Mat Rats impress in year’s first tournament

CHRIS KELLY staff Brick Township’s Cody Oliverio works his 119-pound opponent with a tilt for back points during their bout on Sunday at Toms River East.

Nick Lusby and Cody Heilbroun each beat three opponents, and Bill Miller was named the Outstanding Wrestler as the Brick Recreation Mat Rats won the Toms River Team Tournament at Toms River East on Sunday.

The efforts of Lusby (64 pounds), Heilbroun (85) and Miller (150) helped the Mat Rats beat Manalapan, Flemington and South Plainfield in dual matches to hold off seven other challengers for the team title.

Although Miller lost a three-point decision in his third bout against a South Plainfield opponent who was two years older, he was able to help his team clinch the championship.

Miller needed to win or lose a close decision whereas a loss by a pin or technical fall would have cost the Mat Rats the team title.

Five other wrestlers also went 3-0 with help from forfeits, including heavyweight Steve Turner, John Battista (165), Kevin Watson (140), Don Miller (112) and Kevin Johnson (100). Four other wrestlers went 2-1 — Miller (150), Cody Oliverio (119), Joe DeAngelo (80) and Conner Mulligan (50).

Brick Mat Rats I and II also each won two bouts in a double-dual meet on Saturday at Tinton Falls. Brick I beat Tinton Falls, 74-21, and Ocean, 82-26. Watson, DeAngelo, Vin Favia (68) and Matt Rackliffe (60) each pinned both opponents.

Also winning two bouts were Turner, Miller, Oliverio, Johnson, Lusby and Mulligan as well as John Fritzsch at 130 pounds.

Brick Mats II beat Tinton Falls, 49-37, and Ocean, 45-45, on double-criteria. In the latter match, each team won nine bouts but Brick Mat Rats II had five pins to Ocean’s four. Kevin Docherty at 140 pinned both opponents, and Sean Casey at 130 won by a pin and a technical fall. Dustin Krause at 150 went 1-1 but wrestled very well in both bouts.

— Wayne Witkowski