Host Eagle grapplers are best of the field at the Edison Classic
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

EDISON — The Edison High School wrestling kicked off the new season in high gear by winning the Edison Classic over the weekend.

The Eagles sent 11 grapplers to the finals to win the overall competition in impressive fashion.

“It was definitely a nice warm-up for the team,” Edison head coach Gerry Nisivoccia said. “Hopefully, we’ll now take it to the next level as we start the regular season.”

Freshman Anthony Peterson demonstrated how he earned a varsity position at 103 pounds with a second place finish at the Edison Classic while sophomore Mike FrancoBandiero won the event for a second straight year.

“Mike was a district and region champion for us last year and I think the year under his belt will make a difference,” Nisivoccia said. “All that experience from last year gives him a solid background.”

Sophomore Jeff Peterson was another winner at the Edison Classic at 119 pounds and has made tremendous strides from last season in which he saw limited time on the varsity mat.

Classmate Tony Colon is expected to have another big season. A county runner-up last season, Colon took home his second Edison Classic title in as many years. He won the event at 135 pounds, but is expected to wrestle this season at 125 pounds.

At 130 pounds, senior Gary Thompson will bring his aggressive style to the varsity mat for a third straight season. Thompson is a two-time region qualifier looking for another trip past the districts in 2007.

“He’s one of the most aggressive wrestlers on the team,” Nisivoccia said. “He always goes out and leaves it all on the mat.”

Senior Alex Romero is back in the varsity lineup where he saw plenty of action his sophomore season. Romero is expected to wrestle somewhere between 125-135 pounds this season. He took second place at 130 pounds over the weekend at the Edison Classic.

Taylor Donovan gets the nod at 135 pounds where he wrestled last season for the Eagles. Donovan is this year’s Edison Classic champion at 140 pounds.

Senior J.C. FrancoBandiero will hit the mat at 140 pounds this season and will be eligible for competition this Thursday. He is a three-time county champion looking to take home the hardware each of his four years with the team.

Senior Brandon Swift won a solid match over Metuchen’s Jack Rems at 152 pounds to take the Edison Classic title. A district champion last season, Swift is expected to wrestle at 145 pounds for much of the season.

“It was a nice bout and very close in the early going,” Nisivoccia said. “Rems was a tough opponent.”

Fellow senior Kevin Lenti returns to fill the 152-pound weight class and is fresh off a third place finish at 160 pounds.

Also bumped up a weight class over the weekend was junior Travis Urban. Urban moved up from his 160-pound weight class to place second at 171 pounds.

Junior Matt Kouyoumdjian is expected to be the team’s regular wrestle at 171 pounds as he made the jump from 160 where he saw action last year.

Junior Jeremy Klempner and sophomore Dan Walker both won Edison Classic titles. Klempner was a winner 215 while Walker was a champ at heavyweight. Teammate Nick Davila was a third-place finisher at 189 pounds.

After a busy week beginning with bouts against Colonia and Monroe, the Eagles will finish this week with a match Dec. 21 at Cranford before wrestling in the John Goles Invitational Tournament. The tournament is the second oldest holiday event in the country. Last year’s Edison team finished in third place behind Delaware Valley and host school Warren Hills.

“The team seems to be coming together nicely,” Nisivoccia said. “At this early point, that’s what is important and I’m pleased with that.”