Sports
Dodgers Advance In State Sectional Tournament
Madison wrestlers head to Roselle Park on Saturday.
The recent snowstorm may have affected the date of the Madison High School wrestling team's state Sectional match–pushing it from Wednesday to Friday–but that's all it would affect as a focused Dodgers team rolled over New Providence High School, 47-26.
From the start it was exciting as 171-pounder Ed Carr recorded a first period pin over New Providence's Jonny D'Amico using his favorite move, the headlock, yet again.
"It's my favorite move," Carr said of the headlock. "I tried it once (unsuccessfully, earlier in the match) and the second time with 20 seconds left. I knew I had to give it my all because he knew it was coming."
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Madison followed up the win at 171 with losses at 189-pounds, 215-pounds and heavyweight and the Dodgers saw themselves trailing, 12-6.
Up next 103-pounder John Costa, who found himself losing 9-2 in the third period, was able to reverse his opponent and record stunning third period pin to tie it up for the Dodgers.
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"Time and time again we've asked the kids to come up big in big matches and different kids come through. Johnny Costa came through tonight," said head coach Steve Healey, who wrestled for New Providence High School as a teenager.
At 112-pounds, Patsy Davis continued his impressive season as he followed Costa's win with a first period pin over Dan Smith, putting Madison up 18-12.
New Providence followed the back-to-back losses by recording a pin of their own at 119-pounds, bringing the scores even.
Next, Max Gotsch (125) fought for a second period pin over Jacob Jancow and Peter Willis (130) lost a tough 5-4 decision to Steven Sharpe in a match that he held a 4-2 lead in the third period.
With Madison leading 24-21, 135-pounder Eamon Epstein increased the Dodgers lead by with a second period over Vincent Sidoli. And Madison rolled from there.
Ryan Colwell (145) stopped Dan Umana by technical fall before 152-pounder Christian Mazzocchi recorded a first period pin over Hans Dassen. Anthony Costa (160) sealed the victory with victory with a second period pin over Max Sidoli.
"Just a great team effort and I'm proud of the kids. Everyone did their part," Healey added.
Madison (16-2) heads to Roselle Park High School (16-2), Saturday at 1 p.m. for the next round of the State Sectional Tournament.