Bombers on target to meet preseason goals
GMC divisional races taking shape
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer

With a 10-1 record thus far, the Sayreville High School wrestling team is off to its best start and is halfway to coach John Denuto's goal of reaching the 20-victory mark.

The Bombers sit atop the Greater Middlesex Conference's (GMC) White Division and their lone defeat came at the hands of Brearley in the finale of that school's holiday tournament. Sayreville, which was slated to host North Brunswick yesterday, is also in the midst of a 12-match home winning streak that dates back to last season.

Sayreville competed in the Minuteman Classic over the weekend and finished fourth overall, behind Old Bridge, Edison and Bishop Ahr. Eric Tsang won the 125-pound title and four Bombers grapplers took second in their respective weight classes: Ramon Santiago (135), Mike DeLuco (145), Mike Knight (171) and Robert Borzerelli (215).

"I think we're a much better dual-meet team than a tournament team," Denuto said. "We have several guys that we can move around depending on the opponent, and that enables us to be very competitive in duals."

Tsang leads the Bombers with a 14-0 record and now has 86 career wins on the mats, second only to Ton Danielson's team record of 96 victories. The senior is looking for his third successive District 20 title.

Santiago, a sophomore, is right behind with a 13-1 ledger to go with a team-leading 10 pins. DeLuco owns an 11-2 mark with both losses coming on close decisions; Knight is 13-1, primarily at 171 pounds, but is 4-0 when wrestling up at 189 pounds; and Borzerelli, whose late season hot-streak helped Sayreville to its first District 20 title, is 11-3.

Other key competitors include sophomore Dan Bergfeldt (112), 11-3; junior Nick Boulton (119), 10-2 with eight pins; John Boulton (130), 9-3; junior Joe LaRocca (140), 5-6; Scott Poore (152), 11-3 with a third-place showing at the Minuteman; and Rhett Fischer (160), 8-4.

Denuto also noted that freshman Chris Guzman (103) has posted a 403 mark; promising junior Augustine Sesay and sophomore Keith Seymour are sharing time at 189 pounds; and Bryan Miksiewicz has three wins in the heavyweight division.

"We set our team goals early on and they're high," Denuto said. "We want to win our division, win 20 matches, repeat as District champs and be ranked in the state. That means we have to keep working hard. We always say good things happen to people who work hard and we're seeing it this year."

While wrestling can be seen as an individual sport, Denuto stresses the team aspect. For example, Knight and DeLuco, among others, often compete in different weight classes.

"We're very focused on winning as a team," the coach said. "I tell all of them that they're responsible to everyone else on the team so they have to keep getting better and be ready when called upon. As a group, they all have worked very hard to get where they're at, but they can't let up."

The Bombers are scheduled to be back in action tomorrow at Bishop Ahr, which edged out Sayreville for third place in the Minuteman Classic. On Saturday Denuto's team visits conference rival Monroe for a quad match that also includes nonconferences foes East Brunswick and Shore Regional. On Monday Sayreville is back home against Perth Amboy.

Mat notes... Sayreville appears to be in the midst of a dogfight for the Greater Middlesex Conference's White Division title.

The Woodbridge Barrons also had a strong showing over the weekend, taking home second place in a highly competitive 12-team tournament at Suffern High School in New York.

Woodbridge, who is expected to battle with Sayreville for the GMC White Division title, was led by junior Matt Buchan's win at 130 pounds on Saturday, while sophomore Brian Chin (103), junior Craig Battista (171) and junior Jerry Pohida (145) all claimed second-place honors in their respective weight classes.

Colonia, who entered the week with a 4-2 mark, is another White Division team that has looked strong early on, and could play a role in deciding the White Division race.

Meanwhile, the GMC's Red Division is shaping up to be a battle for second place once again.

With South Plainfield, the fifth-ranked team in the state, taking its customary spot atop the division, the Old Bridge Knights, ranked 18th in the state at the start of the week, appear to be the team most likely to secure the second spot.

Old Bridge (168 points) took home the Minuteman Classic team title in impressive fashion by claiming six individual titles (at 103, 145, 160, 171, 189 and 215 pounds) on Saturday, while Edison took home second place with 120 points, followed by Bishop Ahr (118) and Sayreville (103).

Freshman Conor Hayes got things started for Old Bridge with a win a 103, before the Knights' upper weights dominated the tournament. Brendon Mack won at 145, followed by Chris Suozzo at 160, Eddie Ebewo at 171, Chris Orzechowski at 189 and Travis Gerdon at 215.

One thing has become abundantly clear early on - if you're going to beat Old Bridge, you'd better dominate the lower weights, because their big guys up top are putting on a clinic seemingly every time they take the mats.

The Knights should be challenged by Edison in Red Division action. The Eagles were paced Mikey FrancoBandiero's and Dan Walker's wins at 112 and heavyweight, respectively, while Anthony Peterson (119) and Alan Romero (130) each finished second at the Minuteman Classic.

J.P. Stevens and East Brunswick are two other Red Division teams with some talented wrestlers scattered throughout their lineups, and both are looking to have plenty to cheer about once the district tournament rolls around.