It’s a challenge to find wrestlers at Jackson Memorial High School to replace Brody Graham — who placed third in the state tournament — as well as four-year starters like Fred Terranova, Hunter Reese, Jarret DiGiantomasso, Sean Leahey and Connor Bohringer.
Graham, a heavyweight who has embarked on a college football career at the University of Pennsylvania, was 39-3 last season, while Bohringer, a state qualifier, was 27-3 at 182 pounds and Terranova won 26 bouts at 120. Leahey at 152 and DiGiantomasso at 160 both advanced out of district to regions.
The bar is high for this year’s group, but coach Aaron Gottesman believes he has wrestlers improving daily who will achieve their own success by the end of the season. He feels they’ll also guide Jackson Memorial to another strong season like last year, when the Jaguars reached the NJSIAA Group IV final, losing to Phillipsburg High School. They also finished in second place in the Shore Conference A South Division and the Shore Conference Tournament, runners-up in both to Brick Memorial High School. Jackson Memorial was ranked No. 8 in the state.
“Goals never change to finish as one of the top teams in the state. This team is no different,” Gottesman said. “Many have been wrestling in their third or fourth year, and they continue to progress. They’re coming along pretty steadily. If everyone gets to their weight level, that’s their key to progressing.”
It starts Dec. 19 at the Robin Leff Tournament hosted by Southern Regional High School.
Leading the way for the returnees are juniors Tim Hamann, who was 29-10 and fourth in Region VI at 145 pounds, and Matt McGowan, who moves up from 106 pounds, where he was 24-8, to 126 pounds. There also are seniors Mike Spino, who was among the top six in the region in a 28- 10 season at 120, and Tanner Kelly, who was district champion in an 18-8 season at 170.
Freshman Carsten DiGiantomasso will begin his quest for the success enjoyed by his older brother, Jarret, when he wrestles at 106 after an outstanding career at Carl W. Goetz Middle School.
Also looking for wrestling opportunities at the lower weight classes are junior Jeremiah Nash and sophomores Kevin Hogan and Tyler Mitrosky. After Spino, who looks to succeed Terranova at 120, and McGowan at 126, Ryan Bohringer and John Moss look to fill in at 132 or 138. Bohringer won five bouts as a freshman last season and was on the roster of the two-time state champion football team. Moss was injured much of last wrestling season.
Sophomore Logan Reese, Hunter’s younger brother, and senior Mike Christie are working toward opportunities at 132 and 138.
The 145-pound spot is not determined, and senior Jay Epperly looks to step in at 152.
After that, four wrestlers who started on Jackson Memorial’s football team will look to fill in some of the gaps. Kyle Johnson, a senior who was quarterback for the football team and played on the baseball team, looks to be a regular at 160, where he saw spot action last season. Dan Bergeron, a junior, also is pushing for an opportunity there. Kelly is solid at 170, where sophomore Justin Martin-Culet also is training at that weight and at 182 pounds. Sophomore Dave Lemay could fill in either at 170 or 182.
Adante Davis, a senior who was 18-12 in the upper weights, should see action at either 195 or 222. Davis was a defensive back on the football team along with senior Chris Mondello, who was the center, and Larry Richardson, who was an offensive guard. Both wrestle at either 195 or 220. Senior Edgar Soriano also has looked sharp at either weight.
Another offensive lineman on the football team, Austin Ostrander, is back after sitting out last season and should be the heavyweight. He was 16-11 as a sophomore.