Bridgewater-Raritan Wrestlers Advance To Quarterfinals Of State Wrestling Tournament

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Three athletes from Bridgewater-Raritan High School traveled to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Thursday to compete in the New Jersey State wrestling tournament.

Trent Levash, Matt McCann, and Andrew Adell all participated in the opening rounds of the competition. The wrestlers represented their school under the lights of the state championship venue as they sought to advance through their respective weight class brackets.

The tournament is held over three days, with action continuing through Saturday, to determine the top eight finishers in each weight class.

Levash, a junior, is the No. 7 seed at 285 pounds and successfully advanced in the championship bracket.

He began the day with a 9-5 decision victory over North Hunterdon Regional High School senior Anthony DeSimone. Levash followed that win with an 8-2 decision against 10th-seeded Gavin Mericle of High Point Regional High School. This victory secured his position in the quarterfinal round.

Levash will face Woodstown High School senior Mateo Vincciguerra on Friday, March 13, for a spot in the semifinal round.

While Levash continues his pursuit of a state title, teammates Matt McCann and Andrew Adell will compete in the wrestleback consolations.

McCann, a junior seeded 13th at 165 pounds, won his preliminary bout 4-1 against Ramapo High School senior Gino Gorga. He was later defeated in a match against fourth-seeded Josh Piparo of Saint Peter's Preparatory School.

McCann will return to the mat on Friday to face either Gage Dembowski of Montville or Ryan Will of Middletown South.

Adell, a senior seeded 28th at 113 pounds, faced a difficult start when he lost to Middletown North's Ryan Blewett by a 9-0 major decision. Adell kept his season alive by defeating Delbarton School sophomore Alex Rosciano with an 18-3 technical fall.

His next test is a match against Bergen Catholic freshman Anthony Riotto.

The second day of the state tournament begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, with the second round of wrestlebacks. The event concludes on Saturday, when the final placements for the participants are determined.