POMPTON LAKES – Some things never change.
Not even the music.
One generation after the other has run out of the tunnel to the same song under the watchful eye of coach Stan Woods to carry out a proud tradition.
This year has been no different.
Emerson/Park Ridge (23-0) defended its conference title at the second annual NJIC championship with a resounding 64-9 victory over Pompton Lakes on Wednesday night. The Cavos recorded nine pins and won all but two rounds to move within one match of the first undefeated regular season in Woods’ 51-year career. The only thing missing was the booming sound of “Born to Be Wild” that’s played before home events since 1976.
“Nothing changes,” Woods said. “The kids, they don’t change.”
Some schools and sports just go hand-in-hand, and wrestling at Emerson/Park Ridge has always been one of those perfect fits. Yet even the Cavos don’t get teams like this very often. Woods said he’s never had a lineup as deep before, one that didn’t have any holes. His team won the first eight bouts on Wednesday and wasn’t scored upon once in the first seven
It was just one wave after another.
“We don’t have any weaknesses on our team,” said John Garda, a winner at 170. “This is in my opinion the best team that we’ve ever had because of the dedication we show. Every kid shows up early to practice. Every kid works and lifts and nobody takes any day off. We work to be the best. And we’re working for a state championship this year.”
Garda has been a welcome addition to the lineup. The senior, who started his career at Bergen Catholic, missed about a month early in the season with a concussion that kept him out of the BCCA tournament. But he hasn’t lost since coming back and went to 17-0 with a 9-2 decision against Pompton Lakes’ Ramon Hernandez.
“He’s brought a lot of impact,” senior Shane Carcich said. “That’s my boy right there. I know how he’s going to do out there every time. He’ll be aggressive. That’s the type of kid he is. He’ll do anything for this team. He’ll wrestle the tougher kids out there to get a win if we need him to.”
The Cavos started out hot in the championship with an immediate takedown by Logan Mazzeo in the first match, a sign of things to come. Mazzeo pinned his opponent at 120 and then saw Caiden Brouwer, Matt Daub and Luke Mazzeo follow suit.
“Once our first guy goes out and gets a pin, we’re so excited,” Garda said. “We just keep on striving to get pin after pin after pin and get as many team points on the board.”
Emerson/Park Ridge knows a rematch with Pompton Lakes could be coming. The Cavos could host the Cardinals in the North 1, Group 1 final if each of the top two seeds can advance.
And if they do, the sound of Steppenwolf will be playing for all to hear.
“It feels great,” Carcich said. “This is just a little piece of what we have to go for this year because obviously we want to get back to Toms River and win the big prize. We have to take it one step at a time and we’re doing a good job at that. Seeing one win after another tonight just shows how dominant we are.”
NJIC final
EMERSON 64, POMPTON LAKES 9
120: Logan Mazzeo (E) p. Connor Krewer (P) 2:27; 126: Caiden Brouwer (E) p. Ilir Istrefi (P) 3:33; 132: Matt Daub (E) p. Caleb Tucker (P) 2:43; 138: Luke Mazzeo (E) p. Justin Johnstone (P) 1:34; 145: David DiBella (E) d. Nick Secor (P) 6-0; 152: Jonah Schechtman (E) p. Brandon Jenkins (P) 4:47; 160:Connor Hughes (E) p. Nate Tucker (P) 0:47; 170: John Garda (E) d. Ramone Hernandez (P) 9-2; 182: Logan Mahoney (P) d. Eran Kinsey (E) 6-2; 195: Zach Lewis (E) m.d. Frank Negrini (P) 10-2; 220: Shane Carcich (E) p. Bishoy Yacoub (P) 2:53; 285: Drew Flynn (P) p. (E) 1:53; 106: Danny Cerbone (E) p. Ryan Almeida (P) 3:36; 113: Nick Babin (E) p. Allan Devies (P) 0:35
