Knights Win Back-to-Back State Sectional Titles

NORTH CALDWELL - The sequel was not as melodramatic as the original, but to the West Essex wrestling team it did not matter.

Last season, the Knights grapplers traveled to Jefferson and stunned the Falcons, 39-29, to win the Group 2, North 1 state sectional title.

With the Falcons looking to avenge last season's loss in North Caldwell, the Knights started slow, but pulled away for a 37-19 victory on Friday night and the 2011 Group 2, North 1 state sectional title.

It made it back-to-back state sectional titles for the first time in the sport's history at the school.

Jefferson had built a 13-6 lead, but that was before what sophomore wrestler Carlo Zazzara calls the team’s "Murderers Row" got going: Zazzara (112), Mike Marotti (119), Jimmy Ciampi (125), Anthony Perrotti (130) and Anthony Pompei (135).

Zazzara started the drive and the Knights registered pins in four of the five bouts giving the team a 30-16 lead.

For the West Essex sophomore, the title was even sweeter. "The first time was great, but it's so much better with the home crowd," said Zazzara. "It's so sweet, and it's the best feeling."

Zazzara battled Jefferson's Jayson Kohut for the first three minutes before putting him on his back with 37 seconds left in the second period.

Knights Mike Marotti dropped a 3-0 decision to Pat Healy at 119 pounds.

West Essex senior Jimmy Ciampi did not need more than one period as he pinned Ryan Higgins at 1:59 at 125.

While Jefferson's Pat Ferguson gave West Essex's top wrestler Anthony Perrotti a tussle, the Knights' senior would finally prevail and dispatched the Falcons wrestler on his back at 4:14.

And then junior Anthony Pompei pretty much literally put away Jefferson as he pinned Falcons' Adam Riley with a time of 2:41.

Jefferson head coach Matt Moscatello agreed. "The 125 to 135 matches killed us with them getting 18 points," said Moscatello.

Last season, junior James Avraamides was not even on varsity and was on the sidelines watching West Essex win the title. Friday night, Avraamides was on the mat at 140 and jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the early going over Falcons Kellan Moran and held the 5-0 lead at the end.

The win gave the Knights a 33-16 lead and more importantly the three points clinched the match for West Essex.  

"It's an amazing feeling," said Avraamides. "I came off the mat and everybody was giving me a high five."

West Essex travels to Toms River on Sunday and takes on Long Branch in the Group 2 semi-finals at 10 a.m. at the Poland Springs Arena. If the Knights defeat Long Branch they will take on the winner of Brearley-Delsea winner at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Group 2, North 1 State Sectional Final in North Caldwell

West Essex 37, Jefferson 19

160, 3-0, Jefferson, Mike Monarque, Jefferson, defeated Frank Marotti, West Essex, 7-5

171, 7-0, Anthony Vasile, Jefferson, major decision, Joe Velardi, West Essex, 18-7

189, 7-3, Paul Cafone, West Essex, defeated Steve Dallicardillo, Jefferson, 13-6

215, 10-3, Ryan Boucher, Jefferson, defeated Grant McGuire, West Essex, 6-1

Heavyweight, 10-6, Domenic Valeriani, West Essex, defeated Mo Fouad, Jefferson, 4-3, overtime

103, 13-6, Bryan Damon, Jefferson, defeated Chris Caputo, West Essex, 12-5

112, 13-12, Carlo Zazzara, West Essex pins Jayson Kohut, Jefferson, 3:23

119, 16-12, Pat Healy, Jefferson, defeated Mike Marotti, West Essex, 3-0

125, 18-16, West Essex, Jimmy Ciampi, West Essex, pinned Ryan Higgins, 1:59

130, 24-16, Anthony Perrotti, West Essex, pinned Pat Ferguson, Jefferson, 4:14

135, 30-16, Anthony Pompei, West Essex, pinned Adam Riley, Jefferson, 2:41

140, 33-16, James Avraamides, West Essex, defeated Kellan Moran, Jefferson, 5-0

145, 37-16, Mark Dipsey, West Essex, defeated Nick Monteverdi, Jefferson, 13-2

152, 37-19, Brandon Coveney, Jefferson, defeated Nick George, West Essex, 12-6