O.B. Wrestling Festival off to another flying start
Central Jersey Duals wrap up tonight
By doug mckenzie
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY FARRAH MAFFAI Sayreville’s Eric Tsang works a single-leg takedown against Howell’s Mark Aquino during Tuesday night’s Central Jersey Duals action at the Old Bridge Wrestling Festival. Tsang went on to win the match, 7-5.

The Old Bridge Wrestling Festival got under way this past weekend, with some of the top young wrestlers from throughout the state participating in a number of different competitions.

A total of 112 wrestled on Saturday at the Old Bridge Wrestling Festival, bringing the 29-year total to 23,153

The first group was the Junior High School Scholastic Division. Among the local grapplers to reach the finals were: 103-pounder Travis Torchia, Middletown, who beat Julian Meany, Toms River, 5-2; 122-pound George Kosanovich, Parlin, who pinned Dan Richard, Vastal, N.Y., in 2:18; 131-pound Steven Doran, of West Keansburg, who dropped the final to Joe Germick, Apalachin, N.Y.; 139-pound Kyle Harpen, of Spotswood, who lost in the final to Mark Peck, of Wood-Ridge; and heavyweight David Amchein, of Kendall Park, who pinned Nicholas Diaz, of Perth Amboy, in 2:16.

In the High School Greco-Roman Division, North Brunswick’s Tom Milazzo fell in the 163-pound final to Woodbridge’s Danny Collins.

Old Bridge’s Brian Suozzo struggles to get out of the grasp of Woodbridge’s Jerry Granto during a 119-pound bout on Tuesday at the Central Jersey Duals in Old Bridge.

A number of local wrestlers fared well in the High School Scholastic I Division, reaching the finals. In the final round, (101 pounds) Brian Lofson, Huntington, N.Y., beat Kelley Lyon, Kendall Park, 10-5; (107) Jimmy Bohn, Howell, WBF over Sean Koch, Shrewsbury, 4:46; (129) David Shubick, Bound Brook, major decisioned Nick Barry, Manalapan, 11-2; (140) Scott Beckerman, Manalapan, WBF over Ben Conklin, Bridgewater, 3:15; (172) Tom Milazzo, North Brunswick, major decisioned Franklin Andujar, Perth Amboy, 16-4; (199) Jack Sullivan, Huntington, N.Y., decisioned Ed Allegra, Locust (CBA), 14-9; (214) Andy Bowsher, Maplewood, WBF over Elliot Simon, Marlboro, 0:53; (230) Nick Parker, Northport, N.Y., decisioned Charlie Fradella, Old Bridge, 5-3; and (heavyweight) Tom Boyce, Manalapan, WBF over Frank Lillis, Old Bridge, 1:05.

A total of 93 wrestled on Sunday at the Old Bridge Wrestling Festival, bringing the 29 year total to 23,246.

In Sunday’s Open Freestyle Division finals, (heavyweight) Richard Romero (South Brunswick) technical falled James Mascicki (Princeton), 10-0, 3:50.

In the High School Freestyle Division finals, (143) James Mancini (Montreal, Canada) decisioned Oscar Orellana (Lakewood), 8-6; while (heavyweight) Ed Allegra (Locust) decisioned Tori Gibbs (Cliffwood), 8-4.

In the Junior High School Freestyle Division finals, (79) Dan White (South Brunswick) tech falled Mikey Bandiero (Edison), 10-0, 1:09; (90) Steve Fallon (Old Bridge) tech falled Ryan Putman (Hazlet), 10-0, 1:00; and (103) Julian Meaney (Toms River) pinned Cody Oliverio (Brick), 1:17.

In the Elementary School Scholastic Division finals, (44) Stephen Karoly (Jamesburg) decisioned Kyle Brown (Old Bridge), 10-7; (52) Adam Heade (Bridgewater) decisioned Tyler Hopman (Old Bridge), 10-4; (64) Joey Orecchio (Bloomingdale) major decisioned Constantine Rissiotis (South Brunswick), 9-0; (70) Maurice Martia (Middletown) pinned Colin Barber (Westfield), 1:47; (74) Danny Reis (Kenilworth) major decisioned Senator Sandford (Old Bridge), 12-0; (78) Mikey Bandiero (Edison) major decisioned Sam Emburgia (Monroe), 12-3; and (83) Conor Hayes (Old Bridge) decisioned Greg Doukas (Marlboro), 4-0.

The festival is continuing this week with the Central Jersey Summer Duals, in which 20 high school teams are competing in dual meets through tomorrow night.

Last night, the round robin portion of the tournament concluded, setting up tonight’s semifinals (6 p.m.) and finals (8 p.m.). Following Tuesday night’s round robin action, both Woodbridge and South Plainfield had advanced to the semifinal round after going undefeated through the first two nights of competition. South Plainfield is seeking its seventh stratight team title.

Woodbridge defeated Old Bridge (40-27) and Scotch Plains (48-21) to continue its impressive run through the duals, while South Plainfield topped Edison/JFK (43-15) and Hunterdon Central (32-31).

Locally, East Brunswick knocked off Staten Island, 42-15, St. John Vianney went 1-1 on Tuesday, topping Edison (39-22) and falling to Bridge Unified (24-9).

Sayreville’s team had a touhg night on Tuesday, losing to both Howell (41-23) and J.P. Stevens (44-18).

Saturday, the festival will continue with the High School Scholastic II, Junior High Scholastic II and Open Collegiate divisions, concluding on Sunday with the High School Scholastic III, Elementary Scholastic II and Masters Collegiate divisions.

The entry fee for all the tournaments is $18 per entrant (payable at scale only). All tournaments are held at the Old Bridge Sports Arena on eight mats and are modified double elimination.

The Madison System is in effect, meaning that weight classes will be made up after weigh-ins with a maximum of 16-man brackets.

Weigh-ins are from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Recreation Center. Wrestling begins at 11:18 a.m.

All matches take place at the Old Bridge Sports Arena.