News Flash

Wrestling Top 20
Southerns Luke Lanno: SOMETHING TO PROVE

Southern Regional's Luke Lanno is out to prove that a season-opening
loss to Jackson's Matt Bradley was a fluke, although he admits that he
probably wasn't as physically fit as he should have been.

"I was having some weight issues and just didn't wrestle well," said
the 135-pound Lanno, who lost to Bradley, 4-3, as Southern suffered its
lone defeat on Dec. 21. "I'm feeling a lot better now and think I'm
where I want to be for this time of the year."

Saturday, Lanno helped Southern (3-1), No. 4 in The Star-Ledger Top 20,
to a 32-25 victory over No. 9 Ocean Township, 32-24. In the second bout,
Lanno faced Ocean's Andrew Van Dyk, a transfer from Ramapo of Franklin
Lakes who placed fifth in the state last winter at 119. Lanno took it to
Van Dyk from the opening whistle, using four second-period takedowns for
a 10-4 victory. Lanno scored the first of three straight triumphs that
gave Southern the lead for good at 12-6.

Lanno was a District 24 and Region 6 champion in 2005 but he was then
knocked out of the state tournament when he was upset in the
pre-quarterfinal round by Daryl Cocozzo of River Dell. Lanno had placed
sixth in the state at 112 pounds two years ago.

As for his team's loss to Jackson, Lanno is looking for his club, the
reigning Group 4 titleholder, to gain redemption.

"Hopefully we'll see Jackson again in the Shore Conference Tournament
and the states," he said. "If we do, we will be ready to change the
outcome."