Giancola Falls at States, Looks to Consolation Rounds

Update, March 3, 5:40 p.m.: Tony Giancola was eliminated from the state wrestling tournament Saturday after losing a wrestleback. The 113-pounder lost the match 8-2 to Northern Highland's Matt Murphy.

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After a hard-fought battle to the state wrestling tournament, Collingswood’s Tony Giancola lost in round two Friday.

He still has a chance to place in the tournament by competing in the wrestlebacks Saturday.

Giancola, a 113-pound senior wrestler, had a bye the first round. He fell to North Hunterdon’s Ryan Pomrinca in a 5-2 decision in the second round of the state tournament.

The wrestler has had a storied career at Collingswood, earning his 100th win this year and racking up the third most wins in Collingswood history.

Giancola showed promise early on, said Collingswood’s athletic director Ronald Hamrick.

“I knew right away that he would be a great wrestler,” Hamrick ahead of the state tournament. “He’s got a great work ethic, and he took part in offseason workouts with my son Eric (a region champion at 140 pounds last season) from an early age. That helped accelerate his development.”

Part of Giancola’s promise was remaining a lightweight throughout high school. He started in the 103-pound class, but stuck with 113 in his senior year, rather than moving up to heavier weight classes.

“So many guys come in at 103, 113 their freshman year, but by their senior year they’re wrestling at 140-145,” Moody said. “Tony’s ability to keep his weight down really makes him one of the most dominant lightweights this school has had.”

Additional reporting by Jake Mason.