Zannetti places second at state wrestling tourney
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
Greg Zannetti of the J.P. Stevens High School wrestling team joins older brothers Gene and Jeff on the school's wall of fame after advancing to the 152-pound state finals atAtlantic City over the weekend.

JEFF GRANIT staff J.P. Stevens High School's Greg Zannetti (left) holds position against Ocean Township's Nick Menditto during their 152-pound championship match on Sunday in the NJSIAA wrestling tournament in Atlantic City. Zannetti went on to lose 10-1.

Zannetti went 4-0 through his first four bouts on Friday and Saturday to advance to Sunday's finals to meet Ocean Township's NickMenditto. Unfortunately, Zannetti fell 10-2 to the two-time state champion. It was the first time since 2004 that Stevens was represented in a state final. Then, it was middle brother Jeff that was also a state runner-up.

"Both Jeff and Gene were in Atlantic City," said Stevens head coach Mike Siter. "Gene is a sports psychologist and Jeff is currently wrestling for UPenn. They had a lot to offer as far as technical and mental approaches. They really took care of their little brother and they had a lot to do with Greg's accomplishments."

Zannetti opened the tournament with a tough matchup against JustinMolzon of Toms River East.

"I thought that first match would be his toughest," Siter said. "Greg wrestled really well and kept wrestling well throughout the tournament."

In his second-round bout, Zannetti earned a 7-3 victory over Cherry Hill East's Andre Harmon. The win over Harmon pitted Zannetti against Newton's Austin Alpaugh in the quarterfinals.

"Greg lost to the kid from Newton, 5-1, earlier in the season," Siter said. "Greg came out strong and avenged that earlier loss with a pin."

Another tough test awaited Zannetti in the semifinals in the form of Dustin Deckard of Pennsville.

"It was Greg's style of match," Siter said. "It was tough, but Greg scored off bottom in the second period to win the match 1-0."

Although Zannetti fell just short of a state championship, his accomplishments will live on at Stevens for many years to come. He went 41-3 this season to set a new school record for wins in a season. He finished his illustrious career at Stevens with 120 wins, second on the school's alltime list to brother Jeff.

"He had a great career and we look forward to supporting him at the collegiate level," Siter said. "He has a lot to be proud of and now he gets his name on the gym wall with his two brothers as state placewinners."

Zannetti will continue his wrestling career at Rutgers University next fall. The Scarlet Knights have no shortage of incoming talent as Menditto and 160-pound state champion Scott Winston of Jackson will join Zannetti on the team.

"Being second in the state is not a bad thing," Siter said. "It's also great for the school to have another place-winner. The Zannetti brothers certainly left their mark on J.P. Stevens wrestling."