MHS heavyweight enjoyed solid career
By: Rudy Brandl
FLEMINGTON Mark Manderski was hoping his second trip to the Region 5 Tournament would turn out better than his first.
The Manville High senior heavyweight, who finished second in the District 18 Championships for the second consecutive year after another agonizing loss to Franklin’s Derrick Williams in the finals, didn’t want the familiar pattern to continue on the region mats at the Hunterdon Central Fieldhouse in Flemington.
While Manderski’s opening bout was somewhat different from last year’s, the result was still the same. Manderski was eliminated in the tournament’s opening round again, this time by fall in 1:09 against Piscataway’s Jeramie Powell.
Last year, Manderski dropped a tough 2-1 decision to Sayreville’s Robert Borzellieri. Wrestling six full minutes has been one of Manderski’s strengths this year, but he couldn’t survive a big opening move by Powell.
Manderski (20-10) scored the first point of the bout when Powell was penalized for wearing jewelry. That was the only time Manderski enjoyed the lead. He got locked up high with Powell, who used his 20-pound weight advantage to throw Manderski to the mat. The Manville wrestler tried to escape out of bounds, but Powell pulled him back to the mat and secured the fall.
"I ended up getting thrown," Manderski said. "I knew it was coming, but I let him get in way too deep and it just happened. We both fell to a hip and he ended up using the extra weight he had and I was put to my back. I almost got off my back and out of bounds for a fresh start, but I got pulled back in and that was it."
MHS head coach Brett Stibitz had cautioned his heavyweight about Powell’s ability to throw. He was hoping to see Manderski wrestle a close match and go six full minutes, something he’s done many times this year. Manderski has a 10-4 record in six-minute bouts this year.
"It’s pot luck with the heavyweights," Stibitz said. "Almost anybody can beat anybody on a given day, especially if you go six minutes. Mark took a few shots but the kid just bear hugged him. After that, it was whoever got on top."
Stibitz felt the early 1-0 lead was a good omen for Manderski, who was in position to win the bout without getting a takedown. Trading escapes would be enough to win with a penalty point. Manderski also would have earned the advantage in an overtime situation by scoring the first point.
"I thought we were in good shape, because every point counts in the regions," Stibitz said. "He just got caught. That kid was a pretty big boy."
Manderski finished his scholastic career with 43 victories. This winter, he became the first wrestler in seven years to win 20 bouts in a single season. He’s the first MHS wrestler to place in the districts in two consecutive years since 2001.
"Winning 20 definitely means a lot to me considering nobody has done this in a good few years," Manderski said. "Winning 20 matches is definitely a great accomplishment."
Manderski believes he improved in all aspects of wrestling. Three years ago, he was battling for a starting spot on his team. Between then and now, he’s become one of the area’s top heavyweights.
"I’ve improved on everything to do better on the mat," he said. "I learned a lot more setups to get takedowns and I learned a few more breakdowns to help control opponents while on top.
"I’m not completely satisfied with my season since I didn’t get as far as I set myself to go," Manderski continued. "But I can be happy because I had a winning record, won 20 matches, made it to the district finals and made it to the regions for the second time."
"He had a pretty decent career," Stibitz added. "He was one of my better wrestlers I’ve had the last seven years."
Manderski will be joining his track and field teammates outdoors for practice by next week for the end of another busy three-sport school year. He hopes to play football at the college level next year.

