BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer
EDISON — Edison High School wrestling coach Gerry Nisivoccia is proud to head such a loyal program.
In his 10th season as head coach, Nisivoccia is pleased to share the reigns with two of his former wrestlers, Griff Banos and Bill Enoch. While each is a former team captain, Banos was a three-time Warren Hills Tournament Champion, and Enoch is in his first year as an assistant coach after heading the Edison Recreation Program for a year.
"Griff and Bill are doing a great job, and a real strength of this year’s team is the positive attitude of both the kids and the coaching staff," Nisivoccia said. "The staff is dedicated, their loyalty is unquestionable, and the kids are working hard each day."
Last season, the Edison Grapplers finished the season 10-6 and won the Edison Classic for the third straight year, and the Elizabeth Minutemen Tournament for the second consecutive year.
The Eagles begin the new season hosting the Edison Classic Dec. 20. The team will look to defend its title against the likes of Notre Dame, Franklin, Newark Central, Newark East Side, and St. Joe’s by the Sea of Staten Island.
On Dec. 27, the team will travel to Warren Hills to wrestle in the nation’s second oldest holiday tournament, the John Goles Tournament, before opening up the regular season Jan. 3, when they host South Plainfield.
In the Goles Tournament, the Eagles will meet state powerhouses Newton, Sparta, Scotch Plains, West Morris, and Warren Hills. Newton currently holds the record for the most state titles.
The Eagles will do battle without last year’s team leader, Tyler Solley, who qualified for the states a year ago at 130 pounds.
He is now lending a hand for the recreation program, with former standouts Mike Malinconico and Anthony Iazzetta.Malinconico was a state runner-up in 1996, and Iazzetta reached the states in 2001.
"With the guys coming back and helping it provides consistency for our whole program, from the youngest guys to the varsity members," Nisivoccia said.
Leading this year’s team are seniors Matt Gabriel, Sean McQueeney, Vincent Cortese, and Michael Grogan.
Gabriel should wrestle at 119 or 125 pounds and is looking to get back to the regions. He was a region qualifier two years ago, when he finished third in the districts.
"Last year Matt was forced to wrestle at an upper weight," Nisivoccia said. "He is at a better weight this year, and he should have a good year."
McQueeney brings a solid wrestling background to the 130-pound division. Beginning in the recreation program, McQueeney can be expected to provide a steady performance for the team.
Cortese and Grogan were Elizabeth Minutemen Tournament Champions a year ago. Cortese will wrestle at 135 pounds, and Grogan will return at 140 pounds.
In his third year on the varsity team, junior Ed Kidney will wrestle at 189 pounds.
"Ed has been steadily improving," Nisivoccia said. "He is certainly one of our forces in the upper weights."
Senior Anthony Cox is likely to start at 152 pounds for the Eagles. Cox took third in the Elizabeth Tournament last year at 145 pounds.
Junior Bill Van Emburgh will wrestle at 215 pounds, and seniors Gerardo Liwag and Matt Merritt will occupy the 160 and 171 pound slots.
"Matt is a source to be reckoned with, and he has shown great improvement," Nisivoccia said. "Gerardo is very strong and very fast, and he should be a great asset to the team."
Nisivoccia also has two freshmen that will help the team. J.C. Bandiero may see action at 112 or 119 pounds, and Gary Thompson can fill a hole at 112 pounds.
"A weakness this year is in our numbers," Nisivoccia said. "With only 28 kids on the team we might not be able to fill all of the weight classes. I am optimistic to see some improvement as the season goes on. I want to see where we are with a third of the season to go and see if we can surprise some people."