Lakewood duo brings home Region VI titles BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Lakewood’s Matt Rizzo turns Point Boro’s Bill Nastasiak for back points during a quarterfinal bout at the Region VI tournament at Toms River North on Friday. DOVER TOWNSHIP — The Lakewood High School wrestling team made a huge impact at last weekend’s NJSIAA Region VI Wrestling Tournament. The Piners walked away with a pair of wrestlers who captured titles. Oscar Orellana and Matt Rizzo became the first wrestlers at Lakewood to win regional titles since the legendary Damian Hahn won the last of his four region titles four years ago. Orellana defeated St. John Vianney’s Kyle Pardun, 11-6, in the finals of the 135-pound weight class. Rizzo won the 125-pound weight class with a narrow 7-6 victory over Rob Hickman of Southern High School. Orellana jumped on Pardun early, scoring a takedown, and never looked back. With a 7-3 lead entering the third period, the Piner junior cruised to the win, and earned a bye through the preliminary round of the state tournament this weekend. Lakewood’s Oscar Orellana works Manalapan’s Anthony Accardi for a pinfallat the 3:02 mark of their quarterfinal bout in Toms River on Friday. Meanwhile, Rizzo had more of a battle with Hickman, as both wrestlers were tentative throughout the bout. In fact, both grapplers were hit with stalling penalties (Rizzo twice) before the Lakewood junior scored a takedown with 45 seconds left to break a 5-5 tie, and capture the title. Rizzo (31-2) got the fifth seed in the lower bracket of the 125-pound competition, and will get the winner of the Mike Eagen (Morris Knolls, 30-6)-Ed McCray (Rahway, 30-4) preliminary round bout. Meanwhile, Orellana (26-1) got the third seed in the top bracket at 135, and will take on the winner of the Jaime Martinez (Bound Brook, 30-4)-Tom Cunningham (Cherry Hill West, 24-8) preliminary-round match. Jackson High School sent 12 wrestlers to the regional tournament. The Jags finished with two wrestlers in third place. Seniors Jeff Pascarella and Kyle Shelly were the top two performers for Jackson. In the consolation final, Pascarella, a two-time state place-winner, posted a 7-6 triumph over Brick’s Kevin Lewis at 119 pounds. Shelly had an easier go of it, defeating Mark Spina of Lacey, 7-3, at 152 pounds. Even with the two third-place finishes, Jackson coach Scott Goodale was a little disappointed. "We got off to a great start on Tuesday in the opening round," Goodale said. "We sent 11 wrestlers to the quarterfinals. That was the position we wanted to be in. Unfortunately, we ran in to some problems as we got deeper into the draw. But we still had number of kids who finished strong. I was a little disappointed that some of our seniors didn’t fare better than they did." Goodale was particularly impressed with the mettle of both Pascarella and Shelly. "For those two guys to battle back the way we did is indicative of how hard guys in this program work," Goodale said. "After losing in the semifinals, both were able to regroup and get their focus back. Both are fighters. Both are what this program is all about." Pascarella owns a career record of 121-22. For the third straight year, he’ll be heading to Atlantic City this weekend for the state championships. Pascarella finished sixth last year and seventh in 2002. Goodale is optimistic he can end his career as a three-time state place-winner. "Anything can happen when you get to this point in the season," Goodale said. "I know he wants to end his high school career as a state place-winner. He’s beaten a lot of guys who are going to be at this event this weekend. This time of year is about who is hot; if he can remain focused and keep momentum." Shelly dominated his match from the outset. Shelly, who posted a 32-2 record this season, darted to a 5-0 lead in the first period. "He put forth a real solid effort in that bout and was never really in danger," Goodale said. "He got out quick on the kid and just took him out of the match. His goal is to be a state place-winner, and now he is going to get that opportunity." Goodale believes Shelly can surprise a few people this weekend. "He is a very tough and competitive kid," Goodale said. "He has had a great season for us. He’s won a lot of key matches for us. I think that his style could pose a problem for a few of his competitors." Pascarella will face New Providence’s Ross Baldwin (32-4) in the preliminary round tomorrow, with the winner to get fourth-seeded Bryan Tracy (29-6) of Paulsboro. Shelly will face Paramus’ Andy Kiely (21-6) in his preliminary-round bout. In addition to Pascarella and Shelly, Goodale cited the efforts graduating seniors Joe Eurell, Alex Ginsberg, Adam Berking, Preston Brown and Pat Richards for leaving their marks on the Jackson wrestling program. "This has been a great group of kids through the last four years," Goodale said. "They are going to be sorely missed. They have accomplished more than any other class to come through this school. I’m very proud of their efforts." Two Howell Rebels, Bill Woodward (135) and Chris DeSena (215), punched their tickets to Atlantic City with third-place finishes. Woodward decisioned Raritan’s Jason Sagos, 7-3, while DeSena edged Monmouth’s Luke Panizzi, 4-3. Because of wrestle-backs, DeSena had to beat Panizzi twice. He decisioned Panizzi 7-5 in the quarterfinals. Woodward (27-7) will be facing Belvidere’s Bob Whelan (21-6) in his preliminary round bout tomorrow with the winner to get top-seeded Zach Tabelli (23-2) of Millburn. DeSena (28-6), meanwhile, will face Mainland’s Robert Weiss (25-3), with the winner to get second-seeded Bill Beiermeister (34-0) of Boonton. New Egypt’s Craig Morton (23-5) will also be making the trip to Atlantic City this weekend after taking third at 112 pounds at the Region VII tournament at Eastern High School. Morton won his consolation bout, 13-4, over Camden Catholic’s Dave Gill to earn his trip, and a preliminary-round meeting with Garfield’s Aaron Kahn (24-5) tomorrow.