One Manchester Wrestler Set To Fly Into Saturday's Consolations

It was a busy Fridsy night for the three wrestlers from Manchester High School who earned their trips to the state finals in Atlantic City.

When it comes to matches at Boardwalk Hall, there is no such thing as an easy round when you are competing against the best in the state. By the time the night was done, only junior Ken Theobold had more matches to look forward to.

Wrestling at 125, the older Theobold brother was coming off of a second place finish in the Region VI Tournament when he took on Kevin Gregorio from Haddonfield. Gregorio had taken third at Region VII but Theobold beat him with a second period pin to assure himself of a match on Saturday.

In the pre-quarterfinals he faced Brandon Keller of Timber Creek who won the Region VIII title and entered the night with a 33-3 record. Keller won the match 4-1 sending Theobold into the consolations. His morning will start on Saturday with a match against Adam Swift of Seacaucus. With a 26-1 record coming into the bracket, Swift's lone loss came in the Region IV semifinals before taking third overall.

If nothing else the trip for his younger brother, Matthew, provided invaluable experience that should help the sophomore in the future. The younger Theobold's experience lasted just one match as he lost to Jovanni Arroyo of Oakcrest in the preliminary round, 15-9.

Also making a quick exit was senior Anthony Prendimano, who at the very least can say he ended his tournament on the biggest stage in the state. The Hawks wrestler lost to Brian Gallacher, who took third in Region I for Wallkill Valley. 

Check back all day on Saturday for more of the latest action from the state finals as Theobold works to end his season on the medal stand.