HAMILTON: Wrestlers compete in tourney

by Josh Lashley, Special Writer
HAMILTON — Many of the best wrestlers in the entire U.S. gathered this past weekend at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City for the NJSIAA State Tournament. Student-athletes who advance to the states in New Jersey, let along place in the top eight in their respective weight classes, could easily be champions in many other states in the country.
   This makes what Brandon Cray, a sophomore for Steinert High School, accomplished in the 106-pound weight class on March 7 through 9 even more remarkable. Cray placed fourth in his weight, an extremely noteworthy feat.
   Cray began his run in the tournament with a technical fall win over Trace Kinner, of Kingsway in the pre-quarterfinal round. In the quarterfinals, he earned a 2-0 victory over Gonzalo Limenza, of Bound Brook. That triumph placed Cray in the semifinal round where he lost via decision to top-seeded Brandon Paetzell, of Phillipsburg.
   The loss in the semifinals placed Cray in the consolation semifinals where he captured a 10-6 win against Sebastian Rivera from Christian Brothers Academy. In the match to determine third and fourth place, Cray lost a two-point contest to Alec Kelly from Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City.
   Cray was a District 25 and Region 7 champion this winter and finished his season with a 40-3 record. Ty Agaisse, of Delbarton, won the state championship at 106 pounds weight class.
   Two other Steinert wrestlers competed in the tournament this past weekend. River Ullrich, a 220-pound senior, went 2-2 in his weight class, finishing his senior season with a record of 33-8. Ullrich won by first period pin in the preliminary round before losing a 6-2 decision to Obi Kali, of Millville, in the pre-quarterfinals.
   In the first wrestle-back round, Ullrich earned a one-point win over Shaun Stanley, of Pascack Hills, and was defeated in the second wrestle-back round by Christian Jenco, of Bergen Catholic. Ullrich was a District 25 champion and placed second in Region 7 this year. Anthony Cassar from Montgomery won the state title at 220 pounds.
   Michael Remboski went 3-2 last weekend in the 285-pound class and finished up his senior year with a 36-9 record. Remboski won by fall in his preliminary match, but was then defeated by Tyler Gildner, of Robbinsville, in the pre-quarterfinals.
   In the first round of wrestle-backs, he topped Tarek Awad, of Clifton, and in the second wrestle-back round he won a match over Lloyd Jackson, of Elizabeth. Remboski lost, 4-2, to Noa Merritt, of Pope John, in the third round of wrestle-backs. Andrew Stevens from Camden won the state title at 285 pounds.