By: Ken Weingartner
Sam Emburgia’s name does not appear among this year’s place-winners at 103 pounds in the state wrestling tournament results, but after the performance "Bam Bam" gave last weekend in Atlantic City, one would have to believe he will be knocking at the door again next season.
Heck, after the performance he gave, one could expect the Monroe Township High freshman to knock that door down.
Emburgia came within one victory of earning place-winner status at 103 at the NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. His losses came against South Plainfield’s Nick Heilmann, who ended up fourth in the tourney, and Camden Catholic’s Mike Tully, who finished eighth.
"I didn’t go there thinking I was going to place, but I came as close as you can," Emburgia said. "It makes me feel good. It’s as tough as it gets there. I learned you just wrestle your hardest, do the best you can."
The tourney brought to an end a stellar season by Emburgia, who signaled things to come by winning the Ewing Tournament in December and becoming the first Monroe freshman to win a regional title two weeks ago. He finished the campaign 37-7, setting a school record for triumphs in a season.
"It definitely was a lot of fun this year," Emburgia said. "I’m not used to wrestling that many matches in a year, but I kind of like it."
Emburgia, who won the Region 5 title by beating No. 1 seed Brian Bistis of Hunterdon Central and avenging earlier losses to Old Bridge’s Conor Hayes and Perth Amboy’s Heriberto Quintana, received a bye into the state tourney’s pre-quarterfinal round.
He lost 11-4 to Heilmann in his opener, but bounced back to beat St. Augustine’s Brian Conley, 8-6, in the first round of wrestlebacks. A victory in the next round would have guaranteed a top-eight finish, but Emburgia dropped an 8-6 decision to Tully.
"There were a lot of people watching me; some people get bothered by it, but it didn’t bother me," Emburgia said. "It was fun."
Emburgia plans to take some time off to relax, but then get right back into training for his sophomore season. He will attend camps and wrestle in tournaments this summer.
"Winning regions was probably the highlight this year," Emburgia said. "It was a really great thing, and it was twice as good because I beat two kids that already beat me. I think I definitely can place at states in the future. That’s what I’m going to work toward and try to do next year."
And it would be advisable not to stand too near that door when "Bam Bam" comes knocking again.

