WrestlingIt’s on to the Meadowlands for Mike Savino.
By: Mike Molaro
The Lawrence High School senior earned a berth in this weekend’s NJSIAA Wrestling Championships at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford by winning the 152-pound Region V title last Saturday at Hunterdon Central.
Because he is a regional champion, Savino earned a bye in the first round of this week’s Super Regions at Red Bank Regional High School.
He faces the winner of the match between the third-place finisher in Region V, Matt Campbell of Hillsborough, and the second-place finisher in Region VI later that evening.
A wrestler must win his first-round bout in the Super Regions to qualify for the state championships in East Rutherford, and Savino has punched his ticket to the Meadowlands with his first-round bye.
The top three wrestlers in each weight class at the regions advance to the Super Regions.
The top-seeded Savino defeated Phil Bush of Delaware Valley, 6-5, to become the first Mercer County regional champion since 1998. He was the only Mercer County wrestler to win a Region V title.
Savino also recorded a 5-3 triumph over Bush in the District 17 semifinals two weeks ago en route to capturing the 152-pound district championship.
In last Saturday’s semifinals, Savino beat Campbell, 6-4.
Savino (31-1 this season and 102-12 for his career) became the first Cardinal in history and only the second Mercer County public school wrestler to record 100 career victories when he earned a 7-3 decision over Rob Chartowich of Bridgewater in last Friday’s Region V quarterfinals.
As a district champ, he received a bye in last Friday’s Region V qualifying round.
Savino’s next victory ties him with Jeremy Romano of Hopewell Valley for the most career victories by a Mercer County public school wrestler.
The anticipated rematch between Savino and Matt Brienza of Voorhees never materialized as Campbell defeated Brienza, 7-5, in overtime, in the semifinals. Savino dominated Brienza, who was ranked second in the state at the time, 13-5, to win the District 17 championship and the District 17 Most Valuable Wrestler Award.
"Mike wrestled very conservatively against Chartowich, Campbell, and Bush," Cardinal head coach Chris Lynne said. "He did just what he needed to do. He didn’t take chances and he cruised from there. He wrestled conservatively throughout the Regions because he was facing people who had seen him and studied him. He wrestled opposite of how he wrestled in the Districts.
"In the Super Regions and states, he’ll be wrestling people who have never seen him or don’t know much about him. Mike will be able to open up more."
Savino was aware that the match against Chartowich carried more than the usual pressure and the stakes were higher. He also took some valuable lessons with him to Red Bank Regional for the Super Regions.
"I am pretty psyched up that I got it," he said after earning his 100th career triumph. "I tried to block it out of my mind, but I really wanted to get it. I am the No. 1 seed (152) so I have to wrestle like it.
"I learned a lot here (Region V) with two matches that went down to the wire. I stayed with my plan. I was good on my feet. If I’m going to win a state championship, I’m going to win it on my feet."
Lynne said the 100th win was on his grappler’s mind.
"He really wanted to achieve his goal," Lynne said. "That’s behind him now and he can move on. The key for Mike now is not to lose in the Super Regions. If you lose there, you can only finish as high as third in the states.
"Last year Mike was seeded eighth out of eight wrestlers going into the states. If Mike wins the Super Regions, he should be second- or third-seeded."
Savino’s ultimate goal this season was to be the first state champion in Mercer County history.
With his outstanding performances in District 17 and Region V providing the solid foundation for the trip to the Super Regions, he’s well on his way to achieving that objective.
Update: Savino won again Tuesday when he defeated Hillsborough’s Matt Campbell, 4-2. The Region V champion may get a seed as high as No. 2 this weekend.
Follow Savino’s quest for a state championship on www.lawrenceledger.com and in the March 15, 2001, edition of the Lawrence Ledger.