Sports
Fricke's Season Comes to a Close at States
Chatham senior loses in preliminary round but is praised by his coach for a fantastic year.
ATLANTIC CITY — Sometimes it just ends too soon. Chatham senior wrestler Jeff Fricke now knows that all too well after losing in the first round of the NJSIAA Wrestling State Championships at Boardwalk Hall here on Friday.
Fricke was the Cougars' lone representative at the meet and was only the third Chatham wrestler to ever go to the state tournament. He qualified for states by taking third place in the Region 3 tournament and appeared poised to build on his 99-win career at Chatham High.
Friday night's event included the preliminary and pre-quarterfinal rounds of the tournament. Any wrestler who scored a win in the preliminary round was guaranteed at least two more fights, but any wrestler that lost was eliminated. Coaches, fans, and undoubtedly wrestlers were heard questioning whether or not a one-and-done format was worth the long ride "down the shore," but the intensity was high nonetheless.
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"I'm excited!" a fired-up and focused Fricke said before the match as he loosened up and jumped in place. "I'm ready to go out and do everything I possibly can!"
Fricke's preliminary match against Kenny Emmons of Pennsville started off even. The first period was grueling and scoreless, but in the second period Emmons started to take control. Halfway through the second, Emmons held a 5-1 lead. Going into the third period, Emmons had pulled away even further, improving to 7-1. Emmons scored one final point in the third period, eliminating Fricke in his first and only match of the tournament.
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Despite Fricke's tough loss, Cougar Head Coach Michael Carbone commented favorably on his season as a whole.
"Last year he slacked off," he said, "but he really came back this year and focused on the off-season. This year was his first 30 win year. He had a new outlook on things. He couldn't reach his 100th win, but he was the first [for Chatham] to get 20 wins every year."
Fricke may have finished his tenure as a Chatham wrestler a win shy of 100, but he will graduate as one of the finest athletes in his class and as a shining example of what maturity and dedication can accomplish.
