ALLENTOWN: Redbird wrestlers have bright outlook

By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
   There is a lot missing from last year’s Allentown High School wrestling team that went 13-8, reached the Central Jersey Group II state tournament and finished third at the Mercer County Tournament.
   What Larry Kimport has seen of this year’s group has helped him look forward and not back.
   ”We lost seven starters from last year through graduation and two kids not coming back,” said the veteran Allentown coach. “There’s 14 weights so it’s half of them. We have a nice group of kids here. This is my sixth year at Allentown, and I’ve never had a group of kids work this hard, where you don’t have to yell at them. We have really good leadership. I’m hoping for a good season.”
   The self-motivated bunch is aiming high this year. The opportunity is there for new names to step up and replace the likes of Frank Juba, who was a county finalist last year, and county medalists Justin Miller, Andrew Shreck, Jake Koch and Brendan Munoz.
   ”Last year, as far as talent, we were stocked,” Kimport said. “It didn’t flourish the way I had hoped. We had some injuries and other stuff.
   ”This year, we have thinner talent. We have a nice group though. From the first to the last, they all work hard. I expect a nice season.”
   The Redbirds were scheduled to open the season last Saturday in the Matawan Ice Breaker, then this Saturday they will return to mats in the Hawk Classic.
   ”It’s a nice opener,” Kimport said. “A week later, we’ll be at the Hawk tournament at Manchester and that’ll be good.
   ”I’ve always opened with a dual meet on Friday. But when do that and have tournament Saturday, it beats them up. So we open with two tournaments and start rolling in January.”
   The Redbirds do have some of their strength back from a year ago. Jordan Rugo, who was fourth at the MCT at 126 pounds a freshman a year ago, is back. Jack Goiglia, who was runner-up at 132 pounds, returns for his senior year. Tom O’Shaughnessy also reached the finals at the MCT, where he took second at 220 pounds.
   ”Jordan Rugo has really stepped up,” Kimport said. “We have senior leadership from Jack Giglia and Tom O’Shaughnessy. He’s come down from 220 to 195, and he had a nice year last year.”
   The Redbirds are thin in the low weights, but they are hoping to find someone to fill some holes there. If they don’t, Allentown is prepared to go forward with a 12-point deficit each match.
   ”We’re shaky with the lightweights, with new kids and some holes at 120 and 126,” Kimport said. “I’ve been working the hallways and the cafeteria. I can’t goad kids into trying it. The other kids are going to have to make up for it.
   ”Our final hole is going to be 120. I have a kid that can make it to 126, but not before January.”
   The Redbirds will get Tom Weitz, a freshman, into the lineup as soon as he is healthy. He should help at the lower weights.
   ”He had a spectacular middle school career,” Kimport said. “He broke his hand in the preseason. He’s not good to go until the first week of January. I watched him as a youngster and he’s tough. He’ll fill in 113.”
   Getting back Jack Morrtam, who missed all of last year, will be a huge boost for Allentown. He’s had prior success and is ready to get back in the lineup.
   ”Jack Mottram took the whole year off,” Kimport said. “He had a sensational freshman and sophomore year. He’ll be 126 or 132. He’s a leader in every way. Even when he didn’t wrestle, he was the first guy there to mop the mats and show guys stuff. He’s a smart guy. He’s looking toward the Air Force or some academy, I think.”
   Some of the experience kicks in for the Redbirds in the middle of their lineup. Allentown will see its best wrestlers pick up points there.
   ”Rugo looks good in practice,” Kimport said. “Jack Giglia is at 145. And (Steven) Chris Weitz, he’ll be at 152. He looks very determined.
   ”(Robert) Korn is at 160. He’s coming off a bad knee injury, but he’s looking good. He hurt it his sophomore year and had problems junior year with it too, but he’s back now.”
   In the upper weights, the Redbirds have some inexperience at the varsity level and experience blending together. Their heavyweight will be Jacob Stein, a senior.
   ”He had a nice JV career,” Kimport said. “This is his chance.
   ”(Anthony) Bliss, our heavyweight last year, he’s going to 220. He won’t be there until January.”
   Two important pieces are newcomers Sebastian Rizzo at 106 and Zack Turner at 182. They will be eligible Jan. 20 after sitting out 30 days for transferring.
   ”They’ll be there in time for quad and dual meets and the Mercer County Tournament,” Kimport said. He is optimistic about the way the team can come together once everyone is in place.
   ”By mid-January, we’ll have our pieces and we’ll have them where we want them,” he said. “It’s my 30th year coaching and sixth year at Allentown, and this is a group of kids that all like each other and work hard. There’s no yelling to stop dogging it or screwing around. They come in the room and the first whistle blows and they start working right to the end. It’s a nice gang of kids.
   ”It’s a gang of kids I can turn my back on, which is nice. They’ll keep working and helping each other. That’s the leadership with Giglia and Weitz and O’Shaughnessy and the Rugo boy.”
   They are gearing up to take on another strong county and conference. Kimport expects to battle the usual suspects for the top spots.
   ”It’s always Hopewell Valley,” he said. “Some teams are always scrappy like Nottingham. I just hope to give everyone a good tussle. We’re thin in places, but we have real tough kids in other places. We look to be competitive and have a lot of fun and put a scare in some people.”