By: Sean Moylan
An influx of talented young grapplers in the Northern Burlington County Regional High School coed wrestling program should help in filling the gaping hole created by the graduation of District Champions Chris Garofalo, Erik George and Ryan Buchanan last spring.
"We lost six guys who all had over 19 wins last year," said Jule Dolci, who coached the Greyhounds to a District Championship and an 18-7 record last season.
The Greyhounds should be two or three wrestlers deep in nearly every weight class. And although many of NBC’s wrestlers are freshmen, they’ve been wrestling for years with the Junior Greyhounds. Therefore, Dolci did not see the need to weaken his club’s schedule. In fact, he strengthened it instead.
"That’s the only way you get better," added the Greyhounds’ head coach.
Of course, the Greyhounds do have some tremendous leaders coming back from last year.
At 140, junior Steve "Mad Dog" Makuka is a defending District champ who posted a 23-10 record last season. Makuka has a reputation of wrestling at his best in the bigger matches.
"He’s tough," said Dolci of Makuka.
Senior Al "The Wonder Boy" Wonesh (152 pounds) ended last season with a 25-0 record. His record speaks for itself.
Nursing various injuries and ailments, junior Chris McMullen still managed to take second place at Districts and post a 21-3 record last season.
"He’s a big boy now," said Dolci of McMullen, who stands over 6 feet tall. This year McMullen will move up and grapple at 135.
Last year Geoff "All Day" Bauma (145) also took second at Districts. This year Bauma should improve on last season’s 22-11 mark.
"Al Wonesh and Steve Makuka have been unbelievable and Geoff Bauma looks like he’s in a different league," noted Dolci.
Of course, the real excitement may come as a result of how NBC’s newcomers respond to a varsity schedule.
Sophomore Josh Verity, up from the junior varsity unit, will be NBC’s 103-pounder.
112-pounder Brian Van Sciver posted a 12-12 record as a freshmen last year. However, he and older brother David, a 145-pounder, wrestled over 50 matches this summer and are tougher than ever. He could be ready for stardom.
Sophomore Brandi Price (112) is the only girl on the team. She’s been in the program so long she should have a successful season. Sophomore Kevin Apodaca and freshman Phil Bowen are solid 112-pounders too.
At 119, Kiernan Shea (senior), Kendrick Shea (sophomore), Clayton Bucci (a freshman), Corey Sokides (freshman) and Peter Kolez (freshman) should battle for mat time.
Ray Bullus (junior), Bart Townsend (sophomore) and Anthony Lentini (freshman) are the Greyhounds’ 125-pounders.
Greg Bauma, a sophomore who placed fourth at Districts last season, will handle most of the action at 130.
NBC is set at 135 (McMullen) and at 140 (Makuka), however sophomore Andrew Arroyo (140) gives NBC a reliable backup should one of those guys get injured.
In addition to Geoff Bauma and David Van Sciver, freshmen Josh Ploof and sophomore Bryan Henry are both competent wrestlers at 145.
Wonesh will be backed up by sophomore Anthony Rittwager at 152.
At 160, the Greyhounds will feature Brian Matey (freshman), Josh Kolev (junior) and Nate Spamms (sophomore).
The Greyhounds also have tremendous depth at 171 with Mike Shea (senior), R.J. Melton (freshman) and J.J. Schmitt (freshmen).
Kristian Morris will lead a talented trio of sophomore 189-pounders (Jon Lathers and Joel Douglass are the others).
"Kristian Morris is going to be successful," noted Dolci.
Brian Perry (junior), Ben Cace (sophomore) and Steve Ferrara (freshman) are NBC’s 215-pounders while sophomore John Humble is the club’s lone heavyweight.
"We’re young, but I think we’ll be ready. Our goals every year are the same. We want to win our league, our section and our district," said Dolci, who’ll be assisted by Kirk Eknes, Craig Angermeier, Gary Fuller, Ray Apice, Buddy Starr and Rich Feig.
"The kid we throw out therethey’ll be prepared. Get ready for a fun year!"
The fun officially gets underway on Saturday with the Jackson Tournament.
BRHS
The Bordentown Regional High School boys’ varsity wrestling team’s 2004-2005 season did not start on Black Friday as it had in previous years.
It started during the summer when many of the Scotties best grapplers gave their time each week and learned new moves with head coach Joe Sprague and Tony Arroyo.
Sprague is not content with resting on last year’s 9-16 mark, easily the Scotties’ best season in recent years, and neither are Bordentown’s wrestlers.
These kids want to winand they’ve put in the work to get better. Moreover, Sprague has made an effort to make sure Bordentown has a solid wrestler at each weight class.
"I’d like to have 15 winsthat’s our goal," said Sprague.
The Scotties will have some returning standouts to lead them. Last year Brent Clemens, a junior captain, posted a 22-7 record and placed fourth in the District. The talented 140-pounder can hold his own against nearly all of New Jersey’s elite grapplers.
At 125, Bordentown will have junior captain Mike Schoenhaar (18-11) back. He’s a very steady grappler.
Bordentown’s 171-pound junior captain, Billy Dekovitch, can get it done on the mat and so can Joel Presa, a 135-pound senior. Both wrestled 25 or more times last year and recorded winning records.
The Scotties, however, have the most talented freshmen class of wrestlers they’ve had in years. They are young and they are deepsomething they haven’t been in the past.
At the 103 weight class, the Scotties will come at opponents with Kadja Crawford and Karam Khalifa, both 9th graders.
Talented Andrew Carthan, a sophomore, will be back to handle the spot at 112. However, freshman Greg Pontious will also see action at 112.
Sophomore Ryan Gray will be the Scotties’ representative at 119 and, of course, Schoenhaar will handle the chores at 125.
At 130, Bordentown can out either sophomore Justin Moore or freshman Dan Romano on the mat.
The 135-pound weight slot could be one of the most intriguing on the club.
Freshman Tyler Sheehan is a former AAU champ, Casey Pritchett is a tough 10th grader and Presa is as steady as a rock.
If Clemens needs a break, sophomore Sean Talley can wrestle a match or two at 140. Junior Kevin Tanzini will also be in the mix at 140.
Senior Jared Lynch and sophomore Kevin Malloy will be the Scotties’ 145-pounders.
Bordentown will have senior Dan Walker and a pair of freshmen, Josh Slezak and Kyle Moya, at 152.
Junior Casey Pritchett, sophomore Dean Kreiser and sophomore C.J. Dixon should be up for the task at 160 pounds.
While Dekovitch has the upper hand at 171, junior Mike Lysczack, freshman Anthony Arcomano and sophomore Jay Swiunichowski will battle him for mat time.
A trio of 10th graders (Davey Sammons, Nick Dekovitch and Kevin Ashe) are Brodentown’s 189-pounders.
Bordentown has rarely had more depth at 215. Jon Gens (junior), Mike Horner (senior), Ben Moore (junior) and Anthony Gaedecki (sophomore) can all wrestle there.
Freshmen Claude Francis and Jason Crivelli are Bordentown’s 275-pounders.
Larry Larned will assist Spargue and Joe Haluska (a former Bordentown great), Jason Bataloni, Rob Roseboro and Steve Bybus have volunteered their services too.
"(Ultimately) I’d like to be over .500 and our team would like to be in the Central Jersey Group I finals," said Sprague, who may add a few wrestlers to the lineup before opening day.
Those goals may seem lofty to somebut those people haven’t been introduced to the new Bordentown Scotties.
The Scotties will open their regular season with a home match versus Willingboro on December 22.

