Ewing, NJ… The 2007 Metropolitan Conference Wrestling Championships has a new look this year with several new schools joining in the quest for the tournament team title. Traditional Met Conference powers The College of New Jersey, York College (PA), Hunter College, Maritime College, New York University and Centenary College will this year be joined by King's College, the University and Scranton and Wilkes University.
 

TCNJ will serve as the host of the annual tournament on Sunday, February 18 in Packer Hall.  With the addition of those schools, the conference now has 17 spots on the line for the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships set for March 2-3 at Loras College in Dubuque, IA. The winners of the 10 weight classes will receive an automatic bid, while there are also seven "wild card" spots at stake.
York College is the defending team champion and returns a pair of 2006 All-Americans in Tim Bohlman (Pasadena, MD/Mt. St. Joseph) at 149 and Jerry Bowne (Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) at 165. Bowne is currently ranked seventh in his weight class as he looks to defend his title from a year ago.
 

The Lions are the lone ranked team in the tournament and have a host of grapplers among the elite in their respective weight classes. Senior Mike Guenther (Ewing, NJ/Brick) is fourth at 165 with junior Ray Sarinelli (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills) fifth at 133 and sophomore Greg Osgoodby (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick) seventh at 174. TCNJ will also look to senior Joe Galante (Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City) at 157 pounds as he is a two-time MET Conference champion, while earning All-American honors is 2005. Another contender for the Lions is freshman Tyler Branham (Newton, NJ/Kittantiny) at 141 pounds as he leads the team with 33 victories.
 

Wilkes enters the tournament led by 2006 All-American Brandon Kelly (Coopersburg, PA/Southern Lehigh) at 197 pounds. Kelly was sixth at last year's nationals and is currently ranked fifth in his weight class. At 125 pounds, Felipe Queiroz (Largo, FL/Pinellas Park) was an All-American last season finishing sixth and is currently ranked eighth.   
 

King's has a returning All-American competing in the Met Championships for the first time. Dan Morgan (Scranton, PA/West Scranton) placed sixth last year and is the top-rated wrestler in the country at 133 pounds. Morgan brings a record of 29-2 into the championship event.
 

Hunter's top two contenders are heavyweight Arkardiy Levitan (Brooklyn, NY/Sheepheads Bay) and returning All-American Terry Madden (Staten Island, NY/Pinebush). Madden finished sixth at 184 pounds a year ago and is ranked fourth, while Levitan is ranked second nationally and has an impressive mark of 33-1.  New York University's Gene Kobilansky (Rochester, NY/Brighton) moved up a weight class to 149 pounds after winning the conference title in 2006 at 141 pounds. He is currently ranked eighth and leads the Violets with an impressive record of 36-2.  Centenary's Jared Duffy (Phillipsburg, NJ/Phillipsburg) adds plenty of depth to the 165-pound weight class as he is 27-9 on the season.
 

Scranton, Maritime and Yeshiva will also be looking to advance wrestlers to the national tournament.  Wrestling gets underway at 10:30 a.m. with the finals starting at approximately at 4:30 p.m. Tickets for the tournament are $5 for adults and $2 for students.
 
Metropolitan Conference Rankings by Weight Class
125 LBS.
1.  Felipe Queiroz (So.), Wilkes University*
2.  Mike Gummerson (Jr.), Centenary College
3.  Kyle Flickinger (So.), York College
4.  Kyle Christiansen (Fr.), NYU
133 LBS.
1.  Dave Morgan (So.), King’s College*
2.  Ray Sarinelli (Jr.), TCNJ
3.  Joe Razenbach (So.), NYU
4.  Ricky Redd (Jr.), Centenary College
141 LBS.
1.  Tyler Branham (Fr.), TCNJ
2.  Donny Clark (Fr.), Wilkes University
3.  Tony Miele (Fr.), King’s College
4.  Rich Russell (Jr.), Scranton 
149 LBS.
1.  Gene Kobilansky (Sr.), NYU
2.  Tim Bohlman (Sr.), York College*
3.  Erick Smith (So.), Wilkes University
4.  Donnell Young (Sr.), Scranton University
157 LBS.
1.  Joe Galante (Sr.), TCNJ
2.  John Niedrich (So.), York College
3.  Frank Heffernan (Fr.), Wilkes University
4.  Bill Calvacca (So.), Hunter College
165 LBS.
1.  Mike Guenther (Sr.), TCNJ
2.  Jerry Bowne (Sr.), York College*
3.  Ryan Cooley (Sr.), NYU
4.  Jared Duffy (Jr.), Centenary College
174 LBS.
1.  Greg Osgoodby (So.), TCNJ
2.  Seth Wisner (Sr.), Centenary College
3.  Zach Dietrick (Sr.), King’s College
4.  Pat Knight (So.), NYU
184 LBS.
1.  Terry Madden (Sr.), Hunter College*
2.  Jim Tomczuk (Jr.), TCNJ
3.  Nick Coleman (Jr.), NYU
3.  Zack Wilkinson (Sr.), King’s College
4.  Craig Tomalo (Jr.), SUNY Maritime
197 LBS.
1.  Brandon Kelly (So.), Wilkes University
2.  Jason Reilly (Sr.), King’s College
3.  Shintaro Higashi (Sr.), Hunter
4.  Anthony Greene (Jr.), Centenary College
Hwt.
1.  Arkadiy Levitan (Jr.), Hunter College
2.  James Bishops (Sr.), King’s College
3.  Luke Panizzi (Jr.), York College
4.  Steve Carbone (Jr.), TCNJ
* Denotes returning All-Americans

 

(1/31/07)  Earlier this evening visiting King’s College (PA) wrestling team downed Centenary College by the final of 31-11.  The win improves the Monarchs to 7-9 on the year, as Centenary falls to 6-6-1.

Cyclone junior Mike Gummerson (Newton/Kittatiny) put the home team in front early registering an 8-0 major decision over Jeff Mazurek.  King’s was able to get three points right back as Dave Morgan decisioned Rickey Redd (Montclair/DePaul Catholic) 7-4 in the next bout.  Both teams traded victories at the next bouts as well, as King’s Anthony Miele recorded a major decision at 141 and Centenary’s Kyle Nasdeo (Kendall Park/South Brunswick) won 6-4 at 149.  Over the next two matches King’s stretched the team lead by just one-point as Taylor Green registered a fall at 157, but the Cyclones’ Jared Duffy (Phillipsburg/Phillipsburg) majored Drew DeHaut at 165.  The visiting Monarchs closed out the match winning the final bouts, recording 18 total points in doing so bringing the final score to 31-11 in favor of King’s. 

As a match note King’s senior Jason Reilly tallied his 100th career victory with his fall in the 197-pound bout this evening.  RESULT

(1/27/07) The Centenary wrestling took two dual matches on Saturday, defeating  #13th ranked Wilkes University by the final of 26-21 and the University of Scranton 41-9.  The pair of victories improved the Cyclones to 6-5-1 overall this winter in dual matches.

Centenary started strong and stayed strong throughout the entire match versus Scranton.  Centenary received a pair of forfeits to begin the match, which followed with a pair of falls at 133 and 141 by Anthony Accardi (Manalapan/Manalapan) and Kyle Nasdeo (Kendall Park/South Brunswick).  After a loss at 157, the Cyclones then ran off four of the next five decisions including two major decision, one by Jared Duffy (Phillipsburg/Phillipsburg) at 165 and another by Tom Bartku (Dover/Dover) at 285.  Seth Wisner (Belvidere/Belvidere) and Anthony Greene (South Orange/Columbia) added falls over the final stretch of victories.

In the match versus Wilkes, the Colonels started out strong with a tech fall win at 125. At 133, Centenary’s Rickey Redd (Montclair/DePaul Catholic) got the Cyclones off to a great start by winning the match in double-overtime against stand out wrestler Joshua Pauling.  From there Centenary dropped the next two of three and went into 165 trailing 15-6.  Jared Duffy pulled Centenary back to within three points, with a fall over Justin Barwoski, who is the third ranked wrestler at that weight in the Metropolitan Conference. Seth Wisner then followed suit at 174, with a fall of his own over Daniel Giancolo, putting the Cyclones ahead 18-15.  After a forfeit at 184 the Cyclones once again trailed heading into the bout at 197.  There Centenary’s Anthony Greene pulled off a 4-0 decision against Thomas Laggio pushing Centenary back in front 22-21.  In the final bout of the night, which was going to determine the victor, Centenary freshman Tom Bartku came up huge, recording an 8-5 decision over Keith Altiery solidifying the win for the Cyclones 25-21.

The victory marked the first time in school history that Centenary’s Wrestling team had defeated a nationally ranked team. "This is Huge, for the program, and for Centenary college. I've been telling our kids all year, that our hard work will pay off, and tonight it did”, said first year Head Coach John Garriques.   MATCH SCORING

(1/25/07) Centenary Wrestling gave a great showing to the fans at Phillipsburg High School’s “Pit” earlier this evening as they fell to the #8 ranked Lions of College of New Jersey 25-18.
 

The Cyclones night started off just the way they intended as senior Mike Gummerson (Newton/Kittatiny) notched a 9-5 decision over Tom Roberto to give Centenary the 3-0 lead.  The visiting Lions came right back with four straight wins, highlighted by a Joe Galante (Ocean City/Ocean City) at 157 lbs.  The four consecutive bouts pushed TCNJ in front by the score 19-3.  At 165 lbs, Centenary’s Jared Duffy (Phillipsburg/Phillipsburg) did not disappoint the home crowd as he defeated Dan Dicolo (Budd Lake/Mount Olive) 9-7, pulling Centenary back to a 19-6 difference.  From there the Cyclones closed out the match recording nine points over the final four bouts, when Seth Wisner (Belvidere/Belvidere) defeated Jim Tomczuk 7-3 at 174 lbs. and Anthony Greene (South Orange/Columbia) received a forfeit at 197 lbs. 

(1/15/07)  On Saturday afternoon, The Centenary College Wrestling Team placed 5th at the Brute-Adidas Invitational, held at Ursinus College.  The Cyclones were without three of there normal starters in the line-up, but still managed to place three individuals in their respective weight classes.  Senior Seth Wisner (Hope / Belvidere) led the team to their fifth place finish by taking first at the 174-pound weight class, while sophomore Kyle Nasdeo (Kendall Park / South Brunswick) came back from a loss in the semi-finals to take 3rd place.  Junior Jared Duffy (Phillipsburg / Phillipsburg) also fought through the loser’s bracket for a third place finish, after a close loss in the semi-finals to the number one seed.

"Overall our team looked tough, we took a couple of loses that we shouldn't have had, but as long as the team continues to learn from their mistakes, we will stay on track, of meeting our goals. Right now we have to concentrate on getting our injured wrestlers healthy, and preparing for our next match”, said Head Coach John Garriques.

LINK

 

(11/20/06)  The Centenary College Wrestling team wrapped up a strong first month of their 2006-07 season at the Doug Parker Invitational wrestling tournament at Springfield College this weekend. The Cyclones finished fifth in the field of 17 teams with 95 points and advanced three wrestlers to the tournament’s championship round, including junior Mike Gummerson (Newton/Kittatinny), who won the 125 pound weight class.

“I’m really proud of our guys,” said first year Head Coach John Garriques. “This first month of the season was a good test for us and I feel we really responded well. We competed in three very tough tournaments with nationally ranked teams at each one, and we proved we can compete with them.”

Leading the Cyclones this weekend was junior Mike Gummerson, who was crowned the 125 pound tournament champion. After two consecutive second place finishes at the Ithaca Invitational and the Monarch Invitational (King’s College), Gummerson prevailed to capture his first tournament championship of the season. The Kittatinny Regional High School graduate won five matches including a fall over Anthony Niccolichia of Roger Williams University in the finals. Gummerson’s win over Niccolichia (#7) was his second victory over a nationally ranked competitor this season

“Mike is off to a great start,” said Garriques. “He’s wrestled and beat some top notch competition already this season. He works hard every day and he continues to get better. Mike has set some high goals for himself, and if he continues working as hard as he is, there’s no doubt he’ll accomplish all of them.”   

Junior 165-pound wrestler Jared Duffy(Phillipsburg/Phillipsburg) and junior 197-pound wrestler Anthony Greene (South Orange/Columbia) also reached the finals at Springfield this weekend, each finishing second at their respective weight classes. Duffy earned a trip to the finals after recording four victories in the tournament’s opening rounds, including a fall over Corey Murphy of Thiel College who was ranked sixth in NCAA Division III at 165 pounds. In the championship round, Duffy dropped a 7-5 decision to Jacob Tyler of Springfield.

Anthony Greene, who saw his first action of the season this weekend, reached the finals after three solid victories in the tournament’s early rounds. In the finals Greene fell 13-6 to Eric Vincent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. 

Also with a strong showing this weekend was junior Ricky Redd (Montclair/DePaul Catholic) at 133 pounds. After winning the Monarch Invitational last weekend, Redd came home with a fourth place finish at Springfield.   RESULTS

(11/13/06)  The Centenary College wrestlers hit the mat again this past weekend at the King’s College Monarch Invitational. The Cyclones, led by junior 133-pound wrestler Ricky Redd (Montclair/DePaul Catholic), finished sixth in a 12 team field that included three nationally ranked teams. Redd won the 133-pound weight class while junior Mike Gummerson (Newton/Kittatinny) finished second at 125-pounds and junior Jared Duffy (Phillipsburg/Phillipsburg) finished third at 165-pounds.

Centenary fell just one point shy of West Point for fifth place and seven and half points out of fourth place, held by the host school, Kings College. However, the Cyclones sixth place finish was good enough to top Ursinus College, who entered the tournament ranked 30th in NCAA Division III by the Brute-Addidas National Wrestling Coaches Association.

“I’m really proud of all of our guys,” said Head Coach John Garriques. “We’re continuing to improve every day. We crowned our first tournament champion of the season this weekend and we placed three wrestlers for the second consecutive week. We’re going to keep working hard every day and continue to build on our success.”

Ricky Redd entered the tournament seeded second out of 17 wrestlers in the 133 pound weight class. In his first match the Depaul High School product recorded a fall over Mike Tenenhaus of Muhlenberg College in 5:26 and then defeated Zack Tolbert of York College 5-3 in his second bout to reach the semi-finals.  In the semi-finals Redd defeated Eric Rhoades of Elizabethtown College by a score of 7-6 to reach the finals. In the championship match, Redd met up with the number one seed, Josh Pauling of Wilkes University. In an exciting back and forth battle, Redd edged Pauling 7-6 to capture the 133-pound title.

Junior 125-pound wrestler Mike Gummerson recorded his second straight runner-up finish of the season this past weekend. After finishing second at the Ithaca College Invitational last weekend, the Kitattiny Regional High School graduate made a return trip to the finals on Saturday at the Kings College Monarch Invitational. Gummerson recorded three falls (1:49 over Jeff Mazurek of Kings College, 2:20 over Sean Hightman of York College and 5:47 over Davey Mason of West Point) to reach the finals. In the championship match, Gummerson matched up with Felipe Queiroz of Wilkes University. Queiroz entered the tournament as the number two ranked wrestler in NCAA Division III by the Brute-Addidas National Wrestling Coaches Association. In a tight battle, Gummerson dropped a 3-0 decision to finish second.

Junior Jared Duffy recorded a third place finish at the 165 pound weight class. Duffy went 4-1 on the day with his only loss coming to tournament champion Gerald Bowne of York College, who is currently ranked second in the nation at 165. Duffy, a Phillipsburg High School graduate, recorded three falls in the tournament.  RESULTS

Season Records

DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	RESULT
NOVEMBER
Sat.   4 - 5	Ithaca College Inviational	10:00am	11th  (17)
Sat. 11	King's College (PA)Tournament	11:00am	6th   (12)
Sat.  18	Springfield College @	10:00am	5th   (17)
DECEMBER
Sat.  2	York College Invit.	9:30 am	T 8th (11)
Thur.  7	Yeshiva Middlesex CC Hunter	7:00pm	W, 49-6 W, 38-15  T, 25-25
Sat 9	NYU York College USMMA	10:00am	L, 36-6 L, 33-6 W, 34-17
January
Sat. 6	Messiah & Bridgewater State& Southern Maine &	11:00am	W, 23-19 L, 28-19 L, 25-15
Sat.  13	Ursinus College Invitational	9:00am	5th   (10)
Tues.  16	Gettysburg College	5:00pm	W, 31-21
Thur.  25	TCNJ  %	5:00pm	L, 28-15
Sat. 27	Univ. of Scranton Wilkes	6:30pm	W, 41-9 W, 26-21
Wed. 31	King's College (PA)	7:00pm	L, 31-11
FEBRUARY
Sat.  3	Northampton CC Invitational	TBA	6th   (22)
Sun. 18	Metropolitan Qualifier $	10:30am	7th  (10)

Home Matches are BOLD

@ -  Doug Parker Invitational
&  -  NYU Duals Event
% -  Match will be held at Phillipsburg HS (Phillipsburg, NJ)
$ -   Qualifier to be hled on campus of TCNJ

	NAME	YR.	WT.	HT.	HOMETOWN/HIGHSCHOOL
	Anthony Accardi	SO	125	5-5	Manalapan/Manalapan
	Thomas Bartku	FR	197	6-2	Dover/Dover
	Jared Duffy	JR	165	5-11	Phillipsburg/Phillipsburg
	Mark Garripoli	SO	149	5-8	Kearny/Kearny
	Anthony Greene	JR	197	5-11	South Orange/Columbia
	Mike Gummerson	JR	125	5-7	Newton/Kittatinny
	Warren Haubois	SO	HWT	5-11	Collingswood/Collingswood
	Francisco Lopez	FR	157	5-8	Ventnor/Atlantic City
	William Martinez	FR	125	5-3	North Bergen/Emerson
	Kyle Nasdeo	SO	149	5-6	Kendall Park/South Brunswick
	Christopher Osborn	FR	125	5-6	Kearny/Kearny
	Adam Pearsall	FR	197	6-0	Kearny/Kearny
	Ricky Redd	JR	133	5-6	Montclair/DePaul Catholic
	Robert Reinhardt	FR	157	5-11	Newtown/Kittatinny Regional
	Michael Trani	FR	285	5-8	Hillsborough/Hillsborough
	Seth Wisner	SR	174	6-1	Hope/Belvidere

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