H.S. wrestling: Pompton Lakes advances to sectional final

MARKO GEORGIEV/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER:   Pompton Lakes freshman Nick Secor, front, was able to get a key fall in his match against Brett Seidner, back, of Cresskill.

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CRESSKILL — This time there was a major reversal of fortune for Pompton Lakes. The Cardinals came out aggressively and confidently, led by two big pins in the lower weights and a key triumph by decision at 182 as they defeated Cresskill, 47-26, in a North 1, Group 1 semifinal in the state team tournament on Wednesday night.

Pompton Lakes, which lost to Cresskill two weeks ago, 42-25, in an NJIC Division 3 match on Jan. 27, advances to the sectional final on Friday night. The Cardinals, the defending champions in North 1, Group 1, will travel to Sussex County to take on top-seeded Kittatinny, an 53-13 victor over fourth seeded Butler, for the sectional title.

“The last time it was a different story, we made some adjustments and they worked pretty well,” said Pompton Lakes coach Scott Mahoney.

“If one match has a flip of a pin it can mean 12 points difference and tonight there were a few of those that worked in our favor. Cresskill is a very tough team and we learned a little something from last time and our boys really came out hungry and raring to go tonight.”