Undefeated Mendham Grapplers Take Championship

The following was provided by Ryan Lance and is courtesy of Youth1.

The North Jersey Youth Wrestling League Southern Division Championship was awarded to the Mendham Chester Patriots last week as they defeated the Hanover Township Bobcats 45-43. With the division championship on the line, the 10-0 Patriots hosted the 10-0 Bobcats in the final match of the season.

The match got off to a fast start as each team traded a pair of falls in the match’s first four bouts of the night. Will Schlegel got the Patriots off to a fast start as he picked up a decision by fall in the 50 pound bracket over Dean Savercool, but Larry Melchionda countered for the Bobcats when he scored a fall over Chris DeRinzo. Kaya Sement put the Patriots back ahead when he recorded a fall over Sean Savercool, but Alex Strashinsky was able to even the team scores at 12 when he pinned Alexander Schlegel in the 65 pound bout.

 The two undefeated teams traded victories throughout the next seven bouts as wins for the Bobcats were highlighted by a decision from Nicky Cabanillas, a major decision by Ricky Cabanillas, another decision by Antonio Bellomo, and a Michael Norton victory by fall. The Patriots received a decision victory by Gage Armijo, a victory by fall from Teax Armijo and a Christopher Schlegel victory by pin. This brought the team score to 28-27 with seven bouts to go.

The Patriots were able to put a small run together when they rattled off four straight victories, highlighted by Troy Navarino’s decision, a victory by fall from Harrison Maurer, a decision from Nick Anselmi, and a pin from Luke Anselmi.

With three bouts to go the Bobcats were down by 17 and needed three six point victories to capture the title. Tom Rigas kept hope alive when he scored a fall over Zack Quinn in the 137 pound bout. However, the Bobcats hope of sending the match into criteria ended when Sam Dafina was not able to bring Patriot 147 pounder Jack Bradley to his back, losing 6-0.

The victory helped the Patriots secure a 45-43 victory and the New Jersey Youth Wrestling League Southern Division Championship. The Patriots finished the season a perfect 11-0 and also had four wrestlers finish the season with undefeated records.

Kaya Sement, the Patriots 60 pound grappler finished the season 11-0 as did 123 pound wrestler Nick Anselmi. Also finishing the season undefeated were 85 pounder Teax Armijo and 109 pounder Troy Navarino who each finished the season a perfect 10-0 to help lead the Patriots to an undefeated season.

Mendham Patriots 45 vs. Hanover Twp Bobcats 43

50 – Will Schlegel, fall, Dean Savercool

55 – Christ DeRinzo, fall, Larry Melchionda

60 – Kaya Sement, fall, Sean Savercool

65 – Alexander Schlegel, fall, Alex Strashinsky

70 – Kamal Brown, dec, Nicky Cabanillas

75 – Gage Armijo, dec, Matthew Karovic

80 – John Cumming, maj, -- Ricky Cabanillas

85 – Teax Armijo, fall, Tim Dalgauer

90 – Thomas Masucci, dec, Antonio Bellomo

96 – Christopher Schlegel, fall, David Paine

102 – Chris Poulinec, fall, Michael Norton

109 – Troy Navarino, dec, Carman DelloRusso

116 – Harrison Maurer, fall, DJ Norton

123 – Nick Anselmi, dec, Aiden Monteverdi

130 – Luke Anselmi, fall, Chris Salvatore

137 – Zack Quinn, fall, Tom Rigas

147 – Jack Bradley, dec, Sam Dafina

HWT – Sport Matthews, default, Colin Fitzsimmons