Wrestlers End Dual Meets With Dual Wins

The Cranford wrestling team finished out the dual meet season in impressive fashion Saturday, defeating Ridge 66-8 and Belleville 54-12 to improve to 19-4 on the season. While the fans enjoyed bagels and coffee at the early morning meet, the team served up a string of solid performances.

"We had some good matchups in the Belleville match and we're getting ready for districts now," said Cranford head coach Darren Torsone. "We had a couple of days off, so we're trying to get back into wrestling shape. It was nice to see the kids went six minutes and that they wrestled some tough matches today."

The meet marked a chance for many seniors to shine on their home mat for the final time.

"We had a couple of top performers that came through," said Torsone. "It was nice to see get some big wins as they finish off their career here at Cranford. Some of our seniors that wrestled here for their last time, Carmine Pellino, Chris Keim, Joe Brady, Julian Campo and Connor Londregan, they all got some big wins to finish off at Cranford which was nice to see."

Londregan had a solid year, despite being bounced around in different weight classes. He won at 152 on Saturday, a long way from where he started four years ago.

He beat one of Ridge's top matmen in Dean Rice, who will be heading to the district tournament.

"I came out freshman year, first year wrestling and started out 103, small kid," said Londregan. "Through the program I think I gained a lot, more than just wrestling, of course with the great coaching staff we have, I learned a lot of wrestling my four years here and a lot of life skills as well. Through the years I've grown as a wrestler and a person because of it. It's a great experience. I'm glad I stuck with it. It's a tough sport, definitely. I advise all the first years wrestlers every year to stick with it."

The Cougars finished the dual meet season 19-4.

"I think our team did great this year, great record," said Londregan. "It was a little disappointing we couldn't get that 20 win. Snow affected that a little bit. We're looking to get a couple of people in the state tournament and I'm going to be there supporting them."

Senior Chris Keim was another overtime winner. He defeated Belleville's Michael Laboy 2-0 with a headlock takedown at the buzzer in the 171-pound weight class.

"I havn't done well in the past but I've been working the whole time and this year it's starting to pay off," Keim said. "Today, especially, was a big win. I was pretty pumped, so it's been a pretty good season."

Senior Joe Brady wrapped up his home dual meet career, finishing undefeated in dual meets this season.

"It was fun while it lasted. I'm sad to see it go," said Brady. "I love everybody on the team, everyone gets along, so it's a good time."

Carmine Pellino had a strong year on the mat and a solid day, pinning Jay Bassin of Ridge in :26 and John Rossi of Belleville in 1:34.

"As much as I say I hate it, I'm gonna miss it," said Pellino. "I'm gonna miss the team. It's a great bond we have. I'm pretty sure there's no other team like us. For the season this year, I did what I wanted to do. I wanted to be above .500. Today was actually great for me. Two pins, it was good."

And with a change in the district competition, Cranford better have their game-face on next Friday.

'The district tournament is going to be a little tougher this year since Brearley entered it, so we're looking forward to some good competition," said Torsone. "Instead of maybe getting that first tough round in at regions, the tougher matches are going to come at districts because it has gotten a lot more competitive this year."

Meet Results:

Cranford High School: 66

Ridge High School: 8

103: Castro, Diego (Cranford High School)  For (Ridge High School)  -

112: Giaccio, Joe (Cranford High School)  For (Ridge High School)  -

119: Gong, Shane (Ridge High School)  DEC Henry, Ian (Cranford High School)  17-2

125: Buontempo, Brian (Cranford High School)  DEC Woolford, Brian (Ridge High School)  8-5

130: Markovitch, Kyle (Cranford High School) FALL Kleinert, Nick (Ridge High School) 1:47

135: Pellino, Carmine (Cranford High School)  FALL Bassin, Jay (Ridge High School) :26

140: DiGiovanni, Matt (Cranford High School)  FALL Bond, Zack (Ridge High School) 4:49

145: Knight, Eric (Cranford High School)  FALL Ord, Tyler (Ridge High School) :51

152: Londregan, Connor (Cranford High School)  DEC Rice, Dean (Ridge High School) 1-0

160: Christiano, JP (Cranford High School)  FALL Duvall, Andrew (Ridge High School) 1:28

171: Keim, Chris (Cranford High School)  For (Ridge High School)  -

189: Radinovic, Cameron (Ridge High School)  DEC Petgrave, Errol (Cranford High School)  6-0

215: Campo, Julian (Cranford High School)  FALL Vaziri, Darius (Ridge High School) 1:33

285: Brady, Joe (Cranford High School)  For (Ridge High School)  - 

Cranford High School: 54

Belleville High School: 12

103: Cabrera, Oscar (Belleville High School)  FALL Castro, Diego (Cranford High School)  1:05

112: Colon, Chris (Belleville High School)  DEC Giaccio, Joe (Cranford High School)  8-3

119: Henry, Ian (Cranford High School)  For (Belleville High School)  -

125: Buontempo, Brian (Cranford High School)  DEC Gencarelli, Ricky (Belleville High School)  4-1

130: Pellino, Carmine (Cranford High School)  FALL Rossi, John (Belleville High School) 1:34

135: Markovitch, Kyle (Cranford High School)  TF Avino, Anthony (Belleville High School) 2:50

140: DiGiovanni, Matt (Cranford High School)  FALL Carey, Sean (Belleville High School) 2:59

145: Knight, Eric (Cranford High School)  DEC Corino, Mark (Belleville High School)  5-2

152: Anello, Joe (Belleville High School)  DEC Londregan, Connor (Cranford High School)  8-3

160: Christiano, JP (Cranford High School)  FALL Fruncillo, Nick (Belleville High School) 2:38

171: Keim, Chris (Cranford High School)  DEC Laboy, Michael (Belleville High School)  2-0

189: Petgrave, Errol (Cranford High School)  DEC Colon, Chris (Belleville High School)  12-3

215: Campo, Julian (Cranford High School)  FALL Hamilton, Chase (Belleville High School) 3:14

285: Brady, Joe (Cranford High School)  FALL Davis, Joe (Belleville High School) 1:27