HHS has many youngsters in wrestling program

BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer

The Holmdel High School (HHS) wrestling team is looking to bounce back from a 6-15 season when it takes to the mats this winter.

Coach Jay Graham’s Hornets, who opened the year on Monday (Dec. 22) against Manasquan, return five grapplers who reached double figures in wins, led by heavyweight Dylan Moschella. The senior established himself as a force to be reckoned with while posting a 20-6 record.

“We’re very optimistic this year, even though the team is still a bit young,” Graham said. “Last year our guys gained some very important experience and that will help them. I really believe that this team can put up at least a .500 record.”

To do so the Hornets must bring their “A” game every night as they compete in the Shore Conference’s tough Class A Central division, which St. John Vianney and Raritan also call home.

In addition to Moschella, Holmdel should be fairly strong in the middle weight classes. Ed Halpin, a sophomore who was 11-7 a year ago, holds down the 125-pound slot, with junior Brandon Murray, 15-8, moving up to 130 pounds. Andrew Apicello, 16-9 at 130 pounds, will be at 135 this time around.

“We see all three of them having big seasons for us,” Graham said. “They know what they’re capable of because they all had their share of wins. They also worked hard during the off-season and I can see the results.”

Other key competitors include 160-pound sophomore Tim Kegley, who won 10 times as a freshman and junior Pat Strickland, a 152-pounder who battled his way to eight victories. Three other Holmdel wrestlers won six times last winter: Paul Fazio, 112 pounds; Vinnie Zacollo, 171 pounds; and George Maurtizen, 189 pounds. Chris Reidy, a sophomore who won five times is at 145-pounds and Ryan Johnson, a junior with four wins, will compete at 152 pounds.

Sophomore Nick Solfaro (171) will also see action, along with four talented freshmen: Dylan Hylan (103), Alex Halpin (119), Jimmy Ilvento (140) and Tom Fazio (215).

“Our guys are prepared and they’re ready to go,” Graham said. “We’re fortunate to have a group of good, hard-working kids.”

The Hornets see action again Saturday at Raritan in a tri-match that also includes Red Bank Catholic. On Dec. 27 Holmdel will again host the Bayshore Holiday Classic.

Currently, there are 31 wrestlers in the Holmdel program, but the coach noted that nine of them are freshmen, making the future look bright. Additionally, there are 35 grapplers at the middle school and nearly 50 in the elementary school program.

“Developing a strong feeder program will really help our program here,” he said. “It’s the kind of thing that builds interest and teaches fundamentals and it will help us compete against the top schools.”