Seton Hall Prep wrestlers Aidan Monteverdi and T.J. Calas enjoy good showings at state tournament in Atlantic City

WEST ORANGE – Seton Hall Prep juniors Aidan Monteverdi and T.J. Calas had good showings at the state wrestling tournament at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, March 4-5.

Monteverdi was seeded No. 7 in the bottom bracket of the 152-pound class while Calas was seeded No. 6 in the bottom bracket of the 160-pound class.

The preliminary round and pre-quarterfinals took place on Friday.

Monteverdi decisioned unseeded Joseph Hatcher of Piscataway, 8-3, in the preliminary round, but lost to second-seeded Avery Dinardi of Holy Cross, 5-2, in the pre-quarterfinals. The next day, Monteverdi  decisioned Giancarlo Crivelle of Point Pleasant Beach, 5-2, in the wrestlebacks first round, but lost to Nutley’s Darwin Pena, 5-3, in the wrestlebacks second round to become eliminated. Monteverdi finished with a 34-6 record.

Calas, who received a bye in the preliminary round, lost to third-seeded Patrick DePasque of Clifton by a tough 3-2 decision in the pre-quarterfinals. The next day, Calas won by forfeit over Cameron Shields of West Deptford in the wrestlebacks first round before losing to Tyler Mullen of Northern Valley/Old Tappan by a 12-0 major decision. Calas finish with a 33-5 record.

SHP head coach Jack Decker was proud of his two wrestlers.

“I was really proud of TJ and Aidan and their postseason runs over the last three weekends. They showed what the Seton Hall Prep wrestling program is all about, work hard in the room every day and good things will happen.”

Monteverdi and Calas won Essex County Tournament and District 10 Tournament titles this season.

At the Region 3 Tournament, Calas took first place and Monteverdi finished in second in their weight classes.

Jeff Goldberg contributed to this article.