By Bob Nuse, The Packet Group
Frank Juba was hoping to bounce back from a loss in the Mercer County Tournament with a strong performance in the District 25 Wrestling Tournament.
Christopher Tan felt the same way.
For both wrestlers, winning championships at the district tournament helped ease the sting of the earlier tournament loss.
Allentown’s Juba, the second seed at 195 pounds, defeated River Ullrich of Steinert, 2-1, in the final after pinning Hector Comulado of Nottingham in the semifinals. Juba improved to 26-5 with the win and put the loss to Matt Apuzzi of Lawrenceville in the MCT final behind him.
”It was awesome got to the finals against River,” said Juba, one of two Redbirds to win a district title along with Alec Rugo. “He was a tough opponent. He was a higher seed than me as soon as the match started I tried to push the pace from the get go and attack and attack.”
The strategy worked as Juba got the win and advanced to the Region 7 tournament along with Rugo and three other Allentown wrestlers. Rugo defeated Rahmil Davis of Northern Burlington, 3-1, to take the championship at 170 pounds. Justin Miller was second at 145 after losing to Trenton’s Maaziah Bethea in the finals. Jack Giglia was second at 132 after falling to Tyree Edmund of Northern Burlington in the finals. Tom O’Shaughnessy was third at 220 pounds.
”I was so excited,” Juba said. “I am hoping I can take first, second or third at regions and go to states
Juba and Rugo both advanced to states a year ago with third-place finishes and are hoping for a return trip this year.
”Hopefully this year I can try as hard as possible and reach my goal to take first in regions,” Juba said. “It was a really good day for our whole team at districts. I think we broke the school record for most kids from school going to regions. Last year Rugo and I made it to states and it was cool to have two in states. Hopefully we can do that again.”
Robbinsville is also hoping to send some wrestlers to the state tournament and will have a good shot as the Ravens send two district champions and a third-place finisher to the Region 7 tournament, which is hosted by Robbinsville.
Tan defeated Pedro Hernandez of Rancocas Valley in the 120 pound finals, 13-3. Tyler Gildner won the title at 285 pound with a 4-3 win over George Wolyn of New Egypt. Sam Acheampong also advanced to regions by placing third at 132 pounds.
”We’re thrilled to have those guys as district champs,” Robbinsville coach Dan Hughes said. “It is a big deal and we’re extremely proud of them. The one thing we work on is developing a game plan for each guy and be as confident as they can be when they go out and just try to keep putting up points and keep attacking.”
Tan had hoped to win a title at the MCT, but when he didn’t he was able to come back and get the title at District 25.
”The match result and ended the way I wanted it to end,” said Tan, who was second at districts last year. “All my matches the coaches would tell me to set the pace and keep going and keep scoring points and that good things happen as long as I stick to my plan.
”I am excited be going to regions. I know there are a lot of good kids in the region and it should be a challenge with some exciting matches.”
Tan hopes his experience of having gone to the region tournament last year helps him this time around.
”I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know how it goes and there were jitters so I was kind of nervous,” Tan said. “Our coaches tell us to go in with the mindset we’re going to win and hopefully that will help you to do better
”I think it helps when you’re used to being in some of the high stakes matches we have been in before. You get used to that and have to do well to win that kind of match.”
Tan was fourth at regions last year and as the No. 3 seed this year hopes to make it to the state tournament.
”From here on all the matches will be close and require you to be on top of your games,” Tan said. “My coaches come up with a game plan and I follow it. This time it was to keep going and never stop and as long as I wrestled my match I felt a lot better and more comfortable.”
