Confidence is building in the wrestling room of the Holmdel High School wrestling team.
Head coach Danny Franke believes that his squad has what it takes when at full strength to make some noise in the Shore Conference A-Central Division and in NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 2 sectional tournament.
Holmdel has a good amount of talent and experience back in the fold this winter and it has helped the team start out with five victories in 11 matches.
“We all know we’re right there,” said Franke about his unit that is 5-6. “We have lost a lot of close dual meets. We’re beat up. We don’t have our full lineup out there yet. Once we get everyone back, I think we’ll be able to peak towards the end of the season and compete with anyone.”
At the lower weights, Nicholas Ammirati returns after an impressive junior campaign at 113 pounds where he won 27 matches and placed sixth at the NJSIAA Region 5 Tournament. Ammirati is competing at 113 and 120 pounds this season.
Fellow senior teammate Thomas Ammirati also returns and has been great this winter for the Hornets.
Ammirati is out to a 14-1 record this season at 132, which includes a 6-3 decision victory over Rumson-Fair Haven’ Regional High Schools Alex Simpson on Jan. 8.
Up in the higher weight classes, seniors Victor Wladica and Michael Pavlinetz return after each had a terrific junior year last season.
Both wrestlers racked up 28 victories last season. Pavlinetz won the NJSIAA District 18 and placed fifth in Region 5 at 220 pounds last season.
So far this season, Pavlinetz hasn’t skipped a beat, rolling out to a 10-3 individual mark by wrestling at both 220 pounds and heavyweight (285).
Wladica has been solid on the mat at both 182 and 195 pounds this winter. The senior is currently 12-3 on the season.
Junior Anthony Pelora (113) has added more strength to Holmdel’s lower weight classes, standing at 8-3 this season.
Pelora picked up a first period pin fall in Holmdel’s match against (7-1) Rumson Fair-Haven. Franke said the junior is the most improved wrestler on the squad.
Sophomore Luke DuPont (152) and Senior Ian Flanagan (145 and 152) both have contributed strongly to begin the season.
Junior Matteo Pinnero (138) is 11-5 on the season, including an 18-1 tech fall victory in the team’s match against Rumson-Fair Haven.
“I think we have three or four guys that can medal at regions for us and go to Atlantic City,” said Franke about the state tournament that will be wrestled at Boardwalk Hall on March 5-7.
The Hornets took home the team championship at the Holmdel Holiday Tournament on Dec. 28.
Holmdel has been without sophomore Jaden Gallo all season. Gallo racked up 28 victories last season and placed second at districts.
After losing 44-26 to Rumson-Fair Haven and then suffering a one-point loss to Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School on Jan. 9, Holmdel has bounced back with two straight victories.
The Hornets picked up a 34-30 victory over Lacey and topped Shore Conference foe Raritan, 34-27, on Jan. 11 at the Holmdel tri-meet.
As the team begins to rain for the postseason tournament and get back to full strength, Franke believes his Holmdel squad has the ability to compete with anyone in its section.
“The biggest thing for us has been to fill out a lineup the past few seasons,” Franke said. “Now that we’re doing that, it’s making sure that we’re putting kids out there and we’re competitive. It’s great to have kids you can count on at every weight class.”
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