Sports
Wrestlers Head to Regionals
Three grapplers qualified on Wednesday and will join several teammates this weekend at Hunterdon Central.
The East Brunswick Bears wrestling team geared up for the first round of Regionals last evening at Hunterdon Central Regional High School and did very well, with grapplers moving on to compete in next round today (Friday).
The Bears, led by Head Coach Matt Pazinko and Assistant Coach Christopher Yannazzo, had six of nine students participating in regionals fighting Wednesday night to make it to the next round.
Freshman Sean Glasgow won by Major Decision (17-5) over Robert Marcantonio from Metuchen. Junior Mice Nicolaro beat Leonard Bird from Montgomery by decision (4-1). Junior Mike Okane won by fall (1:42) against Anthony Cassar from Montgomery.
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The three victors will join last year’s Regional Champ, sophomore Jon Schleifer, sophomore Mike Quintin, and senior Greg Krueger—all of whom have first round byes for being 1st in the District—in the proceeding Regional matches this Friday and Saturday.
Despite their efforts, sophomore Tyler Gallegos lost by technical fall to Dylan Nace from Hunterdon Central (17-0), junior Eric Webber lost by decision to Tyler Yarnell from Voohrees (4-2), and junior Travis Lutzko lost by fall to Rhys Weinberger from Hillsborough (:12).
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Pazinko said that no matter what happens individually, the team has had a great season.
“We got off to a slow start losing against powerhouses, Old Bridge and South Plainfield, then had some tough loses against South Brunswick and Bishop Ahr, because we did not have our full line up,” he said in an e-mail.
The Bears finished the season off with a one point win against Monroe and more notably, causing a huge upset in their victory over GMC runner up J.F. Kennedy.
For the first time in nine years, the Bears qualified for the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional and ultimately finished 2nd in the District—an impressive feat for a high school team that is graduating only one senior.
The team often goes out to eat together after matches and practices.
“They enjoy spending time together on and off the mat,” said Pazinko. “During matches and practice they work with each other, and cheer each other on to make our team better.”
There is no doubt that the cheers for the Bears will be echoing throughout Hunterdon Central Regional High School as the Bears continue their regionals journey this weekend.
