Sean Farrell / NorthJersey.com
The state wrestling championships returned on Thursday with the first of three days in Atlantic City.
Two NJIC wrestlers who stood out.
Seach Hibler, Leonia/Palisades Park
Some wrestlers could be intimidated to face the top seed in their first trip to Boardwalk Hall.
Not Hibler.
The Lions’ sophomore and 16th seed took a business-as-usual approach to beat Camden Catholic favorite Sammy Spaulding, 13-7, in their second round match at 126 pounds.
Hibler was one of two male wrestlers to knock off a No. 1 seed, although the other one came by injury default. A takedown and two back points in the opening minute put some wind in Hibler’s sails.
“I was probably the most calm I’ve ever been before a match,” said Hibler, who advances to face St. Peter’s Prep’s Laudan Henry. “It’s a new place, but it’s just like every other tournament. Nothing to get nervous about. Just do what you do.”
This is Hibler’s first year as a full-time starter after going 9-3 last year while at Bergen Catholic. Hibler moved to Edgewater over the summer with his senior brother August (144), who will join him in the quarterfinals.
“We’re practice partners and we’ve been practice partners since we were very young,” Seach said. “But I’m trying to make a name for myself and not only be August Hibler’s younger brother.”
Connor Scuilla, Hasbrouck Heights
After waiting four years to wrestle on the biggest stage, Scuilla made the most of his debut in Atlantic City.
The 175-pounder scored a technical fall in the opening round, then pinned Emerson/Park Ridge’s Jacob Shannon in 59 seconds.
Scuilla, the No. 5 seed, is a Buffalo commit and the son of Hasbrouck Heights AD and former wrestling coach Mike Scuilla.
“I was a bit star-struck with all the people here,” Scuilla said. “The atmosphere is crazy. But that’s what I worked to do – to wrestle on the biggest stage possible.”
This year, Scuilla has been on a meteoric rise. He is 41-3 as a senior after losing both his region matches last winter.
“I just let my losses fuel me,” Scuilla said. “My failures last year made me work harder this year and get to where I want to be.”
