Many Mustangs gained experience
By: Rudy Brandl
Manville High wrestling coach Brett Stibitz understands that improving numbers is the first step toward rebuilding a program. The presence of more wrestlers in the practice room fosters competition for spots in the lineup and helps develop team unity.
The Mustangs successfully completed that part of the puzzle this winter, but the work is far from over. Stibitz was hoping to win at least six matches to double the output of the previous season. Unfortunately, the Mustangs (3-16) only managed to duplicate the number of wins, but they were much more competitive than in the prior campaign.
Manville beat Oratory Prep, Sussex Tech and Pingry on the road and came very close to posting home victories over Johnson Regional of Clark, Governor Livingston and Newark Central.
"The only thing I’m disappointed in is the number of wins," Stibitz said. "I thought we’d get a few more. But most of the matches were much closer. We averaged more points per match."
The Mustangs scored more points because they put more wrestlers on the mat. MHS wasn’t forfeiting away half the match. In most cases, they sent at least a dozen guys out to compete. There were some holes in the lower weights but the team was deep in the middle and upper weights.
Stibitz emphasized the importance of gaining experience this winter. He gave everyone a chance to compete in a varsity match.
"Everyone wrestled varsity this year," the fourth-year head coach said. "I have 20 kids on the team and every single guy got at least two or three varsity matches. That’s how you build a foundation."
In many recent seasons, the Mustangs would show up with a handful of wrestlers. Stibitz ended the 2002-03 season with only six healthy guys. This year, Manville filled the bus.
"It’s nice to fill up the page on the weigh-in sheet," Stibitz said.
Two junior newcomers led the Mustangs this winter. Heavyweight Greg Babich (13-6) and 152-pounder Mike Zala (10-8) posted winning records in their first scholastic seasons on the mat.
Babich suffered a disappointing first round exit from the District 18 Championships. Stibitz had hoped his big man would advance beyond the district level and participate in the Region 5 Tournament. Zala suffered a season-ending injury in a dual meet and didn’t return for the districts.
Next year, the MHS coach figures his senior duo will prosper after gaining valuable experience as juniors. Stibitz also believes his team will continue to improve since only four seniors are graduating.
Manville will say good-bye to 125-pounder Nghi Nguyen (8-13), backup 152-pounder Mike Noble (0-1), 160-pounder Jason Lebedz (6-4) and 171-pounder Ed Ferraro (7-15). Lebedz won over 50 career matches but was plagued by injuries in his senior year and never qualified for the regions.
The rest of the MHS roster is eligible to return next year. Even if the incoming freshman class is thin, the Mustangs have several underclassmen who gained experience this winter.
That list includes 112-pounder Roland Yakobchuk, freshman 119-pounder Jamie Makowski, juniors R.J. Chevere (130) and Rocky Chevere (135), 140-pounder Bobby Ortiz, junior 145-pounder Greg Fabian, junior 160-pounder Nate Bott, 215-pounders Irek Kolodziej, Karol Wieczorek and Armand Fodorean and backup heavyweight Mike Manderski.
"We just need more mat experience," Stibitz said. "We’ve got the guys in the room. They just need to keep wrestling."