MONTGOMERY: Reynolds, Bobal are District 18 champs

Seven Cougars, Freeman, Derman on to Region V

By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
   Tom Reynolds and Tyler Bobal each captured District 18 wrestling championships on Saturday, an improvement over last season’s finishes.
   The two led an improved Montgomery High School contingent that advances seven wrestlers — two more than last year — to the Region V tournament that begins today for everyone but the winners, who receive byes to Friday’s quarterfinals.
   The Cougars finished tied for third in the team standings thanks mostly to its seven regions qualifiers. Erik Biago (112 pounds) John Moyle (130) and Nick Cassar (152) were second for MHS, while David Bergida (103) and Alex Sottile (160) were third.
   ”This year, we had aspirations to finish higher as a team,” said MHS coach Kevin Jacoutot. “We had some of our less experienced wrestlers lose some what we’d call swing matches to put us out of the team race. The guys that had the experience, they all made it to regions.”
   Also advancing from the area to the Region V tournament are Princeton High School 125-pounder Damian Freeman, third at the District 17 meet Saturday, and West Windsor-Plainsboro South’s 285-pounder Stuart Derman, who placed third in District 20. They open action tonight at host site Hunterdon Central.
   Reynolds, a senior tri-captain, returned to win the 119-pound division in District 18 one year after losing a controversial finals match.
   ”It’s a lot better than second place,” said Reynolds, who defeated Hillsborough’s T.J. Guidice, 6-2, in Saturday’s final. Reynolds has been preparing all season for these types of competitions and it paid off.
   ”I’ve been training hard and doing a lot of work,” Reynolds said. “Some days, I have school practice, club practice, and then a private practice. Sometimes I’m doing three practices a day.”
   Even with all that work, Reynolds had to overcome something out of his control. He wasn’t at 100 percent for districts.
   ”Just a week before, I was flat on my back,” Reynolds said. “I wasn’t in school. I was sick for a week. I’m just feeling better now.
   ”I have a full week to rest up now. That helps a lot. I have a full week of rest and time to get better. I should get the second seed for regions.”
   Last year, Reynolds advanced all the way to the Meet of Champions. He is hoping to do the same again before embarking on a collegiate career at Penn State.
   ”I know what to expect,” Reynolds said of regions. “Last year, being my first full year, I went into regions not knowing what was going on. I won in prelims in the last 10 seconds. I beat the third-seeded kid and went onto the semifinals. I wrestled back to third place and realized, I’m going to states after that.”
   Bobal also his sights aimed high after jumping two spots. He finished third at his first district meet last year, but the sophomore couldn’t be stopped Saturday. He defeated Somerville’s Zachary Sanders, 8-0, for the 125-pound title.
   ”I guess the difference was a lot more work,” Bobal said. “More work in the offseason. More weight training and speed work.
   ”I was seeded first. I knew I’d do the best I could and I’d at least place. I figured I’d at least do well. Now I’m just getting ready for regions.”
   Bobal has proven that he’s ready for the toughest competition. Last year, it was more of a surprise when he reached the regions.
   ”We always try to do our best and try to progress more and more,” Bobal said. “Last year, I made it to regions and it was good. It was surprising. I always want to go farther. I want to go to states this year.”
   Bobal credited his shot defense and ability to score from the top position as keys in the district tournament. He will study tonight’s wrestlers to gauge how to position himself for a top-three finish at regions to earn a trip to Atlantic City, site of the Meet of Champions. He is already well ahead of last year when he lost in the first round of the regions. His district crown was proof enough.
   ”It felt really great,” Bobal said. “My cousin, Erik Biago, he won every year. I wanted to do something big myself this year. It kind of gave me some motivation.”
   This year Biago will have to navigate a little tougher course in regions after coming up short in the districts. Montgomery was happy though to have such a large representation to join Biago and the newest district champs.
   ”The guys that did lose, they lost very, very close,” Jacoutot said. “Erik Biago lost a very controversial match. Alex Sottile lost a very controversial semifinal match that should have been the final. They still have life left in them. It’s regions, so everything is erased. Each and every one could make it to states. That’s the next hurdle. I’m pleased with their performance.”