Salk wrestling program continues to raise the bar
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer

For the past 4 1/2 seasons, the Jonas Salk Middle School in Old Bridge has been the New England Patriots of the local wrestling scene.

The Salk grapplers have won 57 consecutive matches and have won the Middlesex County Middle School Wrestling League’s championship for the past four seasons.

Salk has long had a successful program, with many of its competitors going on to compete for Old Bridge High School and other area schools, according to co-coaches Andy Foote and Bob Quinn

“We’ve always had a winning tradition here, but the last four seasons have been phenomenal,” said Foote, now in the sixth year of his second stint coaching wrestling at Salk. “It certainly helps to have the horses, and we’ve had our share of quality kids.”

Quinn noted that the program attracts a variety of kids. It’s a natural next-step for those who come through the local Mat-Rat program. Salk’s winning tradition attracts many newcomers to the sport, and Foote and Quinn regularly talk up the program.

“Some of the kids come in with a good background in the sport and we can work with them on technique, while we teach the newcomers the fundamentals,” Foote said. “It’s very rewarding to work with them.”

The Salk team boasts 12 grapplers with 11 or more wins, including Phil Stanford, who went 13-0 at 80 pounds; Trevor Haughney, 16-0 at 110 pounds; and Dan McCarthy, 13-0 at 158 pounds. All three also took first place in the league’s individual tournament. Conor Hayes, 14-1 at 90 pounds, and also won an individual crown.

Other members of the team include: Mark Scoran, (11-3 at 70 pounds); Mark Kramer (9-6, 75); Shane Raymond (8-4, 85); Eric Hammel (6-3, 95); Colton Gerdon (11-3, 100); Nick Izzo (9-4, 105); Nick McIntosh (12-3, 115); Justin Sharon (5-2, 120); Jeremy Kutner (5-2, 120); Evan Petrovich (11-4, 126); Chris Giordano (7-7, 132); Nick Orek (3-2, 132); Steve Zafrani (13-2, 138); Andrew Tye (6-6, 144); Rich Agosto (5-4, 150); Timmy Ho (2-2, 150); Felix Pratts (13-3, 170); Matt Grunewald (12-3, 185); and Matt Frizzalone (12-3, heavyweight).

And the outlook is bright for next year, as 13 of Salk’s starters will return as the team prepares to go after its 58th straight win.

“The kids are very dedicated, they practice every day, and we have two or three matches each week,” Quinn said. “It’s similar to the way it is in high school, but the season is a bit shorter.”

Speaking of high school, Salk alums who have gone on include Michael and Joe Dougherty, who both won state titles at Old Bridge, and Joe now coaches at South Brunswick; Darin Farrell, who went on to become an alternate on the U.S. Olympic team, to name just a few.

“Seeing these kids go on to compete in high school gives us a big thrill,” Foote said. “Old Bridge is a wrestling town, and the parents have been very supportive. It’s an excellent environment for a coach.”