OB wrestling goes to the mat with young team
Seven seniors graduated from last year's 14-4 squad
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
With four competitors back who won 20 or more matches a year ago, the youthful Old Bridge High School wrestling team is looking to continue its long winning tradition this season.

Coach Bryan Garnett's team went 14-4 last winter, and went on to win the District 20 competition. The Knights finished second in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) tourney and took second in the GMC Red Division. However, seven seniors graduated from that team so Garnett will have several new faces sprinkled throughout the lineup.

"We're very young this season and several of our wrestlers have to adjust to competing at the varsity level," the coach said. "Still we have a lot of talent and we always aim high, so I'm looking forward to a strong season. Our goals are to place well in the GMC Tournament and to do well both as a team and individually in District 20."

Key returnees include 135-pounder John Giusti, the hard-working team captain, who posted a 26-12 mark and finished second in his weight class in the District 20 Tournament last season. Conor Hayes (103), who also won his weight class at District 20, gives the Knights a strong presence at the top of the lineup where he was 23-11.

Chris Suozzo (171) also finished second in the district last season, while posting a 25- 11 record and now has 63 career victories the most on the team.

Trevor Haughney (152), a junior, adds to Old Bridge's strength in the middleweight classes. Haughney was 22-11 last season and third in the district.

"They're our leaders on and off the mats," Garnett said. "While we expect them to do well, we also want them to help the younger wrestlers and lead by example in the room. They've been doing a good job of that."

Garnett is also expecting major contributions from seniors Joey Dunn (140) and Justin Kitchen (145), a pair of seniors who each won 10 matches. Andrew Schaeffer (119), a senior who won eight times last season, is also poised for a strong year.

The coach noted that several wrestlers have been promoted after having strong JV campaigns. They include junior Dave Fitzgerald (112) and sophomore Jamie Bond (130), Steven Zafrani (160), Nick Orak (189) and heavyweight Andre Tye.

"It's a move up for them, but they have good experience and they worked hard over the summer," Garnett said. "It's a matter of how quickly they adjust."

Other members of the team include seniors Dave Zafrani (215) and John Stampone, a heavyweight, as well as freshman Phil Sandford (125).

Garnett said his team has fared well in its scrimmages and is prepared to open the season Saturday at the Icebreaker Invitational in Matawan, where the competition will also include Notre Dame, Freehold Township and Colts Neck.

The Knights will host division rival J.P. Stevens in a dual meet on Dec. 19 and will then compete in the Hunterdon Central Tournament during the holiday break.

"The guys are excited and they're ready to go," Garnett said.