Coley O'Brien Eyes Trip to Wrestling Finals in Atlantic City

Coley O'Brien has all the motivation he needs.

It's been three years since the Ocean City High School senior wrestled inside Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. He made it to states as a freshman while at St. Augustine Prep.

Many expected O'Brien, a three-time district champion, to be a constant in the state tournament. Although O'Brien has had the talent, he hasn't always had the good fortune.

He hopes that will change this year. O'Brien and his Red Raider teammates will compete starting Friday in the District 32 Wrestling Tournament at Absegami High School in Galloway Township. The event is the first step toward making it to the state tournament.

The opening round is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. with quarterfinals to follow. Semifinals, consolation matches and finals will be held Saturday. The top three in each weight class advances to next week's Region 8 Tournament in Egg Harbor Township.

"I'm excited," said O'Brien, who is 29-0 and seeded second at 125 pounds. "It is my senior year. I just want to go out and represent Ocean City well. I want to go as hard as I can and hopefully come out with a fourth district title."

Last year, O'Brien injured his knee in a win over St. Augustine Prep's Joe Esposito in the district final. Esposito is the No. 1 seed this year. Two years ago, he missed weight by six-tenths of a pound and couldn't compete at regions.

O'Brien was surprised with all the attention he received by missing regions both years.

"I always have people ask me," O'Brien said. "They didn't know what happened. When I have to relive it, it is disappointing. It's life, it's going happen. You have to roll with punches. It happened, it's over with, and I feel a lot stronger than last year. I'm ready to go. I'm excited."

He added: "Both years are upsetting, but it's in the past. Now my focus is on this season."

The Red Raiders wrestler has been dominating the mat for four seasons and would like nothing more to get back to Atlantic City and show the state what he can do.

O'Brien hasn't lost since the state tournament his freshman year. He hasn't lost on the mat since he arrived at Ocean City High School, but all he has to show for it is two more district titles. However, that doesn't seem to bother the senior at all.

He is confident in his abilities, and knows what he can do if given the chance to compete on the biggest stage.

"I just want to do the best that I can," O'Brien explained. "If I do that, I can't be disappointed in myself. A district and region title would be awesome. A state championship would be incredible."