Bill Jacoutot sighed and thought about what might be if he could coach Sam Emburgia and Marc Tyson just one more year.

Above: Monroe High Scool’s Sam Emburgia (top) grapples with Mike Morales of Brick Memorial in their 135-poiund quarterfinal match at the NJSIAA state wrestling tournament held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City March 5-7. Morales lost by a decision to Morales but came back to place third. Right: Monroe High School’s Marc Tyson looks for the best angle to attack DePaul Catholic’s A.J. Mott during their 215-pound quarterfinal match. Tyson ended up beating Mott for fifth place in their weight class. “I wish these guys were not graduating,” said the first-year Monroe Township High School coach about the senior pair who medaled in the recent NJSIAA state wrestling championships. “I would have loved to see what they accomplish.”

So, too, would Emburgia and Tyson, who placed third and fifth respectively in the championships held in front of large weekend crowds, March 5-7, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Emburgia’s third-place consolation victory in the 135-pound class was a pin in 3:59 over South Plainfield’s Nick Heilmann was a bittersweet moment. This was the fourth trip to A.C. for Emburgia, who had but one victory to show for his efforts in his first three appearances. However, as his coach pointed out, Emburgia started “feeling it” at the right time this year and emerged as a threat by nailing his first opponent, Justin Estevez of Livingston, in 2:30.NextwasBrickMemorial’sMikeMorales, who had edged Emburgia during a holiday tournament earlier in the season. By the slightest of margins, 3-2, Morales prevailed, sending Emburgia to the consolation round.

As is sometimes the case in wrestlebacks, competitors lose their edge, which can be the difference between winning and losing. However, Emburgia seemed energized and shut out Eric Hamrick of Collingswood, 5-0, then edged Ken Brophy of Freehold Township, 3-2, and finished by pinning Heilmann to capture the third-place trophy. The win was significant in that Hielmann had beaten Emburgia three times, twice this season.

“When you’re on a roll,” said Jacoutot, “you find ways to overcome difficult situations, and Sam was certainly in a zone. I know he wasn’t totally satisfied not winning it all, but to rebound like this was a good feeling. He may be done with high school wrestling but he’s not finished with the sport.”

Emburgia, who finished with a 36-5 record, has been recruited and accepted an offer to attend Newberry College located near Columbia, S.C.

Tyson is another wrestler who could have benefited from more eligibility. A relatively unknown in the tough 215-pound weight class, the All-GMC linebacker proved he could also wrestle with his fifth-place finish.

“Marc always had the physical ability,” Jacoutot said. “But we needed some time to get on the same page. He had to adapt to a new set of rules on how we practiced and was managed. I know he believed in what I had to say about his preparation and I think the results exemplify his commitment.”

Tyson’s performance in the states underscored his attitude. His first bout was a 9-7 overtime victory over Mike Pacitti of West Deptford. That led to a quarterfinal match with A.J. Mott of DePaul. The bout was a nip and tuck affair but the North Jersey wrestler prevailed, 3-2. That relegated Tyson to the wrestlebacks.

His first victory was via default over Hackensack’s Jonathan Price as the match was halted after 57 seconds. Tyson then met Wall’s Andrew Marr and edged the Monmouth County wrestler, 2-1. The Falcon senior finally ran out of gas and dropped a 10-1 decision to William Smith of High Point, then earned his fifth-place trophy with an impressive 5-1 victory over Mott whom he met again.

Tyson’s victory enabled him to finish his season with a team best 37-4 record. According to Jacoutot, Tyson is undecided about college but with his success playing football, could be headed in that direction.