Raiders Finish Strong in Wrestling Tournament

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School wrestling team embraces the idea of competing against outstanding competition. That's something that makes Raiders' coach John Scholz encouraged about what he'll see as the New Year begins.

The Raiders finished seventh out of 10 teams at the John Goles Invitational Wrestling Touranment at Warren Hills on Tuesday, but the experience will likely significantly help them along the way the long season that resumes next Wednesday.

"They like competition," Scholz said. "It'll be able to keep us competitive and hopefully keep us close (in dual meets) and maybe get us a few wins along the way. The kids really battled. I told them that I was really proud of them."

The Raiders had two third-place finishers in the tournament. Senior Tristan Bundy beat Newton's Steven Churchill 7-4 to place third at 125 and sophomore Andrew Jacobs beat Millburn's Sam Calvano 6-2 to place third at 215. Jacobs pinned Calvano in the quarterfinals. Sophomore Sean Cannon was fourth 130 and senior Josh Foote was fourth at 145.

"Andrew just got certified to go at 215, he had been wrestling up at heavyweight in our dual meets and was 0-3, but he had a great tournament," said Scholz, adding that Jacobs is also a judoist. "He's got a unorthodox style and it works."

Jacobs was beaten 12-10 by Newton's Victor Ramos in the semifinals.

Bundy was beaten in the quarterfinal round by North Hunterdon's Owen Boyle —his first loss of the season after a 3-0 start. But Bundy did wrestle back and is now 6-1.

"Tristan had a good season and did a lot of work in the off-season; he went to North Carolina State and did some work with Caldwell (Darrion, former Rahway great)," said Scholz, adding that 10 Raiders competed in the Goles Tournament.

Cannon scored a technical fall over Pope John's Dylan Schade in the quarterfinals, and was nipped by West Morris' Mike Sickles 4-3 in the semifinals. He lost to North Hunterdon's Jason Behrens 6-2 in the consolation final.

"Sean's been banged up, but did well and Josh looked just as good," Scholz said.

Sophomore Mike Steinfield was fifth at 140 pounds.

"Mike did a good job," Scholz said.

Scholz gave the team off Wednesday, but practice resumes Thursday with the team's next match Wednesday against Plainfield and Governor Livingston in Plainfield at 4 p.m.