South Jersey wrestling notes

Juan Rivera is a name not familiar to many Paulsboro wrestling fans now, but by the end of the season, that could change.

The 119-pound freshman ended 2010 with a 2-1 record, including a tough battle with Kingsway junior Cody Watson, in which Rivera literally escaped with a 1-0 victory that helped lift the Red Raiders to a 67-9 win.

Paulsboro coach Paul Morina has praised Rivera and other young wrestlers on the team, such as sophomore John Gentile (103) and juniors Nick Knauer (135) and Mike Silvestro (140), for their winning ways.

Paulsboro, ranked No. 1 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, has exhibited balance as a team, and Morina is pleased.

When asked in the preseason where the strengths of the squad were, Morina said, "It's hard to say. We're good in the light, middle, and upper weights."

Morina is in his 25th season at the helm, and the Red Raiders have a shot at winning their 1,000th match this year. If they do, they would become the second scholastic program in the country to accomplish the feat. Granite City, Ill. was the first.

A Top 10 team. Cherokee, 11-12 last season, entered the 2011 portion of this season at 4-0 and moved into The Inquirer's Top 10 rankings in South Jersey.

Cherokee coach Bill Roller explained that last season, the squad wasn't as experienced as it is this year and the schedule was difficult.

The schedule is still demanding; however, the Chiefs have lots of depth and talent, and it is showing.

Against Pennsauken on Dec. 23, Cherokee exhibited its depth when several wrestlers who were filling in for starters led the team to a 47-20 Olympic Conference victory.

Senior Tim Albertson (135), junior Sean Barlow (145), senior Mike Cascio (171), and senior Nick Foster (285) were among the leaders that day. Albertson and Foster won by fall; Barlow and Cascio won by major decision.

"That's his first wrestled varsity match," Roller said of Foster. Tim Swanson is the Chiefs' main heavyweight.

High hopes. Haddon Township coach Brian Farnham is hoping to build the Hawks' program into a strong contender in the loaded Colonial Conference.

"You look at this conference, and you're talking about four of the top five programs in the state," Farnham said, referring to Paulsboro, Haddonfield, West Deptford, and Collingswood.

"We want to be able to compete at that level. But it's going to take work during the season and work in the off-season."

Farnham, a Haddon Township graduate who won 106 matches during his career, is encouraged by good numbers in the middle-school program.

Wildcats' Wonder Boy. St. Joseph is unlikely to win any team titles this season because coach Al Sullivan has trouble filling out the entire lineup. But the Wildcats have a freshman around whom Sullivan can build a contender, provided he is able to attract more talent.

Brennan Humphrey, the ninth grader, entered January with a 6-0 record and appears on his way to a winning season. The 125-pounder has high hopes.

"I'm hoping for 20 wins and placing at districts and regions," said Humphrey, who added that he has been wrestling for seven years.

Sullivan, in his sixth season as head coach, described Humphrey as a physical athlete who works hard in the wrestling room.

"He's technically advanced as a freshman," Sullivan said. "He's a nice addition."