Sayreville wrestling aims to defend divisional crown
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
The Sayreville High School wrestling team - facing its first adversity of the campaign - responded well winning the Brearley Duals, by downing the host team 28-22 in the finals.

Coach John DeNuto's team entered the Brearley tournament following a disappointing 1-2 showing at a quad meet, where the Bombers lost to both Raritan and Hillsborough.

DeNuto said his team did not have a good showing against Hillsborough, but noted that Sayreville led Raritan by a 29- 24 count at one point.

"Those are good teams and I think we may have been a bit overconfident," the coach said. "Our guys were not happy with their showing and it cost us. I do think it taught us a lesson though, we have to be prepared for every match."

DeNuto said his team refocused during its two practices before the Brearley tourney started. Sayreville bounced back quickly with victories over Irvington and Seton Hall Prep to earn a spot in the championship round.

Against Brearley, the Bombers were at their best. DeNuto juggled the lineup and his team won four out of five matches decided by two points or less and allowed just one bonus point.

At 145 pounds, Ramon Santiago posted a 4-3 success, while Nick Boulton (130), Bryan Miksiewicz (215) and Dan Bergfeldt (112) acquitted themselves well in defeat to help keep the score close. In addition, the Bombers competed without Rhett Fischer (171), who missed the tourney due to an illness.

"Our guys really look at this as a teamfirst thing," said DeNuto. "They make sacrifices for each other because they're not worried about their individual records. They're all about winning as a team and that pushed us over the top against Brearley."

The Bombers were also spurred by the presence of DeNuto's father, also John, who has been battling cancer. The elder DeNuto is a longtime Bombers wrestling fan and the Sayreville wrestlers asked him to be part of their team picture following the win.

Moving forward, Coach DeNuto said his goal is to avoid another letdown, although he indicated that his team's early schedule has been difficult, including matches against Piscataway, South River, New Brunswick, St. John Vianney and Greater Middlesex Conference White Division rival Monroe.

With the triumph over Monroe, the Bombers are 1-0 in conference action. Last season Sayreville shared the division crown with Woodbridge and Monroe.

Thus far Sayreville has three competitors who have posted nine wins apiece: Santiago, Mike DuLuco (152) and freshman Noel Santiago (119). Jared Christenson (160) and another freshman, Kyle Anderson (103), are both 8-2, while John Boulton (135) is 7-3.

Bergfeldt, Miksiewicz and heavyweight Manny Santiago are 6-4, and sophomore Chris Pearson (140) is 5-5 in going against several difficult opponents and Fischer is 4-3.

"Overall, I'm pretty pleased with what our team has accomplished so far," coach DeNuto said. "They worked hard as a team during the offseason so I knew they'd be ready for tough competition early in the season. Now we just have to keep working hard and stay focused."

Sayreville returns to action on Saturday in a trimeet at Long Branch that also includes Hasbrouck Heights.