HHS wrestling getting set for another great season

By: Neil Hay
   While graduation may have taken quite a bit out of the Hightstown wrestling team, expect the Rams to be in pretty good shape as they attempt to repeat as CVC Valley Division champions.
   Head coach Mike Russo and assistant coach Roger Weck lost four top grapplers from last winter’s 15-6 team, including Brandon Tyers and John Bardachino, who combined for 53 wins in 2003-04 and are among the school’s all-time mat winners.
   "We lost a ton of talent. But the other CVC teams are going through the same thing. Luckily we have a lot of numbers and guys who are already steeping up," said Russo.
   Five returnees are at the top of the lineup, just one a senior: Brian Leibowitz at 135. The others are sophomore Tim Trivisonno (119 pounds), and juniors Erik Crawford (130), Dan Indellicati (152) and Ricky Vetick (215).
   "These five are all established wrestlers. They are all much-improved and bigger and stronger. They’ll be our team leaders and captains. Bardachino, Tyers, and Chris Crawford were our captains last year. These five have done an exceptional job leading by example and taking the younger guys under their wing. Last year we had the hardest-working bunch of guys ever. This group might be working even harder," said Russo.
   Others back with varsity experience are junior Adam Gonzalez (145), sophomore Dan Ratner (160) and sophomore Kenny Amponsa (189).
   One of the most impressive newcomers, who moves up from the junior varsity, is sophomore Sean McEvenie at 103. Said Russo, "He is a very tough kid. Although this is just his first year on the varsity, I am predicting him to be one of the county’s best at 103. He did a lot of off-season work. I expect him to have an immediate impact."
   Also coming on board are sophomores Tommy Boyle and Brandon Broderick at 112. These two are very close and the winner of a wrestle-off this week will determine who starts at 112. The loser of the competition will have to put on some weight and move up to 125. But both should help the program.
   Another wrestler coming up from the junior varsity is junior Leo Brunetti, who will go at 140. Brunetti has taken a more traditional route to the varsity: he wrestled for two years in the jayvee program, and is now ready to step up to the next level.
   "He is tough, aggressive, works hard," said Russo. "He did two years in the junior varsity, now its his turn."
   In at 171 will be junior Scott Glazer, who saw some varsity action last season. Glazer wrestled heavier last year, but dropped some weight and is penciled in at 171 by Russo.
   "He is a lot like Leo. His time is here to be a varsity wrestler. He can helps us out a lot up top."
   The Hightstown heavyweight will be junior Ben Rosenberg, who wrestled as a freshman but sat out his sophomore year. According to Russo, Rosenberg has put on weight, is big and strong, more mature, and "can definitely hold his own. He will help us out a lot and give us some pins."
   Not only will Russo be able to fill every weight class this year, and have backups in the wings just in case, the coach also does not have to resort to using inexperienced freshmen to complete his lineup card.
   With thirty wrestlers out for the varsity and jayvee, "This is the first time I can remember no freshman listed on the varsity. We have a lot of good, hard-working freshmen in the program. Having wrestlers who develop for two years on the junior varsity, then move up to the varsity, is paying off. We are not just throwing anybody out there."
   A year ago Trivisonno, Indellicati, and Vetick all made regionals. Leibowitz would have too, had he not been injured late in the year. Those wrestlers are expected to pick up where they left off.
   "Some of our top guys will surprise people. We have a great group of kids. We are really jelling as a team. They’ll do anything I ask. Roger and I have the same feelings, that we have a really good team. I think we’ll be more balanced and get production from all fourteen weight classes."
   The new season begins tomorrow with the Rams at the Pine Barrens Tournament, where they will hone their mat skills against Shawnee, Cherokee, and Delran, among others. Last year, with eight wrestlers in the finals, the Rams had their best showing ever at this very competitive season-opening tourney. Two days later, Hightstown has its first dual match, at always-tough Pemberton. The Truman Tournament, which Hightstown won a year ago, follows on December 30th. The CVC season begins January 8th at home against Nottingham, with non-league Northern Burlington also visiting.
   The Rams’ next four matches are on the road, with Hightstown finally returning home on January 26th against Ewing.
   "It’s a rough schedule. The Pine Barrens Tournament and Pemberton will help get us ready for the CVC. Last year a lot of our bigger matches were at home. This year they are away."
   Russo has only one senior in the lineup, but he is confident that his team will compete hard and be successful.
   "This is a young team but strong physically. The guys are in good shape after playing soccer and football in the fall. We are pushing them hard and I see it is paying off."