Wrestling: Soldano (2nd title) adds to HP history

With little fanfare, High Point junior Brian Soldano goes about his business on the wrestling mat. 

And business is good.

Brian Soldano is 48-1 over the last 2 seasons.

As expected, Soldano rolled through the field at 182 pounds on Sunday to capture his second straight state title by decking Shawnee senior Isaac Dean in 3:16 in the 88th State Championships at Phillipsburg High School.

Soldano (10-0), who registered three pins and a decision on the day, is the Sussex County school's 12th champ overall and its 14th finalist. He joined Nick Francavilla (2009-11) and Ethan Orr (2010-11) as the only Wildcats to win at least two titles.

"It feels great," said Soldano, now 89-5 overall. "I still want to chase after Nick for that third one, but I'm happy to be in the big three."

In all, 13 wrestlers out of 22 from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area took home medals this weekend -- including Pope John senior Nick Lodato, the 195-pound champion and North Hunterdon sophomore Logan Wadle (second at 106). Sussex County went 6-for-7 over the two-day event with Kittatinny duo Steve Dalling (eighth at 152) and Jackson Crawn (fourth at 220), along with Pope John junior Jack Stoll (sixth at 220) and Newton senior Nathan Fitt (seventh at 126) earning their first medals.

High Point coach John Gardner, a state champ for the 'Cats in 1990, is among the program's all-time greats who view Soldano as its best ever with one year of high school remaining until he heads off to Rutgers University. 

"He's pretty special," Gardner said. "I'm happy for him. He works extremely hard and is always well prepared. He's a pleasure to coach."

True to form, Soldano came out looking to pin as he got the first takedown and immediately locked up a nearside cradle -- turning Dean for two back points and a 4-0 lead about one minute into the bout. Dean, a No. 3 seed and the South Jersey region champion, managed to avoid the pin -- with a little help.

"It was tight," Soldano said. "I saw the grey on the mat and thought I we were out of bounds. "[I let up] a little bit because I thought we were going out of bounds."

After an escape and a another takedown in the second period, Soldano iced his second championship on top where he's the most deadly with legs and a power half to record his ninth pin this season and 66th of his career. It also extended his match winning streak to 37 in a row dating to 2020 -- with only five going the full six minutes in his last 49 bouts, including Butler's Justin Chrostowski (3-0 in the quarterfinals on Sunday).

"I really wanted to get that first-period pin," Soldano said. "I just kept the pressure on [Dean] and went for it in the second."

Soldano and the medalists (Courtesy of Gardner)

As the biggest favorite in the tournament, Soldano carried that burden as well as the expectation to cruise through the bracket. But he took it all in stride and when it was over, he simply walked back to the corner, shared a congratulatory moment with Gardner and then headed over to hug his parents (Pete and Cheryl) who were proudly watching matside.

"I work hard enough that in my right mindset, I don't think anybody can beat me," Soldano said. "I'm not a fan of flexing and showboating after matches, so I try to avoid that. I just smile and go hug my parents."

Gardner wasn't the least surprised by the outcome or lack of a postmatch celebration.

"That's his approach. It's nice to see he's having fun," said Gardner, who has coached 10 of the school's state champions. "He's not real big in the celebration department. He kind of keeps it low key. The way he trains and prepares, I hate to say it, but it's almost what he expects. 

"The way he trains and practices when no one is watching is what sets him apart from other people. I imagine the work on [winning his third title] will start rather quickly."