MAPLEWOOD/SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Columbia High School wrestling team enjoyed a good showing at the Laker Holiday Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Mountain Lakes High School.
August Katz, a junior, won the 150-pound title with a 20-8 major-decision win over Charlie Shaddow of Ridgewood.
Christian Venescar, a senior 106-pounder, and Jared Van Allen, a senior 120-pounder, both finished in second place in their weight classes.
The tournament featured 17 schools. The Cougars finished in fifth place.
In the season-opener, the Cougars defeated Irvington, 60-24, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at CHS.
The following are the CHS winners:
- 113 pounds: sophomore Oliver Kreizman pinned Essien Alleyne, 0:43.
- 120: Van Allen pinned Aromire Sultan, 0:34.
- 126: sophomore Milan Connolly pinned Joshua Cabrera, 0:39.
- 132: senior Reid Ordower pinned David Seward, 0:58.
- 138: sophomore Penn Shapiro, pinned Tristan Williams, 0:46.
- 144: senior Kenji Shimizu pinned Erik Estrada, 1:37.
- 150: senior Edward Bonsu won by forfeit.
- 157: Katz pinned Jaylin Williams, 2:55.
- 165: senior Samuel Memo pinned Collins Harvey, 3:09.
- 175: junior John Parker pinned Edrens Litus, 0:39.
The Cougars will participate in the Sam Cali Wrestling Tournament at the Morristown Armory Center on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 27-28.
Columbia will visit Scotch Plains–Fanwood on Friday, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m. and visit Belleville on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 9 a.m.