Trojans on track for another strong season
Bishop Ahr looks
like team to beat in Blue Division
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

EDISON — A trio of returning starters from last year’s lineup will need to come up big if the Bishop Ahr High School wrestling team plans to defend its Greater Middlesex Blue Division title.

The team is currently 1-1 with a second-place finish in the East Brunswick Tournament.

The Trojans are without 2004’s state runner-up, at 152 pounds, Kody Hamrah. Hamrah is currently wrestling at North Carolina State University, but he has certainly left his mark on area mats. Hamrah graduated Bishop Ahr as the second-winningest wrestler in Middlesex County history with a career record of 135-17.

Obviously not looking to replace the irreplaceable, but looking to pick up some of the slack left by Hamrah are Matt Pagan, Tom Dean and Hector Gonzalez.

Pagan finished fourth in the state last season at 103 pounds after knocking off the fourth, fifth and sixth seeds in the state tournament. Pagan is off to a 7-0 start at 112 pounds in his senior season.

"Matt really improved his game and he does a lot of the little things well," Bishop Ahr head coach Nick Tonzola said. "So far he’s been very patient, he’s used good strategy and he’s in great shape."

Classmate Dean is wrestling at 160 pounds. He finished last season 23-5 with a second place finish in the districts.

Just a junior, Gonzalez’s potential is limitless. As a sophomore, he finished the season 30-4 with a district title. He is currently unbeaten.

"Hector is wrestling exceptionally well right now," Tonzola said. "Both Hector and Tom are working hard, and we expect a good year from them."

The talented trio will lead the Trojans into battle tomorrow for a road match with Spotswood. Action begins at 7 p.m.

"The leadership those three guys provides is invaluable," Tonzola said. "The only way for us to repeat as Blue Division champs is for them to lead the team."

Occupying the slots for the remaining weight classes is a cast of grapplers all new to the varsity mat.

Senior Adam Dahl fills the 189-pound weight class, while fellow senior Len Aguirre is slated to grapple at 171.

"Although the majority or our positions are manned by varsity newcomers, I am excited about the way they look," Tonzola said. "Our junior class is especially tough. They are our strongest class."

Leading the junior brigade is 135-pounder Ali Yeganah. Despite currently being out of the lineup due to illness, Yeganah is expected to have a respectable season. Classmate Drew Novy is replacing him for the interim.

Other juniors in the starting lineup include John Brun at 112 pounds, Mike Clore at 125, Anthony Nacco at 140, Mike Metrokatsis at 145, Jon Meyers at 152, Thurston Gill at 215, and heavyweight Sol Montil.

Also in the varsity uniform for the first time are freshmen Nick Fornuratto and Anthony Raspa. Fornuratto will wrestle at 103, while Raspa is at 119.

After this week’s Spotswood match, the Trojans will get set for the Elizabeth Tournament. Other teams in the tournament include Elizabeth, Edison, Belleville and Glen Rock. Action gets under way at 9 a.m. Jan. 8.

"Despite all the newcomers, I think we can compete in the Blue Division and make the team sectionals again," Tonzola said.

"We are also looking to take three guys to Atlantic City [site of the state finals] this year."