State Individual Championships

Kenny Knapp’s final quest for his first state wrestling title came to an end in the semi final round on Saturday March 7 in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City when he fell 6-2 to Jordan Beverly of Point Pleasant Boro but although the Brearley senior was not able to match 2008 graduate Jesse Boyden as state champion, he will still leave a legacy as one of the most consistent and classy wrestlers in the school’s rich history. Knapp fought off the disappointment of his semi final loss to win his wrestleback semi final over Derrik Russell of Jackson and won his third place match over James Green of Willingboro 3-1 on Sunday March 8, an improvement of two places over last year. Ironically, Knapp had defeated both Russell and Green earlier in the tournament and the final victories provided a fitting ending to his career according to Brearley coach Brian Luciani
“Kenny has been an integral part of our team and he has met the challenges placed before him his entire career and he has met them head on with great success. He is the epitome of class and I along with the team am very proud of him. Kenny has truly been an ambassador to the sport. It has been a great pleasure to be his coach and watch him develop,” said Luciani.

In his third place match against Green on Sunday, Knapp got a takedown with: 32 left in the first. Green escaped in the second period and it ended with Knapp leading 2-1. Knapp escaped at the beginning of the third to open a 3-1 advantage, which he adroitly held to the end.
In his only loss of the six weekend matches against Beverly in the semi finals, Knapp was in immediate trouble as Beverly scored a takedown 20 seconds into the first period for a quick 2-0 lead. Beverly earned an escape point 19 seconds into the second to take a 3-0 lead before Knapp cut the deficit to 3-2 on a takedown with 45 seconds left in the period. Beverly, who escaped late in the second, got another takedown with 45 seconds left in the third to seal the victory.
Knapp, who lost in the quarterfinals a year ago, got through that round this time when he outscored Green 5-2. Knapp escaped early trouble early in the match against his aggressive opponent and got a takedown right before the first period buzzer for a 2-0 lead. In second period Knapp added an escape and another takedown for a 5-0 lead and cruised form there. Knapp had begun his quest Friday night March 6 in the pre-quarterfinal round by whitewashing Russell 11-0.

Senior Umar Taramov also got to the quarterfinals with a tidy 9-3 win over Anthony Sherman of Toms River East. Taramov’s championship quest ended in the quarterfinals when he lost a tough 3-1 decision to Preston Keiffer of Eastern. The match was scoreless through the first period, but in the second Keiffer escaped for a 1-0 lead. Taramov tied it in the third with an escape but was taken down with a minute left and couldn’t make any progress from there. Taramov won his wrestleback matches against Zach Agostino of Egg Harbor 6-4 and Dan Soffer of Somerville 4-2 in four overtimes but lost the semi final wrestleback to Mike Dessino of Middlesex 10-8 in what was a rematch of their region final the week before that Taramov had won 4-2. Taramov’s final match of a distinguished career ended in defeat Sunday when Keiffer defeated him 7-0 in the fifth place consolation match, relegating Taramov to sixth place, but not detracting from a superb career.

“Umar has been an excellent addition to our team. He has really developed into an all around excellent wrestler that combines what he likes from the Russian style to incorporating our American style into what he does. He always gives 100% and always leaves everything on the mat,” Luciani said.

Luciani was hoping that sophomore Anthony Madonia could enhance what has been a breakout sophomore season by winning his first match in the preliminary round Friday and making it through to wrestle Saturday. Madonia obliged by defeating Andrew Hewitt of Franklin 4-2. Madonia was pinned in 1:35 by the state’s second ranked wrestler Nick Sausman of Camden Catholic in the pre-quarterfinal round Friday night. Madonia was ousted in the first round of wrestlebacks by Justin Colon of Belleville 11-5 but still had a breakthrough season.

“Madonia has really stepped up his game and now that his goal of making it to the tournament has been met, we wanted him to win a round and get some footing in AC. He has shown how hard work over the summer can pay huge dividends,” said Luciani.

Fellow sophomore Dan Ries followed the same pattern as Madonia winning his preliminary match over highly rated Connor Melde of Bergen Catholic 6-3 before falling 6-3 in the second round to Corey Kozimor of Hackettstown Ries also lost his first round wrestleback when he was pinned by Zach Huxford of Jackson.

Before the tournament Luciani described Ries as “like a machine, he is constantly getting better and better. He can beat anyone he wrestles as long as he stays focused.”

Cranford heavyweight Joe Brady saw his fine season end in the preliminary round when he was pinned by Mike Dwyer of Cinnaminson in 3:31.