By richard jerome
Staff Writer
Coming off a dual meet record of 13-3, including a Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division title, the Monroe Township High School wrestling team has many of its grapplers back in the fold.
But the season, which starts Saturday in the Ewing Tournament, could prove tougher than 2001-02.
"We’re moving up to the White Division," said head coach Sal Profaci, whose squad was voted the county’s most improved team in groups I and II.
"The schedule will be more demanding, and we’ve added some strong teams to it."
Still, Monroe has some considerable talent coming back, and Profaci is expecting some of his wrestlers to wrestle well into the postseason.
"We should have several guys who advance to the Regions," said Profaci.
Those would be 119-pound sophomore Anthony Mancini, a standout, John Jensen, the junior at 140, who placed fourth in the districts last winter, senior Jeff DeCruz (135), 145-pound senior Jared Axelrod, Mike Horsche, a junior at 160, and sophomore Mike Goff, who has high potential at the 215-pound level.
"He could be our next county champ," says Profaci.
As for the rest of the team, the 103-pound crew includes a trio of freshmen, Al Rotundo, Brian Stigner and Jesse Waldmeyer.
Sophomore Justin Bauman wrestles at 112, while another 10th-grader, Mike Tuhy, competes at 125, and senior Kevin Rogers at 130.
Senior Greg Dennen is at 152, with senior Brian Georges at 171 along with soph Steve Banack, while two other sophomores, Frank Steinhauser and John Urbanowicz, are the 189-pounders.
Senior Chet Urbanowicz, a 275-pounder, grapples heavyweight.
As for goals, Profaci, who is assisted by Jim Kushner, is fairly explicit.
"We’re looking to place in the top two in the White Division," he said.
But beyond that, Monroe is looking to build on the momentum it established last season. The Falcons won’t be surprising anyone this year either, and with a number of teams throughout the Greater Middlesex Conference putting together better teams, this year’s competition throughout the conference promises to be intense.
The Falcons will participate in the highly competitive Ewing Tournament this weekend before heading to the Holmdel Holiday Tournament next weekend. From there, they will launch their regular season with a tri-meet with Marlboro and Colts Neck on Dec. 30, before hosting their first dual meet of the year against Sayreville on Jan. 3.