Cunliffe, Gaeta leave their marks at District tourney

Cunliffe, Gaeta leave their
marks at District tourney

It took four years of dedication and hard work for Howell’s Zac Cunliffe and Manalapan’s Mike Gaeta to have a chance for history, and neither was going to let it slip away last weekend at the NJSIAA District 21 Wrestling Championships at Manalapan High School.

Both were looking to join a very select group of wrestlers who can call themselves four-time district champions. The only other wrestler from the Freehold District to win four district titles was the Braves’ Joe DiMario, who did it from 1986-89. To both, it seemed like only yesterday that they were making their debuts at the Neptune Classic. The freshmen announced their arrivals rather emphatically, picking up individual titles. It was the first sign of greatness. They would go on to claim the District 21 title that year and have been racking up the titles ever since. The wins have been piling up as well, with the two combining for 227 after their district triumphs. At this year’s Classic, Cunliffe and Gaeta made it four straight there and looked ahead to March.

"We talked about winning the districts four times at the Classic," said Cunliffe. "I told him ‘I’ll see you at the district. Don’t let me down.’"

Both held up their end of the bargain Saturday night, claiming their fourth crowns.

Cunliffe defeated St. John Vianney’s Anthony Castro 5-1 in the 125 final while Gaeta decisioned Adam Berking of Jackson, 7-1, to capture the 140 title.

"I was ready," said Cunliffe, who was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the district championships. "I knew this was going to be the last time and I told myself, ‘I can’t go out with a loss.’"

Gaeta had a similar approach.

"In my mind I wasn’t letting anyone beat me," he said. "It was going to be my tournament."

There are bigger goals remaining for these two champions, but they are aware of just how special what they did Saturday is.

"I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to do it," noted Gaeta. "A lot of people don’t have that chance. It’s something I never really thought about when I was a freshman."

With his three wins over the weekend, Gaeta is 25-2 for the season and has 97 career wins. If he can win his first Region VI title this weekend, he can make it an even 100 wins and pass DiMario’s school record 99 wins.

"I feel good and have a great chance to accomplish my goals," said Gaeta.

Since that Neptune Classic win as a freshman, Cunliffe has been constantly setting records. His coach John Gagliano, a district and region champion himself and the former record holder at Howell for career wins, saw something special in Cunliffe from the start and the athlete has proven his coach right.

With his three wins at Manalapan, Cunliffe is 30-0 on the season and now has 132 career wins, matching the Shore Conference mark held by the legendary Damien Hahn of Lakewood.

"I love setting records," Cunliffe said. "I won’t be satisfied until the season is over. Then, I’ll look back."

Cunliffe has won two Region VI titles and been a three-time state place-winner (third place the last two years). The only missing honor is that of state champion; this year, everything seems to be pointing in that direction for the Rebel senior.