The Madison High School wrestling team made its presence felt at the Mount Olive Wrestling Tournament on Saturday as three Dodgers advanced to the finals at Mount Olive High School.

Wrestling for a championship on Saturday in the season's first tournament were junior Patsy Davis at 119 pounds, and seniors Ed Carr at 160 pounds and Mike Boardman at 285 pounds.

None secured titles, but having three wrestlers advance to the finals had Madison head coach Steve Healey feeling good—and ready to improve.

"There's room to work," Healey said. "There's always room to progress and that's where we're at. We wrestled well, but we need to get better than we were today."

Davis, the only Dodger on the roster to wrestle in the state championships in Atlantic City last winter, cruised into the finals with an 11-1 decision in the semifinals.

"I feel good and I feel strong," Davis said after his semifinal win. "A lot stronger than I would at 112 [pounds]. I've been getting quick leads, I just need to keep pressing the pace and just pound on kids."

In the final, Davis met Delsea's John Hennelly, who placed in the state championships, losing a hard-fought 3-2 decision.

"Davis wrestled real well," Healey said. "He lost in the finals to a state place winner from a year ago. Obviously we need to improve on that if we plan on him placing in the states this year. We'll break down the film and see what adjustments we can make."

After recording a first-round fall, Carr overcame a deficit in his semifinal match as he caught Newton's Kevin Kitchell in a headlock, a move he has become known for in wrestling circles.

"I heard their coach talking about not letting me have the headlock," Carr said, "but [Kitchell] was giving me it so I had to take it."

Carr's day would end in the finals as he lost to Mendham's Ryan Harrington by technical fall, 15-0.

"Eddie Carr wrestled as well as he could have," Healey said. "He obviously wrestled a very talented Harrington from Mendham in the final and was a little over-matched, but he got himself to the finals. I think he can progress from there."

Carr, one of Madison's three captains, was pleased with his performance in the early-season tournament.

"I think I did a pretty good job," he said. "I just need to keep working and practicing to get my endurance up so I don't get tired in the third period."

Boardman, another of Madison's captains, advanced to the finals with a first-period pin over Mendham's Kevin Staley. But in the finals, the senior was pinned by top-seeded Evan Chrustic of Newton, giving Boardman second place overall.

"Mike Boardman did well, just had one mistake," Healey said. "He was a little behind the match and he tried something that didn't work. That kind of thing happens."

Also wrestling for medals on Saturday were seniors Eamon Epstein, 145 pounds; Jack Anzul, 171 pounds, and Thomas Tracy,  215 pounds. All three fell to their opponents in the consolation round, relegating each to a fourth-place finish.

"Everyone on the team did well," Carr said. "Our JV was killing it and varsity had three guys in the finals, which is pretty impressive. We're getting there, and we're going to get better each time."