Cranford Wrestling Dominates Bishop Ahr in Opener

Darren Torsone got exactly what he wanted Friday night.

The Cranford High School wrestling coach saw his team win tight bouts, dominate when it had the opportunity, and knocked off Bishop Ahr 42-24 in a season opener in Edison.

"A lot of our top kids got matched with their top kids and got a really good test," he said.

Senior standout Joe Brady and sophomore Joe Giaccio won by fall at 275 and 119 respectively. Sophomore Ian Henry won 9-5 at 112. Senior Connor Londregan won an exciting 5-4 decision at 145. Londregan was down 4-1. Sophomore J.P. Christiano scored a 9-7 win over Tyler Black at 152.

Even losses were encouraging.

Senior Chris Keim rallied from a 13-8 deficit to John Black before falling 17-14. Junior Matt DiGiovanni won 11-5 at 135.

Senior Brian Buontempo (125), senior 189-pounder Errol Petgrave and senior co-captain and 215-pounder Julian Campo had falls in addition to Brady, who pinned Jack McAdoo in 1:48. Campo also had a quick pin, beating Chris Pastore in 1:16.

"It was a good start and we got exactly what we needed,'' Torsone said. "Our kids went hard for six minutes."

Brady, who finished 28-4 last year, is one of the leaders of the team eager to improve on last year's solid 15-5 season, which included a second-place in the District 10 Touranment.

He lost his mother to a heart attack earlier this month and dyed a strip of his hair purple in tribute to her favorite color.

"He's doing as well as can be expected,'' said Torsone. "The team has really pulled together for him. It has helped a lot.''

Torsone was said his team got strong performances from several wrestlers.

"It was really good see our kids come out and wrestle well," he said.

The Cougars won their last eight dual meets last year. They are scheduled to play host to Columbia and Bridgewater-Raritan Saturday morning in a triangular meet.

Cranford 42, Bishop Ahr 24
103: Anthony Rosamilia (BA) won by forfeit
112: Ian Henry (C) d. Greg Mcrystal 9-5
119: Joe Giaccio (C) p. Dan McAuley 2:52
125: Brian Bontempo (C) p. Tyler Ringwood 4:21
130: Mike Pysniak (BA) tf. Carmen Pellino 17-1 (4:52)
135: Matt Digiovanni (C) d. Mike Julve 11-5
140: Derek Delacruz (BA) tf. Eric Knight 15-0 (3:42)
145: Connor Londregan (C) d. John Dean 5-4
152: J.P. Christiano (C) d. Taylor Black 9-4
160: Jonathan Black (BA) d. Chris Keim 17-14
171: C.J. Hart (BA) p. Rob Kessler 1:58
189: Errol Petgerat (C) p. Ryan Donnely 2:48
215: Julian Campo p. Chris Pastore 1:16
HWT: Joe Brady (C) p. Jack McAdoo 1:48
Records: Cranford 1-0, Bishop Ahr 0-1