O'Keefe, Gereino, Rodriguez shine in quad match
Thursday,
January 7, 2010
Last
updated: Thursday January 7, 2010, 1:15 AM
BY MATT CHOQUETTE
Glen Ridge Voice
OF GLEN RIDGE VOICE
The young Ridgers notched their first team win of the year, a 50-30 decision over East Orange at the quad hosted by Glen Ridge. The squad, however, also dropped two matches last Tuesday to Kearny and Passaic County Tech.
Despite a loss on the record sheet, head coach Kendall Southerland was pleased during Glen Ridge's 42-36 setback against a talented Kearny team.
"I felt that we did a good job and I was impressed with the fight that our kids have," the Ridger headman said. "We forfeited three weight classes and still gave them a great fight. Our numbers are low, but the kids that we have really put it all out on the mat every day."
Senior captain Evan O'Keefe, the Ridgers' star at 152 pounds, continued his dominance in 2009-10.
He pinned both his East Orange and Kearny opponents and earned a forfeit victory against PCT to remain undefeated.
"He's been a complete player and a great captain so far," Southerland said. "He's producing and he's doing it with pins, which is a great example to show the team. He's doing an excellent job."
Other highlights included the gritty performance from freshman Nick Spitalleta.
The 103-pounder earned a major decision over his East Orange opponent, 19-7. Then he pinned his Kearny opponent in the first period despite apparently suffering a concussion. Southerland decided to hold the junior out of his PCT match citing safety precautions.
PJ Cherico (112 pounds), Andrew Hawkins (112), John Grimaldi (135), Evan Gereino (160), Dan Berg (171), Sean Clarry (215) and Sergio Rodriguez (heavyweight) all registered wins at the quad. Gereino's win against Kearny came in sudden death overtime, when he turned is opponent at the most critical moment to earn the clutch victory.
E-mail: choquette@northjersey.com
Glen Ridge wrestling's second quad match of the year was riddled with mixed emotions.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SARAH HARRIS
Junior Michael Spitalleta prepares for battle in his 135-pound match in last week's quad at GRHS. The Ridgers won their first match of the season against East Orange, getting big wins from Evan O'Keefe, Nick Spitalleta (Michael's younger brother) and Dan Berg.
The young Ridgers notched their first team win of the year, a 50-30 decision over East Orange at the quad hosted by Glen Ridge. The squad, however, also dropped two matches last Tuesday to Kearny and Passaic County Tech.
Despite a loss on the record sheet, head coach Kendall Southerland was pleased during Glen Ridge's 42-36 setback against a talented Kearny team.
"I felt that we did a good job and I was impressed with the fight that our kids have," the Ridger headman said. "We forfeited three weight classes and still gave them a great fight. Our numbers are low, but the kids that we have really put it all out on the mat every day."
Senior captain Evan O'Keefe, the Ridgers' star at 152 pounds, continued his dominance in 2009-10.
He pinned both his East Orange and Kearny opponents and earned a forfeit victory against PCT to remain undefeated.
"He's been a complete player and a great captain so far," Southerland said. "He's producing and he's doing it with pins, which is a great example to show the team. He's doing an excellent job."
Other highlights included the gritty performance from freshman Nick Spitalleta.
The 103-pounder earned a major decision over his East Orange opponent, 19-7. Then he pinned his Kearny opponent in the first period despite apparently suffering a concussion. Southerland decided to hold the junior out of his PCT match citing safety precautions.
PJ Cherico (112 pounds), Andrew Hawkins (112), John Grimaldi (135), Evan Gereino (160), Dan Berg (171), Sean Clarry (215) and Sergio Rodriguez (heavyweight) all registered wins at the quad. Gereino's win against Kearny came in sudden death overtime, when he turned is opponent at the most critical moment to earn the clutch victory.