The 19-3 Cranford High School wrestling team made a great run but came up short to No. 16 Delsea, 4525, for the Group 3 crown at Rutgers University on February 11. Delsea (19-4) won nine of the 14 slated bouts.
Delsea won the first two bouts with Sal Marchese (215) pinning Jake Unlicki in :40 andAlex Grippo claiming an 18-3, technical fall over Louis Kruk at 285-lbs. Cougar Mike Daly (106) beat Greyson Pettit, 6-3, then Delsea won the next three bouts beginning with Amari Vann (113) pinning Declan McKittrick in :12.
Gage Summers (120) pinned Joey Tona in 1:37 and Balise Verdino (126) topped Ryder Connors, 17-10. Cougar Luke Scholz (132) won by 10-2, majority decision over Matt Summers then Delsea’s Zavier Stokes (138) edged Alex Muller, 5-3. Cougar Eoghan O’Hara (144) pinned Steve Benckert in :44 then Delsea won the next three bouts beginning with Mike Stokes grabbing a 13-2, majority decision over Owen Woodruff at 150-lbs.
Jamar Dixon (157) pinned Dylan Jones in 2:34 and Riley Boss (165) pinned Marcus Nock in 1:59. Cougars Joey Acinapura (175) pinned Charles Six in 3:46 then Jordan Chapman received a forfeit at 190-lbs.
