Nathanson satisfied with a win over a pin

By: Ken Weingartner
   Evan Nathanson was asked to think small. By doing so, he came up big for the South Brunswick wrestling team.
   Wrestling at heavyweight over the weekend, Nathanson eschewed his tendency to go for the big move and pin in favor of a methodical attack in order to secure the Vikings’ win over West Windsor-Plainsboro North. Nathanson’s 3-2 triumph over Vikram Kumar sealed what became a 45-27 victory.
   "He had to go out and win a match, and that’s what he did," Vikings coach Joe Dougherty said. "If we needed him to pin, then he has the skills and techniques that would enable him to put his opponent on his back. But we just needed a win, and he wrestled a real smart match. We needed him to wrestle the kid and not do the risk-reward technique because it can end up a pin-or-be-pinned situation.
   "I think Evan grew up a little bit. He took himself out of what he normally does to help us win that dual meet. I was impressed by that. It’s not all about pinning kids; it’s a team sport, too."
   Nathanson went 3-0 on the day as South Brunswick started its season by going 2-1 in the Brunswick Brawl. The Vikings opened by losing 58-21 to Warren Hills, but rebounded by beating WW-P North and Middlesex, 42-32.
   Ryan Smith, wrestling at 140 and 145, also went 3-0 for the Vikings. Smith, a junior, was 33-5 last season and is expected to be one of the leaders on a very young squad that could feature a combination of as many as six freshmen or sophomores in the lineup at given points this year.
   Smith’s top win Saturday came 5-1 over Warren Hills’ Sean Smith, a two-time regional qualifier.
   "Ryan looked OK," Dougherty said. "I was a little concerned; it was like he was feeling out his opponents a little bit, but he definitely wrestled quality kids. But I want him to go in with the mindset to dominate everyone he wrestles. To Ryan’s credit, we know there are things in his repertoire that we have to work on, and we stayed to that game plan."
   Brett Griffin drew high marks for going 2-1 at 160 pounds, despite being a 152-pounder. Malcolm McQueen had three victories at 171/189, one by forfeit.
   South Brunswick forfeited three or four weight classes in its matches.
   "The kids performed admirably," Dougherty said. "We’re young; we’re as young as could be. It’s early in the year; I’m just looking for us to get better every time we step on the mat. I think the mentality of the team is the same, so I’m pleased with that."
   In addition to the performance of the varsity, Dougherty was pleased with the jayvee wrestlers, who went 40-8 in action Saturday.
   "There’s a long way to go, but the kids are good," Dougherty said. "Things are working out pretty well."