Jackson Liberty The Jackson Liberty High School wrestling team has already shown signs of improvement from a year ago when the Lions won only seven dual meets during the squad’s first losing season since 2007-08, and junior Nick Zak figures to play a major role if a turnaround occurs on the mat in 2011-12.
Competing in the season-opening Neptune Tournament on Dec. 17 at Neptune High School, the Lions finished third in the team standings in a field of 16 teams. That represents a big jump from Jackson Liberty’s 12th place finish of a year ago and was a “pleasant surprise” to coach Mike Eddy.
Zak, who was 34-6 a year ago at 160 pounds, has moved up to 170 this season. He won his weight class at the Neptune Tournament to nail down his first title.
“I was not letting anybody score,” said Zak, who was a national sophomore champion in Virginia Beach in April. “I kept my defense good and my tilts worked good.
“I feel good. I want to place in the states,” Zak said, explaining what he would like to accomplish in 2011-12 after finishing third in the district tournament and second in the region tournament a year ago. “It’s just positioning and getting my moves.”
The Russo twins, freshmen Mike and Matt, also did well in Neptune and figure prominently this season as Jackson Liberty has filled its lower weight classes with solid young talent after forfeiting many weight classes there last season.
“That hurt us last season,” Eddy said.
Mike Russo won the Neptune title at 106 and Matt Russo was second at 113. Senior Brandon Kosheff finished second at 138, while two other freshmen also placed, Don Regina was fourth at 126 pounds and Anthony Sosa was sixth at 120.
Eddy said the Lions’ wrestlers came in ready for the season, particularly Zak, who in the finals of the sophomore nationals at 160 pounds beat a state runner-up from Voorhees.
“His only losses last year were to state place-winners and state [tournament] qualifiers,” Eddy said. “He’s not flashy, just hardworking and hard to score on. He’s good at what he does on his feet and on the mat. He has a lot of mat savvy. He’s been wrestling since he was 5 years old and is prepared.”
The Russo brothers have also spent a lot of time on wrestling mats at their young age.“People around the area know who they are and they have a chance to prove it for real,” Eddy said. “Both are hard workers, a pleasure to coach. It’s nice having two guys like this down in the lower weights.” As for Kosheff, he was fourth in the region tournament, and Eddy said he has a chance to reach the state tournament this season.
The coach said Kosheff has increased his wins from 19 as a freshman to 21 as a sophomore, to 27 as a junior (27-7). Kosheff kept on winning even though the
Lions lost their last 10 dual meets to finish at 7-15.
“We lost forfeits. We were trying, but we did not have enough talent, just a core of six kids who were very good,” Eddy said. “With this Neptune Tournament performance, I am excited looking forward to this season. Hopefully, we’ll grow as the season goes on.”
“This year we’re more focused; we’re practicing harder,” Zak said.
T.J. Liquori, who won 18 bouts as a freshman last season, moves up to 145 or 152 pounds. John Scialabba, who was 16-9 last season, is making a big jump from 112 to 132 pounds, but Eddy said Scialabba’s adjustment to the higher weight class “is good. He was cutting too much weight and went up to 119 [pounds] at the end of last season. He’s grown in this weight and is not cutting weight at all this year.”
Brendan Roman, a senior, went from fill-in to full time last season and won seven bouts in a tough weight class.
“We moved the Zak brothers up, and he [Roman] took the brunt of it,” Eddy said. “He should help us a lot this year.”
Mike McKenzie likewise got few wins competing in the upper weights, a rarity for a freshman, and will go at 220 or at heavyweight.
“He got experience that will pay off,” Eddy said.
Also, Tim Nappi, a fill-in last season, is a full-timer at 138 pounds.
Jackson Liberty took on Wall High School on Dec. 21 in a Shore Conference C Central Division match.
Following the guidelines established by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, weight classes in New Jersey have been changed this season. There are still 14 weight classes, but only four — 145, 152, 160 and heavyweight (285-pound maximum) — have stayed the same.
The new weight classes in New Jersey high school wrestling are 106, 112, 119, 126, 132, 138, 170, 182, 195 and 220 pounds.
It is expected that the NWCA and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association will re-evaluate the weight class changes after the 2011-12 season.