Correction: This is the second year that the top four finishers in each weight class qualify for the state finals.
IRVINGTON, NJ – Irvington High School senior wrestler Carl Napoleon finished in fourth place in the 285-pound weight class at the Region 4 tournament to advance to the NJSIAA state finals in Atlantic City.
The top four finishers in each weight class qualified for the state finals.
The region tournament consisted of the top three finishers in each weight class from the District 13, 14, 15, and 16 tournaments. Irvington competed in District 13.
Napoleon reached the semifinals at the region tournament in which he lost. But he won in the wrestleback semifinals to reach the third-place consolation.
Sophomore Carl Banks, and juniors Brisner Xavier, and Nashawn Brooks were the other IHS wrestlers at the region tournament, which was held at Union HS, Feb. 21, 23 and 24. Banks finished in fifth place at the 126-pound weight class.
The state finals will be held March 2, 3, and 4 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Region 4 tournament
126-pound weight class
Feb. 21
First round
126: Banks pinned Cole Carroll, Seton Hall Prep, 0:53.
132: Elijah Waldron, Union, decisioned Xavier, 8-2. Xavier eliminated
220: Joshua Darisme, Rahway, decioned Brooks, 3-1, tiebreaker. Brooks eliminated.
285: Napoleon pinned Caleb Wilson, Colonia, 3:18.
Feb. 23
Quarterfinals
126: Joe Heilmann, South Plainfield, pinned Banks, 1:11.
285: Napoleon decisioned Christian Chajon, Plainfield, 1-0.
Feb. 24
Semifinals
285: Lewis Fernandes, Voorhees, major decisioned Napoleon, 10-0.
Wrestleback quarterfinals
126: Banks major decisioned Ian Coleman, Kennedy-Iselin, 11-1.
Wrestleback semifinals
126: Mark Montgomery, Roselle Park, major decisioned Banks, 11-1.
285: Napoleon decisioned David Pierre, Carteret, 3-1.
Fifth-place consolation
126: Banks decisioned Evan Klimas, North Hunterdon, 6-2.
Third-place consolation
285: Jacob Pidgeon, Somerville, decisioned Napoleon, 3-1.
About the Author
