Paulsboro advances seven to finals

Paulsboro

flexed its muscles once again at the Region 8 wrestling tournament yesterday.

The Red Raiders crowned four individual champions, including a herculean performance by freshman 112-pounder Joey Duca, at Absegami.

Paulsboro advanced seven wrestlers to the tournament's final destination in Atlantic City. On Friday, wrestlers will invade the famous Boardwalk Hall for preliminary and pre-quarterfinal action.

The top three wrestlers in each weight class at the eight regions across New Jersey advance to the state level.

Duca, who appeared to be a longshot to win from the No. 4 seed, delivered the upset of the tournament when he scored a 7-6 semifinal win over two-time defending region champ Justin Rivera of St. Augustine.

In the final, Duca delivered a takedown with five seconds left to force overtime, where he pulled out a 7-5 win over Washington Township's Anthony Curcio.

Duca joined Mike Cucinotta (160), Alex Silvestro (215) and Demitrius Hester (Hwt.) on the top step of the regional podium. For Hester, it was his second regional title. Silvestro avenged heartwrenching losses in his previous two final appearances with his first title. Silvestro's 16-1 technical fall was the only championship bout that failed to go the six-minute distance.

Holy Spirit freshman Sean Boylan (103) garnered the Outstanding Wrestler award after he beat defending champion Eric Dunnet of Paulsboro, 10-2.

Egg Harbor Township's Anthony Luma (125), Kingsway's Mark Hague (145) and Holy Spirit's Mac Mancuso (189) also repeated as champions.

Scott Wear became Clayton's first regional champion when he won the 140-pound title with a 17-7 major decision over Triton's Chris Vicente.

Kingsway's Tom McConnell earned the Region 8 Coach of the Year award.

The Results

Championship Round

103: Sean Boylan, Holy Spirit, dec. Eric Dunnet, Paulsboro, 10-2. 112: Joey Duca, Paulsboro, dec. Anthony Curcio, Washington Township, 7-5 (OT). 119: Jose Matos, St. Augustine, dec. Luke Fedechko, Delsea, 6-3. 125: Anthony Luma, Egg Harbor Twp. dec. Rich Bushby, Kingsway, 14-1. 130: Matt Catalano, Highland, dec. Aaron Wilcox, Schalick, 3-2. 135: Anthony Baldosaro, Delsea, dec. Fred Shea, Buena, 5-1. 140: Scott Wear, Clayton, dec. Chris Vicente, Triton, 17-7. 145: Mark Hague, Kingsway, dec. Dan Willing, Williamstown, 6-2. 152: Dustin Deckard, Pennsville, dec. Scott Kelly, Scared Heart, 5-0. 160: Mike Cucinotta, Paulsboro, dec. Mark Gattuso, Kingsway, 6-3. 171: Tom Macauley, Kingsway, dec. Brian Donahue, Middle Township, 7-4. 189: Mac Mancuso, Holy Spirit, dec. Joe Grisko, Highland, 11-1. 215: Alex Silvestro, Paulsboro, tech fall Mike Daniels, Highland, 16-1, 4:41. Hwt: Demitrius Hester, Paulsboro, dec. Bryan Tomasello, Oakcrest, 7-1.

Consolation Round

103: James Higgins, Washington Township, dec. Brian Conley, St. Augustine, 9-6. 112: Justin Rivera, St. Augustine, dec. A.J. Fisher, Lower Cape May, 3-2. 119: Ryan Cheek, Oakcrest, dec. Zach Cohen, Williamstown, 3-1 (OT). 125: Niko Lopez, Paulsboro, dec. C.J. Conger, St. Augustine, 5-2. 130: John Renard, Kingsway, dec. Anthony Rizzolo, Deptford, 9-1. 135: Josh Burman, St. Joseph, dec. Sly Hall, Timber Creek, 12-5. 140: Mike DiGalbo, St. Augustine, dec. John Bakuckas, Hammonton, 2-0. 145: Dave Foulke, Absegami, dec. Ryan Grusemeyer, Buena, 11-8. 152: Rob Whedon, Kingsway, dec. Theo Apostle, Williamstown, 8-4. 160: Zach Agostino, Egg Harbor Township, dec. James Hoffman, Millville, 8-7. 171: Jim Hassett, Williamstown, dec. John Starcevich, Pennsville, 3-1 (OT). 189: Gerald Hodges, Paulsboro, dec. Bill Damiano, Lower Cape May, 10-0. 215: Craig Capella, Absegami, pin Bryan Hummel, Timber Creek, 5:58. Hwt: Lavar Archie, Washington Township, pin Dom Henrickson, Buena, 0:47.