MHS wrestler wins silver at SCT
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
As Anthony Cassar’s weight and experience has increased, so have his expectations.
The 170-pound junior was the top finisher for Montgomery High School at the Somerset County Tournament on Saturday at Hillsborough. Cassar fell in the final, 4-3, to Mike Carroccia of Watchung Hills to finish second at 170.
”I would have loved to have won it,” Cassar said. “I felt dominant, it’s just the stalling call hurt. I had his leg and I didn’t know I’d be called. I gave up two points there. I ended up losing by a point. That same kid pinned me twice last year in under a minute.
”I felt dominant. I felt strong. I didn’t come out with a win, but I feel like if I see him in A.C., I could definitely come out with a win.”
Montgomery finished fifth in the team standings with 99½ points. Lenny Bird placed third at 132 pounds when he pinned Manville’s Milton Teixeira in 1:15. Tyler Amajian defeated Bridgewater-Raritan’s Valerio Lamorte, 5-1, for third place at 152 pounds. Kevin Kolb pinned John McIntyre of Somerville in just 21 seconds to capture third place at 182 pounds. Louis Colonna was fourth at 145 after wins over Josh Rand of Ridge and Somerville’s James Swass.
Terence Rohmeyer won a match at 106 pounds. Jake Yu beat Somerville’s Kyle Mascaro and North Plainfield’s Jihad Walls at 120 pounds. Josh Isaacs won a match at 126 pounds. Jeremiah Blitz won a pair of bouts at 160 pounds, 4-1 over Somerville’s Alex Bruskin before a pin of Pingry’s Tim Landers.
”Anthony, Louis and Amajian all lost to kids that are ranked in the state or qualified for states last year,” said MHS head coach Kurt Franey. “We finished fifth. We knew Bound Brook and Watchung would be 1-2. We were fairly close behind Franklin and Hillsborough.”
Cassar fell short of Atlantic City’s Meet of Champions last year. He was third at districts, but did not place at regions. He was also third at districts at 160 pounds after battling back from a Carroccia pin for bronze.
”I was coming in last year after being 119 freshman year to 160,” Cassar said. “This year, I feel like I’m growing into my body. I went up 10 pounds with muscle, not height. Last year, I went in hoping to get some wins and this year I came in wanting to at least make it to states.”
Cassar finished 23-13 a year ago, but began his third year on varsity by winning his first 15 matches before falling to Carroccia. He lost to unbeaten Jadaen Bernstein of Voorhees in the Cougars’ dual meet Wednesday, but he has been encouraged by his early results.
”I feel like I had a great start,” Cassar said. “I’ve got some great wins. Now I’m approaching the tougher part of my season. I’m going toe-to-toe with these guys. I feel like I’ll even do better, and I have a month to prepare for the bigger tournaments and hit it hard when the districts and regions come.
”My district seems clear without Watchung Hills there,” he said. “I already beat the kids in my district. My region is tough. I have to just focus on that.”
Cassar is hopeful that he won’t be alone at the region. He is looking for some teammates to join him, as he had hoped for districts.
”I felt we could have done a little better,” Cassar said. “I was expecting to have a bunch of my teammates in finals with me. They were all in consolation finals. They all finished strong. Maybe the semifinals could have gone a little better. We came in fifth, close to Hillsborough, and everyone did their part.”
Cassar prepared himself for a bigger part this year. His training since last season has helped him develop into a top contender.
”I worked really hard this offseason, went to a bunch of clubs, went to Virginia to this tournament,” he said. “I worked really hard. I hit it hard this season. I lost to two tough kids so far, but I’ve still hit it hard.”
He’s seen a lot of growth in his wrestling since last year. He’s gotten more comfortable with what he can do on the mat.
”From the weight difference, I was trying to adapt to the new competition last year,” Cassar said. “I felt I was finally settling in. My skills went up a little bit. I feel since the offseason, I took a big leap in my skill set and I’m adjusting to my body.”The changes are noticeable in the way that Cassar is carrying himself and how he’s been performing this season. He pinned both of his first two county opponents in the first period.
”He’s been much more aggressive than in the past,” Franey said. “We always knew he had the ability. He’s much more aggressive and confident and stronger to finish moves he didn’t in the past.”
Cassar has plenty to challenge him every day in practice. Kolb, who was third at districts this year, is a help, as is assistant coach Mark Eberstein, who was a region champion while at Hunterdon Central.
”It helps training with someone heavier so I can get used to that,” Cassar said. “Me and Tyler sometimes go, but it’s usually me and Kevin.”
Cassar and the experience at the heavier weights have helped the Cougars to five wins in their first 12 matches.
”We have a lot of good guys on our team,” Cassar said. “We have about eight seniors. We had a couple forfeits, a couple injuries. We’re relatively young in the lower weights, but we have a good amount of decent kids that can win a lot of matches. If we have our full lineup and everyone performs the way they can, we can take out some good teams.”
The Cougars are looking forward to picking up some more experience when they take on Lawrenceville and Peddie on Saturday before getting back into the league with Delaware Valley next Wednesday. There is strong competition ahead, the sort that can help Anthony Cassar reach his highest expectations after a promising runner-up finish at the SCT.
”I think even though he lost that match,” Franey said, “it gave him a lot of confidence that he really can wrestle with state level kids. He put in a lot of work in the offseason with wrestling and lifting and I think it’s paying off for him.
”I think he can definitely get to the states, and we’ll see from there. He definitely has the chance to qualify for Meet of Champions.”