After opening the season earlier this week against Carteret High School, the Metuchen High School wrestling team will compete against the likes of Matawan, Red Bank, Highland Park, South River, and North Brunswick high schools Dec. 30 at the East Brunswick Holiday Tournament.
“East Brunswick always puts on a good tournament with good competition,” Metuchen head coach Nick Zaneto said. “We have a good nucleus of juniors and seniors back from last year, and our goal is to become a better tournament team. We qualified for the states last year, but Bordentown handled us with ease. We’re looking to have guys go to regions and make the second day of the county tournament. We can be a much better tournament team.”
At the lower weights, the Bulldogs will be led by senior captain Brody Gordon at 130 pounds. Juniors Charles Messina and Jake Freed will be expected to perform well at 112 pounds and 125 pounds, respectively. Classmates Kevin Sullivan and Zack Shampain will grapple at 135 and 140, respectively.
“We’re expecting a lot out of our juniors and seniors,” Zaneto said. “They make up the core, and so far, everybody’s stepping up to the challenge to be a leader. We were ready to go on Friday against Highland Park, but a bomb threat shut us out. Highland Park had a long football season, so the Friday match may have been to our advantage as some of their guys probably got into the wrestling room with a late start.”
Junior Mickey Ladines and senior Kevin Walsh will hit the mat at 145 and 152 pounds, respectively. Walsh is one of three captains this season along with Gordon and George Vosinas (215/heavyweight).
“Kevin has been working extremely hard, and we expect big things from him,” Zaneto said. “We didn’t have anybody qualify for regions last season, and we want that to change.”
Vosinas has dropped 30 pounds from last season and has set a strong example to follow.
“He dedicated himself to the sport, and I think the loss of weight will really help him out,” Zaneto said. “I think he’ll have a good year.”
Seniors Adam Grossman (160), Quinn Meng (171) and Larry Rosenvitz (215) round out the team’s upper weight classes.