler the past two years, scored a 7-0 decision over Tyler McCarthern. Wicks is the son of Delaware Valley legend Jamie Wicks, who won state titles for the Terriers in 1987 and '88.
"If these guys up top wrestle like they did tonight, we're going to be OK," said P'burg coach Dave Post, who had eight wrestlers in the lineup with 12 or fewer career varsity bouts. "We'll make our hay down low and through the middle. Cody's been in our lineup and has taken his lumps for two years. We hope he's learned from it. He has good mat wrestling, but he's put himself in dangerous positions. Stay in good position, that's what it's all about."
As expected P'burg raced out to a 27-0 lead by winning the first six bouts, including a pins by talented freshman Joey Innamorato (120), along with seniors Bryce Parenti (130) and Travis Jones (135). Sophomore Jason Tino (125) also scored an impressive 8-6 win over Region 3 qualifier Greg Slivka.
"We have a lot of faith in [Tino]," Post said. "He would have been a varsity wrestler for us [last year], but he was stuck behind Jones."
Senior Cody Harrison (167) and Roth became the fourth and fifth three-time Pin Cancer winners for P'burg, joining Stephen Friedman, Max Elling and Brian Meyer, who all went 3-0. Harrison actually got his first win in a P'burg singlet, 10-0 over Nick Hildebrant, having won twice with Washington before transferring prior to his sophomore season. No wrestler has gone 4-0 in the seven-year history of this event.
Jones trailed early against Logan Nauta in one of the most entertaining bouts of the night. Nauta took a 2-0 lead with a first-period takedown. Jones, one of the most dangerous mat wrestlers around, got a reversal and a one count with a turk before the second period expired.
Nauta took down to start the third period and it worked out well for Jones, who turned Nauta again for the pin in 3:47. The periods were 1 1/2 minutes in length.
"I don't know if we go [on bottom] during the season, " said first-year Washington coach Dave Sbriscia, "but this is a charity event, and we wanted to find out how we were on bottom. We are much improved on our feet and on top."
Senior Thomas Abode also impressed with his 4-3 win over Washington senior Chris Ostir, a two-time Region 3 qualifier, at 155. Abode, who was 3-6 in spot duty on varsity last season, is one to watch, according to Post.
"I'm very impressed with TJ," Post said. "He wrestles with Cody [Harrison], a two-time state placewinner and a state title contender this season, every day. We were very confident in that one."
Junior Nick Gorab (140) and senior Nick Galka (215) were the lone winners for Washington. Galka, a Region 3 runner-up last season and one of the team's captains this season, liked some of what he saw from his teammates.
"No one likes to lose, but I'm happy with some of our efforts," said Galka, who joined Matt Valli as the only Washington wrestlers to go 3-1 in Pin Cancer matches. "P'burg is one of best teams in the state and [five-time] Group 4 champions. But I liked the way we fought in some matches and it brought my hopes up for this season."
Sbriscia agreed with Galka's assessment of the team.
"I liked our toughness in some matches," said Sbriscia, a former standout for the Blue Streaks and an assistant coach prior to taking over for Jarrett Hosbach at the end of last season. "I liked the way Logan wrestled for 4 1/2 to 5 minutes. Nick [Gorab] is a kid who's always worked hard. He's finally developed into a varsity wrestler. He's spent a lot of time in weight room and he's hard to score on. Offensively, we have some work to do, but he's somebody I'm excited about."
Galka should be among the area's best chances to earn a state medal in Atlantic City next March after getting his first taste of Boardwalk Hall as a junior.
"I've been working hard, wrestling four times a week," he said. "I'm just trying to improve on everything. I want to place in states. That's my goal."
PHILLIPSBURG 48, WASHINGTON 6
107 -- Fr. James Day, P, d. Fr. Jared Lee, 5-0.
113 -- So. Logan Maczko, P, d. Fr. Noah DiNapoli, 6-0.
120 -- Fr. Joey Innamorato, P, p. Fr. Max Pagano, :40.
125 -- So. Jason Tino, P, d. Jr. Greg Slivka, 8-6.
130 -- Sr. Bryce Parenti, P, p. Fr. Stephen Malia, 1:53.
135 -- Sr. Travis Jones, P, p. Jr. Logan Nauta, 3:47.
140 -- Jr. Nick Gorab, W, d. Sr. Luke Hardin, 2-1 OT (rideout).
145 -- Sr. Kyle Tino, P, md. Jr. Geir Nemeth, 13-1.
155 -- Sr. Thomas Abode, P, d. Sr. Chris Ostir, 4-3.
167 -- Sr. Cody Harrison, P, md. Jr. Nick Hildebrant, 10-0.
180 -- Jr. Jacob Wicks, P, d. Fr. Tyler McCatharn, 7-0.
200 -- Sr. Austin Roth, P, md. So. Logan Polcari, 8-0.
215 -- Sr. Nick Galka, W, d. So. Gage Horvath, 7-1.
285 -- Jr. Cody Cruts, P, d. Sr. Duro Ajayi, 7-5.
Officials -- Chip Castner, Frank Letiner and Joe Benvenuto.
No comments:
Post a Comment