Dodger Grapplers Roll Off Three Wins as State Qualifying Nears

wrestlers shook off a defeat to Independence Division rival Parsippany on Tuesday but rebounded with three straight wins heading into a critical quad meet this weekend and the bigger goal of qualifying for the state sectional tournament.

The Dodgers posted a win over District 10 opponent Irvington in a quad match on Wednesday, and Thursday took to the mat for the third straight day at Summit, another district opponent.

And for the third consecutive night the Madison wrestling team responded, earning victories in all but three matches, on its way to a 56-13 win over the Hilltoppers, and the ninth win of the season.

"We've had our highs and lows, and we're trying to get more consistent obviously with more highs than lows," head coach Steve Healey said, "and it's starting to come, maybe a little slower than I would have liked, but it's starting to turn around for us."

Matt Fastiggi got things started for Madison when he pinned Summit's Joe Szymanski in the second period, staking the Dodgers to a 6-0 lead.

After a Summit forfeit to Dan Bauer at 182 pounds gave Madison a 12-0 lead, the Hilltoppers struck for their first win of the night as Anthony Iarussi won a 4-0 decision over Nick Haboj.

A 12-0 major decision gave Donovan Mantone the win over Jose Netro at 220 pounds. Another Summit forfeit, gave Madison a 19-point lead through five matches.

Summit responded with back-to-back wins from Nicholas Testa (113) and Elijah Akudugu (120), making the score to 22-13, but Madison would run away with the match after that.

Wins from Patsy Davis (126), Nick Picillo (132), John Costa (138), Max Gotsch (145), Peter Willis (152) and Matt Allen (160) closed out the match and helped Madison to the comfortable win.

The Dodgers will take that momentum into another quad match against Union, Verona and Parsippany Hills, 9 a.m. Saturday at Union. Getting into position to qualify for the state sectional tournament remains the top priority.

"We have a winning record and our goal is to make it to the state sectionals," Healey said. "We've done it for 10 straight years, and in the beginning of the week we lost to Parsippany and I didn't think we could get there. Then we rebounded with three straight [wins].

"Hopefully we can carry this into this weekend."