West Orange HS wrestling team has good showing at ECT

WEST ORANGE, NJ – The West Orange High School varsity wrestling team had a good showing at the Essex County Tournament at Richard J. Codey Arena in West Orange, Jan. 17-18.

The Mountaineers tied with Livingston for seventh place in the team standings among the 21 schools. WOHS and Livingston each had 95 points.

James Benjamin won the 126-pound title to lead WOHS. In the final, Benjamin decisioned Seton Hall Prep’s Conner Decker, 2-0.

Colin Morgan finished second at 160 for the Mountaineers. Morgan was pinned by West Essex’s Alex Jones in the final in 1:20.

The Mountaineers had five other medal winners.

Edgar Moreno took third at 138; Dorian Rawls finished eighth at 152; Brian DiPalma placed fourth at 182; Damianlee Torres took sixth at 120; and Amadu Kamara finished eighth at 220.

Essex County Tournament

WOHS top-eight finishes

120-pound weight class: Fifth place: Jacob Febo, Bloomfield, pinned Damianlee Torres, WOHS, 11-8.

126: First place: James Benjamin, WOHS, decisioned Conner Decker, Seton Hall Prep, 2-0.

138: Third place: Edgar Moreno, WOHS, decisioned Jacob Gonzalez, Nutley, 8-7

152: Seventh place: Stratos Kantanas, Livingston, won by forfeit over Dorian Rawls, WOHS, 8-5.

160: First place: Alex Jones, West Essex, pinned Colin Morgan, WOHS, 1:20.

182: Third place: Dominic Diaz, Montclair, pinned Brian DiPalma, WOHS, 3:33.

220: Seventh place: Nicolas Polewka, Nutley, decisioned  Amadu Kamara, WOHS, 6-3.