Grapplers Finish Third in County Tournament

The Cranford High School wrestling team placed third in the Union County Tournament Saturday behind Joe Giaccio's first-place finish at 119.

Cranford followed a favored Brearley, which won its fifth straight title, and perennial contender Roselle Park. The Cougars racked up 164 points.

"I think finishing behind the two teams Brearley and Roselle Park is a step in the right direction,'' said Cranford coach Darren Torsone, whose team was fourth with 134 points last year. "The whole team wrestled tough throughout the lineup.''

The second-seeded Giaccio pinned Brearley's top-seed Anthony Madonia in a stunning 38 seconds. Giaccio won the 112-pound title last year, while Madonia won at 103.

"I locked a cradle tight and I was working hard for it, I wanted to win,'' said Giaccio. "I knew I was going up against a tough competitor. I just wanted to win. I just didn't expect it to happen (so fast).''

Senior 285-pounder Joe Brady, who won the title last year, was beaten by New Providence junior Zach Troutman in overtime in the final round.

"Every time they have wrestled each other it's been a three-or-four point match, but it's the most aggressive we have seen Joe so far this year,'' Torsone said.

Brady came into the match with Troutman with an 18-0 record, but lost in four overtimes.

"Joe just got tied up, he got into some tough spots and he wasn't as aggressive as he's been,'' Torsone said. "(Troutman's) body frame wasn't something Joe was accustomed to. We'll work on that and figure out a way to beat him. We'll see him again when we wrestle New Providence.''

Brady said he remembered losing to Governor Livingston's Matt Tansey last year in a dual meet, then coming back to beat him in the Union County final.

"I didn't wrestle my best match,'' Brady said. 'It'll just be motivation for the rest of the season.''

Senior 215-pounder Julian Campo was pinned by Brearley's Khusen Taramov.

Despite his defeat, Campo's wrestling was "incredible,'' Torsone said. He placed fourth last year at 215.

"It was as good as we have seen him wrestle all year,'' Torsone said. "He also wrestled well in the final.''

Sophomore 112-pounder Ian Henry, junior 135-pounder Matt DiGiovanni and sophomore 160-pounder J.P. Christiano all took third.