Sports Shorts

As the new year is only a month old, there have been several notable accomplishments of the East Brunswick Youth Wrestling A-team that competes in the Central Jersey Midget Wrestling League. At the Old Bridge Mat Rat Tournament, Ricky Perrine, Michael O’Kane and Jonathan Shleyer all finished first in their respective divisions, while Ryan Smolin finished third. At the annual Stephen Fulcher Tournament in Edison, Ryan Smolin, Tyler Gallego and Jonathan Shleyer all finished second in their weight class, while Michael O’Kane finished first in his weight class.

A few weeks ago, history was made when Michael O’Kane, Damien Diaz (senior team) and Garrett Cuddy (senior team) became the first members of the team to qualify for the state championships at the regional qualifier in Toms River. The team has a few more dual meets before the A-Division Championships on March 5 in Manalapan.

The U11 East Brunswick Hurricanes beat their other crosstown rivals, the U11 East Brunswick Fastbreak team, 42-34, in the Central Jersey League at St. Mary’s gym in South River. Danny Sclafani led the team with 10 points, followed up by Mike Fraass with eight points. Brandon Patton and Nooch Giusti chipped in with six points a piece. The Canes will play against the EB Fastbreak team once again this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the East Brunswick High School.

The organizational process has begun for the startup of a boys lacrosse program for grades two through eight in Monroe Township. There will be two clinics given at the Monroe Rec Center Skating Rink on this Saturday and Feb. 25 from noon to 2 p.m. The clinic will be instructional, but more participatory and will conclude with a question and answer session for parents and players. If there is enough interest generated, teams by age group will be formed (second, fourth, fifth-sixth, and seventh-eighth grade teams), with practices to begin the first week of March.

Preregister at the Monroe Community Center. Players are being asked to wear sneakers and workout attire, and to bring a stick if possible. Clinics will be given by a two-time championship player from Johns Hopkins University as well as three NCAA Division I players.

Contact Joe Garaventa at (732) 613-8920 or jbgaravente@aol.com, if interested in playing this season. Or contact Monroe Recreation at (732) 723-5000.