By Avery Person
Sports Page Editor
The 10-8 boys wrestling team sent seven wrestlers to the podium, including freshman Gavin Yong who took first in the 106-pound class, to earn a fifth-place finish out of 22 teams at the GMC Tournament on January 27. The young team had one athlete from each grade place in the top three in their respective classes.
In just his first year competing at the high school level, Young lived out his childhood dream. “Ever since I was a kid, it was a goal of mine to one day wrestle at the GMC tournament and win it,” said Young. “I spent countless hours in the wrestling room working my hardest and that soon paid off.”
Earning fifth place represents a significant accomplishment, especially for a team that only features two senior starters. “We are definitely one of the youngest teams in the GMC and coming into the year a lot of people doubted us,” said Zach Florio, who finished third in the 215-pound weight class.
In the semifinals, Florio fell to Brian Christie from Saint Joesph, who went on to win the tournament. “It felt good to place that high,” said Florio. “Being younger in such a heavy weight class, sometimes I run into guys who are a bit older or more experienced.”
Junior Jake Tenebruso came in third at 150-pounds. “It was a great competition to be a part of, and I’m proud of everything my teammates and I accomplished,” said Tenebruso.
Junior Dominic Paulino took third in the 190-pound weight class, losing to Nazareth Pina from St. Thomas Aquinas by two points. Pina would eventually go on and win the tournament. “A very narrow victory for his opponent,” said coach John Post. “In the finals that same opponent won by a 9-point deficit. Dominic has been one of our most consistent performers this year and has earned the honor of being a team captain,” explained Head Coach John Post.
Jake Tenebruso compiled an impressive 28-41 record this season. “I know exactly what needs to be done to grow and better myself as a wrestler in these next coming weeks. Through continued hard work and dedication, I will make the necessary adjustments to end my season triumphantly,” said Tenebruso.
Senior Eloi Latouche returned to the team after not wrestling since his sophomore season and wrestled to a 10-2 record. “It was great and the team and energy that was brought once I came back was unmatched,” said Latouche.
The boys now turn their attention to preparing for Districts on Febuary 17, and they look to erase all of their mistakes from the GMC tournament. “Now it’s not the time to dread past mistakes but to look forward to the postseason,” said Tenebruso.
The fourteen starters who will look to place in the top three at Districts this weekend to earn spots in Regionals have high expectations. “Me and every other guy on the team wants first place, so it’s just another goal to work and grind for,” said Florio.
In addition to Young, Tenebruso, Paulino, Florio, and Latouche, wrestlers headed to districts to represent Old Bridge include Viktor Ilnytskyi, Dan Ferraro, Griffin Nugent, Jason Delahanty, Aiden Roman, Kevin Hickey, Temiloluwa Odumbo, Gage Gojani, and Logan Roman, who won a State title last year and finished the season 14-0 despite missing GMCs and many other matches due to injury.
Rather than feeling content with what they have done, each of the boys plans to continue to work towards a State Championship. “As a team we are happy with how we did, but we aren’t satisfied with the whole outcome,” said Young. “I truly believe this team has great potential and over the next few weeks we will see major improvements in everyone.”
Posted on 2/15/24
Photos by Isabelle Marmara and Michayla Smith
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