THE BROTHERHOOD NEVER ENDS!

WRESTLERS DOMINATE DISTRICT IX WRESTLING

FEBRUARY 16 – ORADELL, NJ – The Crusader Wrestling Team returned to the mats with a brand-new mat for the District IX Championships.

Eight teams from three counties competed in the event that began with 8:00 am weigh-ins and 9:30 am wrestling, beginning with the quarterfinal round.  For the thirty-fifth consecutive year, BC reigned supreme, winning the district title.

The Crusaders 298 points were 99 more than next nearest Caldwell HS (199) and a cool two hundred ahead of North Bergen (98).  Schools competing in the event, which is one of  32 from around the state included:  Becton Regional/Wood-Ridge, Bergen Catholic, Caldwell, Cliffside Park/Ridgefield Memorial, Hoboken, North Bergen, Rutherford, Secaucus, Union City and, Weehawken high schools.

The top three finishers in each weight class will advance to the Region 3 Tournament in West Orange HS.  That is one of 8 regional tournaments whose top three finishers will earn a trip to Atlantic City for the individual state wrestling championships.

CRUSADER CHAMPIONS:

113 lbs. – Nathan Braun returned after a long recovery from injury to win his first three bouts in months.  This district title is the second in two tries for the sophomore who finished second in the state as a freshman.

120 lbs. – Senior Chris Nucifora pinned his way to a district title in his final three bouts at Hoehl Gymnasium.  It was the senior’s third district title.

132 lbs. – Sophomore Chad Sadako pinned his way to a district title.  It is the young man’s first district championship.

138 lbs. – Senior Noah Kochman spent the most time of any Crusader who pinned three on his way to a district title. Hoehl Gymnasium.  Kochman now is among the group of 43 BC wrestlers with 3 district titles.

150 lbs. – Senior Jayden Iznaga proved that focus and determination will produce results.  Iznaga won his first district title with an impressive run, pinning three opponents in an average of 1:47.

157 lbs. – Senior Ryan Ford proved himself once again, winning his third district title in three tries.  The powerhouse earned a quarterfinal round forfeit before pinning his next two opponents.

165 lbs. – Genti Idrizi once again demonstrated what a powerhouse athlete he is.  A young wrestler at a higher weight, Idrizi demonstrated athleticism with balance and explosiveness on his way to his first district title.

175 lbs. – Logan Cantone pinned a pair of wrestlers and earned an injury default which led to a wrestler being ejected to go on to his first district title wearing the scarlet and gold.

190 lbs. – If committing to Franklin and Marshall wasn’t enough good news, Leo Varga won his second district title with one second-period and two, first-period pins.

215 lbs. – Sophomore Mason Marck did his Superman impression, raising eyebrows with a 7-1 decision in the 215 final.  The win was Marck’s first district title.

285 lbs. – Benjamin Shue recorded his second District championship at 285.  His quarterfinal round pin at 10 seconds was the Crusaders’ fastest of the day.

A MORNING AT THE RACES!  Nathan Braun (113) set the bar for Crusader wrestlers his quarterfinal round pin at 25 seconds!  There were 12 wrestlers to go, who would finish with the quickest pin?

Senior Chris Nucifora wasted no time erasing Braun’s mark, flattening his opponent in just 17 seconds at 120 pounds.  It would not be until five bouts later that Jayden Iznaga would record a 13 second fall at 150 pounds.  Surely, that’s as fast as BC can do.  NO?!?!

Sorry Ford.  Forfeits don’t count as ZERO and Genti Idrizi’s 53 second pin…not today.  Step up Logan Cantone at 175 pounds.  Cantone recorded a quick pin of just 11 seconds.  The fourth person to beat Braun’s 25 second pin and BC’s  7^th pin of the quarterfinals (they would finish with 9 in the round).

Enter Shue Man.  Benji walked up to the line and pinned his man in 10 seconds, shaving a second off Cantone’s time.  In total, Shue wrestled for 106 seconds, the least of the members of the Crusader Pinning Machine in his three bouts on Saturday.

TWELVE CRUSADERS ADVANCE

TO THE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT