Lawrence wrestling
By: John E. Powers
Chris Lynne had warned his team.
Though the Cardinals had thumped Steinert 53-18 in the Central Jersey Group III quarterfinals last Tuesday, Lynne told his squad not to be overconfident when the two Colonial Valley Conference foes met in a dual meet three days later.
The Friday night meet was different much different. But the bottom line is that the Cardinals survived, taking a 38-30 decision. On Saturday, the Cardinals wrapped up their second straight Colonial Valley Conference Colonial Division by thumping Princeton 65-10 and Nottingham 56-9.
The Cardinals, who will compete in the District 17 Tournament at Hunterdon Central Fieldhouse on Friday and Saturday, finished the season with a 14-2 overall record and 12-0 in CVC action.
Mike Scott delivered the key win for Lawrence at 135 points when he pinned Mercer County Tournament champion George Patsaros in 2:46. Senior Adam Oliszewski also had a key fall at 215.
Scott was beating Patsaros in the second period when he reversed the 130-pound county champ for the win.
"It was a shock to everybody," Lynne said. "A shock we really needed. They wrestled tough, really tough. And maybe our kids were a little overconfident. We owe it to both Scotts."
The other Scott was freshman Ricky Scott, a 103-pounder who kept Taylor Sapurdar to a decision win. Freshman Andrew Goldberg didn’t make weight, so Ricky Scott came in. Steinert took an early lead with Sapudar, Dustin Renelt (112) and Matt Benedetti (119) winning. Junior Alex DeHart got the Cardinals going with a major decision at 125. Steinert forfeited to county champ Matt Friedman at 130.
"We moved Friedman up from 125 to 130 and they moved their county champ up to 135 to wrestle Scott," Lynne said. "I don’t think Patsaros would have gotten pinned by Friedman, because he probably would have played it closer to the vest."
The Scott pin gave the Cardinals a 16-12 lead, but Eric Renelt pinned Derek Parson at 140 and Steinert regained the lead. Chris Floyd scored a major at 145 as the Cardinals went ahead, and then Dan Williams (152) and Alex Parson won in overtime at 160. Senior Neal Amato, in his first match back, hung on to win an 11-10 decision at 171.
"Neal came back in the nick of time," Lynne said.
Drew Madsen dropped a one-point decision at 189, and Oliszewski clinched it with a third period fall. The Cardinals forfeited at 275.
Now the Cardinals prepare for District 17 at the Central Fieldhouse.
Last year, they just missed breaking into the top three for the first time, taking fourth for the first time just four points behind third place Delaware Valley.
The Cardinals return three runners-up from last year Friedman, Floyd and Oliszewski.
"We need eight guys into the semifinals Saturday," Lynne said. "I really think Friedeborn, Freidman, Floyd, Amato and Oliszewski can make the finals."