New Providence Star Hopes to Win Big in AC

New year. Same result.

One more chance.

New Providence senior Zach Troutman lost to North Hunterdon's Jack Delia, 5-2, in the heavyweight semifinals of Saturday's state wrestling championships at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall. Troutman also fell to Delia in the semis last year.

Troutman will compete for bronze Sunday against Keyport's Greg Velasco.

New Providence head coach Gary Bremer said he hoped Troutman's speed would push him past Delia, who will take on High Point's Billy Smith in the finals.

"We thought we'd go with him this year," Bremer said. "He got bigger, but we thought we were faster. He beat us last year because he was faster. He's tough, though. We thought we had a shot with him. Couldn't get in on him. Couldn't penetrate to take the leg."

Troutman, who will play football at Division 1 University of Albany next year, went up, 1-0, when Delia released him early in the second period. But Troutman was hit for stalling. Seconds later, Delia hit Troutman with a takedown for a 4-1 advantage.

Bremer blamed the takedown on the stalling call.

"That probably rattled [Troutman] a bit," the head coach said. "When he stopped, he was fighting off the takedowns really well. So he kind of stopped wrestling for a minute and he gave up the takedown. That happens in wrestling."