Challenges loom after SBHS wins Hawk title

Wrestling

By: Ken Weingartner
   It is no longer a secret that South Brunswick High’s wrestling team is good. In the next few weeks, the Vikings will find out how good.
   South Brunswick romped through the Hawk Classic tournament at Manchester last week. The Vikings scored 175.5 points, followed by Christian Brothers Academy (128) and Brick (105.5).
   Kyle Nasdeo pinned Charlie Wiggins of Christian Brothers Academy, who was 26-5 last season, in the final at 135 pounds and earned outstanding wrestler honors. Other Vikings to win championships were Jad Duca (140), Kevin Fox (160) and Peter Gibb (189). It was Gibb’s first tournament title.
   Placing second were Blake Sframeli (171) and Derrick Cromartie (215). Wrestling back for third place were Paul Strincoski (103), Mike Dougherty (119), Michael Fidacaro (125) and Mike Valentino (145).
   "There were a lot of good wrestlers there," coach Dougherty said after watching 10 of his 14 wrestlers finish among the top three in the 12-team tourney. "We had the best team. Other teams had some real good, strong kids. Teams from top to bottom were not strong, but the brackets all had quality kids in there. We won on depth.
   "I don’t know how good or bad we are. I think we’re a pretty good team, but I don’t know how good. The newcomers are coming along nice and have only added to the other experience we have. I was pretty pleased with the outcome."
   While Nasdeo was winning the tournament’s outstanding wrestler award, Fox was keeping his workload to a minimum. The junior had the quickest pin in the event, decking Tim Jones of Central in 17 seconds in the championship match. He won his semifinal bout in 36 seconds and dropped his foe in the quarterfinals in 50 seconds.
   His reward?
   "The next day in practice we had beat on Kevin Fox day," Dougherty said. Fox was put in the middle of the "shark bait" drill in which 10 different wrestlers are sent out in one-minute intervals.
   In contrast to Fox’s quick victories, several Vikings gutted out winning performances.
   Duca beat Pat Brady of Point Boro, 7-5, in overtime for the championship at 140. Brady was 23-9 last season.
   Gibb decisioned Victor Applegate of Toms River South, 12-9, in the finals. He reversed Applegate to his back for four points late in the bout to get the victory.
   "That was quite the brawl," Dougherty said. "There were a couple of very physical matches. (We) were wrestling in an aggressive style to answer the call."
   Fidacaro and Valentino also fought back from deficits to win their consolation finals.
   "Anytime a kid is down by some points and battles back late in a match, especially against quality competition, it impresses me," Dougherty said.
   Dougherty also was impressed with some of his wrestlers who suffered setbacks.
   Cromartie was unseeded at 215, but marched to the finals before losing 6-2 to Bill Wilbert of Toms River South. Wilbert was a state quarterfinalist last season.
   Ricky Lykes lost a major decision to Steve Whitby of Lacey in the quarterfinals at 152. Whitby, a senior who was 27-3 last season, went on to win the title.
   "Did they get totally outclassed by that type of wrestler? No," Dougherty said about Cromartie and Lykes. "That’s encouraging to me. They showed me something. Lykes tried to do something late and it didn’t work out, but (Whitby) knew he was in a wrestling match. Ricky showed me some moxie with that kid."
   South Brunswick, 4-0 in dual competition, was scheduled to face Brick Memorial on Saturday, but the match was postponed because of the snow. Brick Memorial is ranked fourth in the state.
   But the Vikings still will have plenty of opportunity to meet quality competition. On Friday, South Brunswick visits J.P. Stevens. The next day, the team travels to Watchung Hills for a triangular with Somerville. Then, on Tuesday, SB hosts rival Old Bridge.
   Also on the horizon for the Vikes: fifth-ranked South Plainfield (Jan. 13), Perth Amboy (Jan. 17) and Wall (Jan. 24).
   "Now we’ll get to really see if I know what I’m talking about," Dougherty said.