Sports
Cranford Wins Two Matches At Bound Brook Quad, Closing Regular Season
Wrestlers defeat Bound Brook & Ramapo. Drop middle match to St Peters
The Final Count
Cranford sandwiched a loss to St Peters with convincing wins over Ramapo and Bound Brook, yet stars Joe Giaccio and Matt DiGiovanni won all three of their bouts.
The Hero
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It was a historic day as Bound Brook's Andrew Campolattano, arguably the best wrestler in N.J. high school history, came into the day needing three wins to set the state career record. He took care of his first two and faced Cranford's Ray El Khoury for number 165. Campolattano was able to tun El Khoury in just under a minute to set the record. As he raised his hand, Campolattano received a standing ovation from the crowd.
"My goal was to be a four time undefeated wrestler but I just came up short with my one loss," Campolattano said. " It's a great feeling to get the record and it's an honor for my team and my family. I am ecstatic right now."
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If he wins 10 more matches Campolattano will win his fourth state title and finish his amazing career at 175 - 1. Nobody is betting against him.
The Quote
" I felt Ray El Khoury showed a lot of class going out against Camp and then posing for a picture," Coach Darran Torsone said. "It was great for all of us to be a part of NJ high school wrestling history."
Match Of The Day
In a battle of Cranford residents Cranfords Matt DiGiovanni faced off against St. Peters Brian Merkle in a 145 lbs. bout. Neither wrestler disappointed as Digiovanni edged Merkle 3-2. The co-match of the day saw Cranfords Kyle Markovitch come up against St. Peters fifth ranked 135 pounder Alexander Richardson. The crowd was on their feet as Richardson edged Markovitch 4-2 in overtime.
The Recap
Cranford 60-19 over Ramapo.
Rob Kessler, Ryan Espuga, Mike Helstetter, Kyle Markovitch, Matt DiGiovanni and Jim Dwyer all had pins as Cranford cruised over Ramapo.
St. Peters 42-15 over Cranford.
Along with DiGiovanni's win Mike Helmstetter and Ian Henry added decisions for Cranford.
Cranford 43 - 27 0ver Bound Brook.
Joe Giaccio, Kyle Markovitch, Eric Knight, Matt DiGiovanni, JP Christiano and Rob Kessler recorded pins as Cranford pulled away late against the host school.
What's Next
Cranford will compete this Friday and Saturday in the district tournament at Westfield High School.
