Spotswood program awaits next year’s promise

By richard jerome
Staff Writer

JERRY WOLKOWITZ Spotswood’s Josh Rivera tries to escape North Brunswick’s Chris Bellavia’s face lock during a recent match in North Brunswick.

Sure, the Spotswood High School wrestling team is only 2-10 on the year, with about eight grapplers who entered the season with no experience. But just you wait.

"This is the first time in six years that we’ve had an eighth-grade team," said head coach Tony Toto, who nevertheless has no varsity assistant. "It was cut, but now they’ve restored it."

And with a fine turnout under eighth-grade coach R.J. Dominques, the future holds some promise.

"In a couple of years, I think you’re going to see a big difference,’" Toto said.

Looking toward next week’s districts, the Chargers have had some solid performances from the more experienced wrestlers.

Junior Gene Scheicher leads the team with a 13-6 record at 145 pounds, while senior Corey Winant is 11-7 at 152, and 215-pounder Derek Vi Venzio is also 11-7 in the 215-pound class, although he sometimes moves up to heavyweight.

Senior Zack Drozd has split 16 decisions in the 160-pound group.

The rest of the team is raw and green, although all newcomers have made progress over the course of the year.

Freshman Steve Hernandez is 5-12 at 103, while at 112 another frosh, Matt Lavelle, is 3-11.

Fellow ninth-graders Artie Latzko (one victory at 119) and Josh Rivera (winless in six matches at 130; the Rams have no one at 125) both have made progress.

"Artie just completed his first full match, lasting the distance," Toto said. "And Josh has potential, but he’s in a tough class."

Sophomore Tim Dubovick, a second-year grappler, is 3-14 at 135, but has been involved in some close matches, while 4-14 freshman Andre Hage is yet another first-timer at 140 pounds.

Soph Dave Wojek, at 171, is 4-5 in his first wrestling campaign, and 189-pound Ryan Saccone (2-12) is a senior, but also new to the mats.

Spotswood’s next slated match is a quad affair at Ridge.