Fast start makes Knights the team to beat in GMC
Old Bridge wrestlers impressive in dual
meets thus far
As individuals, the collective Old Bridge High School wrestling team is a respectable 114-84, yet the Knights have found a way to win all seven of their dual meets.
"The guys are finding ways to get the job done," coach Ken Scott said. "So far we’ve been able to move people around to different weight classes to take advantage of our strengths, and our wrestlers are coming through."
Along the way the Knights have squeaked past Southern Regional, 32-30, edged South Brunswick, 30-28, and topped Wall, 33-23, heading into last night’s highly anticipated match at South Plainfield.
The Tigers and Knights have been the top teams in the Greater Middlesex Conference for the past few years, and last night’s match promised to be yet another classic bout between the conference’s top powers.
Because the Knights got by South Brunswick, who has already defeated South Plainfield this season, a win last night would cement Old Bridge’s status as the GMC’s top team.
Four-year veteran Wilhelm Kienhofer, competing primarily at 145 pounds, leads Old Bridge with 12 wins against just three losses.
Seniors Ian Gorham (119) and Mike Wojcik (171) are 11-1 and 11-2, respectively, while sophomore Vinny Iodaci (130) is 11-1 and junior Matt Lamela (HW) is 10-3.
Much of the rest of the line-up is comprised of "committees," according to Scott.
At 103 pounds, for example, junior Mike Mazur and freshmen Carmine DeFeo and Len Crowther have combined for six wins.
At 135, senior Nick Vander Valk and sophomore Dan Rispoli have seven triumphs between them.
Sophomores Justin Obrusniak and John Pagnotta, both 112 pounders who have been moved around, own 9-3 and 6-2 marks.
At 125 pounds, junior Mike Caruso and senior Rob Giovine have five wins combined; at 152 pounds, senior Ken Loeffler and junior Mike Walsh have also combined to post five successes.
Other members of the team include seniors Alejandro Battle (140), seven wins; Andrew Orak (160) and Francis Bennett (189), three victories apiece; and sophomore Charlie Fradella (215), seven triumphs.
"Everyone has come up big at one time or another," Scott said. "If you look at our overall records, they’re not all that impressive, but these guys win when they need to. They work hard, and they work together for the team."
The Knights have two key tests coming up, and fortunately both matches will be at home. On Friday Woodbridge comes to visit and on Tuesday, Shore Conference power Ocean will be in town. Both matches start at 7 p.m.
Their undefeated dual meet mark has them ranked No. 8 in the state, the top ranking among Central Jersey schools.