Wrestling: Hunterdon Central, Governor Livingston excel at HC Invitational
RARITAN TOWNSHIP — A couple of shoulder surgeries, losing front teeth — yes, wrestling is a tough sport. Hunterdon Central’s Evan Thompson has suffered some setbacks like many competitors on the mat.
But the senior never considered quitting.
“No, I mean it’s such a big part of my life,” Thompson said. “While the injuries have sucked, it’s like I’ve come out better on the other side. I’m more resilient and like definitely more humble. You just have to appreciate it while you are healthy.
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“Before I go out on the mat I take a second and I appreciate all the coaches that have put me there and given me the opportunity to compete. Anything can happen at any time, so just enjoy it.”
In this holiday season, it’s good to reflect and show gratitude, and that attitude seemed to sum up the spirit of the competitors at Saturday’s 66th Hunterdon Central Invitational.
A healthy Thompson, who’s been hampered the last two seasons with injuries, captured the 138-pound title with two pins and an 11-6 decision in a strong showing by the host Red Devils.
Indeed, Hunterdon Central and Governor Livingston are both looking to make runs in the team sectional and group championships this season.
Saturday, they continued their hot starts. No official team scores were kept in the 17-squad tournament, but Hunterdon Central unofficially won with 272 points and GL placed second with 153 points.
The host Red Devils crowned four champions in Anthony Rossi (120), Thompson (138), Rhett Washleski (150) and Thomas Brunetti (190). Will Cella dropped a 5-4 decision in the 144-pound final to Connecticut state placewinner Dylan Sherman (Fairfield-Ludlowe).
Governor Livingston had gold medalists in Christian Sabatino (113), Cristian Gioia (165) and Nate Faxon (215).
Old Bridge was the lone Middlesex County school to compete. The Knights entered 10 starters highlighted by Dominick Paulino (215) finishing second.
Bound Brook’s Ethan Delacruz placed second at 126 after winning a spirited semifinals match in overtime. Here is a look at Hunterdon Central and Governor Livingston’s performances.
Hunterdon Central defends turf
Watching the Red Devils stars compete in matches, they look so smooth. Aggressive, but in control and never frazzled or hurried.
“Here’s the thing, it’s easy to go out there and be super, super hyped,” Hunterdon Central coach Jon Cantagallo-Rohm said. “But when you have a confidence in your ability, you can go out there, you can slow the match down. You can kind of dictate where the match is going. Where different positions are taking place. So that’s really what we focus — having the kids control and wrestle their match.”
The veteran team has double-digit seniors, who came up through the youth ranks with each other. Now, they seem primed for a big season.
Saturday, Rossi kicked off the finals and improved to 11-0 (93 career wins) with two falls and a 17-2 major decision.
“It definitely being the last year, I’m really just having fun and enjoying being in the moment,” Rossi said. “On the mat, I’m just looking to score points and I’m having fun out there. I’m not really worrying about things I can’t control and I just know that my work’s paying off so I’m really just having fun out there.”
Washleski, whose brother Colton (Rider University and former HC star) reached the semifinals at the Midland Championships this weekend, had a technical fall, a pin and a 14-2 win in the final. Rhett made his own name as a freshman last season by going 32-5 and reaching the third consolation round at the state tournament.
“I like being calm when I wrestle,” Washleski said. “I think it definitely helps me get to my moves. … It was definitely good today to get out and wrestle and have fun.”
Brunetti captured the final HC gold medal with a 9-0 win and two pins in the first period.
The Red Devils' third-place finishers were Ryan Sherlock (113), Jake Saus (165) and Jackson Call (175), while Ahmed Hussain (132), Ryan Seemon (215) and Tyler Suk (285) each placed fourth.
Thompson won 16 matches last season and placed third in the district. Now, he hopes to put together a full season.
So, did the senior really ever consider staying home and do something less taxing?
“Never,” Thompson said. “It’s part of who I am at this point.”
Governor Livingston shines
Outsiders saw the great success that Governor Livingston had last season. The Highlanders captured their first sectional since 1981 on the way to reaching their first Group 2 final with several underclassmen in the lineup.
But for the wrestlers, it was just the beginning.
“I feel like the loss at Rutgers (Group 2 final) definitely fueled everyone’s offseason,” said Cristian Gioia, one of six returning region qualifiers. “We had almost half our team put in work at club wrestling and all summer.”
Christian Sabatino added, “Everyone’s very hard working. Like if one person is slacking, everyone will get on them. … We have a good, strong lineup all the way through.”
Saturday, Sabatino trailed 2-0 after the first period against Northern Burlington’s Rocco Giangeruso. No problem. The cool senior cranked in his arm bar after a re-set and got the fall in 3:11 to win at 113.
His two gold medalist teammates had less drama. Gioia won at 165 with two pins and a 12-4 major decision in the quarterfinals. Nate Faxon had three first-period falls to win at 215.
There were other positives. Example A: Vincent Capone (138) fell 6-4 to state qualifier and district champ Galiano Zeppadoro (Northern Burlngton) in the semifinals and bounced back to win 12-8 in the third-place match.
Assistant coach Dan Hilt noted it’s about the improvements from each match.
Or, as Gioia put it, “Definitely, the work gets reciprocated back on the mat. We put in all the work in the room and it shows on the mat.”
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Wrestling: Hunterdon Central, Governor Livingston excel at HC Inv.
