White posts pin at Blair

By: Sean Moylan
   As an alumni of Blair Academy, Peddie varsity wrestling head coach John Leonardis had some mixed feeling going into his team’s match at Blair last Friday.
   But the bottom line was Leonardis really wanted his Falcons to come away with a victory. Unfortunately, Blair was able to win a 50-21 decision over Peddie.
   "We went there on Senior Night and saw a full house crowd. To win five of the 11 matches that were contested on the mat was a good day for us. I was pleased with the way we competed and for the most part we were in the matches," said Leonardis. "I can say nothing bad about Blair as it is my Alma Mater. I have the utmost respect for coach Buxton, his assistants and the guys on the team. In many ways Blair wrestling is wrestling to me and is how I know the sport to be."
   Even so, at Peddie, Dan White "is" wrestling.
   White, one of the USA’s best 125-pounders, posted a 26-second fall over Blair’s Stanzione. In other words, it was a normal match for him.
   Then at 130 pounds, Peddie’s Chris Piccolella pinned Mike Russell in just 2:35. The Falcons’ terrific 119-pound star, Sean McSweeney, captured a 3-1 decision over Brackup. Zak Mayo beat Blair’s Rosamilla 5-3 in the match at 171 pounds. Chase Badger (189) won a 7-2 decision over Blair’s Fliehr to account for Peddie’s 5th win.
   Once again, the Falcons were hurt by their lack of lineup depth as they surrendered 18 points in forfeits. However, they still have several exceptional individual grapplers, who should do well in the big tournaments in the weeks to come.
   Peddie was scheduled to have wrestled in yesterday’s (Thursday) NJISAA State Wrestling Championships. Then tomorrow (Saturday) Peddie is scheduled at Lawrenceville. The Prep Nationals are scheduled to be held next Friday and Saturday (February 23rd and 24th).