Spotswood team learns on the fly

BY RICHARD JEROME
Staff Writer
The Spotswood High School wrestling team has a 5-12 mark, but coach Joe Koslowski is patient

BY RICHARD JEROME
Staff Writer
The Spotswood High School wrestling team has a 5-12 mark, but coach Joe Koslowski is patient

"The team is young and has little wrestling experience," he said. "Our goal this year was to finish around 500; unfortunately, we had a lot of key injuries. The future looks bright, and we have a dedicated bunch of kids and coaches that want this program to succeed."

The Chargers have 24 kids on the roster, none of whom are seniors. But there’s plenty of talent and potential. Junior Dominick Calogero at 215 pounds has a 16-1 record but won’t wrestle in the districts because of an injury.

"Dom is one of the most athletic 215s in the state," Koslowski said.

Another junior, 160-pound Dave Wojcik, sports a fine 15-5 mark, as does soph Andre Hage, who is 14-5, at 152, including some very close losses.

Other starting grapplers include sophomore Matt Lavelle at 103, and sophs Steve Hernandez and Artie Latzko at 112 and 119, respectively.

Brian Pearsall, a freshman, is at 125. The 130-pound starter is freshman Kyle Harper, with Joshua Castillo, another frosh, at 135 and yet another, Andrew Bartlett, at 140.

Junior Steve Farparan is at 145, with sophomore Randy Crotzer at 171, junior Ahmad Azmi at 189, and Drew McKay at heavyweight.

Others on the varsity are freshmen Robert and Matt Gunther at 125 pounds, Jon Liebowitz at 130, junior Tim Dubovick at 140, freshman Chris Manfre at 152, junior Rob Joule and sophomore Dan Meyer at 160, sophs Robert Duffy and Paul Cella at 171, freshman Zac Eisenbrey at 189 and another freshman, Jeff Drozd, at 215.

Assisting Koslowski are Darrick Green, Justin Haskins and Richard Widmer.

"We have one of the best coaching staffs in New Jersey," Koslowski said. "Darrick was a two-time NCAA qualifier at Central Michigan, Justin Haskins ranks 15th all time in wins at Rutgers, and Richard Widmer was an All-American at Trenton State.

"They care about the entire student, academically and socially, not just athletically."

Notes… The Spotswood wrestling team is having its end-of-season awards dinner at the Friendly Sons of Shillelagh in Old Bridge. Cost is $15.50 per person. Alumni, friends and fans or invited.

Any questions, call Angie at (732) 251-7972 or e-mail Coach Koslowski at [email protected].