The AL Johnson High School Crusaders wrestling team made a good showing at the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 Tournament at Berkeley Heights on February 5. The Crusaders defeated 11-12 Voorhees, 45-36, in the quarterfinals then gave the second-seeded Governor Livingston Highlanders a battle in a 42-32 setback in the semifinals.
Against Voorhees, the first bout (285-lbs) went to Viking Cam Baumann when he pinned Sean Asgaralli. ALJ won the next three bouts beginning with Jake Szarzewski (106) pinning Tyler Ondovik. Matty Ortega (113) beat John D’Andrea, 82, and Zach Belverio (120) pinned Joe Gardner. Viking Chris Bolette (126) pinned Keegan Parkhill then Crusaders Nick Cilento (132) pinned Pete Galladan and Matt Marczydlo (138) pinned Jaxon Garner.
Viking Ben Suzuki (144) pinned Adam Stefanelli then ALJ’s Joe Ortega (150) pinned Charlie Cole. Vikings Josh Hufford (157). Tracis Cryan (175) and Trevor Zabroski (215) received forfeits. Crusaders Raphael DaRocha (165) pinned Madden Kramer and John Brown (190) pinned Sean Turino.
Matty Ortega gave the Crusaders a 3-0 team lead when he beat Lucas Villacueva, 11-4, at 106-lbs but Chris Sabatino (113) pinned Szarzewski in :48 to put GL up 6-3. Belverio (120) pinned Cyr Ryan in 1:32 then Henrique Ribeiro (126) pinned Parkhill in 1:16. ALJ won the next three bouts to take a 23-12 lead. Cilento (132) won by 153, majority decision over Tom DiNorscio, Marcozydlo (138) won by 20-10, majority decision over Vince Capone and Joe Ortega (144) pinned Jace Wanca in 1:33.
GL won the next two bout with Joe Dasti (150) pinning Adam Stefanelli in :31 and Jake Kreisberg (157) receiving a forfeit. DaRocha (165) received a forfeit but GL’s Cristian Gioia (175) won by forfeit and Dan Capone (190) pinned Brown in 4:56. Asgaralli (215) cut GL’s lead to 36-32 by topping Jim Daoulabani, 3-1, then GL’s Nate Faxon received a forfeit at 285-lbs.
