Phil Anastasia: Highland duo seeking a spot on wall of fame

Before he grew to 215 pounds and became a regional wrestling champion, Joey Grisko was just another little kid with wide eyes and high hopes.

He was a member of the Highland Junior Wrestling Club. He used to work out with the rest of the 5-year-olds in the same room as the high school team, and he used to look at the names on the Hall of Fame board.

"When you're that age and you look at those names, you try to imagine what it would be like to be up there with them," Grisko said. "For it to actually happen, it's mind-blowing. It's like a dream come true."

Tonight in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, Grisko will take the mat as the No. 2 seed in his weight class. His Highland teammate, Matt Catalano, will be the No. 3 seed at 135 pounds.

Both seniors have their sights set on winning a state title. But regardless of what happens this weekend, Grisko and Catalano have earned their place among the legends of one of the most accomplished programs in South Jersey history.

"They are right there with the names on that board," Highland coach D.J. Gore said. "It's a big thrill to have these two kids accomplish what they've accomplished."

Grisko and Catalano have deep connections to Highland history. Grisko worked his way from another pre-schooler in the wrestling room to the high school's all-time leader in victories with 132.

Catalano was involved with the youth program in the Overbrook district. But his next-door neighbor was Mike McGinley, a four-time region champion for Highland from 1995-98 and the wrestler who held the school record for victories before Grisko broke it at the Region 8 finals Saturday night.

"He used to give me tips all the time," Catalano said of McGinley. "I'm friends with his younger sister. He called her the other day and told her I won the regions, so I know he's still following me."

Grisko has a career record of 132-15. He is 36-2 this season, and he won his first region title last weekend by capturing the crown of perhaps the most loaded weight class at Absegami.

"He's the hardest-working kid I've ever coached," Gore said of Grisko. "I don't think I've ever had to yell at him in four years."

The top seed at 215 is Southern Regional's Glenn Carson (19-0), who has signed with Penn State as a linebacker.

"I know they're all tough kids if they made states," said Grisko, who finished sixth in the state last year and did not place in 2007.

Catalano has a career record of 126-9. He is 33-2 this season, and he won his second Region 8 title by defeating Delsea's Luke Fedechko in the finals.

"Matt is extremely talented," Gore said. "If there was a talent rating for high school kids in New Jersey, he would be right at the top."

The top overall seed at 135 is Camden Catholic's Taylor Walsh (35-1), while the No. 2 seed is Wallkill Valley's Kodie Silvestri (36-1).

"I'm a lot more comfortable," said Catalano, who was fourth in the state last year and did not place in 2007. "I know I belong there."

Grisko and Catalano are close friends. Grisko said Catalano "practically lives at my house," although the 215-pounder concedes he can't work out with the 135-pounder.

"I would just lay on him," Grisko said.

Said Catalano: "I'd be flat."

Although wrestling is an individual sport at this time of the season, both seniors say they are carrying the mantle for Highland. They know the names on that board in the wrestling room by heart: Bill Dykeman, Joe Melchiore, John Stafford, Chad Cassidy, Mike McGinley, and many others.

They also know that two more will soon join the list: Joey Grisko and Matt Catalano.

"When you are a kid, you think about being in this situation," Grisko said. "Senior year at states, last time to go all out. It's what you dream about."