WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Seton Hall Prep wrestling team is looking forward to the 2023-24 season with an experienced lineup that is looking to capture the Super Essex Conference–American Division, Essex County and the Non-Public “A” state titles.
The Pirates also have experienced wrestlers who are looking to capture Essex County and state individual titles.
Senior Logan Brzozowski, at 126 pounds, has a career record of 71-17 with two district titles and one county title. He finished in second place last season in Atlantic City in the state individual finals.
Senior Carlo Vanvolkenburgh, 138 pounds, has a career record of 46-28 with two county titles. Junior Nicholas Orejola, 144 pounds, has a career record of 38-16 and one district title. Senior 285-pound Jack Tierney is 33-32 and has gone far in the county and state tournaments. Senior Evan Surmay, 165 pounds, has a 25-25 career record and has really improved in his career. Anthony Pellegrino, a 113-pound junior, is a returning county champ. Clark Rich is another junior who has really improved with a 22-13 record at 190 pounds.
Sophomore Rocco Salerno had a great freshman year at 215 pounds, going 32-2. He was a Morris Knolls, Essex County and district champion. He reached Atlantic City, going 2-2 there. Sophomore Andre Morero is a sophomore with a lot of experience at 132 pounds with an 18-11 record. Matthew Farley is a sophomore who picked up a lot of experience with a 15-14 record at 126 pounds. Joe Viola, a 106-pound sophomore, was 10-5 last year. Newcomer Brandon Papa, 175 pounds, is looking to strengthen the lineup, as well as senior Aidan Manning, 150 pounds. Seniors William Ligotti, 126 pounds, Alex Manoukian, 175 pounds, and Casey Farrell, 157 pounds, will also be called upon by head coach Lou Mascola.
When discussing the upcoming season, Mascola said, “We have a strong lineup with a healthy mix of young, hungry wrestlers and accomplished veterans. We have strong leaders in the senior class as well as a couple of standout underclassmen who are doing the right things. We have high expectations for the team, but our primary focus is on staying healthy and getting better every day.”
The Pirates will open the season on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17, at the Beast of the East, at University of Delaware, 8:30 a.m. Another group will take part in the Morris Knolls tournament, also on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 9 a.m.
Here are other upcoming matches:
- Dec. 20: vs. Bloomfield, 7 p.m.
- Dec. 27-28: Sam Cali Battle for the Belt, at Fairleigh Dickinson University–Madison, 9 a.m.
- Jan. 3: at Livingston, 7 p.m.
- Jan. 5: vs. Caldwell, 7 p.m.
- Jan. 6: Catholic Duals, at Christian Brothers Academy (Lincroft).
- Jan. 10: at Nutley, 7 p.m.
- Jan. 13: at St. Joseph (Metuchen), with Delsea and Donovan Catholic, 9 a.m.
- Jan. 17: vs. West Essex, 7 p.m.
- Jan. 19: at West Orange, 7 p.m.
- Jan. 24-25, Essex County Tournament, at Richard J. Codey Arena (West Orange), 4 p.m. on both days.
Photo Courtesy of Seton Hall Prep
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