Lancers and Minuteman Grapple in Regionals

Livingston was looking to add a few more wrestlers into the quarterfinals, while Newark Academy was hoping to put at least one wrestler into the quarterfinals at the Region 4 tournament at West Orange on Tuesday night.

For both teams, misssion accomplished.

The Lancers finished the night with a 2-2 record. Jason Estevez got Livingston off on the right foot. Estevez made light work of Fort Lee's Jose Granados, as he was able to pin him at 1:23. The freshman bounced back from only his second loss of the season to pick up his first win at the Regions.

"I think when you have a kid of his caliber you it really doesn't matter if he is a freshman or not," Livingston coach Pat Trabucco said of Estevez. "He has a goal in mind and he is working toward it."

Another Lancer wrestler who is moving on to Friday's quarterfinals is Justin Estevez (135). Estevez scored a pin over Glen Ridge's John Grimaldi at the 3:10 mark. The pin gave the senior his 29th win of the season. The win also gave Estevez a chance at a possible rematch against Nutley's Dante Montes in a later round. Montes barley knocked off Estevez in the District 14 finals by a 3-2 decision.

The other two wrestlers who were in action on Tuesday night were Keith Arlotta (125) and Brad Krosser (140). Arlotta fell behind 13-3 to Queen of Peace's Andrew Polidore. However, Arlotta did not give up as he was able to get Polidore onto his back and almost finished him with a pin. Polidore rebounded and gained an 18-8 major decision.

"It didn't work out for him (Arlotta), but he'll be back," Trabucco said of the junior.

Krosser lost the 140 pound bout to Clifton's Badran Sulieman by a 4-1 decision. It was a classic case of experience versus youth, as the senior was able to exert his will over the freshman. In his freshman campaign, Krosser finished the season with a 21-14 record.

The two Estevez's will join fellow teammates and District 14 champions P.J. Farinella (119), Brandon Bright (145), Anthony Parris (189), and Michael Silverberg (215).

"I would have liked for all of them to get through, but that didn't happen," Trabucco said. "Luckily for the ones that didn't they are only a freshman and a junior."

Newark Academy headed into the pre-quarterfinals of the Region 4 tournament without any District 14 champions. So its three senior wrestlers all needed to pick-up wins in the pre-quarterfinals to ensure they would get to wrestle another day. In their three matches, the Minutemen garnered a record of 1-2.

"They are three seniors who are all graduating this year and I think that each one of them wrestled with extreme heart, courage and emotion," Newark academy coach Jay Gerish said. "They all put it on the mat and didn't leave anything out there."

The Minuteman picked-up their only win in the 145 pound bout. Alex Jilla was able to pin Hasbrouck Heights-Wood Ridge's Peter Ruiz. Jilla allowed Newark Acdemy to live another day in the state tournament. The win helped Jilla improve his record to 30-7 for the season.

At 140 pounds, David Werner showed some promise early. Werner jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead over Caldwell's Andrew Kratsch. The senior was able to get Kratsch on his back early, but was unable to finish it with a pin. Kratsch, who had 31 wins for the season coming into the match, roared back and finished off Werner with a pin at 4:57. Wrestling at the Regions was a major accomplishment for Werner as he missed all of last season with an injury.

Brian Knierim did not receive a good draw either and was matched up against the very talented Hakim Williams from West Orange. Knieriem battled valiantly, but Williams was able to win in a 10-3 decision.

For Werner and Knierim it would be the last time they would hit the mats for the Minuteman. Gerish was very proud of the way his seniors battled all season.

"I told each one of them that as long as you feel like you went out there and did the best that you could you have no problems," Gerish said. "Not everyone is going to be Regional champ."