Cardinals hoping to repeat in CVC, MCT

Lawrence wrestling

By: John E. Powers
   Lawrence High School’s wrestling team had a memorable year last season — a Mercer County Tournament championship, a 15-3 dual-meet record and, last but certainly not least, the first individual state championship in county history by 130-pounder Mark Savino.
   The Cardinals, who’ll open the season a week from Saturday in the Princeton Tournament, have enough talent back to repeat that success.
   "I’d like to see us repeat as county and CVC (Colonial Valley Conference) champs and get a couple of wins in the state (team) tournament," longtime coach Chris Lynne said.
   The key returnees are senior 125-pounder Matt Friedman, who was 26-4 last year with 16 pins. He was first at the Princeton Tournament and captured his second straight Mercer County title. He also was second at District 17. Also returning is senior 215-pounder Adam Oliszewski, who was 28-5 with 17 falls, a county title, a runner-up at District 17 and two wins at Region 5. Lynne believes that senior 145-pounder Chris Floyd will be the best wrestler in Mercer County this season. He won the county title last year and was fourth at Region 5.
   Junior Matt Friedeborn will be at 112 after a strong season at 103. He had 20-plus wins and finished third in the district. He also stunned Mostafa Omara of Ewing with a pin.
   "We might have more balance this year," Lynne said. "We have a pretty good nucleus back."
   Junior Alex Dehart will be at 119, sophomore Peter Yeager, a reserve last year, is at 130. Senior Jim Farley will be at 135, and sophomore Chris Parson is at 140. Junior Dan Williams will be at 152, district place-winner Neal Amato, a senior, is at 160. Senior Alex Parson, co-captain of the Lawrence football team, is at 171. Senior Drew Madsen, who didn’t wrestle the last two years, will be at 189. Senior Mark Lenarski, another football co-captain, has returned to wrestling and will be at 275 along with Zack Calderon, another football player, who will help the upper weights.
   "That side of the room is going to be pushing more than 800 pounds," Lynne said. "We’re working Lenarski down from 300 pounds. We don’t have a dual meet until Jan. 8, so we have some time. The first couple of tournaments are about getting down in weight."
   The additions in upper weights will help ease the loss of another outstanding wrestler, 189-pounder Brian Friedeborn, who went 22-9 last year with a Mercer County Tournament title and a third-place at the districts.