GMC Shines at Region 5

GMC Shines at Region 5
FEBRUARY 27, 2010

By GREG TUFARO
STAFF WRITER

RARITAN TOWNSHIP — Just a few years ago, the Highland Park High School wrestling team was on life support, barely breathing with only four grapplers in the program.

The Owls, who never before qualified a single wrestler for the state tournament, advanced two to Atlantic City as senior D’Andre Bell and sophomore Tyler Rios stood out among Greater Middlesex Conference competitors in Saturday’s Region 5 Tournament at the Hunterdon Central Field House.

Eighteen GMC wrestlers advanced to the state tournament, which will be contested March 5-7 at Boardwalk Hall. The tournament will be seeded on Tuesday morning at NJSIAA headquarters in Robbinsville.

The top three finishers from each of the state’s eight regions move on to Atlantic City.

The GMC crowned five region champions and boasted 14 finalists. Three weight classes (135,140 and 215) featured all-GMC finals.

Monroe, Edison and Perth Amboy advanced a GMC-best three wrestlers apiece to the states, while Old Bridge and Bishop Ahr each advanced two.

“”You could see all the individual talent we have throughout the GMC and we showcased it here at Region 5,’’ Old Bridge coach Bryan Garnett said. “We are going to be well-represented in Atlantic City and that’s what it’s all about.’’

Conor Hayes became the winningest wrestler in Old Bridge history, earning career victory 117 with an 11-1 major decision over Piscataway’s David Powell in the 140-pound final.

He broke a 28-year-old record previously held by Kevin Jacoutot, a four-time state finalist who compiled a 114-4 mark, with wins in the region quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.

“”It’s nice,’’ Hayes said of the school record, “”but I wasn’t really looking for it. It was like a milestone. I always looked at (the 100-win banner in the wrestling room) every day. I wanted to be up there.’’

The region title was the second for Hayes, who won the 103-pound title as a sophomore.

Edison’s Ray DeLaNuez (125) and Monroe’s Sam Emburgia (135) each won a second straight region title.

Sayreville’s Gary Siriday (103) and Monroe’s Marc Tyson (215) each won their first region titles.

Monroe was the only GMC school to crown two region champions. Tyson earned a hard-fought 5-4 decision over two-time state qualifier Joel Perez of Perth Amboy’s, while Emburgia pinned Bishop Ahr’s Derek Delacruz in 1:18.

“”I felt like overall we wrestled well toward the end of the year,’’ Monroe coach Bill Jacoutot said. “”To have two individual champions was a nice way to wrap (the regions) up. Now we turn our focus to Atlantic City.’’

Piscataway’s David Powell (140), Bishop Ahr’s Taylor Black (145), Monroe’s David Saley, South Brunswick’s Brendan Vercammen (171) and Old Bridge’s Nick Orak (189) were region runners-up.

In the region’s marquee final, Hunterdon Central’s Alex Shaffer posted a 2:38 pin at 119 pounds of Perth Amboy’s Heriberto Quintana, a third-place finisher in Atlantic City last year. The bout was a rematch of last year’s 112-pound region final, which Shaffer won 8-6 before failing to medal in the state tournament.

Shaffer was named the region’s Outstanding Wrestler, while his mentor, Steve Gibble, was named Region 5 Coach of the Year.

Bell advanced as the top seed to the 130-pound final, where he lost to undefeated Brian Bistis (35-0) of Hunterdon Central, who placed eighth in the state last year.

Rios opened the day with a quarterfinal loss to Bound Brook juggernaut Andrew Campolattano, a two-time state champion with a 126-1 career record. Rios won three wrestleback matches to finish third.

“”It hasn’t sunk in yet,’’ Highland Park head coach Craig Girvan said of qualifying two Owls for the state tournament.

“”Highland Park is such a fine academic institution and we’ve been known a long time for football. When I got there in 2000 with (former assistant Scott) Gerba, our first year wrestling we finished 0-18 and we only had four kids in the program.

“”We’ve been fighting since then and we put in a lot of time. It’s just phenomenal.’’

Black, the Cinderella of Region 5, advanced as the No. 7 seed to the 140-pound final, where he lost to unbeaten Micah Blair (35-0) of Somerville, a three-time district champion.

“”Taylor has worked hard all year so I’m not surprised,’’ Bishop Ahr coach Nick Tonzola said of Black reaching the final.

“Every one of his losses is to a quality opponent. He’s wrestled a tough schedule and tough competition all year, battling with (teammates) Derek (Delacruz) and Mike (Pysniak) on a daily basis.’’

Vercammen fell short in his bid for a second straight region crown, dropping a 10-0 major decision to Mike Havke of Voorhees.

“”With his experience from last year Brendan found out he can compete at this level and belong,’’ South Brunswick coach Joe Dougherty said. “”Mentally he’s stronger and physically he’s grown into the 171-pound class.’’

“”I think the state tournament last year (where Vercammen failed to medal) left a sour taste in his mouth because he felt he could have placed higher and he didn’t.

“”So he spent a lot of time in the offseason working for this moment. This is the second season. He’s ready for it. He wrestled real smart and we’re going back to Atlantic City with the hope of bringing home some hardware.’’

The GMC went 4-4 in third-place bouts with victories from Edison’s Anthony Peterson (119), Edison’s Devon Coates (140), Perth Amboy’s Ryan Moskwa (285) and Rios (189).

Peterson defeated Sayreville’s Anthony Geiger and Coates beat Sayreville’s Noel Santiago to advance.

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