Win over Sayreville sets up showdown with Woodbridge
By: Ken Weingartner
Monroe Township High’s wrestling team took a big step toward claiming the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division title, but a major obstacle remains.
The Falcons beat defending league champion Sayreville, 34-30, Saturday to remain unbeaten in the division. Only Woodbridge stands in the way of Monroe and the title.
"We’re real pleased," Falcons co-head coach Allen Rushing said. "We had a goal to win the division and we knew it would be tough to beat Sayreville. I think they took us a little lightly. We saw a little panic and desperation after they fell behind. They started taking some crazy shots, and our kids were able to counter. I’m sure we surprised them; it was a good surprise."
Sam "Bam Bam" Emburgia got the Falcons started with a win at 112 and Brian Mackiewicz followed with a pin. After Eric Tsang pulled Sayreville within 9-6, David Saley earned a one-point victory at 130. Justin Mazor won a decision at 140 and Nick Garibaldi and Chris "Farm Boy" Boehm got wins at 160 and 171, respectively.
Jake "The Snake" Nale and heavyweight Frank Olexson clinched the triumph with decisions because Monroe received a forfeit at 103, the final bout of the match.
"Saley and Mazor both had big wins and we were able to get the match-ups we wanted for Nick and Boehm," Rushing said. "That was really the key to the meet."
Monroe upped its overall record to 11-6 with a 62-13 victory Monday over South River. Getting wins for the Falcons were Nick Garibaldi, Tom Stasicky, Boehm, Nale, Emburgia, Blaine Miller, Saley, Guido Santiago, Wally Seeman, Hunter Pipala and Chris Garibaldi.
In addition, the Falcons won 78-0 over Carteret and 42-34 over Shore last week. Monroe’s only setback came 29-28 to East Brunswick.
Emburgia, Mackiewicz, Santiago, Seeman, Mike Spisak, Mazor, Brett Rutzler, Boehm, Dan Santalla, Nale and Olexson all got wins in the Carteret match, which featured eight pins. Miller, Emburgia, Mackiewicz, Saley, Seeman, Boehm, Nale and Olexson were victors against Shore.
The match against East Brunswick was as even as the score indicated, with both teams winning seven bouts. Emburgia, Seeman, Mazor, Chris Garibaldi, Nick Garibaldi, Santalla and Olexson had victories. Monroe had an advantage in pins, 2-1, but the Bears had two technical falls and a major decision.
"We could have saved some team points here or there," Rushing said. "It was a team thing; we were close, but we didn’t get enough. It shows that it’s important right through the lineup to try to save points wherever you can."
Monroe’s performance last week vaulted the Falcons to No. 6 in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III power points rankings. Strong efforts against South Brunswick tonight (Friday) and Woodbridge next week could strengthen their chances of reaching the sectional team tournament.
"Another one of our goals is to reach the state playoffs; we can really kill two birds with one stone if we beat Woodbridge," Rushing said. "We’re really going to have to get the kids focused for that one. I’m real proud of them for their effort. Their attitude is great and we’re getting wins all through the lineup.
"It’s a total team effort; everyone is really contributing. I knew coming into the season that we were going to be real balanced. I didn’t know how good we would be, but we’ve got a lot of kids that can go out and get wins. It’s not the same kids every match; different kids are coming through every match. That’s the name of the game."
NOTE: Monroe’s match against Woodbridge, originally scheduled for Jan. 17, was postponed until Jan. 23 because of a death of Gary Mackiewicz, father of Brian and former Falcons standout Gary Jr. He was a coach for numerous recreation teams in the township.