Day 2 of the Bergen County Coaches Association wrestling tournament is where champions are made.
While Pascack Valley didn't have any champions, the Indians weren't far off. Three PV wrestlers, Matt Beyer (132), Robbie Natelli (120), and Casey Lewis (182), all advanced to the second day of the county tournament, which meant all were guaranteed a top eight medal in their respective weight classes. Beyer and Lewis placed third, while Natelli finished sixth. The same three wrestlers were PV's placewinners in the tournament a year ago, too, and all three improved upon their finishes, as Beyer took fifth at the same weight class a year ago, Lewis took fifth at 170, and Natelli took eighth at 113. Beyer, a sophomore, was the one of the three PV wrestlers who was alive in the winners bracket at the beginning of the day before settling for third in the 132-pound bracket. He went 2-1 on the day, including a tough semifinal bout which he lost 5-4 in overtime rideouts against senior Jordan Robinson of Garfield, the top seed and eventual champion. Robinson, a runner-up in this tourney last year at 120 who finished one win shy of placing in last year's state tournament, appeared to be tiring late, but Beyer couldn't take advantage. Robinson's opponent in the final, Phil Ruiz of Becton, had to forfeit the match due to injury. "Matty wrestled a great match. A few things that we were hoping would go our way toward the end didn't," coach Tom Gallione said. "There's a lot to build off of for later in on the year. I'm sure they'll see each other again."
Beyer was then able to rebound and win his next two bouts by scores of 9-1 and 7-2, respectively. It was his victory in the final bout that won Beyer third place, topping Daniel Nelson of Mahwah. Casey Lewis took fourth place in the 182-pound bracket and also went 2-1 on the day. He beat Garfield's Anthony LaDuca 1-0 to get to the third place bout.
Lewis, a junior, also beat Don Bosco's Luke Chakonis by a score of 5-0.
In the third place bout, Lewis went up against Emerson/Park Ridge's Zach Lewis, whom he lost to 9-5 in a dual meet last week. Again, it was Zach Lewis that emerged victorious, though Casey Lewis put up a good fight and narrowed the margin from a week ago.
Natelii, a junior, took home sixth place after a tough 4-3 loss to Gianni Manginelli of Dumont.
A 7-0 loss to Trent Furman of Westwood sent Natelli into the fifth-place bout.
"It's been a good tournament overall. As far as today's standpoint, they wrestled tough," Gallione said. 'There were a few tough losses in the semis, but overall a lot of good stuff."
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AuthorJeremy Lesserson Archives
February 2017
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