Mustangs continue to win; Brick humbled by Jags

CHRIS KELLY Brick’s Dan Rac tries to work a Russian arm drag on Jackson’s Pat Richards during a 189-pound bout in Brick on Saturday.

Green Dragons struggle against top-ranked Jackson

By Wayne witkowski

Staff Writer

It certainly was a Saturday with mixed emotions for the Brick high schools involved in dual wrestling meets.

While Brick Township’s hopes for postseason contention took a serious blow in a 53-9 loss to Shore Conference Class A South favorite Jackson, Brick Memorial continued to surprise skeptics (including coach Anthony Caravella) in a rebuilding season.

The Mustangs, with star wrestler Kasey Stahlin sidelined with an injury for another week, pulled out a 27-25 victory over Toms River North to raise its dual meet record to 5-0.

Dave Kiley, the quarterback for Brick Memorial, clinched the victory by winning a 4-3 decision at 145 pounds with his team trailing, 25-24. Kiley had missed preseason while recovering from a football-related shoulder injury.

Drew Duddy helped Brick Memorial rally back from what looked like its first defeat and a 25-18 deficit when he quickly pinned his opponent in 26 seconds in the previous 140-pound weight class. Brian Karatz of the Mustangs got the only other pin of the match at 215 pounds in the early going. Kyle Waugh at 119, sophomore Mike Elshamy at 189 pounds, and Brian Grainer at 160 won by decision.

But the big surprise was Vin Cosenzo, customarily a 112-pounder who won the district title last year and was moved to 125 pounds. Cosenzo pulled out an overtime victory against his opponent from Toms River North (1-2).

Brick Township, meanwhile, got its usual good performance from its top wrestlers — Dan Rac at 189, Steve Senkarik at 119, and sophomore Colin Lewis at 112, who all won by decision. But they did not get the support they needed from the rest of the team this time in the Green Dragons’ most decisive loss of the season.