Determination leads Mongelli to milestone

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff South River's Adam Mongelli talks with fellow wrestlers before matches begin at the District 20 Division Wrestling Tournament held at South Brunswick High School Feb. 20 Adam Mongelli is proof that "mind over matter" isn't just an expression. When asked what he did to become South River's all-time career winner in wrestling matches, Mongelli pointed to his head.

"It all starts here," said the senior, who surpassed Tom Noto's 112 career total earlier this month, and currently has 117 wins. "You have to develop the mindset that you can beat your opponent, no matter who it is."

And it is that belief in himself that Mongelli carries into this weekend's Region 5 Tournament at Hunterdon Central, prelude to the State Finals. As the District 20 135-pound champion, which he captured this past weekend at South Brunswick, Mongelli is seeded second and was to find out his opponent following Tuesday's Pre-Regions. Whoever it is, Mongelli will be ready, both mentally and physically, even if it's top seeded Tom Hogan of J.F. Kennedy.

Mongelli walks off the mat after winning his first match of the evening. "I'm not looking ahead," said Mongelli, "but we met in the Greater Middlesex ConferenceTournament and he (Hogan) beat me 3-1. It was a match I know I should have won. If we meet again, I'm not going to let the fact I lost to him affect my confidence."

That's practical application of the most valuable lesson Mongelli has learned, one he believes will serve him well in the few matches remaining in his high school career. As the only South River wrestler to win four District titles, Mongelli will compete in his fourth Region 5 Tournament and is confident his past experience will give him a major advantage.

"When you've been there before and wrestled with everything on the line," Mongelli said, "you know what to expect and you won't be distracted by the crowd yelling and screaming. My focus will be totally on beating my opponent."

That is something Mongelli has done frequently this season as evidenced by his 30-3 record. And it has taken more than just a mental approach to the sport.

"Wrestling requires dedication, hard work and a lot of practice," he said. "I may take off a few weeks after the high school season but after that, I'm back on the mat. I'm a one-sport athlete so I devote everything to wrestling."

Mongelli's South River career started as a freshman in the lowest weight class, 103 pounds. He advanced to 112 pounds as a sophomore, capturing third in the Regions to go along with his District Title. Last year, he finished second in the Regions and managed to make the State Tournament before bowing out. Mongelli is hoping…make that expecting… his experience will elevate him to greater things in this, his last season as a high school wrestler.

Mongelli is quick to point out that while wrestling for the Rams has been important to his development, his association with the Central Jersey Annihilators in New Brunswick has taught him even more.

"Wrestling with the CJA has put me light years ahead of where I might have been if I just wrestled in high school," said Mongelli. "Besides the techniques I've learned from Gene Lezark, our coach, I've been put up against some quality wrestlers like Joe McAuley from Bishop Ahr (District 19 140-pound champion) and even Tom (Noto) who still competes."

Once he graduates from South River, Mongelliwill continue wrestling in college. He has received a sizable scholarship to Division III Delaware Valley in Doylestown, Pa., where he will join the Aggies' powerhouse team.

Because Del Val is located about 60 miles from South River, Mongelli will continue to receive support from those nearest and dearest to him—his family.

"My father (Charles) and mother (Janet) and my brother (Mark) and sister (Christine) have been with me all the way," he said. "If I needed to go to wrestling camps, my Dad would make sure we had money to pay for them. My Mom was always making sure I ate right and my sister is one of my biggest fans and is at all the matches. And as far as my brother is concerned, he pushed me is hard as anyone. I really do owe them a lot for my success on the mat."

And that is why Adam Mongelli hopes….or rather…..expects his success to continue this weekend, and beyond.