West Orange unbeaten 285-pounder Emiliano Betancor was looking forward to a severe challenge. So was New Providence unbeaten senior Zach Troutman.
The two standouts had placed in last year's NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament — Betancor was fourth and Troutman sixth.
The meeting was all Betancor, who improved his record to 20-0 with a fall 40 seconds into the third period. Betancor led 7-0 at the time of the fall. Troutman is 27-1.
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The Mountaineers, coming off a 48-15 loss to Phillipsburg in the North Jersey, Section 2 Group IV title match Friday night, swept Verona (39-33), New Providence (62-10) and Parsippany 45-31. The Mountaineers are now 14-4 with one dual meet remaining at home Monday with Montclair.
It was obvious Saturday what the premier bout of the day was and Betancor delivered.
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"It was very important, man — he was really ranked high," said Betancor. "He threw those legs in, he got alittle sloppy, got high and I was able to crank a power half. He let his hands down for a second and I just climbed up to his head and got a reversal."
Betancor said he was very happy to win in front of a big crowd that included his mother and father.
"I was great to go out and show that I could compete with a high end kid," said Betancor. "Of the kids who finished in the top three (in the state tourmament at 285 last season) I'm the only one left."
West Orange coach Steve Zichella was very happy with Betancor and the way his team responded after the loss in Warren County.
"I think the idea of just getting back on the mat was important, as soon as the whistle blew, the kids wrestled tough," Zichella said. "It was just the idea of getting started."
