NBC wrestlers dominate talented AHS team

Greyhounds win, 58-15

By:Sean Moylan
   Following a fantastic showing in the North Carolina Tournament, heavyweight Brian Perry took down Shawn Nixon in 48 seconds to pace the Northern Burlington County Regional High School boys’ varsity wrestling squad to a lopsided 58-15 home victory over Allentown last Friday night.
   "It’s so rare to find a big kid like Brian (Perry). He’s just a big, strong athlete," NBC head coach Jule Doci noted.
   Yet, Perry was just one of many stars for NBC versus Allentown.
   In fact, Northern’s 152-pounder Erik George posted his ninth win (9-2) of the young season by pinning Victor Veltre 62 seconds into the night’s opening bout.
   NBC’s Chris McMullen (103 pounds) and Jeff Verity (112) also posted first-period pins over their respective opponents.
   Coach Dolci, who is very impressed with McMullen’s toughness, commented, "He’s not a small 103-pounder and that’s kind of rare."
   At 160 pounds, NBC’s Ryan Buchanan posted a 13-5 major decision against Matt Merritt while Northern’s Mike Brewer (135) and Dan Lobue (171) also won decisions. Northern’s Chris Garofalo (189 pounds), Ray Bullus (119), David Van Sciver (125) and Al Wonesh (140) all won by forfeit.
   Allentown’s star Nick Painchaud, held on to decision Steve Barton, 4-1, at 130. Both wrestlers were wrestling "up" with Barton moving up two weight classes to face Allentown’s best.
   "They’re (Allentown) definitely not a bad team. I know one of their starters was out and that hurt them," noted Coach Dolci, whose team’s record improved to 3-1-1 with the win.
   NBC also wrestled well in the North Carolina tournament on December 28th with George, Rich Feig and Garofalo all placing in their respective weight classes.
   "They wrestled a ton. The competition was tough," added Coach Dolci.
   "In North Carolina I think Steve Mukuka and Al Wonesh wrestled really tough and you could see them maturing during their matches."
   Dan Lobue, who dedicated himself to wrestling during the off-season, also stepped up in North Carolina as did Brian Perry.
   The way he’s been wrestling, it’s hard to believe that Lobue, a junior, actually struggled during his freshman year.
   "He (Lobue) wrestles you hard for six minutes," said Coach Dolci, whose hot team was scheduled at Moorestown yesterday. On SaturDay, NBC is scheduled to host a match versus Medford Tech, Bordentown and Burlington City.
BRHS

   The Bordentown Regional High School boys’ varsity wrestling squad may be struggling, but senior Shane Heisler is wrestling better than ever.
   On Saturday it took Heisler all of 38 seconds to post a pin over Maple Shade’s 189-pounder Sean McBride. Unfortunately, Maple Shade’s won the overall match, 70-9.
   "I think he (Heisler) looked pretty solid. He high-crotched the kid and then took him down in a real tight half," said Bordentown head coach Rick Little.
   The brilliant grappling of Heisler and 112-pounder Chris Panfili has made this season bearable and often pleasant, despite the fact that the Scotties forfeit at least five weight classes every match.
   However Maple Shade’s Bob Hall edged Chris Panfili, 8-7, in a good match which was marred by several controversial calls.
   Although Bordentown’s Bill Dekovitch was ultimately pinned late in the second period by Maple Shade’s Blake Summer (160 pounds), Coach Little was very impressed with his young freshman’s performance. In fact, at the time of the pin, Dekovitch was enjoying a 4-2 lead, and had displayed some fine moves.
   At 145, Maple Shade’s Phil Chester slipped by James Mercanitni, 4-0, in a competitive match.
   Bordentown (0-2) hasn’t been wrestling as often as usual, but that will change soon.
   "Instead of being loaded up in the beginning of the season, we’re loaded in the middle," Coach Little noted.
   Bordentown is scheduled to compete in quad meet versus Medford Tech NBC and Burlington City at Northern Burlington this Saturday.