‘Wrestling is Back’ At Long Branch High School

First time in seven years that Long Branch High School varsity wrestling team won the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 4 title. They beat Colts Neck 36-26, on February 12.

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.

Wednesday night, February 12, was the night that the glory days of Long Branch High School wrestling returned. The Green Wave hosted and beat Colts Neck 36-26 in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 4 Sectional finals. Their first sectional title since 2018.

Another pin victory for Long Branch High School heavyweight wrestler Nickolas Soria. Here he pins Albert Barseghyan of Colts Neck during the finals of the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 4 finals.

“I’m very proud of the team, coaches and thankful to the administration, athletic department and the board of education,” said William George, head coach of Long Branch. The gym at the high school was filled with students, parents and community members. “Having all those fans at the school cheering and encouraging our guys was a big factor in our success.”

As the top seed in the tournament, Long Branch earned the right to host the number two seed Cougars of Colts Neck. The first match of the night was filled with emotion and a questionable call.

Opening weight was 138 pounds and the Green Wave had Matthew Munson facing Michael Boraro. Boraro was winning the match in the final period with just over a minute to go. Munson attempted a takedown and Boraro put his arm out to brace himself. However, his right elbow dislocated. He walked towards his coaches as Tamyca Goff, the licensed athletic trainer for Long Branch Public Schools, ran immediately to the injured wrestler.

As Goff was making her observations, a woman dressed in medical scrubs later identified as Boraro’s mom and a registered nurse, reset the elbow. Boraro then ran back out onto the mat, and the officials continued the match. With about 15-20 seconds remaining, the elbow dislocated a second time. This time, Goff was on the phone calling for an ambulance. However, Boraro insisted on finishing his match and his coaches and officials let him finish with his elbow dislocated. Boraro beat Munson 12-10 and then left for the hospital in the ambulance.

“I can tell you that the head official for that match is one of the best or the best official in the state. He told me that it comes down to the kid and coach, and if they wanted to compete they can,” said George. That win gave the Colts Neck fans a lot to cheer about as they took a quick 3-0 lead on Long Branch. “As a coach, I would never encourage a kid to wrestle if they were injured. I just don’t think like that.”

Munson is one of seven seniors on the Green Wave squad. “He had a great match, and we’re very proud of him and how he competed,” George said. Munson could have attacked the elbow during those last seconds, but he showed great sportsmanship.

The 144-pound match had another senior for the Wave. Pedro DeSouza, who is on his first year on varsity, took a 4-2 decision over Christian Cleary. “Pedro is 3-0 on his state sectional run,” added George.

Long Branch had Javier Guzman competing at 150 pounds. Guzman is one of the talented juniors on the Wave roster. He was doing great against Matthew Anderson, who was able to roll and catch Guzman for the pin. “That was a tough loss for us. Javier is so talented and just one little mistake can change the entirety of the match. But, he will bounce back and learn from this match,” said George.

Up next for the Wave was Devon Smith, another senior at 157 pounds. “He had 17 wins as a sophomore and is extremely skilled,” George said. It didn’t take him long, 1:37, to get the pin on Brody Kaplan.

Another of the senior seven is Evan Tracey, who wrestled at 165 pounds. He faced a very skilled wrestler in Dean Natale of Colts Neck, who won the bout 13-5.

Two-time state qualifier and 175-pound Tornick Kajaia was up next for the Wave. “He started wrestling in eighth grade. He wanted to join the National Honor society and our head coach of the middle school at the time was Louis De Angelis, who told Tornick he had to go out for wrestling if he wanted to be in the National Honor Society,” said George. Kajaia has one goal on his mind according to his coach, and that is moving up on the podium in Atlantic City this year. He scored a pin at 0:57 over Nicholas Jannucci of Colts Neck.

At 190 pounds was Jesus Marino-Quionese of Long Branch. He is also a senior, who according to George only started wrestling last year as a junior. He took a 12-2 major decision over Cooper Mah.

Also weighing 190 pounds and a senior is Tyler Taylor. He went up in weight on Wednesday night and competed at 215 pounds. He scored a technical fall 19-4 win over Anthony Mariano. “Tyler’s brother, Tracey, was on our last sectional championship team in 2018,” added George.

The biggest wrestler on the Green Wave team is Nickolas Soria, a sophomore. “He has really improved over his freshman year. Most of the time the wrestlers he is facing are bigger and older. But you can’t tell Nickolas that as he has one speed, all out,” George said. Soria scored a pin at 3:43 of his match with Albert Barseghyan.

There are not many athletes in Long Branch High School history that say they won two state championships in two sports in one year. Jordan Vieira can now make that boast. He was on the state championship soccer team and won his 106-pound match against Julian Fortunato 14-10.

Colts Neck then won the next three consecutive matches. Griffin Walsh defeated Dominic Lugo 17-0 at 113 pounds. Alexis Yale beat Justin Ramos 12-4 at 120 pounds. “Aidan McVey another senior, faced the best wrestler on the Colts Neck team,” said George. Ethan Michaels was the Cougars fan favorite to score a pin. “Aidan lost 13-3, but didn’t give up the pin and points.”

With one match left, it was technically impossible for Colts Neck to win. Taking the mat at 132 pounds was Tristen Hepburn for Long Branch. He faced and beat Nicholas Zecchino 13-7, securing the 36-26 title for Long Branch.

“I tell our kids that they are not wrestling their opponents, they are wrestling their potential. We are loaded with talent,” said George. He also praised his assistant coaches, Doug Cornell, Luke Balina, Nick Visicaro, Sean Brown who were all his teammates when they wrestled for the Green Wave. Also assisting this year on the varsity level is De Angelis.

George took over the program four years ago, when his uncle and hall of fame coach, Danny George retired from coaching. Danny is now the athletic director at Bayonne High School, and was extremely happy for his nephew, who he coached in high school. “Wrestling is back at Long Branch,” said Danny George.

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