a rebuilding process
on his hands
New coach has
a rebuilding process
on his hands
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer
METUCHEN — Although it is his first year as head coach of the Metuchen High School wrestling team, Ed Angus is no stranger to the program.
Angus coached alongside previous head coach Bob Ulmer for eight seasons and the duo posted several 12-win seasons and captured three Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division titles.
After spending a year away from the program, the two men are back, but have switched titles and are ready to rebuild a once mighty wrestling team.
"Bob is really another head coach," Angus said. "When I was his assistant he treated me like a head coach and that is still the way we approach things."
Last season, the Bulldogs wrestled to a record of 4-12-1 and graduated team captains Derrick Corrente and Dan Graviano. Both wrestlers were a part of the program for four years and this year’s team will miss their leadership and experience.
"We are certainly a young team and are in the process of rebuilding," Angus said. "The team has been looking good in practice and we are going to focus on winning more matches."
The Bulldogs will open the regular season with a dual meet Dec. 22 against Morris Catholic and will host Spotswood Jan. 3 for its first division match-up.
Leading the team is highly touted junior Jack Barrett. Barrett went 25-6 a year ago and finished second in districts. As a freshman, Barrett recorded 20 wins and this season he will wrestle at 140 pounds.
"Jack is the man," Angus said. "A goal for him this season is to go to the states. He’s on pace to set a new school record in lifetime victories."
A senior in his first year wrestling, Manny Tereira, will wrestle at 103 pounds and look to post some wins for the team. At 119 pounds, junior Ray Rich and sophomore Stephen Bisogne will share time and senior Dan Vinci will wrestle at 125 pounds.
"Dan has been with the team since he was a freshman and he has improved each year," Angus said. "He is definitely one of our team leaders and I would like him to do well in the districts."
Senior John Nye is also in his fourth year with the team and will have a shot at wrestling into the regions at 130 pounds. Fellow senior Joe Cohen will see action in the same weight class.
"We are going to need Joe to get some wins in order for the team to be successful," Angus said.
In the middleweights the team will rely on junior James Alexander to hold down the 145 weight class and fellow junior Winson Yuan to wrestle at 160 pounds.
"James has improved quite a bit over the last two years and he should win some big matches for us," Angus said. "Winson attended some camps in the off-season and will also win some matches."
A pair of newcomers to the program are showing tremendous potential and Angus is eager to see what they can do. Juniors Rich Naleta and Reggie Johnson are brand new to the sport, but have taken to the tutelage of coach Ulmer and should turn some heads in the upper weight classes. Naleta is expected to do battle in the 189-215 pound division and Johnson will see heavyweight action.
"We are looking forward to beginning the season and to see what they can do," Angus said. "We want to be competitive and get this young team to have confidence in themselves and confidence in the program."