WEST ORANGE, NJ – The Seton Hall Prep wrestling team raised its record to 5-1, Wednesday night, Jan. 2, when the Pirates defeated home-standing Livingston 47-12.
Over the weekend they competed at the 2nd Annual Sam Cali Invitational Battle for the Belt Tournament at West Orange HS. They had a great team performance, finishing 3rd place out of 37 teams from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. They had one second-place wrestler, two third-place finishers, and one fourth-place wrestler.
At 152 pounds, Jack Wilt finished with a 3-1 record, losing in the final. At 170, Michael Massa went 6-1 and finished 3rd. At 182, Zach Merlino also finished third with a 5-1 record, while at 285, Niko Diakides finished fourth with a 3-2 record. The Pirates had other wrestlers. At 113, Gabriel Jimenez went 4-2 record. Conner Decker (126), Larry Melchionda (120), and Aiden Cunningham (145), and Andrew Mitzak (195) each went 3-2. Cole Carroll, at 138, went 2-2. Dean Musialowicz (132), Joe Sciarrone (106), and Alex Giannoglou (220) each went 1-2.
SHP head coach Jack Decker discussed his team’s performance after the finals. “I am very happy with the overall performance of the team. Many fought through the wrestleback rounds and picked up victories. Some guys turned the corner and had a better tournament over the weekend then they did at the Beast of the East a few weeks ago. I am glad we are out there competing against the best competition.”
ECT wrestling to be held Jan. 17-18 at at Codey Arena
SHP and West Orange High School will gear up for the Essex County Tournament to be held Jan.17 and Jan. 18 at Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange. Seton Hall Prep is the three-time defending champion. The Pirates also have won four of the past five ECT titles.
The first day of the tournament will start at 4 p.m. and continue the next day at 6 p.m.
About the Author
