News Flash

Watchung Hills' Caruso passes unexpected test
Warriors' star outlasts Point Boro's Jacobs 4-1

By HARRY FREZZA JR. Staff Writer Courier Post

ROSELLE PARK * In the days leading up to the Roselle Park Wrestling Tournament,
Watchung Hills High School senior Alex Caruso figured it would be nothing more than a
ho-hum season-opening event, a chance to wrestle a couple of bouts without much of a
sweat.

Then, Point Pleasant Boro and its outstanding 160-pounder, Jeff Jacobs, walked
through the door early Saturday morning.

"I was weighing in when I saw his team walk in," said Caruso, who grinded
out a 4-1 win over Jacobs to pick up his 101st career win and lead his team to the
tournament title. "I was a little relaxed coming in, and I didn't know any big
names that were at my weight. But when he walked in, I kind of stayed a little more
in focus."

Jacobs, a Region 6 champion last year at 160, lost 6-3 to eventual state champion
Scott Giffin of Eastern last March in the state quarterfinals, then fell to eventual
third-place finisher Dave Richmond of Warren Hills in a wrestleback.

"We thought Elizabeth and Linden were going to be here. That was the original
plan. But then we found out that Elizabeth was going down to Neptune
(tournament)," Watchung HIlls coach Dan Smith said.

"I thought we would be missing a team. And then we get here and we see that
Point Boro would be here. And I thought 'Whoa, Alex is going to have a match,' "
Smith said.

Caruso, a second-place finisher at 152 in last year's state tournament, methodically
beat Jacobs to win the first of what he hopes is several titles this season.

Caruso scored a first-period takedown at 35 seconds, got a neutral in the second and
a stalling point in the third before Jacobs scored a late neutral. Caruso and
teammates Tyler Riccio (135) and Shane Riccio (152) won titles, as Watchung Hills
scored 169 1/2 points to win the first-year tournament.

"I know he's a top-four candidate in the state at my weight," said Caruso,
who has committed to attending Lehigh University next year. "I thought I
wrestled pretty well. I knew he had a good, high crotch (move), and that was the one
thing I looked out for and made sure to keep him away from my legs.

"A kid of that caliber is a kid who can be in the state finals, semis, quarters
* somebody I might see again. For an opening weekend, it was a good test for
me."