Almost everything was accomplished by the Cranford High School wrestling team last year. The Cougars, who finished with a 19-3 record, captured their ninth straight Union County Tournament (UCT) championship, won the District 16 title (2nd in a row), added a North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 title and followed with a Group 3 semifinal victory only to fall short of the Group 3 crown with a loss to Delsea. But this season, the Cougars also have their eyes on the Group 3 crown.
Not only did the Cougars hit the Big Trifecta last year with the UCT, District and Section crowns but they also won their third conference title in a row, recorded the program’s 700th win and earned Head Coach Pat Gorman his 200th career win.
Individually, the Cougars, who return three NJSIAATournament qualifiers including one who placed second, look to add even more to make the trip to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City (AC) and they have the tools to accomplish it.
“Our goals are to win the county, the conference, the district section and group titles! We have a lot of successful seniors on this team and we brought in 14 freshman this year that all have been wrestling throughout the PAL and middle school together. The room has a lot of potential and talent. My coaches and I are really excited for this season,” Coach Gorman expressed.
All eyes will be on senior Jordan Chapman (175-lbs), who claimed the UCT, District 16 and Region 4 titles before placing second in the 165-lb class at AC to finish with a 43-2 record. Chapman, who placed third at AC his sophomore season at 157-lbs, upped his career record to 120-11. As he did last year, Chapman will compete at the “Beast of the East”.
Junior Mike Daly, who will compete at 113-lbs, had a very good ride last season with a UCT, district and region title at 106-lbs. Daly won two bouts at AC and finished with a 36-9 record. Competing at 150-lbs, junior Luke Scholz, who was injured the first several bouts of the season, recovered to take first in the UCT at 132-lbs, second in the district and third in the region to qualify for AC where he also won two bouts. Scholz finished with a 23-6 record.
Senior Eoghan O’Hara, expected to compete at 144-lbs, grabbed the 144-lb UCT crown and the district crown to finish with a 31-8 record. Junior Joey Acinapura claimed the 190-lb crown at the districts but also placed second in the UCT at 175-lbs. Acinapura finished 29-9 and is expected to weigh in at 190-lbs.
Junior Ryder Connors, who quali- fied for AC as a freshman, also placed third in the UCT and the district at 126-lbs to finish 24-13 last year. Connors will remain at 126-lbs. Senior Dylan Jones (157-lbs) placed fourth in the UCT at 157-lbs and finished 25-15. Jones is looking to reach 100 career wins this season. Senior Louis Kruk, who placed second in the district and finished 19-14, is back at heavyweight, and according to Coach Gorman is, “vastly improved from last year.”
At 215-lbs, senior Jake Ulicki competed at 190-lbs last year and finished 9-17 and according to Coach Gorman, “helped us kick start the postseason last year with a pin to get us through Round one of the sections”. Competing at 165-lbs this season, are Owen Woodruff, who finished 11-16 at 150lbs, and senior Lucas Guitierrez who finished 7-6. Senior Brandon DiPaolo will be at 138-lbs.
Two freshmen, Darren Torsone will be at 106-lbs and Logan Murray will be at 132-lbs. At 120-lbs, Brandon Colon was a JV last year but won his wrestle offs.
The Cougars continue to beef up their schedule and will face a number of rugged opponents.
Coach Gorman explained, “We start off with hosting Immaculatta, a soon to be very successful program, with a tough lineup in only their second season on the (December) 17th, then its Roselle Park and then the ‘Beast” we are taking seven this season (Daly, Connors, O’Hara, Scholz, Dylan Jones, Jordan, and Acinapura). We are going to the Sam Cali (Tournament) after that, and then the duals will begin with a tough lineup of powerhouse teams including Phillipsburg, Ridge, Southern (all three were group champs) and Brick Memorial, St. ThomasAquinas, Del Val, Hillsborough, Old Bridge and Passaic County Tech. With those teams and GL (Governor Livingston) on our schedule I am hoping to rack up power points throughout the year with the intention of getting enough to host the sections.”
As to the individual post season, “We are hosting District 10, and this year we will be in Region 3 at West Orange. Top teams in that are Delbarton, West Morris, Caldwell, GL, Pope John and Hanover Park,” Coach Gorman said.
