NUTLEY, NJ – Nutley High School wrestlers Frank DeMaio and Frank Gabriele gave good efforts at the NJSIAA state finals held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, March 2-3.
The two seniors were the lone qualifiers for Nutley at the state finals, which consisted of the top four finishers in each weight class from the eight region tournaments.
Both wrestlers lost in their first match of the state finals in the preliminary round March 2. They returned to compete in the wrestlebacks the next day.
DeMaio, seeded No. 19 in the 160-pound class, lost by a 15-2 major decision to No. 14 seed Kevin Faulkner of Hillsborough in the preliminary round. DeMaio then was pinned by No. 30 seed John DeVito of West Morris in 3:02 in the wrestlebacks first round to become eliminated.
DeMaio captured his 100th career victory this season in the Raiders’ victory at Notre Dame in Lawrenceville on Feb. 10. He will continue his wrestling career at Delaware Valley University.
Gabriele was the No. 27 seed in the 170-pound class. In the preliminary round, Gabriele was pinned by No. 6 seed Marco Gaita of West Morris in 52 seconds. Gabriele then dropped a 7-5 decision in the sudden victory period to No 22 seed Lance Wissing of Phillipsburg in the wrestlebacks first round to become eliminated.
This marks the 25th straight season that at least one NHS wrestler has qualified for the state finals in Atlantic City.
The finals and medal rounds will be contested March 4.
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