WRESTLING

Southern continues roll with victory over Absegami

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 01/11/06
STAFF REPORT

The Southern express seems to be building steam.

The Rams, who lost a tough match opening day to Jackson, have been on a roll since, including an impressive win Tuesday night, defeating the once-feared Absegami squad, 50-10.

"We're wrestling well. There's no doubt we have a good team," said John Stout, their coach. "But we have plenty of things we can get better at.

"There are teams from Jackson, Howell and others around the state who are doing exactly what we're doing. There's a long way to go," said Stout.

The Rams lost only three bouts, and in one of them freshman Frank Miele lost by only a point (4-3) to Absegami's highly regarded Ali Majd.

Frank Molinaro and Luke Lanno had back-to-back pins for the Rams, and freshman Brian Broderick (112) and Nick Maugeri (119) had technical falls.

Southern had never beaten Absegami until the South Jersey Group IV finals last year. The Rams went on to capture the overall group IV championship with a win against Phillipsburg.

They will visit the Stateliners Saturday in their next match.

"We've never been to the "Pit' " said Stout, calling the Phillipsburg gym by its nickname. "It should be interesting."

JACKSON 60, TR EAST 9:

The Jaguars continued their march through Class A South opponents, opening up with four straight pins from Ken Carney (160), Dan Hopkins (171), Rob Wood (189) and Frank Anderson (215).

The Raiders got a pin from Adam Henig at heavyweight and Matt Frank took a 1-0 decision against Brian Cohen at 125. In a key bout at 130 Matt Bradley defeated Mike Kinder 11-6 for the Jags.

Jackson is now 8-1 on the season, 3-0 in Class A South. East is 3-2, 2-1 in the division.

PINELANDS 39, LACEY 34:

Ron Semprevivo took a 7-1 decision against Steel Caiola to clinch the Class B South match against the Lions.

Alex Wolk (heavyweight), Matt Benn (103) and Steve Stackhouse (112) had pins for the Wildcats (2-2, 1-1).

The Lions (2-2, 2-1) got pins from Christian Maggio (145), John Roth (171) and Tyler Giglio (189).

MANCHESTER 67, ST. ROSE 9:

Freshman Scott Forrester earned his first varsity win in his third try this season and helped the Hawks (4-2) toppled the Purple Roses (0-2) in a nondivisional meeting.