Matawan wrestlers try to build a winning program
Huskies should be an improved squad this
season
By WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer

JERRY WOLKOWITZ Matawan’s John Cecere, shown here trying to escape from the grasps of Holmdel’s Matt Welbourne, is one of several talented wrestlers returning to the Huskies this season as they look to continue to improve their program.

Five veterans with 10 or more wins will lead an otherwise young Matawan Regional High School wrestling team this winter.

A year ago, coach Andy Lasko’s team went just 3-11-1, but there were plenty of bright spots for the Huskies. In fact, whenever the Huskies got to the mats, the results were generally very good; however, the team had to overcome forfeits in four weight classes. That makes it very difficult to get wins, particularly against the quality programs Matawan faces each year.

Despite the misleading record last year, the Huskies’ season included plenty of individual bright spots.

Tom Dounelis and Dane Curry won 22 and 21 matches, respectively, to pace the team. Dounelis, who returns at 160 pounds, was 22-8 with 14 pins and finished second in the District 21 tournament before taking fifth place in the Region VI competition. He will be looked upon to lead his team by example and will be one of the favorites in the district once again.

Curry is back at heavyweight, where he went 21-8 with a team-leading 17 pins, and took third place in District 21. Curry will look to anchor the team this season and should provide the Huskies with a sense of confidence in their higher weight classes.

John Cecere (13-8) and John Hartman (13-6), both seniors, are also back on familiar turf at 112 pounds and 171 pounds, respectively.

Senior Mike Smolinski, who went 10-10 at 140 pounds, will move up to 145 pounds this season, and junior Andre Alves, 8-11 at 189 pounds, should do even better this winter. Cecere, Hartman and Dounelis are the Huskies’ tri-captains.

"Our goal is to build a stronger team and program," said Lasko, now in his second year at the helm. "Last year we weren’t always able to fill out the lineup so we concentrated on individual skills and we had some success. Now we’re stressing team first, dedication, and doing the right things like working hard, and eating and sleeping properly."

Other returnees include junior Christian Molina, who will compete at 135 pounds, and sophomore Chris Carnahan, at 140 pounds. Both saw some varsity action last season.

Newcomers include Ross Goldstein, who moves up from the junior varsity to the 152-pound post; sophomore Mike DelRio at 130 pounds; and four freshmen — Matt Deckman and Rocco Bucco at 103 pounds; James O’Donnell at 191 pounds; and Matt Bradley at 125 pounds.

Lasko noted that several other freshmen have made good impressions and could see varsity mat time.

"As a team, they’re starting to come together," the coach said. "We want to have a winning season, but most of all we want to get better with each match."

The Huskies open the season Friday in the Icebreaker Tournament and will have their first dual meet Monday when Manalapan comes to town.