Cougar wrestlers win program's first title
Colts Neck wins Haddon Invitational
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
There's nothing like winning for a program that is trying to establish itself. Under Bob Seidel, the Colts Neck High School wrestling program is on the upswing, and now the Cougars have the program's firstever championship to validate it.

The Cougars captured the Haddon Township Invitational on Dec. 27 by a single point over host Haddon Township, 138-137, with Nottingham just three points back (135).

"We had a good day," said Seidel. "It gives our kids confidence. It's a sign of progress, the program's first championship."

What made the championship so important, besides the historic nature of it, was the closeness of the competition. The Cougars needed every single point.

"It's [the title] big because all played a part in it," Seidel pointed out.

Colts Neck had seven wrestlers advance to the finals with Tyler Fraley (103) and Anthony Anzalone (112) capturing the gold.

This was the second title of the young season for Fraley (he won the Colt Classic),

points who is one of the top-ranked 103-pounders in the state.

Fraley and Anzalone both won by major decisions, picking up precious bonus points.

Chad Kaplowitz (130), Ryan King (145), Jimmy Rojas (171), Billy Somma (189) and Mike Heyer (heavyweight) were the other Cougar finalists.

Kaplowitz and Rojas gave the Cougars better results than expected. Kaplowitz is a freshman and Rojas is a first-year wrestler. Rojas gave the Cougars big bonus points by winning his semifinal via a fall.

Alex Brown (119) added a third-place finish to the team's point total.

"I'm pleased with the team," said Seidel. "I see a lot of good things from them."

Gaining experience is the top priority for the 2008-09 Cougars, which are starting as many as three freshmen and four sophomores.

"We're so young," noted Seidel. "We're hot and cold. We have to get used to winning."

The program's first championship was a good way for them to get started.

John Gagliano's Howell Rebels are certainly accustomed to winning, and they got their season off to an impressive start. In dualmeet competition, the Rebels smacked their longtime rival Manalapan, 61-0, and followed that up with a 55-15 win over Allentown.

The Rebels opened their season at the Battle at the Beach in Delaware where they finished second to Dallastown (Pa.), 200-188.

Mike Shaughnessy picked up the Rebels' lone individual victory, winning the 130 title.

Dru Thomas (112) and Jesse Holzhauer (152) were finalists, and Joe Esposito (119), Brian Wilson (125) and Dominick Carnevale (215) were third-place finishers.

Howell was second again, this time at the Roselle Park Tournament on Dec. 30. Thomas, Esposito, Wilson and Joe Melon (189) all picked up wins for the Rebels, while Shaughnessy was a runner-up.

Howell scored 158½ points while host Roselle Park was first with 185½.

The Rebels will wrestle Christian Brothers Academy in a big A North match tonight (6:30 p.m.) in Howell. Tomorrow, Howell will take on Ocean Township in a nondivision showdown between two of the Shore's top programs.

Freehold Borough first in Holmdel

Winning the Holmdel Tournament a couple of years ago signaled the rise of Freehold Borough's program, and the Colonials were at it again on Dec. 29 winning the tournament by 10 points over Monsignor Donovan (122.5-112.5).

Senior Tom Post repeated his 2007 triumph at Holmdel, winning at 145 pounds via a fall in just 21 seconds. Josh Davis took the gold at 215, winning a wild one from Lakewood's David Jusino, 13-12.

Tom Nulty (103), Brian Nulty (112) and Kevin Nulty (135) finished second for the champions.

At the Walter Woods Holiday Tournament at Middletown South,

Freehold Township's Gene Accardi, soon to become the first Patriot to win 100 career matches, was first at 135. His teammate Anthony DiPierro was second at 130. Kyle Kasten took third at 171 for the Pats, who were seventh (97½).

In Long Branch at the Winter Wave Tournament, it was Marlboro's Vinnie Leone (112) and Paul Saraiva (145) who struck gold. Adam Ramadan (119) was third.

Marlboro went to the Hawk Classic at Manchester Township where Ramadan and Paul Saraiva were runner-ups and Leone finished third.