WEST ORANGE, NJ – The Seton Hall Prep wrestling team improved to 10-0 on the season, defeating Caldwell, 51-21, at Tracey Gymnasium on Wednesday, Jan. 10, and Verona 54-18 at Verona on Friday, Jan. 12.
On Saturday, Jan. 13, the Pirates participated in the Sam Cali Invitational Battle for the Belt at Tarnoff Gymnasium on the campus of West Orange HS. They finished in sixth place with 112 points out of 32 teams.
Twelve of the 14 wrestlers entered won at least one bout, while seven won two or more bouts. The top six wrestlers in each weight class received an award:
106-pound weight class: Larry Melchionda was 4-2 and finished in fifth place.
113: Connor Decker was 4-2 and finished in fifth place.
132: Charlie Cunningham was 6-1 and finished in third place.
160: Danny Young was 3-2 and finished in fourth place.
152: Michael Massa was 2-2.
182: Zach Merlino was 3-2.
285: Niko Diakides was 2-2.
The two-time defending champion Pirates will gear up for the Essex County Tournament, Jan. 18-19, at Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. respectively.