Phil Anastasia: Q&A with Lenape wrestler Brad Sanders
Lenape senior Brad Sanders is one of South Jersey's top wrestlers at 140 pounds. He has a 14-3 record, though last week he lost a tough 3-0 decision to Eastern's Anthony Baldosaro, the defending state champion.
Lenape senior Brad Sanders is one of South Jersey's top wrestlers at 140 pounds. He has a 14-3 record, though last week he lost a tough 3-0 decision to Eastern's Anthony Baldosaro, the defending state champion.
Question:
What was that match like with Baldosaro?
Answer: It was tough. Anthony and I have been working out together for about the last year and a half at Sidewinders Wrestling Club in Vineland, so we know each other pretty good.
Q:
Is it harder or easier to wrestle somebody that you are familiar with?
A: I'd say it's harder, especially with somebody like Anthony. He's such a tough wrestler and he doesn't make mistakes.
Q:
How would describe your wrestling style?
A: I spend a lot of time on my technique. I also like to attack. That's how my dad and grandpop taught me to wrestle. I try to score as much as possible.
Q:
Your grandfather, John, was a longtime coach at Eastern. Did that make last week's match more special for you?
A: I grew up around that program, always watching them wrestle. It was a little different for me, but I'm used to it now as a senior.
Q:
Are you happy with your season so far?
A: I lost a couple matches early that I'm disappointed about. I knew Baldosaro would be tough but I feel like I should only have one loss.
Q:
What do you miss eating the most when you have to cut weight?
A: Ice cream and cheesesteaks.
Q:
What kind of ice cream?
A: Ben and Jerry's Half-Baked. It's got vanilla, chocolate, fudge brownies and chocolate-chip cookie dough.
Q:
No way you can eat that and make 140, right?
A: No. I get to eat it after the season.
Q:
You also are a top golfer for Lenape. What's your favorite sport?
A: I love wrestling, but I'd have to say golf.
Q:
What's your best round?
A: I shot a 74 at Medford Village once. I shot an 82 in a state tournament under tough conditions.
Q:
What are you going to do next year?
A: I plan on going to Coastal Carolina and majoring in pro golf management. It's a business major with the golf aspect to it.
Q:
Are you going to compete in sports?
A: I'm going to try to walk on the golf team.
Q:
So this is the end of your wrestling career?
A: I guess this is it. I might stay involved as a coach, but this probably is the last time I'll compete.
Q:
What's that like?
A: I've been wrestling my whole life. It'll be different.
Q:
What's your favorite subject in school?
A: Physics. I have this pretty cool teacher, Mr. [John] Faubl. He's not a typical teacher. He shows us some off-the-wall stuff.
Q:
What are your goals for the rest of the wrestling season?
A: I hope to do well in the regions and place in the states. I made states last year and wrestled a really tough kid in the first match and didn't place. I want to place this year.
Q:
Think you'll wrestle Baldasaro again?
A: Maybe I'll face him in the region finals and the state finals. That would be great.
Three things about last week
1.
Thumbs up to the Hammonton wrestling team. Under coach Dave Mauriello, the Blue Devils have become a solid top-10 team and a legitimate South Jersey Group 3 contender, as evidenced by their 32-30 victory over rival St. Augustine on Friday night.
2.
The box score was right: Bridgeton 112, Wildwood 104 in triple OT Friday night in boys' basketball. The Bulldogs are 11-2 and could be a big factor in the S.J. Group 2 tournament.
3.
That was 40 points that Delsea's Sarah Gardenhire scored the other night.
Three things about this week
1.
Surging Paul VI at powerful Camden Catholic in a boys' basketball game tomorrow at 7 p.m.
2.
Collingswood at Paulsboro for a huge Colonial Conference wrestling match Wednesday at 7 p.m.
3.
Gloucester at Gloucester Catholic in a renewal of one of South Jersey's best rivalries in girls' basketball, Saturday at 2 p.m.
Super Seven power rankings
1. Bishop Eustace ice hockey:
The 10-1 Crusaders have a dynamic goalie duo in Nick Casella and Kyle Van Osten.
2. Eastern girls' basketball:
Vikings keep rolling behind Genevieve Okoro, but they'll miss injured guard Barrie Cohen.
3. Camden Catholic wrestling:
Solid work all season by middleweight Alan Dyer.
4. Cherry Hill East girls' swimming:
Senior Jess Simunek has South Jersey's fastest time in the 100 breaststroke.
5. St. Augustine boys' swimming:
Impressive showing last weekend at the Pirate Invitational at West Windsor-Plainsboro.
6. Washington Township girls' basketball:
Big game for the Minutemaids tomorrow night at Cherokee.
7. Gloucester Catholic ice hockey:
The unbeaten Rams have outscored opponents by 74-9.
Under consideration:
St. Augustine boys' basketball, Holy Spirit boys' basketball, Eastern wrestling, Collingswood wrestling, Paulsboro wrestling, Cherry Hill East boys' swimming, Haddonfield girls' swimming.