By Bob Nuse, The Packet Group
Tyler Gildner has no reason to be upset this time around.
In his third trip to the Mercer County Wrestling Tournament, the Robbinsville High junior achieved what had eluded him the first two times around. Gildner, the top seed at heavyweight, won all three of his matches, including a 1-0 decision over Reginald Charles of Nottingham in the final, to win the weight class.
”At first it was kind of a shock like I couldn’t believe it just happened,” said Gildner, who was third at the MCT last year. “The first year I was here I got fifth and was kind of upset about that. Then I got third the next year and was more upset about that. Winning this makes me feel a lot better and like I accomplished something.”
Gildner had beaten Charles, 6-3, the first time they met earlier in the season. This time around the match was close throughout, with Gildner edging the Northstar senior.
”I think we both wanted it more this time and we were pushing each other harder,” said Gildner, who improved to 27-3 on the season. “Having a crowd like this and being the center of attention you have a lot more pressure. It was just, wow, being out there. I was pretty nervous before the match and with the whole thing.”
Gildner received a first-round bye and then defeated Will Harrison of Princeton and Syzmon Tara of Lawrence by pin before topping Charles in the final. Gildner’s win was the highlight of an overall solid tournament for the teams from Robbinsville and Allentown.
For Robbinsville, which finished fifth in the team standings, David Steward dropped a 5-4 decision to Eric Barbera of Hopewell Valley in the 160-pound final and finished second. The Ravens had three other medalists as Dylan James was fourth at 113, Chris Tan was fourth at 120, and Samuel Acheampong was third at 132.
Allentown, which finished third in the team standings, had three wrestlers reach the finals and wind up second. Jack Giglia lost to undefeated Gordon Wolf of Lawrence in the finals at 132, Frank Juba lost to Lawrenceville’s Matt Apuzzi in the finals at 195, and Tom O’Shaughnessy lost in the finals at 220 to unbeaten Mike Markulec of Hopewell Valley.
The Redbirds had five other wrestlers medal as Justin Miller was fourth at 138, Andrew Shreck was fifth at 152, Jake Koch was third at 160, Brendan Munoz was fifth at 106 and Jordan Rugo was fourth at 126.
For all of the wrestlers, the MCT was the first step in a big month ahead as they prepare for the district tournament and hopefully more down the line.
”I am really hoping I can win districts and get in there and compete at regions and make a name for Robbinsville at states,” Gildner said.
Added Robbinsville coach Dan Hughes: “We’re really proud of him. He continues to get better. He works his tail off in the room and it shows out here. He is a great kid and he is dedicated to his team and the sport. He is an example for the young guys to show what you can accomplish.”
Both Allentown and Robbinsville made solid team showings to give them hope for being able to advance wrestlers beyond the district tournament.
”I think we performed well, but also could have performed better,” Hughes said. “I am proud of the level at which we competed. We were fighting for every point in every match and working hard. But at the same time we still have a lot of work to do. That is what it is all about, getting better. We’re looking towards districts and regions and hopefully we qualify for states.”
Hughes thinks Gildner has shown enough so far this season to be taken as a serious contender to reach Atlantic City.
”He wrestled the No. 1 guy in the state to an overtime loss,” Hughes said. “It’s still a loss, but he is right there. We expect him to be wrestling late in February and into March.”
