Clearview's Lenkowski sets sights on N.J. wrestling title

Barring another injury or some strange twist, Ed Lenkowski knows where and when his wrestling career will end: in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall on the weekend of March 6-8.

He just needs to determine how his long and illustrious run in the sport will come to a close.

"Even when I was little, I always used to say I was going to be a state champion when I got to high school," Lenkowski, a Clearview High School senior, said Monday after the Pioneers' imposing 43-18 victory over West Deptford in a clash of top teams and Gloucester County rivals.

On the mat, it was business as usual for Lenkowski, who scored an 8-0 victory over West Deptford's talented Jarryd Ley in one of the highlight bouts of the night.

That was typical of the 160-pound Lenkowski, who has been one of South Jersey's most accomplished wrestlers since his freshman season.

But this year is different for Lenkowski. He's fully recovered from the shoulder injury that ended his junior season in the Region 8 finals. He's fully focused as well.

"My head is totally into it," Lenkowski said. "Last year, I had some other things that I was thinking about. This year, it's strictly business."

Clearview coach Dave Tomasette, a former state champion at Washington Township, said Lenkowski is an improved wrestler this season.

That's saying something, since Lenkowski was 31-0 last season before losing by injury default to eventual state champion Jack Clark of St. Augustine Prep in the Region 8 finals at 152 pounds.

"He's working harder than he did in the past," Tomasette said. "He's working on different stuff, trying to improve. I like his intensity, his strength, his quickness. He's very focused and very determined."

Lenkowski made the state championships in Atlantic City as a freshman and sophomore, although he didn't place. He was a strong contender to earn a spot on the awards podium as a junior but wasn't able to compete after suffering a shoulder injury in the match against Clark.

"That was pretty frustrating," Lenkowski said. "It makes me even more motivated for this year. I know it's my last year, my last shot."

Another source of motivation for Lenkowski is the awareness that he will not wrestle again after March. He plans to join the ironworkers union after high school.

Lenkowski said he has been wrestling since he was 4 years old. He's intimately aware of the demands of the sport.

"It's hard on the body, hard on the mind," Lenkowski said.

Lenkowski hopes to make the most of his final season, both as an individual and as a member of a deep and talented Clearview team. The Pioneers have some big matches ahead of them, including a highly anticipated Jan. 31 clash with perennial power Paulsboro, especially since last year's match was postponed by snow.

Clearview, which won the Group 3 state title last season, also looms as one of the contenders in Group 4 this season.

Once team competition is finished, Lenkowski likely will be the wrestler to beat at 160 pounds in Region 8 and a contender to make some noise in the final bouts of his career the next weekend in Atlantic City.

"I know this is it," Lenkowski said. "I have to leave it all on the mat."