Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School 10-year wrestling Head Coach Marc Fabiano and his staff are going to be quite busy this season with the return of a large and more experienced boys team in addition to an ever-increasing girls squad that won the Union County Tournament last year.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School 10-year wrestling Head Coach Marc Fabiano and his staff are going to be quite busy this season with the return of a large and more experienced boys team in addition to an ever-increasing girls squad that won the Union County Tournament last year.
Fabiano (141-77), who was with the program four years before taking over the reins, will receive much input from former Raider head coach John Scholz (2002-23 to 2010-11). Assistant coach Jesse Martinez is in his 10th year. Elizabeth Sandford is also the girls’ coach. Additional help comes from a group of formerRaiderstandouts:NickPalazzolo ( 2nd year), Sam Wustefeld (2nd Year) and Alex Oslislo (1st Year). The Raider program currently has 778 wins.
The Raider boys finished 17-9 last year and graduated only two key wrestlers -Aadi Kenwar, Mike Estevez. One of the key returning wrestlers is senior John Boyle (190-lbs) who was the UCT championat190-lbslastyearandplaced second in the district at 215-lbs. Senior Mike Cantwell, who is expected to compete at 157-lbs placed third in the UCT and second in the district last year at 150-lbs.
Two possible impact wrestlers, senior Tristan Sirmans returns at 126-lbs and junior Paul Boyle, who competed primarily at 285-lbs is expected to fill the 215-lb slot. According to coach Fabiano, “Paul Boyle, Mike Cantwell, Tristan Sirmans and John Boyle will have a shot at making the NJSIAA Tournament in Atlantic City.
Other returning varsity wrestlers are seniors Anthony Aponte (138-lbs), Sal Diaco 132-lbs, Justin Ellazar (120-lbs), Jaden Redd (175-lbs) and Ryan Ricci (144-lbs), along with juniors Sam Lindell (138-lbs), Dan McArdle and Dan Burke (both at 120-lbs). Others with varsity experience are junior Alex Ho (132-lbs), seniorAlex Scianclapore (150-lbs), senior Luke Hahn (215-lbs) and two from the football team – senior Jeremy Mundle and junior Tom Dowling both at 285-lbs.
Coach Fabiano also predicts big things from: Anthony Aponte, Sal Diaco, Dan McArdle, Alex Scianclapore, Ryan Ricci, Alex Ho, Thomas Dowling and Jerry Mundle.
New additions are: freshmen Aidan Wright(106-lbs),HenryJacobsen(126) and Sean Boland (132-lbs) and junior Thomas Riley (215-lbs), along with senior Nicholas Hawkins (165-lbs).
“After only losing two key starters to graduation (Aadi Kenwar and Michael Estevez), we return a strong core of wrestlers from last year’s varsity lineup. That will be accompanied by many young and talented new wrestlers, including Aidan Wright, Sean Boland, and Henry Jacobsen. We hope to make a big impact in the conference, county, and states this year,” Coach Fabiano said.
The Raider boys opened their season onDecember18againstKushnerAcademy then they were at Middlesex on December 21. Tomorrow, Friday, December 27, they will be at Holmdel.
Probable Boys Lineup: 106 – James Grant (So.)/Aidan Wright (Fr.); 113 – Justin Ellazar (Sr.); 120 – Dan McCardle (Jr.)/Dan Burke (Jr.) 126 – Tristan Sirmans (Sr) 132 – Sal Diaco (Sr) or Alex Ho (Jr.) 138 – Anthony Aponte (Sr.)/Sam Lindell (Jr.) 144 – Ryan Ricci (Sr.) 150 – Alex Scianclapore (Sr.) 157 – Michael Cantwell (Sr.) 165 – Nicholas Hawkins (Sr.) 175 – Jaden Redd (Sr.) 190 – John Boyle (Sr.) 215 – Paul Boyle (Jr.), Luke Hahn (Sr.) 285 – Jerry Mundle (Sr.) or Thomas Dowling (Jr.).
The Raider girls graduated three fine competitors from last year’s squad CarysBrowne,SimyaSteeleandHelene Velecela – but do return some talented wrestlers, along with a number of new additions. The key returning athlete is sophomore Jaliyah Richards (120-lbs). Additionally,sophomoreHarperShinko (126/132-lbs) and junior Hana Zamor (152-lbs) are expected to raise eyebrows. Junior Carlie Gleason will be at 120-lbs as will sophomore Cassidy Costello. Key new additions to the team are freshmen Sophia Marcovecchio (100-lbs) and GabrielleWeinstein (126lbs), along with sophomore Sanvi Khurana (107-lbs).
Coach Fabiano commented, “With the addition of seven new wrestlers this season,thegirlswrestlingprogramlooks to increase its numbers to 18 wrestlers. After winning the Team Union County Championships last year, we hope to bring back the championship this year. We also return Jaliyah Richards, who qualified for the state tournament last year as a freshman.
The girls competed in a few tournaments and were to open against North Hunterdon on December 17.
