BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer
JACKSON — The Goetz Middle School wrestling team combined an experienced eighth-grade crew with a number of talented sixth- and seventh-graders to finish the year with a gaudy 17-2 overall mark.
“We had an interesting season,” second-year head coach Eric Rado said. “It just seemed that we had the right kind of blend of kids on this year’s squad. They all worked hard and gave their best efforts in the workouts and matches.”
Goetz, which captured the Ocean County Intermediate School Scholastic League Red Division title last season, is locked in controversy with Vets Memorial Middle School from Brick to see which program wins the division this season.
“The two schools’ athletic directors are trying to solve the situation,” Rado said. “We expect there should be some kind of decision made in the next couple of weeks. But no matter how that turns out, we still had an outstanding season.”
Goetz opened the season with a loss to Freehold and then reeled off six straight victories. Later in the season, Goetz ran off 11 consecutive wins.
“After the opening loss, we got back on track,” Rado said. “We put together a nice string of victories.”
Goetz sent four grapplers to the prestigious Ocean County vs. Monmouth/
Middlesex County meet at the end of the season. Sixth-graders Brad Royle (75 pounds) and Dallas Winston (85), seventh-grader Doug Hamann (110), and eighth-grader D. J. Young (105) all competed in the event that pitted the top wrestlers from each county.
“For us to send four guys is quite an accomplishment,” Rado said. “I’m proud of the fact that we had four guys selected.”
Winston, younger brother of Jackson High School standout Scott Winston, compiled a record of 21-0. Winston trailed in only a couple of matches this season, but found a way to rally.
“He is a great wrestler,” Rado said. “He is very strong for his age and he is very good on his feet. He has good quickness and he works very hard in practice.”
Winston isn’t the only wrestler with outstanding numbers. Royle finished 18-3, Young was 20-1 and Hamann went 19-2.
“We had a number of wrestlers with pretty impressive records,” Rado said. “But we got contributions from up and down the lineup.”
Devin Biscaha (95) placed second in the Ocean County tournament, while Matt Andreas was first in the Red Division and second in Ocean County.
Andreas’ improvement from a year ago impressed Rado.
“Here is a kid who wasn’t a starter last year,” Rado said. “He has worked real hard in the past year to turn things around.”
Rado cited the fine efforts of Jimmy Kelly (115), Adam Forrest (120), Mike Lopez (126), Matt Kimble (132), Alex King (138), Drew Murphy (150), Cody Gottel (158) and heavyweight Marco Lopez.
“Marco came up big for us in several matches,” Rado said. “He has been a big key for this team.”