NBC wrestling talent sets up for great year

By: Sean Moylan
   Every year the Northern Burlington County Regional High varsity wrestling team seems to graduate a few all-star grapplers whose loss would cripple another club. In fact last spring, NBC graduated a few four-year stars and yet it came back loaded again this season.
   According to NBC head coach Jule Dolci, whose team lost in the Group III Central Jersey playoffs to Ocean last season, he has 52 kids in the room this year. That would be a lot of wrestlers for any school, but with its schedule, NBC might need most of them.
   "This is by far the toughest schedule we’ve ever had. If we can take care of business in Burlington County, we should do well," noted Dolci. "All our returners improved and look to improve their numbers from last year."
   This year every will start with Geoff "All Day" Bauma. The 160-pound Greyhounds star has the kind of talent it takes to be a state champion.
   But up top NBC can come with senior Kristian Morris (189), junior R.J. Melton (215) and senior Johnny "Let’s Get Ready to Rumble" Humble (heavyweight). That Greyhound trio is easily one of the best 1-2-3 punches in all of Burlington County. But NBC has other good wrestlers throughout its lineup, including Richie Grove (a 103-pound sophomore), Brandy Price (a 112-pound senior), Josh Jones (a 119-pound freshman), Bart Townsend (a 125-pound senior), Corey Fokides (a 130-pound senior), Kendrick Shea (a 130-pound senior), Phil Bowen (a 135-pound junior), Brian Vansciver (a 145-pound senior), Brian Matey (a 152-pound junior) and Jeff Townsend (a 171-pound sophomore).
   And truth is Dolci could probably come with an entirely different group of non-listed NBC grapplers and still win some varsity matches. That’s how good NBC is year in and year out.
   "I think its about time we earned some respect and really push the envelope," Dolci noted. "We’re a blue-collar team full of hard working farm boys that aren’t going to back down from anybody. We’re an old school team."
   Dolci is hoping that old school mentality will translate into victories.
   NBC was scheduled to have participated in a special tournament at Rancocas Valley this past Sunday and Tuesday. This Saturday it is scheduled to compete in the Colt’s Classic. Next Tuesday it is scheduled to host Jackson. And NBC is scheduled at Westampton Tech next Wednesday.