Wrestling Sends Four to Semifinals

HAMBURG – Montville High School is sending four wrestlers to the semifinals and two wrestlers to the wrestlebacks, after a Friday evening of wrestling at the Region 1 tournament at Wallkill Valley Regional High School.

“I thought we wrestled well.  The kids went out there, stayed in matches…did what they had to do,” said Montville wrestling head coach John Krip.  “We just know that we got two days of wrestling no matter what happens and that’s the way you got to look at it.”

At the 103 pound weight class, #6 seeded Nick Lizza topped #3 seeded Tyler Hrycak of Wayne Valley by a 4-2 mark. 

“He’s been solid all year.  He’s wrestled really mature.  He makes very few mistakes on the mats.  He’s wrestled that way all year long,” said Krip.

Lizza moves on to face #2 seeded Joe Cruz of Hopatcong in the semifinals on Saturday.

At the 130 pound weight class, #4 seeded Mike Polizzi was narrowly defeated by #5 seeded R.J. DeGeorge of Pequannock by a 2-1 mark.

“He’s wrestled him twice, its going to go that way …a point here or there every time they wrestle,” said the Montville head coach.

A reversal in the third put DeGeorge ahead, despite a Polizzi escape with 2 seconds left.  Polizzi will now try to make his way through the wrestlebacks, if he is to get to the State tournament.

At the 145 pound weight class, #3 seeded Parker Meytrott handled #6 seeded Jake Connelly of Newton by a 5-1 score.  Adding another win to his resume, Coach Krip believes Meytrott is peaking at the perfect time.

“[Meytrott] lost to him here last year so he’s been looking to get back at him.  He’s been solid all year.  He’s wrestling his best right now.”

With no scoring after two periods of play, Meytrott’s two takedowns on the third keyed him to the win.  Meytrott advances to the semis on Saturday, where he will take on #2 seeded Clarke Moynihan of Kittatinny.

At the 152 pound weight class, Mike Intile handled #8 seeded Michael Staufenberger of North Warren, by a 7-0 mark.  Healthy for the first time in a while, Coach John Krip is happy to see what his 152 pounder can do on the mat.

“We’re glad to have him back in the lineup.  He’s pretty much injury free now…it’s nice to see him on the mat.  He strives to be the best.”

A takedown and full set of backpoints in the first quarter sparked Intile to the win.  Intile will now face #5 seeded Dan Brockerhoff of Phillipsburg in the semifinals on Saturday.

At the 189 pound weight class, #8 seeded Ronny Cobilich fell to top seed Michael Amada of Mt. Olive by a 10-2 score.  Despite the loss, Krip has been proud of Cobilich’s effort all year.

“He’s a surprise pretty much to everybody.  He stays in matches, he’s done that all season long.  He was a little out experienced.  A sophomore running into a top seed is tough. Hopefully he can come back tomorrow and continue on.”

Cobilich was taken down three times over the first two periods and could only muster a pair of escapes.  Cobilich must now fight his way through the wrestlebacks in order to advance to the States.

At the 215 pound weight class, #1 seeded Taylor Bernstein dominated his match against #8 seeded Daniel Smith of Warren Hills with a technical fall at 15-0.

“…A solid point getter for us all year long.  He wants to get to AC.  He’s hungry for it.  he’s a good kid all around.”

Bernstein will wrestle in the semifinals on Saturday morning, facing #4 seeded Alex Trani of Wayne Valley. 

Coach Krip is excited for Saturday though, even if every match wasn’t a win.

“Lot of guys get too upset when it doesn’t come out their way but we’re coming back tomorrow.”

Semifinals start up at 9am on Saturday at Wallkill Valley Regional High School.