Paulsboro, Buena in wrestling tourney

Paulsboro and Buena are two teams that won't be easing into the wrestling season when it begins this weekend.

Both teams will wrestle five matches in the first two days as part of the six-team Border Battle that will take place Friday and Saturday at Paulsboro.

Besides Paulsboro and Buena, the other teams involved are Great Valley (Pa.), Spring-Ford (Pa.), Islip (N.Y.), and Westfield (Va.).

Each team will face everybody else in the field. A champion will be awarded based on the best record.

Two matches will take place simultaneously.

Great Valley is the defending champion, beating second-place Paulsboro, 32-28, in the tournament that was held last year at Rowan University.

Paulsboro, with 11 starters back from last season's state Group 1 championship team, is expected to be in the thick of things.

The major benefit of competing in a tournament like this is that a coach can get a good indication in two days of the strengths and weaknesses of the team. In addition, teams will also get an indication of the type of depth they have.

"Wrestling five times in a weekend, you get to use some of your other kids," said tournament director and Paulsboro assistant coach Steve Anuszewski.

Here is the schedule:

Friday

Great Valley vs. Westfield, 4:30 p.m.

Buena vs. Islip, 4:30

Spring-Ford vs. Great Valley, 6:15

Paulsboro vs. Buena, 6:15

Spring-Ford vs. Westfield, 8

Paulsboro vs. Islip, 8

Saturday

Paulsboro vs. Great Valley, 9 a.m.

Spring-Ford vs. Islip, 9

Westfield vs Islip, 10:45 a.m.

Buena vs. Spring-Ford, 10:45

Paulsboro vs. Spring-Ford, 12:30 p.m.

Buena vs. Great Valley, 12:30

Buena vs. Westfield, 2:15 p.m.

Islip vs. Great Valley, 2:15

Paulsboro vs. Westfield, 4:30 p.m.