Junior wrestler is unbeaten
By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
Frustrated only begins to describe Tyler Workman’s first two years on the Hillsborough High School wrestling team.
He was on the team, but not on the mats.
The Raiders junior missed his freshman year after sustaining two concussions, and he missed all but seven matches last year after a finger injury required surgery.
”It definitely gives me some more motivation to know I missed the last two years, so I need to make the most of what I have left,” Workman said. “I look at it as this is the hand I was dealt so this is what I need to do with it.”
Workman has let his frustration out on the mats this season where he began the year 14-0 at 152 pounds after helping the Raiders sweep Bridgewater-Raritan, Ridge and Weequahic at Saturday’s Hillsborough Quad and knock off Belvidere, 33-32, Monday.
”The kids stepped up,” said Raiders head coach Steve Molinaro. “Judging by what I possibly expected, a lot of the guys have been stepping up and improving and keeping it going.
”I thought we’d have a closer match with Bridgewater, but the guys really stepped up and had a nice showing.”
Workman won twice by pin and once by major decision in the three matches Saturday, then came back with a win by pin against Belvidere to remain unbeaten in his first full varsity season.
”I’m definitely surprised,” said Workman, who has seven pins in his 14 wins. “I’ve hit some OK competition. Some kids that I could have wrestled that would have been tough matches, I ended up not wrestling. I’m really gearing up for counties and districts. Hopefully I can get far in states. I just want to get to states.”
Workman’s injury-plagued first two years sabotaged any chance at 75 or 100 career wins, and excelling in tournament action is all that he has left individually.
”It builds my confidence up to know I’m wrestling well,” Workman said. “I’m anticipating at counties, I’ll definitely hit some tough competition. That’ll give me an idea where I sit among the top kids. It’s given me the mental focus to know I can go out and wrestle with anybody.”
Workman and the Raiders will compete in the Somerset County Tournament on Saturday.
”We have our individuals that have been there a few times and we expect them to contribute,” Molinaro said. “There are good teams there. You’ve got Franklin, who’s very solid and Bound Brook with all their new recruits. They’re all pretty strong. Watchung will come in with a strong team. They come off a win over Central. We’ll see how we do.
”It’s always the fact you contribute to the team situation in a lot of different ways. Even if you’re not a champion, you can work your way through wrestlebacks and get some bonus points. For matchups, it’s almost like our districts.”
Workman enters the county tournament lacking only experience. He has the drive and the motivation of making up for lost time.
”It was probably one of the most frustrating things I’ve dealt with in my life,” Workman said. “I’ve been wresting since second grade. I’ve only been hurt in football. It was really frustrating.”
Workman’s first concussion came in football his freshman year. He suffered a second concussion at the start of the wrestling season to put him on the shelf. Then a finger injury cost him all but the final two weeks last year.
”I was wrestling off for the spot,” Workman recalled. “My knuckle popped out of socket. I thought I’d be out week or two. I ended up needing surgery. I had two pins in it and I couldn’t wrestle. Once the pins were out, I could start physical therapy and lift as much as I could. I got back for sectionals.”
Workman helped the Raiders reach the finals, but he wasn’t at his best after so much time off. This season, he returned and has burst out to a fast start.
”We knew he’d fall right back in,” Molinaro said. “He did compete a little bit at the end of last season. He comes to camp in the summer with us and does his wrestling with us. We expected him to fit right in.
”He’s been working pretty hard. He steps up in practice when he needs to. He’s been improving quite a bit on the mat as well. His riding on the mat is pretty tough. That adds to the whole package. He’s scoring a lot on his feet and that’s how you beat good people.”
Workman has been hard to even score a point on this season. He’s never given up more than four points, and that came in a decisive major decision.
”I’ve been pretty good defensively in neutral and on top,” Workman said. “I’ve been pretty successful at riding kids out. Turning and getting those extra bonus points is where I need that work. And my stamina, you’re always tired in the third period.”
Workman credits his success to better focus and determination. It’s showing up in matches.
”I think I’ve improved in neutral, and on bottom I’ve generally gotten out,” Workman said. “My focus in general has improved in the practice room and in matches.”
The Raiders, too, are showing improvement on the mats as a team. They have won seven of their last eight matches, including the one-point win over Belvidere. Adam La Bracio won by pin at 106, Deric Winston won by pin at 113, Jack Donnadio won, 6-4, at 120, Makey Price won by decision, Rhys Weinberger won by decision, Workman won by pint at 152, Matt McCloskey won, 11-10, at 170 and Paul Lyko won by decision at 195.
”Our lower weights, we have a lot of strong kids,” Workman said. “As we get to the upper weights, have a little more inexperience and gaps. I’m really happy with our record so far. We knew it would be tough year with the lack of guys at the upper weights. Inexperienced kids have really helped our team a lot. I’m happy how our team is doing and I think we’ll come out and finish the remainder of the season strong.”
Molinaro has seen some of his inexperienced wrestlers respond well when thrown onto the varsity mat. It’s made the difference for the Raiders.
”A couple guys got a couple wins for us Saturday,” Molinaro said. “They’re coming along at their own pace and doing what they can. Andrew Roessner is a nice addition. He’s 8-0. He’s become one of the guys we’re relying on. The ones we expect to do well are doing well, and we’ll see where it takes us. I think we’re a little further along than I expected us. That’s a plus. We just have to find a way to keep it going and keep improving.”
Tyler Workman is looking forward to the chance to keep his fast start going when he and the Raiders face their biggest challenge of the young season at the county tournament.
”We’re going to go out and wrestle as hard as we can,” Workman said. “If all the kids wrestled to the best of their ability, we have a chance.”