Wrestler Pat Eichner Punches Ticket to Atlantic City

Pat Eichner fell just short of attaining his first region championship on Saturday, but the Gov. Livingston senior is not complaining.

“I’m very excited to be able to get a chance to wrestle in Atlantic City,” said Eichner. “I’ve never been there before so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Eichner dropped a 3-0 decision to Cranford’s J.P. Christiano in the 160-pound final at the Region 3 tournament at Union High School. 

Eichner, the fourth seed, upset top-seeed Richard Barnish of Boonton, 6-1, in the semifinal round Saturday morning. Christiano, the third seed, pinned second-seeded Brandon Santos of Johnson, in 2:59 in the other semifinal.

Eichner wrestled well in the final surrendering just one takedown to Christiano, who wrestled a defensive bout.

“He’s a tough opponent,” said Eichner, now 32-6. “I’m the only one going to wrestle in A.C., so I’ll take that personally and do my best to represent our team.”

Unfortunately, none of Eichner’s Highlander teammates will join him in Atlantic City when wrestling begins Friday night, but not for lack of trying.

Four Gov. Livingston wrestlers reached the third-place consolation bout, but all four suffered losses.

Only the top three place-winners from each of the eight regions throughout the state advance to the NJSIAA state tournament that runs from Friday through Sunday.

Gov. Livingston head coach Rick Iacono, who was named the District 12 Coach of the Year a week ago, picked up Region 3 Coach of the Year honors on Saturday. In addition to this year, Iacono also earned that distinction in 1979 and 1990.

“It’s a nice recognition,” said Iacono, who guided Gov. Livingston to an 18-2 mark this year and a final No. 18 ranking in The Star-Ledger Top 20. “This is my 40th year here - and 37th as head coach. Why do I do it? Because I really enjoy the kids and watching them progress.”

As far as how his charges fared on Saturday, Iacono put it simply.

“It’s a matter of going as far as you can,” said Iacono. “And I’m proud of our kids. Of course it would’ve been nice to have more advance, but Pat is a very good wrestler - headed to Johns Hopkins - and will be a strong representative for us.”

Note: The seeding for the state tournament will be done Monday by the NJSIAA in Robbinsville. The preliminary round at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City begins at 5 p.m. with the pre-quarterfinal round following at 7 p.m.

REGION 3 WRESTLING TOURNAMENT - at Union High School

Championship round:
160: J.P. Christiano, Cranford def. PAT EICHNER, Gov. Livingston, 3-0

Third Place Consolation round:
103: Christian Innarella, Delbarton def. JON MELE, Gov. Livingston, 11-5.

119: Nick Anderson, Delbarton def. ANTHONY DE FRANCO, Gov. Livingston, 6-3.

135: Scott DelVechhio, South Plainfield def. MIKE STEPIEN, Gov. Livingston, 10-2.

171: Dillon Geoghegan, Brearley def. SHANE HADDAD, Gov. Livingston, 5-1