Wrestling
By: Mike Molaro
When the Hopewell Valley Central High School wrestling squad walked off the mats last Saturday after defeating Highland Park, 39-31, the Bulldogs left Hamilton High knowing that they were guaranteed a winning season.
It’s been a long time since they could tell themselves that.
"I can’t even remember the last time we ended a year above .500," Bulldog head coach Bob Crognale said. "I’ve been here eight years and it’s been much longer than that. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s been 15 years."
With two potential matches remaining, the Bulldogs (9-6 overall, 6-6 in the CVC) can do no worse than 9-8.
Wednesday’s home match against Princeton was still tentative pending the outcome of a skin rash at Princeton. HoVal concludes its regular season Saturday at Spotswood.
HoVal had a marathon session last Saturday, losing to Colonial Valley Conference power Hamilton, 60-16, before knocking off Bordentown, 46-30, and Highland Park.
Senior Brian Yaros, junior Mike Williams, and sophomore Ryan Hamor each won three bouts.
The Bulldogs were without juniors Joe Griffin, county champ at 135, and Tom Verbeyst.
Because he had 24 bouts going into last Saturday, senior Matt Strattman (152) was kept out of the Hamilton and Bordentown matches to remain eligible for District 17 action Feb. 22-23 at Hunterdon Central.
Yaros at 171 pounds was one of three victors against the Hornets, pinning county champion Don Snyder in 3:40. Williams at 275 was victorious, 9-2, and Hamor at 112 pinned in 1:00.
Against the Scotties, freshman Angelo Pagano at 145 pinned in 3:36, senior Will Randall registered a 13-5 major decision at 160, and Yaros (7-1) and Williams (14-2) earned decisions wins.
Freshman Mike Yaros (152), Hamor, freshman Mark Johnson (119), sophomore Greg Szysewski (130), and freshman Brett Williams (135) were victorious via forfeit.
Earning pins against Highland Park were Hamor, Brian Yaros, Williams, Randall, junior Corey Again, and Strattman.
"I didn’t know how well we would do last Saturday given that we weren’t at full strength," Crognale added. "Our guys really stepped it up. The seniors wrestled well and some of our young guys also wrestled well.
"I felt strongly that we could win two of three going in. Hamilton is a very good team and I wasn’t going to put my freshmen in against them. We took forfeits five forfeits because putting a young guy in a bout where he will lose doesn’t do much for his confidence. Angelo (Pagano) is a promising freshman and he has been wrestling varsity since the start of the season, but some of the other freshmen aren’t as experienced."
With county champ Griffin and Verbeyst missing for all three matches and Strattman out for the first two, HoVal went out and filled its lineup with guys who usually don’t see a lot of varsity action.
"(Freshman) Frank Dvorak and (sophomore) Greg Czyzewski filled in and did nice jobs," Crognale said. "Knowing that we will have a winning season is a huge step for this program. It says a lot for the guys on the team. They showed a lot of character and team unity to pull together and get two wins last Saturday."
The Bulldogs on Feb. 6 posted a 66-15 triumph at McCorristin. Brett Williams (130), Griffin (140), Brian Yaros (171), Hamor (112), and Agin (125) pinned, Strattman (152) earned a 4-0 decision, senior Nick Boczkowski (189) registered a 10-3 decision, and Mike Yaros (160), Mike Williams (275), and freshman Pete Feldstein (103) won via forfeit. Pagano (145) was victorious via injury default.
As HoVal heads into its final matches of the regular season, the program has emerged as one of the area’s pleasant surprises.
"We have a solid team," added Crognale. "We have been forfeiting 119 almost all year and we only had our 103-pounder (Feldstein) for about half the year. Pete has a great attitude and is a hard worker in the room. The other guys have done a solid job for us."
Although the Bulldogs are losing eight regulars to graduation, the cupboard, unlike past seasons, definitely is stocked and ready to go.
Future success depends upon how badly they want it.
"Our young guys have gotten valuable experience this year," Crognale said. "Everyone has come through for us to be where we are. The key is how much work these guys do in the off season. They can’t forget about this season. You can only get better by wrestling year round, not just from the day after Thanksgiving to the end of February.
"We as coaches preach to the guys to work hard in the room, but they also have to do it on their own."
While the Bulldogs have one eye on the future, they’re also taking some time to enjoy the present.
"I’m happy for the guys and for the program," added Crognale. "It’s a nice feeling to be on top for once."