Rackliffe brothers remain perfect on the mats
Wrestling proving to be a real family affair
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

Being undefeated at this late stage of the season for the Brick Recreation Mat Rats wrestling program is impressive for any wrestler.

But imagine having three brothers from the same family with 11-0 records.

“It isn’t too often,” understated Pete Anderson, one of the coaches for the Mat Rats I team. “Having three brothers at the same time who are unbeaten is something I haven’t seen in the six years I’ve been involved [as a Mat Rats coach].”

But that is the case this season with the Rackliffe brothers — 13-year-old Corey at 85 pounds and 12-year-old Matt at 64 pounds for Mat Rats I, and 9-year-old Danny at 52 pounds for Mat Rats II.

Mat Rats I is unbeaten at 11-0 but has its biggest match of the season next Saturday when it travels to Jackson for a meet with powerful Jackson and Toms River.

And Corey, who also is unbeaten for Lake Riviera Middle School at 80 pounds, has a big day for that team on Saturday when it competes in the Jersey Shore Middle Schools Red Division tournament. Lake Riviera is 6-2 in the division.

“I’m so proud of them,” said Lori, their mom. “It’s hard to believe — especially Corey, who is unbeaten with his school and the Mat Rats.”

Add to them older brother Kyle, a junior competing for Brick Township’s team who is 9-6 at 103 pounds, and there’s plenty of wrestling excitement to talk about at home.

“They [his brothers] are doing a really good job,” said Kyle, who didn’t start wrestling until seventh grade, and a year later excelled for Lake Riviera and the Mat Rats. “It’s like a big competition. They all want to do good.”

“We’re a wrestling family,” said mom Lois.

The family last summer bought wrestling mats for the basement, where Corey and Matt have worked out against each other. Both say that and daily push-ups have helped them improve.

Older brother Kyle often gives welcome advice.

“He got me started, and then I saw the Lake Riviera team and thought I’d do well in it,” said Corey.

But Corey had a scary start in his dual meet bout on Saturday at Hazlet, which Mat Rats I won, 54-21. He trailed, 2-0, after the first period, the first time he was behind all season. Corey took a slender 5-4 lead into the third period before breaking away to a 17-5 victory.

“I’m pretty confident, and with the moves I’ve learned from my coaches and my experience, I feel I know what I’m doing,” said Corey. “And [Lake Riviera coach Paul] Panuska pushes me really good and has shown me some pretty good moves.”

He and Matt use the Peterson maneuver from the down position, and Corey likes the nearside cradle on top, where he feels he is strongest. Matt also prefers the up position. Young Danny, who was fifth in the state championships last year, said he prefers working from the bottom. He is wrestling six pounds above his actual weight, but knows how to compensate for it and has kept in command in his matches.

Matt, who also was unbeaten during the regular season a year ago for the Mat Rats when he was runner-up in the Jersey Shore Junior League championships, likewise trailed only once this season. He was down, 4-0, against BYAA before rallying to a 14-12 victory. Aside from that, he hasn’t had much trouble.

“Most of the kids aren’t as experienced as me,” he said. “And I feel a little stronger [this season]. What helps is wrestling with my brother, who is heavier, so when I’m wrestling kids at my weight, I feel more powerful than them.”

They all root for each other and share their experiences and tips about getting better.

“They love the sport. They take it seriously, but they seem to make it fun at the same time,” said coach Anderson. “It seems they’re natural wrestlers.”

Anderson actually still has six unbeaten wrestlers on Mat Rats I after Saturday’s results, including Joe Ghione at 56 pounds, Nick Onembo at 88 pounds, Kevin Watson at 150 and heavyweight Bill Miller.

Matt Rackliffe, Onembo, Miller and Kyle Guidice at 95 pounds pinned their Hazlet opponents. Corey Rackliffe, Conner Mulligan (52) and Joe Foderero (122) won by major decision. Ghione, Watson, Kevin Johnson (107) and Dean Sherry (60) won by decision.

As for Mat Rats II, it lost to Hazlet, 63-25, in an inter-division match to slip to 6-5. Heavyweight Charlie Rusignolo pinned his opponent, Anthony Miller (95) won by major decision and Dan Rackliffe, Anthony Attillio (100) and Anthony Spinelli (150) won decisions.