At the District 10 championships held Friday February 20 and Saturday February 21 at Union High School, Brearley’s powerful and heavily favored wrestling team was in trouble before a match ever began. In a development that sent shock waves throughout the venue, neither freshman sensation Nick Lospinoso, the favorite at 112 nor his senior brother Joe Lospinoso, the overwhelming favorite at 135 appeared at Friday’s weigh ins. Joe Lospinoso had won the Outstanding Wrestler award at the districts last year and was state runner-up at 135 but bowed out of this year’s tournament to be with his father, a Brearley assistant coach Joe Lospinoso, who was having gall-bladder surgery.
“Coach Lospinoso was very sick and is getting better. I am quite sure he was missed more than the kids let out and their thoughts were with him. He brings a certain flavor to our team and yes it is always different when an ingredient is missing,” said Luciani.
Nick Lospinoso had missed school the past two days and would not have made weight. Joe Lospinoso made the decision to be with his father at 3 pm Friday and did not weigh in.
Leaving two weight classes they were favored to win vacant, proved to be too much for even Brearley to overcome, as the Bears lost a 208.5 to 207.5 squeaker to local rival Roselle Park and saw their four year winning end. The Bears did not go down without a fight as Kenny Knapp became the school's first four-time district champion when he claimed the crown at 130 pounds. Knapp, sixth in the state tournament last year at 119 pounds and third in the state at 103 in 2007, won the championship at 103 pounds in 2006 and '07 before winning at 119 last year. Knapp's teammate, Umar Taramov, repeated at 160 after winning at 171 two years ago. The Bears also got titles from sophomore Anthony Madonia at 103, sophomore Dillon Geoghegan at 145, junior Khusen Taramov at 171 and senior Travis Dilts at 215, but Roselle Park took both 112 and 135 titles and won two of three head to head finals matches.
Coming into Saturday Brearley Coach Brian Luciani knew the odds were stacked against his team.”We had three less going into the semi finals than Roselle Park After the semis we had cut the margin to 8.5 but I thought Park would squeeze in and win. All of our kids wrestled well and gave as much as they could,” said Luciani.
Leading the charge was Knapp, who defeated Alex Kleban of Seton Hall Prep 17-1 in the final.”He is like the energizer bunny, he just goes and goes and goes, what else can you say? I would take an entire team of Kenny's. He is in a good place and he understands that he cannot take anyone lightly so he is focused for the Regions, where he could be a four time finalist and possible three time champion. The States are the states and once you are there it is time to be smart and mistake free,” said Luciani.
Umar Taramov was dominant in his two matches, pinning Joe Lombardo of Seton Hall Prep in 3:46 in the final. Taramov has appeared to be gaining strength and should be the top seed at the region tournament. His younger brother Khusen was one of the great stories of the state tournament last, upsetting two region champs on his way to a seventh place finish in the state. After an impressive romp to his first district title at 171, which culminated with a 1:25 pin over Tyler Selby of Seton Hall Prep, the younger Taramov will be one of the favorites in his weight class. “Khusen will not be sneaking up anybody this year but he knows what he needs to do,” said Luciani.
At 103 Sophomore Anthony Madonia pinned Eamonn Gaffney of Seton Hall Prep in 3:56 to win his first title. “Madonia went from a .500 record to an incredible sophomore year. He has been transformed into a great wrestler and he just keeps on getting better and he is a great kid,” said Luciani.
Sophomore Dillon Geoghegan avenged a county finals loss when he won his first district title at 145 by defeating Nick Longo of Roselle Park 8-6.
Dilts defeated Daryl Shabazz of Columbia to win his first title, a long deserved award according to his coach. “Travis is the consummate team player. Over the course of his career here he has wrestled up giving up over 70 pounds as heavyweight last season and has cut down to wrestle state champs. He is having a great year and I could not ask for anything more. I hope he continues and reaches his goal of making the state tournament,” said Luciani.
Also advancing for the Bears was sophomore Dan Ries, a runner-up at 119, junior Allen Phillip, third place at 125, sophomore Devin Geoghegan, a runner-up at 140 and Khasan Taramov, a runner-up at 189. All four runner-ups will wrestle on Tuesday night while the six Brearley first place winners wrestle again on Friday night,
“It is nice to relax until Friday however I like the match on Tuesday it makes you maintain weight and gets the butterflies out for Friday. All should do fine and then prepare to battle on Friday and Saturday,” said Luciani.
While it was scant consolation for a stunning loss, Luciani, was named the district's Coach of the Year. “That award is really a representation of the coaching staff and our wrestlers who did a great job this year. My assistants are extremely dedicated and our kids work extremely hard.”
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Brearley - Phillipsburg
It was frigid outside in Kenilworth on the first Thursday evening in February but the temperature in the crowded Brearley gym was mid July like as an overflow crowd saw the Bears upset Phillipsburg, the state’s second ranked team 45-22. Brearley registered seven pins and won nine of 14 bouts as they beat a team that has long been synonymous with wrestling supremacy in the state, Phillipsburg, has won a state-record seven Star-Ledger Top 20 trophies as New Jersey's top-ranked team and had lost just once in 19 matches, falling only to top ranked High Point.
“For the program it is the biggest, and by far its most historical as it relates to who we have wrestled over these past four years, and really since the school was opened in 1966,” said an elated Bears’ Coach Brian Luciani.
“Phillipsburg as it is stated many times over is the most storied program in wrestling history and that is a small part of what makes this victory extremely special. For me it was important that we represent the Mountain Valley Conference and Union County Wrestling in a positive way and I feel our coaches and team did just that,” added Luciani.
As would be expected, the heroes were numerous for the winners. Freshman Nick Lospinoso, who recently has had trouble making weight at 112, came up with a huge pin at 112 pounds and sophomore Devin Geoghegan iced the meet with a pin in overtime at 140 pounds in the next-to-last bout of the evening.
After Phillipsburg jumped out to 6-0 lead with a pin at 152, Umar Taramov quickly tied the match with a pin at 160 in 1:37. After Khasan Taramov lost 7-2 at 171, twin brother Khusen, responded with a 48 second pin at 189 to give the Bears a 12-9 lead. Phillipsburg took victories at 215 and heavyweight to forge a short lived 19-12 lead, before sophomore Anthony Madonia changed the momentum when scored a pin at 103 in 5:32. It set the stage for Nick Lospinoso’s pivotal match at 112. After grabbing a 6-3 lead on the strength of three takedowns, he ignited the crowd by pinning his opponent to put Brearley in front for good at 24-19.
For the immensely talented freshman, the toughest battle has been making the weight. "That was the plan -- to get me to 112 -- but it's been tough getting down," Lospinoso said.
“He knows believe me he knows, with a full line up we can be a dangerous team. He is an integral part of it and understands what his duty and responsibility is to the team,” said Luciani.
Brearley extend the lead to 27-19 when sophomore Dan Ries continued his near perfect season with a 7-2 win at 119. Allen Phillips was edged in an overtime match, but senior co-captains Kenny Knapp and Joe Lospinoso won 9-3 and 3-2 respectively, giving the Bears a solid but not insurmountable 33-22 lead with only the two bouts involving the Geoghegan twins remaining. Devin Geoghegan put the match away when he took pinned his opponent in overtime. Dillion added the icing to a great night with another pin. Luciani was happy but not that surprised that the sophomore twins came through with the match on the line. “Devin is in a different universe, he is just getting better and better and no matter what position he is in just is able to score and score big, no matter what the stage. Dillon is deliberate and steady, always pushing the pace and wrestling smart. Both boys are doing a great job and we are all proud of their effort” said Luciani, who was effusive in his praise for the knowledgeable wrestling fans who packed the gym for both teams.
“The Phillipsburg fans were great, loud and supportive of their kids and their team. The Brearley side was almost fanatical with the cheers and constant support of us during every match of every minute. It was the most electrifying atmosphere the gym has ever seen, including Roselle Park. It was a very special night,” said Luciani.
“For the program it is the biggest, and by far its most historical as it relates to who we have wrestled over these past four years, and really since the school was opened in 1966,” said an elated Bears’ Coach Brian Luciani.
“Phillipsburg as it is stated many times over is the most storied program in wrestling history and that is a small part of what makes this victory extremely special. For me it was important that we represent the Mountain Valley Conference and Union County Wrestling in a positive way and I feel our coaches and team did just that,” added Luciani.
As would be expected, the heroes were numerous for the winners. Freshman Nick Lospinoso, who recently has had trouble making weight at 112, came up with a huge pin at 112 pounds and sophomore Devin Geoghegan iced the meet with a pin in overtime at 140 pounds in the next-to-last bout of the evening.
After Phillipsburg jumped out to 6-0 lead with a pin at 152, Umar Taramov quickly tied the match with a pin at 160 in 1:37. After Khasan Taramov lost 7-2 at 171, twin brother Khusen, responded with a 48 second pin at 189 to give the Bears a 12-9 lead. Phillipsburg took victories at 215 and heavyweight to forge a short lived 19-12 lead, before sophomore Anthony Madonia changed the momentum when scored a pin at 103 in 5:32. It set the stage for Nick Lospinoso’s pivotal match at 112. After grabbing a 6-3 lead on the strength of three takedowns, he ignited the crowd by pinning his opponent to put Brearley in front for good at 24-19.
For the immensely talented freshman, the toughest battle has been making the weight. "That was the plan -- to get me to 112 -- but it's been tough getting down," Lospinoso said.
“He knows believe me he knows, with a full line up we can be a dangerous team. He is an integral part of it and understands what his duty and responsibility is to the team,” said Luciani.
Brearley extend the lead to 27-19 when sophomore Dan Ries continued his near perfect season with a 7-2 win at 119. Allen Phillips was edged in an overtime match, but senior co-captains Kenny Knapp and Joe Lospinoso won 9-3 and 3-2 respectively, giving the Bears a solid but not insurmountable 33-22 lead with only the two bouts involving the Geoghegan twins remaining. Devin Geoghegan put the match away when he took pinned his opponent in overtime. Dillion added the icing to a great night with another pin. Luciani was happy but not that surprised that the sophomore twins came through with the match on the line. “Devin is in a different universe, he is just getting better and better and no matter what position he is in just is able to score and score big, no matter what the stage. Dillon is deliberate and steady, always pushing the pace and wrestling smart. Both boys are doing a great job and we are all proud of their effort” said Luciani, who was effusive in his praise for the knowledgeable wrestling fans who packed the gym for both teams.
“The Phillipsburg fans were great, loud and supportive of their kids and their team. The Brearley side was almost fanatical with the cheers and constant support of us during every match of every minute. It was the most electrifying atmosphere the gym has ever seen, including Roselle Park. It was a very special night,” said Luciani.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Brearley -Kittatiny
Like many of the state’s top wrestling programs, Brearley has shown that it will travel to all ends of the state in an effort to compete against the toughest competition possible. After having made Saturday excursions to southern New Jersey venues like Toms River and Buena Township, the Bears took their powerful team north to Sussex County to face Kittatinny and Toms River North and came away with two hard fought victories, Saturday January 31, raising their record to 18-2.
After cruising past Toms River North 46-20, Brearley had its hands full with the host team and things looked bleak when they trailed 33-28 with two matches left. Dillion Geoghegan squeaked though by the slimmest of margins, 3-2 and Umar Taramov won 14-5 at 160 to pull out the match.
Taramov’s brothers, Khasan and Khusen got the visitors off to a 9-0 lead with a decision and pin at 171 and 189 respectively. After watching Khasan struggle at 189, Coach Brian Luciani decided to switch the two brothers’ weight classes.
“Khusen is a much tougher and nastier wrestler who can deal with many different situations and wrestlers. Taking eighth in the state last year adds greater credibility about what he can do,” said Luciani.
Travis Dilts continued winning with a decision at 215. But three straight pins turned a 12-0 lead into an 18-12 deficit. The Bears trailed 21-12 until Dan Ries, moving up to 125 from his usual 119 stopped the bleeding with a 7-3 decision.
“We moved some of our lower weight wrestlers around to get Nick in at 119,” said Luciani.
Trailing 21-15, the Bears nearly incurred a devastating blow when Knapp was declared too injured to continue his 130 pound match. Joe Lospinoso got the points right back with a 39 second pin and Devin Geoghegan evened things up with a 3:13 pin at 140. But Brian Gilligan was pinned at 145 meaning Brearley would have to win the final two matches to emerge victorious. Dillion Geoghegan pulled out a tough 3-2 decision at 152 and Umar Taramov pulled the match out with a 14-5 victory at 160 giving the Bears a one point win.
One name missing from the match was county 125 pound champion Allen Phillips. “He got squeezed out of the line up due to who the other teams had in different spots, Allen is a classy wrestler and always does what is best for the team, He is one of our leaders and can always be counted on,” said Luciani.
The Bears had an easier time with Toms River North, winning 46-20. Umar and Khusen Taramov won by decision and Khasan won by forfeit at 171 giving them an early 12-0 lead. Dilts moved up to heavyweight and scored a 1:44 pin to extend the margin to 18-6. Madonia came back down to 103 and won 6-0. Nick Lospinoso won a 7-2 decision at 119 to extend the lead to 24-12. Ries and Knapp posted identical pins in 1:27 at 125 and 130 respectively, padding the lead to 36-12. Joe Lospinoso made it three straight pins and took only 42 seconds to clinch match. Dillion Geoghegan won 3-0 at 145 for the final points.
Earlier in the week Brearley won their local brawl with Cranford 44-20 Thursday afternoon January 29 at Kenilworth. The match was scheduled for the previous night, but was delayed because both schools were closed for snow.
With the match starting at 215, the Cougars had an early 16-3 lead. After county champion Travis Dilts cooled off red hot Julian Campo of Cranford 10-1 at 215, county champion Joe Brady pinned Viglione in 3:50 and rapidly improving freshman Ian Henry shocked Mike Disko with a 36 second pin at 103. With Joe Lospinoso missing the match, Luciani moved his lower weight wrestlers up one class and Joe Giaccio easily won a battle of county champions at 112 with a superior decision 11-1 over Madonia. But freshman Nick Lospinoso \,who has been having trouble making weight at 112, started the comeback with a hard fought 11-6 victory over Kyle Markovitch. Ries the newly crowned, county 119 pound champion pinned Carmine Pellino at 125 in 34 seconds. Phillips superior decisioned Brian Buontempo 12-2 at 130 and Knapp won by forfeit at 135. Cranford drew within 22-20 when Matt DiGiovanni stopped Jesse Bell 12-2 at 140.but the Bears took the remainder of the matches. The Geoghegan twins each won tough matches. Devin edged freshman J.P. Christiano 2-1 at 152 in a battle of a county champion against a runner up. Dillion won 7-1 at 145. Gilligan pinned George El-Khoury in 4:39 at 160 and Umar Taramov won a battle of seniors by defeating Connor Leahey 11-3 at 171. Khusen Taramov finished the match with a forfeit at 189.
“(Coach) Darren (Torsone) and his staff have done an excellent job with the team, They are young and getting better each match and will be a tough contender in the upcoming 2009-2010 season for the new Conference, County and the Section,” said Luciani.
Cranford took their other two matches, beating a vastly improved Linden team 49-27 on Friday night January 30 and finished their week and the month of January with a 57-15 home rout of Elizabeth on Saturday morning January 31. Against Linden Brady, Henry, Giaccio and Markovitch all won to give the Cougars a quick 21-0 lead. Buontempo, DiGiovanni, Christiano, Leahy and Campo all won their matches to finish off the victory.
Facing Elizabeth, the Cougars Markovitch and DiGiovanni sandwiched pins around forfeits by Pellino and Buontempo to give Cranford a quick 24-0 lead. Londregan, Christiano and Chris Keim followed with victories to clinch the decision. Leahey pinned at 171 and Campo and Brady also won their matches. Giaccio closed the match by running his record to 20-0 with a 1:42 pin.
After cruising past Toms River North 46-20, Brearley had its hands full with the host team and things looked bleak when they trailed 33-28 with two matches left. Dillion Geoghegan squeaked though by the slimmest of margins, 3-2 and Umar Taramov won 14-5 at 160 to pull out the match.
Taramov’s brothers, Khasan and Khusen got the visitors off to a 9-0 lead with a decision and pin at 171 and 189 respectively. After watching Khasan struggle at 189, Coach Brian Luciani decided to switch the two brothers’ weight classes.
“Khusen is a much tougher and nastier wrestler who can deal with many different situations and wrestlers. Taking eighth in the state last year adds greater credibility about what he can do,” said Luciani.
Travis Dilts continued winning with a decision at 215. But three straight pins turned a 12-0 lead into an 18-12 deficit. The Bears trailed 21-12 until Dan Ries, moving up to 125 from his usual 119 stopped the bleeding with a 7-3 decision.
“We moved some of our lower weight wrestlers around to get Nick in at 119,” said Luciani.
Trailing 21-15, the Bears nearly incurred a devastating blow when Knapp was declared too injured to continue his 130 pound match. Joe Lospinoso got the points right back with a 39 second pin and Devin Geoghegan evened things up with a 3:13 pin at 140. But Brian Gilligan was pinned at 145 meaning Brearley would have to win the final two matches to emerge victorious. Dillion Geoghegan pulled out a tough 3-2 decision at 152 and Umar Taramov pulled the match out with a 14-5 victory at 160 giving the Bears a one point win.
One name missing from the match was county 125 pound champion Allen Phillips. “He got squeezed out of the line up due to who the other teams had in different spots, Allen is a classy wrestler and always does what is best for the team, He is one of our leaders and can always be counted on,” said Luciani.
The Bears had an easier time with Toms River North, winning 46-20. Umar and Khusen Taramov won by decision and Khasan won by forfeit at 171 giving them an early 12-0 lead. Dilts moved up to heavyweight and scored a 1:44 pin to extend the margin to 18-6. Madonia came back down to 103 and won 6-0. Nick Lospinoso won a 7-2 decision at 119 to extend the lead to 24-12. Ries and Knapp posted identical pins in 1:27 at 125 and 130 respectively, padding the lead to 36-12. Joe Lospinoso made it three straight pins and took only 42 seconds to clinch match. Dillion Geoghegan won 3-0 at 145 for the final points.
Earlier in the week Brearley won their local brawl with Cranford 44-20 Thursday afternoon January 29 at Kenilworth. The match was scheduled for the previous night, but was delayed because both schools were closed for snow.
With the match starting at 215, the Cougars had an early 16-3 lead. After county champion Travis Dilts cooled off red hot Julian Campo of Cranford 10-1 at 215, county champion Joe Brady pinned Viglione in 3:50 and rapidly improving freshman Ian Henry shocked Mike Disko with a 36 second pin at 103. With Joe Lospinoso missing the match, Luciani moved his lower weight wrestlers up one class and Joe Giaccio easily won a battle of county champions at 112 with a superior decision 11-1 over Madonia. But freshman Nick Lospinoso \,who has been having trouble making weight at 112, started the comeback with a hard fought 11-6 victory over Kyle Markovitch. Ries the newly crowned, county 119 pound champion pinned Carmine Pellino at 125 in 34 seconds. Phillips superior decisioned Brian Buontempo 12-2 at 130 and Knapp won by forfeit at 135. Cranford drew within 22-20 when Matt DiGiovanni stopped Jesse Bell 12-2 at 140.but the Bears took the remainder of the matches. The Geoghegan twins each won tough matches. Devin edged freshman J.P. Christiano 2-1 at 152 in a battle of a county champion against a runner up. Dillion won 7-1 at 145. Gilligan pinned George El-Khoury in 4:39 at 160 and Umar Taramov won a battle of seniors by defeating Connor Leahey 11-3 at 171. Khusen Taramov finished the match with a forfeit at 189.
“(Coach) Darren (Torsone) and his staff have done an excellent job with the team, They are young and getting better each match and will be a tough contender in the upcoming 2009-2010 season for the new Conference, County and the Section,” said Luciani.
Cranford took their other two matches, beating a vastly improved Linden team 49-27 on Friday night January 30 and finished their week and the month of January with a 57-15 home rout of Elizabeth on Saturday morning January 31. Against Linden Brady, Henry, Giaccio and Markovitch all won to give the Cougars a quick 21-0 lead. Buontempo, DiGiovanni, Christiano, Leahy and Campo all won their matches to finish off the victory.
Facing Elizabeth, the Cougars Markovitch and DiGiovanni sandwiched pins around forfeits by Pellino and Buontempo to give Cranford a quick 24-0 lead. Londregan, Christiano and Chris Keim followed with victories to clinch the decision. Leahey pinned at 171 and Campo and Brady also won their matches. Giaccio closed the match by running his record to 20-0 with a 1:42 pin.
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