UNION – Matthew Savino made placing third a memory he will cherish the rest of his life.
Although the Cranford junior grappler did not win the heavyweight championship, his third-place finish – which was came on the final bout of the day – clinched a fourth straight county title for his Cougars.
When Savino pinned Summit senior Dan Cambronero in the middle of the second period of their third-place heavyweight bout, the loudest roar of the day was let out by jubilant Cranford wrestlers, coaches and fans immediately connected to mat No. 4 at Union’s Louis J. Rettino Gymnasium.
Savino’s win enabled Cranford to catapult over Roselle Park and give the Cougars their fourth consecutive Union County Tournament championship.
Cranford captured Saturday’s 43rd annual UCT by edging second-place Roselle Park 187-185. The Panthers also finished second last year after third-place finishes behind Gov. Livingston in 2015 and 2016. Roselle Park last won the team title in 2014 and 2013 after Brearley won the crown seven straight seasons (2006-2012).
Cranford and Roselle Park will meet in Union County Conference-Watchung Division action Wednesday night at Roselle Park.
Savino and Cambronero, wrestling each other for the first time, both stayed on their feet in the first two minutes, which went scoreless. Savino then picked up a point in the first minute of the second period and then, with his Cranford faithful behind him, went for it.
“From top I wanted to get him down as quickly as possible,” Savino said. “This feels awesome.”
Savino first pinned Dan Olenick of Johnson in 3:13 and was then defeated by Vladimir Lee of Rahway 7-3 in the semifinals.
Savino then pinned Marion-Jan Afante of Union in 4:55 to advance to the third-place bout. There he halted Cambronero, also in a time recorded at 3:13.
The Outstanding Wrestler awards went to Union County’s state-ranked wrestlers, both of them winning a second straight (and overall) county championship.
Roselle Park junior Mark Montgomery, the 126 champion, was the OW for the lower weights (106-145). Montgomery finished second at 106 his freshman season two years ago and last year captured the 113 title.
Montgomery is presently ranked eighth in the state at 126.
Scotch Plains senior Sam Wustefeld, the 195 champ, was the OW for the upper weights (152-HWT). Wustefeld finished third at 170 his sophomore season two years ago and last year captured the 182 crown.
Wustefeld is presently the top-ranked wrestler in the state at 195.
Montgomery and Wustefeld won their championships – this year and last -both as top seeds.
Eleven of the top seeds went on to win championships. One placed third, one fourth and one fifth.
Second-time winners included Westfield sophomore Luke Hoerle, Montgomery, Rahway junior Rhise Royster and Wustefeld.
Hoerle is half way to becoming Westfield’s first four-time champion.
Also in 2016, Royster placed third at 120.
The 2018 champions were spread out, with winners from nine different schools.
Second-place Roselle Park had the most champions with four, while fourth-place Westfield and sixth-place Gov. Livingston produced two. Four-peat champion Cranford was one of six schools with one.
UNION WRESTLERS WHO PLACED (3):
160: Giovanni Zuena, sophomore, 6th
220: Bobby Emmanuel, senior, 2nd
HWT: Marion-Jan Afante, senior, 5th
NOTES: Smith just won his 100th match.
Cranford, in its 61st season, produced team victory No. 600 on Dec. 20, winning 74-6 at New Providence.
Roselle Park begins the week with 998 wins. The Panthers are scheduled to host Cranford in a big Union County Conference-Watchung Division match Wednesday night and will then tangle at Scotch Plains Friday night.
Roselle Park, which earlier this year also captured its own nine-team Panther Invitational by outscoring West Essex 186-183, will be wrestling in Bergen County next Saturday at Waldwick.
Westfield begins the week leading the Watchung Division at 3-0 and 3-3 overall. Cranford is second at 1-0 and 5-1 overall and Roselle Park is third at 0-0 and is 9-1 overall. Scotch Plains is fifth at 0-1 and is 7-3 overall.
Roselle Park hosts fourth-place GL (0-1, 7-1) the night of Jan. 24.
Linden leads the UCC’s Mountain Division at 3-0 and is 5-1 overall. Rahway is second at 2-0 and is also 5-1 overall.
2018 UCT WRESTLING
OUTSTANDING WRESTLER LOWER WEIGHTS (106-145):
Mark Montgomery, Roselle Park, junior, 126
OUTSTANDING WRESTLER UPPER WEIGHTS (152-HWT):
Sam Wustefeld, Scotch Plains, senior, 195
T. RALPH “PUG” WILLIAMS AWARD:
Linda Ionta, Union Athletic Director
THESE WERE THE TOP SEEDS:
106: CJ Composto, Westfield, sophomore
Won his first championship.
113: Luke Hoerle, Westfield, sophomore
Won his second championship.
120: Matt Armamento, Roselle Park, senior
Won his first championship.
126: Mark Montgomery, Roselle Park, junior
Won his second championship.
132: Jon Mejia, Roselle Park, senior
Won his first championship.
138: Greg Friedenberg, Gov. Livingston, junior
Placed fifth.
145: Rhise Royster, Rahway, junior
Won his second championship.
152: James Snyder, Gov. Livingston, junior
Won his first championship.
160: Owen Smith, New Providence, senior
Won his first championship.
170: Quinn Haddad, Gov. Livingston, senior
Won his first championship.
182: Devin Hilburn, Roselle Park, senior
Placed third.
195: Sam Wustefeld, Scotch Plains, senior
Won his second championship.
220: Bobby Mount, Scotch Plains, senior
Placed fourth.
HWT: Christian Schajon, Plainfield, senior
Won his first championship.
FINALS:
TEAMS: 1-Cranford 187. 2-Roselle Park 185. 3-Rahway 160.5. 4-Westfield 121.
5-Scotch Plains 111.5. 6-Gov. Livingston 102.5. 7-Elizabeth 84. 8-Plainfield 81.
9-Linden 71. 10-Brearley and New Providence 52. 12-Union 50.
13-Johnson and Summit 42.
INDIVIDUALS:
106: CJ Composto, Westfield, tech. fall Patrick Phillips, Brearley, 18-3.
113: Luke Hoerle, Westfield, dec. John Ojeda, Linden, 9-4.
120: Matt Armamento, Roselle Park, pin Chris Dalmau, Rahway, 1:44.
126: Mark Montgomery, Roselle Park, tech. fall Luke DiGiovanni, Cranford, 17-2.
132: Jon Mejia, Roselle Park, major dec. Stephano DelValle, Linden, 16-6.
138: Josh Mejia, Roselle Park, dec. Conor Halpin, Cranford, 2-1.
145: Rhise Royster, Rahway, dec. Jake Cannon, Scotch Plains, 7-1.
152: James Snyder, Gov. Livingston, dec. Elvin Guerrero, Roselle Park, 3-1.
160: Owen Smith, New Providence, dec. Isaiah Reese, Westfield, 3-0.
170: Quinn Haddad, Gov. Livingston, pin Nick Palazzolo, Scotch Plains, 3:49.
182: Sebastian Iakouchevitch, Johnson, dec. Emilio Cordova, Rahway, 7-1.
195: Sam Wustefeld, Scotch Plains, pin Dylan Budnik, Cranford, 3:56.
220: Bobby Schork, Cranford, dec. Bobby Emmanuel, Union, 6-4.
HWT: Christian Chajon, Plainfield, pin Vladimir Lee, Rahway, 4:22.
THIRD
106: Gabe Leo, Roselle Park
113: Kaelan Francois, Rahway
120: Johnny Cruz, Plainfield
126: Jeremy Silber, Westfield
132: Dean Smith, Cranford
138: Walter Pineda, Plainfield
145: Tyler Bohm, Johnson
152: AJ Bencivenga, Cranford
160: Malachi dye, Elizabeth
170: Abel Crespo, Roselle Park
182: Devin Hilburn, Roselle Park
195: Jack Hedges, Summit
220: Lawan Harris, Elizabeth
HWT: Matthew Savino, Cranford
FOURTH
106: Jimmy Gluck, Cranford
113: Harrison Kelly, Gov. Livingston
120: Patrick Kalnins, Cranford
126: David Vill, Gov. Livingston
132: Marcelo Laygo, Gov. Livingston
138: Antonio Santoni, Rahway
145: Luke Scanlan, Westfield
152: Alex Dorce, Linden
160: Kyell Roper, Cranford
170: Samond Hayes, Elizabeth
182: Joe Delia, New Providence
195: Shimei Paige, Rahway
220: Bobby Mount, Scotch Plains
HWT: Dan Cambronero, Summit
FIFTH
106: Randolph Manongsong, Rahway
113: Will Fernandez, Cranford
120: Quinn Gimblette, Westfield
126: Jeremy Lenart, Scotch Plains
132: Jason Moreno, Elizabeth
138: Greg Friedenberg, Gov. Livingston
145: Dylan Camilo, Roselle Park
152: Shaeed Greene, Plainfield
160: John Braun, Brearley
170: Sam Dorielan, Rahway
182: Michael Afolabi, Linden
195: Brendan Loder, Westfield
220: Joshua Darisme, Rahway
HWT: Marion-Jan Afante Union
SIXTH
106: Christian Lunza, Elizabeth
113: Rebecca Pizuto, Brearley
120: Christopher Candelario, Elizabeth
126: Jagger Kebea, Brearley
132: Jacob Perone, Scotch Plains
138: Kevin Bazan, Elizabeth
145: Skyler Frye, Plainfield
152: Nacobi Collins, Rahway
160: Giovanni Zuena, Union
170: McRae Nkellefack, Plainfield
182: Alex Oslislo, Scotch Plains
195: Sebastian Morales, Linden
220: Nick Mellusi, Summit
HWT: Dan Olenick, Johnson
TEAMS WITH CHAMPIONS (9):
ROSELLE PARK (4): Matt Armamento 120, Mark Montgomery 126,
Jon Mejia 132, Josh Mejia 138.
WESTFIELD (2): CJ Composto 106, Luke Hoerle 113.
GOV. LIVINGSTON (2): James Snyder 152, Quinn Haddad 170.
RAHWAY (1): Rhise Royster 145.
NEW PROVIDENCE (1): Owen Smith 160.
JOHNSON (1): Sebastian Iakouchevitch 182.
SCOTCH PLAINS (1): Sam Wustefeld, 195.
CRANFORD (1): Bobby Schork 220.
PLAINFIELD (1): Christian Chajon, HWT.
REPEAT CHAMPIONS (4):
Luke Hoerle, Westfield, 113 – also won at 106 last year
Mark Montgomery, Roselle Park, 126 – also won at 113 last year
Rhise Royster, Rahway, 145 – also won at 126 last year
Sam Wustefeld, Scotch Plains, 195 – also won at 182 last year
2019 RETURNING CHAMPIONS (7):
106: CJ Composto, Westfield, sophomore
113: Luke Hoerle, Westfield, sophomore
126: Mark Montgomery, Roselle Park, junior
145: Rhise Royster, Rahway, junior
152: James Snyder, Gov. Livingston, junior
182: Sebastian Iakouchevitch, Johnson, junior
220: Bobby Schork, Cranford, junior
TEAM CHAMPIONS
FROM 2018 TO 1990:
2018: Cranford
2017: Cranford
2016: Cranford
2015: Cranford
2014: Roselle Park
2013: Roselle Park
2012: Brearley
2011: Brearley
2010: Brearley
2009: Brearley
2008: Brearley
2007: Brearley
2006: Brearley
2005: Rahway
2004: Scotch Plains
2003: Roselle Park
2002: Roselle Park
2001: Roselle Park
2000: Roselle Park
1999: Roselle Park
1998: Roselle Park
1997: Roselle Park
1996: Rahway
1995: Rahway
1994: Union
1993: Roselle Park
1992: Roselle Park
1991: Union
1990: Westfield
4-TIME CHAMPIONS (8):
2 from Union, 2 from Roselle Park,
1 from Rahway, 2 from Brearley, 1 from Cranford
Larry Guarino, Union, class of 1988
1985: 158 final: maj. dec. Ken Weeks of Summit 13-2
1986: 158 final: defeated Tony Coleman of Westfield
1987: 170 final: dec. Jim O’Donnell of Cranford 4-0
1988: 171 final: defeated Randy Wojcik of Westfield
Dave Bubnowski, Union, class of 1996
1993 – won championship at 103
1994 – won championship at 103
1995: 121 final: dec. Bill Crecca of Roselle Park 5-4
1996 – won championship at 135
Craig Frost, Roselle Park, class of 1999
1996: 103 final: dec. Shawn Stueber of Rahway 10-4.
1997: 112 final: maj. dec. Rich Sachsel of New Providence, 21-8.
1998: 130 final: dec. Shawn Stueber of Rahway, 6-0.
1999: 135 final: pinned Jeff Bubnowski of Union in 2:48.
Dan Appello, Roselle Park, class of 2002
1999: 103 final: dec. Dare Ajibade of Union , 8-3
2000: 112 final: tech. fall Tom McDermott of Johnson 21-6 (3:08).
2001: 119 final: maj. dec. William Banks of Elizabeth, 17-5.
2002: 125 final: dec. William Banks of Elizabeth 11-4.
Darrion Caldwell, Rahway, class of 2006
2003: 103 final: pin Rob Mench of Westfield in 1:05.
2004: 119 final: pin Ross Baldwin of New Providence in 2:44.
2005: 135 final: pin Steve Mineo of Scotch Plains in :54.
2006: 160 final: pin Hany Elshiekh of Brearley in 1:26.
Jesse Boyden, Brearley, class of 2008
2005: 215 final: dec. Julio Loperena of Linden, 10-4.
2006: 215 final: pin Trevor Martin of New Providence in :43.
2007: 215 final: major dec. Richard Tabor of Elizabeth, 12-3.
2008: 215 final: dec. Mike Lefano of Roselle Park, 5-2.
Kenny Knapp, Brearley, class of 2009
2006: 103 final: pin Juan Herrera of Rahway, 3:46.
2007: 103 final: pin Anthony Casselli of Roselle Park, 4:23.
2008: 119 final: pin Anthony Zangari of Roselle Park, 3:40.
2009: 130 final: maj. dec. John Barnes of Westfield, 9-1.
Tom DiGiovanni, Cranford, class of 2017
2014: 113 final: dec. Philip Angelo, Summit, 2-1
2015: 120 final: dec. Carmine Boccellari, New Providence, 5-0.
2016: 120 final: dec. Nic Mele, Gov. Livingston, 4-3
(3-3 UTB – Ultimate Tie Breaker)
2017: 138 final: dec. Philip Angelo, Summit, 2-1
CRANFORD COUGARS:
Head coach: Pat Gorman
Assistants: Justin Bonitatis, Matt DiGiovanni
Wrestlers:
106-Jimmy Gluck
113-Will Fernandez
120-Pat Kalnins
126-Luke DiGiovanni
132-Dean Smith
138-Conor Halpin
145-Evan Kanterman
152-AJ Bencivenga
160-Kyell Roper
170-Matt Doran
182-Zach Blevins
195-Dylan Budnik
220-Bobby Schork
HWT-Matt Savino
BREAREY BEARS:
Head coach: Dave Nichols
Assistants: Anthony Madonia, Allen Phillips
Wrestlers:
106-Patrick Phillips
113-Rebecca Pizuto
120-Frank Silva
126-Jagger Kebea
132-Nick Stampoulis
138-Pat Machado
145-Andrew Cherego
152-Kyle Lynaugh
160-John Brown
170-Rick Middleton
220-Ciaran Dougherty
HWT-Niko Perez
ELIZABETH MINUTEMEN:
Head coach: Ishmael Medley
Assistants: Roberto Cerbone, Akeem Jackson,
Michael Luna
Wrestlers:
106-Christian Lunza
113-Jakov Zamora
120-Christopher Candelario
126-Lyle Turner
132-Jason Moreno
138-Kevin Bazan
145-Ruben Martinez
152-Jeremy Cruz
160-Malachi Dye
170-Samond Hayes
182-Jesse Fornes
195-Nour Sayed
220-Lawaan Harris
HWT-Donald Stewart
GOV. LIVINGSTON HIGHLANDERS:
Head coach: Rick Ortega
Assistants: Joe Giaccio, Shane Haddad,
Dan Hill, Rusty Ortega, Mike Stepien
Wrestlers:
113-Harrison Kelly
120-Chris Savino
126-David Vill
132-Marcelo Laygo
138-Greg Friedenberg
145-Connor Vill
152-James Snyder
160-Joe Scalora
170-Quinn Haddad
220-Mike Magliacano
HWT-Damon Ippolito
JOHNSON CRUSADERS:
Head coach: Michael Siter
Assistants: Wytt Bohn, Sean McQueeny,
Chris Roberts
Wrestlers:
106-Jason Duffy
113-James Lordi
126-CJ Sona
132-Chris Manning
138-Chris Fuschetto
145-Tyler Bohm
152-Dylan Fower
160-Joe Concina
170-Omar Morales
182-Sebastian Iakouchevitch
195-Jordan Downey
220-Griff Jones
HWT-Dan Olenick
LINDEN TIGERS:
Head coach: Alvaro Fernandez
Assistants: Allen Hay, Anthony Reinoso,
Rudy Valentino
Wrestlers:
113-John Ojeda
126-Jose Gonzalez
132-Stephano DelValle
138-Aldo Angeles
145-Kenny Rosenbaum
152-Alex Dorce
160-Kevin Hodge
170-Jonathan Rivera
182-Michael Afalabi
195-Sebastian Morales
220-Nelson Valente
HWT-Alex Crespo
NEW PROVIDENCE PIONEERS:
Head coach: Shane Mallory
Assistants: Arlen Mase, Jon Reedy
Wrestlers:
106-Jack Wichtendahl
145-Omar Elshamy
152-Owen Smith
160-Chad Burton
182-Joe Delia
195-Nadeem Elmahroukey
PLAINFIELD CARDINALS:
Head coach: Will Dodd
Assistants: Brian McCrystal, Antenor Petitfrere,
Keith Young.
Wrestlers:
113-Tylik Epps
120-Johnny Cruz
132-Luis Sevilla
138-Walter Pineda
145-Skyler Frye
152-Shaeed Greene
160-Ryan Pernell
182-Daniel Hernandez
HWT-Christian Chajon
RAHWAY INDIANS:
Head coach: Fred Stueber
Assistants: Jesse Campanelli, Tony Delmau,
Antonio Garay, Dan Garay, Javier Gonzalez,
Jabari Shultz, Ed Spatola
Wrestlers:
106-Randolph Mamongsong
113-Kaelan Francois
120-Chris Dalmau
126-Suipai Varela
132-Antonio Dalmau
138-Antonio Santoni
145-Rhise Royster
152-Nacobi Collins
160-Jason Winters
170-Sam Dorielan
182-Emilio Cordova
195-Shimei Paige
220-Joshua Darisme
HWT-Vladimir Lee
ROSELLE PARK PANTHERS:
Head coach: Ryan Rooney
Assistants: Keith Appello, Connor Gabriel,
Mike Goff, Rich Greco
Wrestlers:
106-Gabe Leo
113-Danny Luc
120-Matt Armamento
126-Mark Montgomery
132-Jon Mejia
138-Josh Mejia
145-Dylan Camilo
152-Elvin Guerrero
160-Jefferson Garcia
170-Abel Crespo
182-Devin Hilburn
195-Ryan Urban
220-Sean Matthews
SCOTCH PLAINS RAIDERS:
Head coach: John Scholz
Assistants: Will Harden, Jesse Martinez
Wrestlers:
106-Kyle Rigney
113-Mike Fleck
120-Jeremy Lenart
126-Justin Sidebottom
132-Jake Perone
138-Bobby Root
145-Jack Cannon
152-Mike Ramos
160-Zach Fleischman
170-Nick Palazzolo
182-Alex Oslislo
195-Sam Wustefeld
220-Bobby Mount
HWT-Walter Thomas
SUMMIT HILLTOPPERS:
Head coach: Mike Sandor
Assistants: Nick Abbott, Pete Connelly,
Nate Huddleston, Matt Samansky, Jim Tweed
Wrestlers:
106-Palmer Shikanyt
113-Chris DiSibio
126-Evan Koniaris
138-Zephaniah Lang-Davilla
145-Nkozi Abdur-Rahman
152-Justin James
160-Dante Haver
170-Landon Dixon
182-Jack Hedges
195-Jose Morales
220-Nick Mellusi
HWT-Dan Cambronero
UNION FARMERS:
Head coach: Dino DeBellonia
Assistants: Dan DeBarbieri, Bob Mautone
Wrestlers:
113-Liam Grahl
120-Quinn Costabile
126-Mike Cross
132-Elijah Waldron
138-Mike Weber
145-Abood Ondeh
152-Christian Rodriguez
160-Giovanni Zuena
182-Eliab Evangelista
195-Dan Tosses
220-Bobby Emmanuel
HWT-Marion-Jan Afante
WESTFIELD BLUE DEVILS:
Head coach: Glen Kurz
Assistants: John Bury, John Cheddar,
Dan MacDonald
Wrestlers:
106-CJ Composto
113-Luke Hoerle
120-Quinn Gimblette
126-Jeremey Silber
145-Luke Scanlan
152-Jordan Simpson
160-Isaiah Reese
170-Jim Miller
182-Russ Weber
195-Brendan Loder
220-Matt Dante