Wrestlers want a better record

WRESTLING

By John E. Powers, Sports Writer
   After a productive summer of workouts, and a week at a team camp, the Lawrence High School wrestling team is poised for a quest to improve on last year’s numbers.
   Head coach Chris Lynn’s club will open the season at the annual Roselle Park Tournament on Saturday. The first dual meet of the season is scheduled for Dec. 19 against West
   Windsor Plainsboro North at home, followed by another against Notre Dame Dec. 27. The team will then compete in the annual Hunterdon Central Christmas Tournament the next day.
   ”We’re senior laden,” said Lynn, whose team was 11-10 last year. “I think we’ll chase for the division (Colonial Valley Conference Valley Division) title. I think Nottingham is the team to beat.”
   The team will be anchored by four seniors Mitch Cohen at 125, Martin Jennings at 130, Andrew Goldberg at 135 and Ricky Scott at 140.
   ”Jennings and Cohen have been going to (Team) Apache (a wrestling club in Trevose, Pa.) and have been working very hard,” Lynn said.
   Scott, fourth in Region 5 last year, is also coming along. The team spent a week at the Competitive Edge club in Delran.
   Senior Jeff Kaplan will be at 152.
   ”I think we’re going to be a very solid team between 119 and 160 and at 171 we’ll see how fast (Case Jemison) comes along,” Lynn said. “We spent a lot of time in the gymnasium which felt like it was 1900 degrees. It was a lot of fun. The kids got a lot of work in.”
   Junior Sean Pearson, second at the Mercer County Tournament last year, will be the 160 pounder. Senior Nick Hvasta returns at 189 and senior John Murawski returns at 215. Junior Lee Wing Zhou looks like the 285 pounder.
   ”Lee Wing wrestled all summer with us,” Lynn said.
   The Cardinals were still working out who would be the 103-pounder.
   ”We’re developing one now,” Lynn said.
   Experienced wrestlers follow at 112 and 119 where freshmen Xan Dingwall and Tommy O’Rourke will start. Lightweight Eric Waldron transferred to North Hunterdon.
   Sophomore Gerral Bryson, a football player, has shown promise.
   ”He’s a tough and strong kid and is really working hard,” Lynn said.
   The team had a wrestle-off scheduled for this week.
   ”We have so many kids, a few of them will make varsity at some point, but like I said, we do have a senior laden team,” he said.
   It will be a busy dual meet season. The team has 25 meets, including non-conference matches with Sterling, Cherry Hill West, Hillsborough and Somerville and Toms River North.
   ”We’ll be going all over the place,” the coach said.