WrestlingGearing up for this weekend’s Mercer County Tournament, the Lawrence High School wrestling squad increased its winning streak to eight with a pair of impressive triumphs.
By: Mike Molaro
The Cardinals (10-3 overall, 8-0 in the Colonial Valley Conference) defeated Hamilton, 38-33, at the Hornets Nest Jan. 24 for the first time in school history.
Then last Saturday, the Cardinals welcomed Allentown to the CVC with a 46-26 thumping of the visiting Redbirds. The win helped Lawrence surpass last year’s victory total of nine.
Trailing 27-3 against the Hornets, Lawrence came back with seven-straight wins to take care of another skeleton in its closet.
Freshman Mark Savino at 125 pounds recorded a 7-1 decision, before senior Ryan Reali at 140 began the Cardinal gauntlet with a pin in 1:45.
Senior Mike Savino at 145 continued the streak with a pin in 1:42, while senior Bryan Ovalle at 152 earned a 14-9 decision.
Senior Matt Lino at 160 won via forfeit before senior Dale Emde at 171 captured an 11-8 decision, senior Ian Dember at 189 recorded a 21-5 technical fall, and senior Matt DeCristofano closed the run at 215 with a dominating pin in 42 seconds.
"This was the first time ever we beat Hamilton and it feels good," Cardinal head coach Chris Lynne said. "Ryan (Reali) came out huge for us. Hamilton had the momentum going into that bout and Ryan swung it back to us. It was an unexpected victory. Ryan won this match for us.
"After Ian (Dember) came off the mat with his win, I looked at Matt (DeCristofano) and he was ready to go. We didn’t send him out to the mat, we unleashed him. It didn’t matter who Matt was wrestling, that kid had no chance."
Despite the early deficit, the Cardinals were confident their middle-to-upper weight strength would turn things their way.
"Hamilton took the lead and we knew they were stronger than us in the lower weights," added Lynne. "We know we have six-to-seven straight guys that people can’t touch. Teams might beat one of them, but they won’t beat them all.
"This was a big mental step for us. I told the guys that if we don’t beat the Hamiltons, Steinerts, and Nottinghams, what we do against the other teams won’t matter."
Showing no signs of a let-down, Lawrence was looking at a 26-13 deficit against Allentown before winning the final six bouts for its eighth-straight victory.
Mike Savino (15-1) moved up to 152 and recorded a pin in 1:27 before Emde at 160 earned an 8-2 decision, Lino at 171 pinned his opponent in 32 seconds, and Dember at 189 pinned in 1:07. Freshman Josh Suen at 215 and DeCristofano (15-0) at 275 each were victorious via forfeit.
Freshman Ryan McNamara earned his first varsity win with a 15-11 decision at 103, Mark Savino pinned in 54 seconds, and junior Kyle Rendall at 135 recorded a 9-0 major decision.
"We didn’t have a team let-down after the Hamilton win and that was nice to see," Lynne said. "I think we had a couple of individual let-downs. This was another match we were supposed to win and we did.
"Ian is like watching a highlight film. His matches all look the same. He uses the same takedowns and his opponents’ necks are all red from being beaten on during the matches. He had another nice week with a technical fall and a pin."
The Cardinals are focused on the county championships Friday and Saturday at Trenton High with their sights set on bringing home some gold.
"I’m hoping to have four-to-six guys in the finals," added Lynne. "In addition to our two returning county champs, Mike Savino (145) and Dale Emde (160), I’m looking at Mark Savino (125) and Matt DeCristofano (215). Mike and Dale will be at those weight classes again this year.
"I’d love to win the tournament. For that to happen, we need everyone to place. Our goal is to be in the top three; the higher the better. Peddie, Lawrenceville Prep, Nottingham, Steinert, and Hamilton are our toughest competition. Any one of those five teams can come in first."