Hawks sending three on to Region V tournament
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

EDISON - Dan Keiser and Greg Zannetti of the J.P. Stevens High School wrestling team began their quest to reach Atlantic City and the state tournament with District 19 championships over the weekend at Woodbridge High School.

Last season both Keiser and Zannetti fell just short of making the trip to Atlantic City with fourth-place finishes at Region 5.

"Their goal is to get to A.C. and that's where their focus is right now," Stevens head coach Mike Sider said. "They want to work hard this week and kick things up a notch."

Keiser rolled through the competition at 125 pounds which culminated in a 9-5 win over C.J. Adams of Piscataway in the finals.

"He really had a great tournament," Sider said. "He dumped the Piscataway kid on his back twice and kept pushing until he finally broke his opponent. He finished second last year so this was his first title."

Zannetti's efforts landed him District 19's Most Outstanding Wrestler award. He pinned Bishop Ahr's Joe McCauley in the finals at 140 pounds in 2:42.

"The honor of Most Outstanding Wrestler was well-deserved," Sider said. "He had to shake off the effects of some flu-like symptoms and he seemed to come out of it Saturday morning. He got stronger as the tournament progressed and it really showed against a tough opponent in the finals."

Zannetti and McCauley have been battling all season. Zannetti took their dual meet match 7-6, but was topped by McCauley 3-2 in the county finals.

"The losses Keiser and Zannetti have suffered this season have been quality losses," Sider said. "All three of Keiser's losses came at the hands of district place winners."

Like Keiser, Zannetti took second at District 19 in 2006. Zannetti enters Region 5 with a record of 34-2, while Keiser takes a 33-3 mark into the tournament.

Keiser and Zannetti will be joined at Hunterdon Central this week by teammate Gary Repke. Like his teammates, Repke wrestled his way into the District 19 finals at 160 pounds, but lost to Craig Batista of Woodbridge 20-3. This was the second straight year Repke reached the District 19 finals.

"Heading into this season, Gary's goal was to get 25 wins and he's done that with a record of 29-7," Sider said. "His goal now is to get through Tuesday night and have a chance to wrestle his way to Atlantic City."

Repke's journey began Tuesday night against Ridge's C.J. Lyons.

"I'm comfortable with Gary's draw," Sider said prior to Tuesday's bout. "I've been around C.J. the last few years and I expect him to advance to Friday night."

Stevens also had three wrestlers reach the consolation match, but fell short of advancing - Mario Perricone (119), Jesse Stattler (145), Anthony Cooney (heavyweight). The Hawks took fifth place in the team standings out of a field of ten teams.

"There will be plenty of good wrestlers in the region tournament," Sider said. "We hope to send some guys through to Atlantic City but it will take hard work."