Cranford Wrestlers Tie With Brearley

The Final Count

After winning their first team state championship last Saturday David Brearley High School was a strong favorite to win a second consecutive District 11 title. The only thing is somebody forgot to tell Cranford.

Inspired efforts from all of their wrestlers Cranford pulled off an upset, the teams tying with 194 points. 

The Heroes

In what may be his biggest win of his career Matt Digiovanni defeated the fifth ranked Dan Ries 4-2 in overtime.

 With 20 seconds left in the match, Digiovanni reversed Ries for the tying points. DiGiovanni rode out the rest of the period, sending the match into overtime. After a scramble DiGiovanni was able to scoot under Ries’s hands to get in for the winning takedown. DiGiovanni won Outstanding Wrestler for his effort.

“When I wrestled him last time I was able to score two late takedowns against him,” DiGiovanni said. “While those points meant nothing to me in that match it gave me the confidence that I could take him down."

Consistent high scorers throughout the season, Kyle Markovitch and Joe Giaccio continued the trend by both winning their matches and nabbing their fourth district titles.

“It’s unbelievable," Coach Darren Torsone added. “They came in together as freshman and have meant so much to the team over their careers.”

Sophmores Rob Kessler and Jim Dwyer – along with senior Eric Knight – took fourth places in the tournament.

“Eric was so sick this week he was not able to practice at all,” said Torsone. “In a match this close every bout counts and for Eric to win his first match while being so sick was huge for us.”

Senior Ray El Khoury also took a third place for the Cougars. “Ray has come a long way since the beginning of the season,” Torsone said. “He came to us with no wrestling background at all and had some big wins for us. None bigger than today."

Ian Henry and Corey Markovitch both took second place. Ian had a huge 9-7 win over Bettancourt of Linden in his semi final match.

“Ian has never defeated Bettancourt before today,” said Torsone. “For him to come up with that big win today just shows what he is made up of.”

Sophomore Mike Helmstetter, at 112 pounds, trumped his Rahway opponent whom he split matches with earlier this season.

Junior JP Christiano continues a stunning season, nabbing a first place finish at 160 pounds – gaining his first district title. With only two losses this year Christiano will be one of the favorites in the Region 3 competition series next week, Torsone added.

The Quote:

“This is a nice finish to a good season,” Torsone said. “It’s nice to see the boys peaking at the right time which will help them achieve their personal goals.” 

What’s Next: Cranford will send eight wrestlers into Region 3  competition. Wrestling will start Tuesday evening at Union High School. Final rounds will be Friday evening and all day Saturday.