18>Junior helps Raiders start 7-3
By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
Anthony Scaglia joined some rare company Saturday.
The West Essex wrestler didn’t win, but he became just the third opponent this year to make it past the first period against Hillsborough High School’s Jack Donnadio.
”Jack’s the kind of kid, he comes out with a lot of steam,” said Hillsborough head coach Steve Molinaro. “That pretty much sets the tempo the rest of the match that he’s wrestling. He’s a physical kind of wrestler, and so far he’s been doing a good job.”
Donnadio’s other two opponents Saturday, Alex Zangrilli of Pequannock and Harrison Mauer of West Morris Mendham, lasted just 58 and 60 seconds before they became Donnadio’s sixth and seventh pin victims respectively. With an 8-2 win over Scaglia — the closest match that he’s had this year — Donnadio was 10-0 heading into Wednesday’s scheduled match against Hunterdon Central, and he was looking to add to his fast start.
”I was hoping to,” Donnadio said. “I did a lot in the offseason and I was working with the coaches. That was helpful.”
Donnadio was 26-3 last year before his season ended prematurely with a concussion suffered in the district tournament. He won 20 matches as a freshman, and with two more seasons like last year, he will be in position to earn his 100th win as a senior next year.
”I just try to work hard in practice,” Donnadio said. “That’s what helps you be successful in matches. You just have to stay positive and work hard.”
Donnadio’s fast start isn’t a surprise, but a promising opening to a Hillsborough team that lost most of its top wrestlers from a year ago is. The Raiders were 7-3 heading into the Hunterdon Central match and only two points away against West Essex from being 8-2.
”Not to be pessimistic, but going into the season I didn’t think we’d do too well knowing we graduated six or seven good seniors,” Donnadio said. “I was surprised. A lot of kids on JV last year stepped it up and other kids stepped it up. We’re doing pretty well. I feel like we definitely could do pretty well this year.”
Donnadio’s record is the best of any of the Raiders thus far, but he has company in starting well. Alex Hunt is 8-1 at 160, Tanner Johnson is 8-2 at 138, Patrick O’Callaghan is 8-2 at 152 and Louis White is 8-2 at 145. Cory Glinsky is 7-3 at 126, and Austin Schimmel at 106 and John Droumbakis at 220 both have six wins apiece.
”The beginning of the season was difficult to predict because we had a lot of kids that lacked varsity experience,” Molinaro said. “For the most part they’ve been stepping up and doing all they can. There’s a lot more left to do, but I’m happy with their efforts.
”We have a tougher road ahead. We have Hunterdon Central ahead and counties coming up Saturday.”
The Raiders and Donnadio are scheduled for their biggest test this Saturday when they compete in the Somerset County Tournament. Donnadio figures to be one of the top seeds at 132, a weight class that is up from the 120 he wrestled at last year when he placed second.
”He’ll probably have a state champion in his weight class,” Molinaro said. “Two years ago (Watchung Hills’ Mike) Magaldo won. Jack should be second seed to him. If Magaldo isn’t in the weight, he should be top seed.
”It’s a competitive weight class. Jack’s a gamer. He’ll step up. He’s confident and strong and he’s got the tools.”
Those moves have helped him to seven pins in 10 matches, most of them early. Donnadio has proven effective regardless of where he has been on the mat.
”My main position is top,” Donnadio said. “I like to use legs a lot. I think that’s my advantage.”
Said Molinaro: “He’s a very effective rider. One of his strong points is being on top and riding legs and always working for the turn. That’s always been an attribute of his.”
Donnadio is looking forward to testing his strengths against some even tougher foes. He tries not to look too far ahead, but knows there is a big opportunity if he stays on track at the SCT.
”If I do make it to the finals, I’d probably have Magaldo,” Donnadio said. “That’s probably my toughest match.”
Magaldo is a senior; Donnadio is a junior, but is a captain and leader for the less experienced Raiders. He’s been happy with the progress of Hillsborough, and is hopeful that the Raiders can continue to surprise people.
”I try to do whatever I can to keep that going and make sure we’re all doing as good as we can,” Donnadio said. “It’s definitely different this year being the underdog.”
Donnadio would love to win his first SCT title Saturday. He jumped from fourth as a freshman to second last year. He’d like to spark the Raiders with a great showing, and knows the competition will help him and the team.
”I think we can do good,” Donnadio said. “There are a lot of good teams in there. You wrestle good kids, you improve. Wrestling more experienced kids helps.”
Donnadio has worked throughout the offseason to prepare for a big season. He worked out regularly with his club team and attended camps, all while focusing on coming back at his best.
”Knowing I have two years left, my junior year is one of my most important years,” Donnadio said. “I tried to do as much as possible. You think of what your opponents are doing and try to outwork them.”
Donnadio has been devoted to the sport since he took it up in first grade. Through the years, the other athletic pursuits that he had taken up early fell by the wayside as he put more and more time into wrestling. He is hoping that dedication pays off at the counties and beyond.
”It doesn’t affect whether you go to A.C.,” Donadio said of the SCT, “but it definitely shows how you’re going to do this season.
”My goal is to get to finals and hopefully I can surprise people and beat Magaldo,” he added. “It’s going to be a tough match. I have to stay focused and keep working this whole week.”
While the Raiders and Donnadio have started quickly, there is no sense of satisfaction. They expect to be better with every match, and the counties will show where they need to improve.
”I want to see what we’ve been seeing but up and down the board,” Molinaro said. “As far as all the kids wrestling, I want them giving 100 percent from every perspective. We’ve been statistically not doing well from the bottom, so we’ll be working on that. I’d like to see them perform in all phases of their matches. You should be able to score from the bottom. We’ll work on that this week and look forward to competing with someone like Bound Brook that’s coming in as a huge favorite.”
The Raiders figure to be even better down the road when their heavyweight, Brian Schemm returns from an early season injury. Hillsborough has been juggling its lineup to make up for missing him.
”One thing I have to say about our kids is they haven’t backed down,” Molinaro said. “They’ve been wrestling tough. They’ve been aggressive. That’s all I can ask is that they give it everything they’ve got.”

