Area wrestling teams optimistic about new season

By Jason Carris; jcarris@thedailyjournal.com
Staff Writer

Buena Regional

Nine returning letterwinners, a couple of quality guys back from a year off, and a freshman class with no fewer than six potential starters.

Sounds like a winning formula. But Chiefs coach Doug Castellari is hesitant to make predictions in December.

"I think we will be in every match. I don't know how many we will win, but we'll be in every one," said Castellari, who is in his ninth year with the Chiefs.

"What is different about this group is that we haven't had in years before is that they worked together all summer as a team," Castellari added. "We went to a tournament, went to camp, we worked out at different clubs. I think it helped out and, hopefully, we can get a jumpstart on the season."

Senior Greg Maxwell headlines a balanced Chiefs lineup. He was 27-7 at 171 pounds and won the District 32 title a year ago.

Vince Cifaloglio, a senior, is back at heavyweight. After winning a district title in his first year of wrestling, Cifaloglio anchors the Chiefs lineup.

"He's much improved," Castellari said of Cifaloglio. "He knows what he is doing now."

Sophomore Ricky Wilcox was 17-7 as a freshman at 130 pounds. He injured his shoulder early last season, but came on late, finished second at districts and made a good showing at the regional.

"He is kind of hungry," Castellari said.

Two other returning starters, junior Chris Grusemeyer (119 pounds) and Greg Neder (160) will be counted on for consistent wins.

"(Neder) is bigger and worked hard all summer," Castellari said.

The Chiefs were 11-8-1 in duals last year, but missed the playoffs. Castellari beefed up his schedule, adding Cherokee and the Jackson Duals, to help with power points, but the key may be the Chiefs newcomers.

Bobby Shea (103) and Paul Zemanik (171) should be impact freshmen, while Nate Hollander (215) and Roman Castro (130) return to the lineup after a year off.

"We are balanced," Castellari said. "The hardest part is getting the lineup, the 14 weight classes. If we can do that by ... I don't think the beginning of the year, but maybe the middle, we'll be fine."

St. Augustine Prep

Keith Hoover set up scrimmages with Cherokee, Kingsway and Camden Catholic for one reason, and one reason only.

"If you want to be the best, you have to beat them, so you might as well find out where you match up," Hoover said.

A year after leading the Hermits to a 12-5 dual record and their first Group B state title in 15 years, Hoover is making no bones about his team's talent.

"We are solid," the second-year coach said.

One problem. Camden Catholic is solid, too. And the defending Group A state champs have moved down a division, into Group B.

"The road to the (Group B) championship will be in Cherry Hill," Hoover said with admiration for the Irish.

Nevertheless, the Hermits aren't going to hand Camden Catholic the trophy. Hoover returns 14 letterwinners, including a handful of regional qualifiers.

Senior Joe Clark leads the list of returning starters. He was 20-3 at 140 pounds and took fourth in the regional.

Sophomore Frank McGrath (215 pounds) is another regional qualifier with extremely high expectations.

"Frankie is Frankie," Hoover said. "He took second in districts as a freshman. He really knows what pressure is. He is used to it all his life. We are talking about a kid that won nationals in seventh and eight grade. He is looking forward to proving himself."

Senior heavyweight Brandon Taylor (12-9) gives the Hermits a solid finisher, while senior Chris Fredericks, who went 18-3 and took third in the district at 135, leads the lower weights.

"The underclassmen that got a lot of experience last year, like Rick Barca, George Cappuccio, and all those kids, they are going to step right in," Hoover said. "Rick Brunella, for example, is going to surprise some people. He worked a lot over the summer."

St. Augustine has doubled the number of wrestlers (30) in the program from a year ago. Transfers Dave Hagel (Mainland) and Jeff Hoover (Edgewood) give the Hermits depth and flexibility.

"The competition in the room is two-deep and three-deep," Hoover said. "We know what is expected. We aren't going to surprise anyone. We expect to be in the (sectional) finals."

St. Augustine's Frank McGrath, top, works out with teammate Brandon Taylor.