By JJ Conrad / staff writer – Record Sports
HACKENSACK — He is a reigning state runner-up and one of just two returning BCCA George Jockish Holiday Tournament champions. But good luck getting Hasbrouck Heights’ Michael O’Malley to talk much about himself or his impressive list of accomplishments.
“Mickey’s a guy who’s never gonna tell anybody what he’s feeling,” Hasbrouck Heights coach Craig Messery said. “But I know he’s a competitor because I’m in that room with him every day. I know he wants to win. Whether he’s telling you, or me, or anybody that he doesn’t care… he cares.”
The humble, soft-spoken and talented Aviators’ junior star, who captured last year’s BCCA 152-pound title, cruised into this year’s Holiday tournament 160-pound semifinals on Wednesday with back-to-back, first-period pins of North Bergen’s Robert Nevarez and Ramapo’s Luke Brantly. He was on the mat for a combined 3:38 in his two victories and will meet Don Bosco’s Alec Corrao in Thursday’s semifinals.
But one of the top developing stories in this year’s event is the fact O’Malley – who took second in the state at 145 pounds last season after leading New Jersey in wins with a 46-1 record – could square off with reigning 160-pound state champion Kyle Cochran, of Paramus, in Thursday’s championship bout should both win their semifinal bouts. O’Malley said he still plans to wrestle at 152 for the state tournament, while Cochran – who reached the semifinals with a pair of second-period pins Wednesday – will remain at 160 for all major tournaments.
“I’d always rather wrestle in tournaments like this and take on good competition than wrestle somewhere else and wrestle a bunch of nobodies,” O’Malley said. “I’d rather go against better kids. For me, if I see Cochran, I’ve got nothing to lose. He’s the champion and I’m… I’m just second.”
O’Malley was one of the catalysts sparking a big day for Hasbrouck Heights, as Messery said the team’s goal is to finish as the tournament’s highest Group 1 school finisher for the third straight year. The Aviators are currently third in the overall team standings with 80 points, behind only Don Bosco (102.5) and Emerson/Park Ridge (89.5).
