Knights wrestling team prepares for Districts
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
The Old Bridge High School wrestling team heads into the District 20 competition Friday at South Brunswick with a pair of Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) champions who will be looking to make their marks.

John Giusti and Chris Suozzo won their respective weight classes at the GMC championships. Giusti (130 pounds), who finished second in his weight at last year's District event, is 31-1 overall with 11 falls. Suozzo (171) also finished second at District 20 a year ago. He is 29-2 with 19 falls to his credit.

Several other Old Bridge grapplers are having solid seasons and could dowell at the District. Dave Zafrani (215), junior Trevor Haughney (160) and sophomore Conor Hayes (103) all finished third in theirweight classes at the GMC. Zafrani is 27-5, Justin Kitchen is 21-10 and Hayes is 20-5.

Two other Knights have surpassed the 20-win mark as well. Nick Orak (189) a standout sophomore is 25-10. In addition, Joey Dunn (145) has 16 wins and Andrew Schaeffer (119) has 12 victories. Sophomore Jamie Bond (140) has won 14 times, and freshman Phil Sandford (125) has 15 wins with 14 falls.

CoachBryanGarnett's teamis 13-5 overall. The Knights started the campaign with a 5-0 run before losing to South Plainfield, 37-36. After rebounding to down Manchester Old Bridge lost to Toms River North and Perth Amboy, the latter by a 30-28 count. Garnett's grapplers then took three straight victories before losing to Sayreville.

The Knights qualified for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV tourney, and opened with a 47-14 triumph over Hillsborough. In the quarterfinals, the Knights were downed by powerful Jackson, 46-20.

On Saturday, Old Bridge competed in a quad match at Toms River East, posting wins over the host team, as well as Lower Cape May and Sacred Heart Academy.