Melton, Stinson, McTamney qualify for TOC
By Ken Weingartner, Special Writer
Cody Melton accomplished two goals on his way to Atlantic City.
First, Melton joined his brother, R.J., as one of only four wrestlers at Northern Burlington High to accumulate at least 100 wins.
Second, the senior heavyweight won the Region VII championship and punched his ticket for this weekend’s state finals in Boardwalk Hall. It was Melton’s first regional title; he advanced to the state tourney last year with a second-place finish.
The top three finishers in each weight class in the Region VII tourney, held at Robbinsville High, advanced to states. Joining Melton from Northern Burlington was Wayne Stinson, who finished second at 160. Bordentown’s Justin McTamney also advanced, thanks to a second-place finish at 126.
”I used to dream about this when I was younger, watching the Northern teams before come here and wrestle,” said Melton, who is 32-2 this season and regarded as one of the top contenders for the state title at 285. “It’s pretty awesome. Last year, I came into the region final and was content just to go to states as a junior. I might have been a little overwhelmed at the time.
”This year my goal was to get (on top) of the podium.”
Melton accomplished the goal by winning 2-1 over Cinnaminson’s Sam Ekwonike. Melton trailed 2-0 entering the third period, but got an escape and penalty point when Ekwonike was called for stalling.
”I knew if it came down to the third period, I was going to be able to push the action,” Melton said. “It’s not really the way a heavyweight match should be decided, but I guess I pushed the action more than he did. After he got that first stalling (warning), it was game on for me.
”I felt in great shape at the end of the third period, which is what I want to be. I want to feel like I can wrestle a whole other match. When it got to the third, I had a lot of confidence in myself to get the job done.”
Earlier in the tourney, Melton picked up career win No. 100 by injury default over Steinert’s Mike Remboski.
”It’s not the way I wanted it, but it happens,” Melton said. “It’s pretty special. I’m only the fourth kid in our school history to do it and my brother (R.J.) is one of the other ones. That’s pretty cool.”
Melton’s teammate Stinson was shooting for a second regional title, but dropped a tough 4-3 decision to Haddonfield’s Rob Schlitt, who was named the tourney’s outstanding wrestler.
Bordentown’s McTamney won a 3-2 decision over New Egypt’s Sean Pryzbylkowski in the region semis at 126, avenging a loss from earlier in the season and guaranteeing his trip to the state tourney. He lost the final to Burlington Township’s undefeated Kevin Devoy, who has finished fourth in Atlantic City the past three years.
”Coming here and placing feels really good,” said McTamney, a sophomore who is 32-6. “I wrestled tough matches and did my best. I just want to go down there (to Atlantic City) and try to win some matches. I feel I’ve been wrestling pretty good lately.”