Wrestling Wrap-Up

LIVINGSTON, N.J. - Wrestling fans just need to take a look at the display cases that line the wall at the new Livingston High School gymnasium to see the success of the Lancers team over the years.

Coming into the District 14 wrestling tournament this past weekend, Livingston was on a roll, having rebounded last season by winning the district team title after Bloomfield had won it the previous two years. Before that, the Lancers had won the team district title nine out of the 10 seasons.

Head coach Pat Trabucco and the Lancers wanted to keep the Livingston tradition alive this weekend at home.  Unfortunately for Trabucco and the Lancers, Bloomfield was just a couple of steps ahead of Livingston.

The Bengals grabbed 221.5 points to take the team title, while  Livingston had 172.5 points. Newark Academy was sixth with 62 points, behind fifth place Belleville.

"They were just better than us," said Trabucco about Bloomfield.

Coming into Saturday's semifinals, Livingston was behind Bloomfield in qualifiers as the Lancers brought in 10 wrestlers while the Bengals qualified a dozen. The difference was that while Livingston qualified eight, Bloomfield moved 11 wrestlers on to the regionals.

Overall, eight Livingston wrestlers qualified for the state regionals that start Tuesday at West Orange High School.  Newark Academy qualified three for the regions. The top three finishers at the district tournament qualify for the regional tournament with district champs receiving a bye on Tuesday.

Newark Academy coach Jay Gerish was content with the three regional qualifiers, one more than in 2009.  Gerish was most happy for his three qualifiers, Jilla, Werner and Kniernim, all in their final year of wrestling.

"It is great to see my seniors make the regionals," said Gerish.

Livingston grabbed four district titles in P.J. Fariinella (119), Brandon Bright (145), Anthony Parris (189) and Michael Silverberg (215). Three Lancers wrestlers finished second in Jason Estevez (112), Justin Estevez (135) and Brad Krosser (140) while Newark Academy's Alex Jilla grabbed second at 145.

In the consolation matches, Lancers Keith Arlotta (125) along with Minutemen David Werner (140) and Brian Knierim (152) grabbed third place and will be wrestling at the regionals.

One of the more impressive wrestlers was Bright, who ran through the 145-pound weight class. Bright was named the most outstanding wrestler last season and Trabucco thought that he was the best wrestler at the meet.

"He was dominant throughout the tournament," said Trabucco about his top wrestler. "To me, he was the most outstanding wrestler."

But the coaches voted for Nutley's Vincent Scuttaro, who won the 130-pound weight title. 

"The 130-pound weight class was loaded," said Newark Academy coach Gerish, who voted for Scuttaro. "The 145-pound weight class was thin this year."

District 14 Wrestling at Livingston High School

Finals

112 - Chris Lentz, Bloomfield, defeated Jason Estevez, Livingston, 5-3

119 - P.J. Farinella, Livingston, defeated Katon Washington, Montclair, 5-1

135 - Dante Montes, Nutley, defeated Justin Estevez, Livingston, 3-2

140 - Fabian Rosario, Bloomfield, defeated Brad Krosser, Livingston, 11-2

145 - Brandon Bright, Livingston, pinned Alex Jilla, Newark Academy, 5:59

189 - Anthony Parris, Livingston, defeated Emeka Ndichie, Bloomfield, 13-5

215 - Michael Silverberg, Livingston defeated Jerome Froelich, Montclair Kimberly, 11-5

Third place qualifiers

125 - Keith Arlotta, Livingston

140 - David Werner, Newark Academy

152 - Brian Knierim, Newark Academy