By Jimmy Allinder
Four area wrestlers finished either first, second or third in the NJSIAA Region 5 tournament Feb. 26-27, which earned them the opportunity to compete for a state championship.
East Brunswick High School’s Mitch Polito (106 pounds) was the lone area competitor to win a gold medal, which punched his ticket to the state finals March 4-6 in Atlantic City. Polito advanced by pinning Hunterdon Central Regional High School’s Jack Bauer in 5:42.
The Bears’ Mark Schleifer (120 pounds) fought gallantly in his finals match against Bound Brook High School’s Joe Casey, extending the reigning region champ to overtime before dropping a 6-1 decision.
Monroe Township High School sends two wrestlers to Atlantic City. Nick Lombard (126 pounds) dropped a 3-2 decision to Kyle DiNapoli of Voorhees High School to finish runner-up, while the Falcons’ Nick Goff (220 pounds) recovered from a semifinals loss to win his third-place consolation match.
