Biographical sketches of the top returning GMC wrestlers
The following bios of some of the Greater Middlesex Conference’s top returning letterwinners have been reprinted from the GMCWCA 2013-14 season-ending All-Star banquet program with permission of the league’s coaches association. The bios, which contain a wealth of information, were written shortly after the conclusion of last season and appear in alphabetical order.
CARLOS BOTERO, EDISON
Carlos Botero has been one of Edison's strongest upper weigh performers over the last 2 seasons. This 2 time region qualifier finished his junior year with a record of despite a slow start. Carlos also has 60 wins in his career. Carlos also had strong tournament appearances this season. Some of these results include: Improving to 3rd in the Warren Hills Tournament, Improving to 3rd in the GMC Tournament, Improving to 1st in the District 19 Tournament, Finished 5th/6th in the Region 5 Tournament. Carlos also is an All Division and 3rd team All Area selection. We look to Carlos to show even further improvement in both tournaments and dual matches, and provide leadership by example next season.
TYLER BURGESS, SOUTH RIVER
Tyler’s season record was 30-5. He was 1st at the Matawan Icebreaker and named Outstanding Wrestler. He was also 1st at the East Brunswick Invitational and again named outstanding wrestler. He was 3rd in the GMC, 3rd in District 20, and placed 5/6 at the Region 5 tournament.
ROBERT CLEARY, EDISON
In his freshman year, Robert Cleary made an immediate impact for Edison in the very talented 106lb weight class. Robbie finished the season with an outstanding record of 37-4. Robbie provided consistency and stability to the lower half of Edison's line up. Some of Robbie's accolades include: 1st place in the Edison Classic, 2nd in the Warren Hills Tournament, 1st in the GMC tournament, 1st in the District 19 Tournament, 2nd in the Region 5 Tournament, qualifying for the State wrestling Tournament Robbie has also received All Area, All Division, and All Conference Honors. He has also been voted this seasons Freshman of the Year. Robbie will try to build on his success this season and has a bright future ahead of him.
BOB DINGER, MIDDLESEX-DUNELLEN
Bob Dinger is a freshman who steadily improved from the beginning of the year to the end. As the season progressed he also became one of the leaders on what became a division championship team. He was able to finish the season with a record of 30-10. This is even more impressive when you think about the fact that he weighed in at 126 but wrestled a majority of his matches at 132 to help his team win. Bob placed 3rd in the GMC Tournament and 2nd in District 12. With his ability on the mat and excellent work ethic the Blue Jay program is excited about what his future holds.
PAT DRESSEL, MONROE
Voted the program's most improved wrestler, Pat Dressel doubled his win total from 2013, finishing this season with 31 victories, 18 of which were by pin. After not placing in either the GMC or District tournament last season, he reached the finals of both tournaments this year. Due to his off-season commitment to strength training and increased time on the mat, Dressel was able to assist the team in solidifying the upper weights.
BRANDON FARRELL, JOHN F. KENNEDY
Brandon as a three year starter has also continued an excellent family legacy at John F. Kennedy High School. Brandon had a breakout season this year at 170 pounds, winning four tournaments that included the GMC tournament and the District 19 tournament. Fighting through injuries the entire season, Brandon exhibited extreme mental and physical toughness as he amassed an undefeated record entering the Region 5 Wrestling Tournament. Brandon led the Mustangs in falls with 18 wins by pin this year. The John F. Kennedy wrestling team is extremely excited to have Brandon back next year and cannot wait to see what he does in the future.
MICHAEL GARGANO, OLD BRIDGE
Mike Gargano is a two year varsity starter. Although he only weighed 168 pounds and wrestled at 182 Mike had a great season, finishing 20-4 and winning the GMC and District XX Tournaments. Mike is a fierce competitor who never complained about giving up 15 pounds every match. He improves every time he steps on the mat. We expect big things from Mike next year.
DAN HEDDEN, SOUTH PLAINFIELD
In his second year as a starter, Dan compiled a 31-7 record where 24 of his 31 wins were by pin. He started off the year by finishing 3rd at the Morris Knolls Tournament, 2nd in the GMC Tournament, and 2nd in the District 12 Tournament. After suffering a heartbreaking loss in the semifinals of the Region 3 Tournament, Dan would show his toughness by pinning incumbent state qualifier Nick Tekula from Linden in the first period and gutting out an ultimate tiebreaker win against Stephen Persaud from Parsippany to earn a 3rd place finish and his second trip to Atlantic City. Dan wrestled very well at the State Tournament, finishing 3-2, losing in the round of 12 in sudden victory. As a lower weight wrestler, Dan is an example of what hard work, dedication, and determination can help you achieve. Dan has proven he has the ability to achieve great things over his final two years as a Tiger. He will continue to set lofty goals for himself and work towards them as he prepares for his junior season. The South Plainfield coaching staff looks forward to helping him next year in his quest to become a state place winner.
NICK LOMBARD, MONROE
Nick Lombard completed a solid freshman season as the District 20 Champion at 106 lbs. He was also champion at the Neptune Classic and his 34 victories tied him for second most on the team. Lombard was a third place finisher at the GMC Tournament and was one match away from qualifying for the State Tournament, finishing fourth in Region 5.
BRYAN McLAUGHLIN, WOODBRIDGE
As a freshman Bryan burst onto the scene by winning his first two opening season tournaments up at Hopatcong and down in Egg Harbor and followed that up by winning the Kinnelon tournament as a freshman, and took top 3 in the GMC and was regions wrestle back 2 at Hunterdon Central. Only one of Bryan’s 7 losses this year was to an opponent who did not qualify for the state tournament, and the future looks very bright for this individual.
CHRIS MUCE, MONROE
Chris Muce had a breakout out junior season that saw him crowned GMC and District 20 Champion at 132lbs. He became a first time state qualifier, finishing third in Region 5. Always counted on for a big victory to help the team, Muce recorded 12 pins and racked up 48 bonus points. He was also runner-up at the Neptune Classic.
STEPHEN NADERA, OLD BRIDGE
Stephen is a sophomore and a two year varsity starter. Stephen is very dedicated to the sport he wrestles all year long. His work ethic has enabled him to achieve the success he has had over the past two years. Stephen finished his sophomore year with a record of 26-10. He was 3rd in the GMC Tournament, a Runner-Up in District XX and finished 4th in Region V. He is an example for the younger wrestlers on the team and we are looking forward to two more years from him.
JEFF PLUNGIS, SOUTH PLAINFIELD
As a first year starter, Jeff turned in a solid sophomore season. Jeff started the season off with a third place finish in the Morris Knolls Tournament. It took a little adjusting for Jeff to get used to the varsity schedule. However, after the VA Duals Jeff rattled off eleven consecutive wins, which helped him, finish with a 21-12 record. Jeff's best wrestling came during the GMC tournament where he, the 6th seed, defeated the 3rd and 2nd seed in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively to help the Tigers clinch their 6th consecutive GMC team title. He continued his solid season in the District 12 tournament, wrestling to another runner-up finish, qualifying him for the Regions for the first time in his career. The coaching staff believes that if Jeff continues to work hard and dedicate himself to wrestling this offseason, he will have an even more successful junior campaign.
ANTHONY PORCARO, SAYREVILLE
Anthony completed this his sophomore year for the Bombers with a two year record of 52 -13. Injured the end of his freshman year, Anthony came back to be a Neptune Tournament Champion, a GMC Champion, a District XX Champion, and finished 4th in Region V. Anthony led Sayreville in wins and team points. Finishing 2014 with a 33-5 record this season, where every loss was to a state qualifier. A 2 year varsity football starter and a 3 sport athlete, Anthony hopes to either wrestle or play football in college.
BILLY POVALAC, EDISON
Billy Povalac has completed his third varsity season for Edison. He has also served as one of the team captains. Billy has always been a consistent performer for Edison, but 2014 was a break-out season on both a county and a state level. In his junior year, Billy has: Placed 1st in the Edison Classic, Placed 1st at Warren Hills, Placed 1st in the GMC Tournament, Placed 1st in the District 19 Tournament, Placed 3rd in the Region 5 Tournament, and Placed 5th in the State Tournament Billy has been voted outstanding wrestler in every tournament the Eagles have participated in this season. Billy also finished the season with an incredible record of 43-3. Billy has also received All Area, All Division, and All Conference honors. This transformation this season is credited to a high appreciation of the importance of practice, as well as strong off season work ethic. We look forward to watching Billy continue to develop in his senior year, where he will break the 100 victory milestone.
SAL PROFACI, MONROE
Sal Profaci continued to add accolades to his already decorated career by placing fourth in the New Jersey State Tournament. Profaci was the GMC Champion at 126lbs, and also captured his third straight District 20 title. He finishes his junior season with a career record of 119-12, with 70 of his 119 victories coming via fall. He led the team in takedowns (61) and bonus points (88). He was also champion of the Walter Woods Tournament and the Neptune Classic, where he was named Most Outstanding Wrestler.
DOUG RYAN, SOUTH RIVER
Doug junior season record was 27-3. He was 2nd in the East Brunswick Invitational, 1st at the GMC Tournament and 1st at District 20. Doug placed 4th at Region 5 narrowly missing an opportunity to wrestle in the state tournament.
KEITH SERIO, EDISON
Keith Serio anchors the top of the lineup for the Eagles. This junior is a 2 time region qualifier and one of the GMC's top performers in the heavy weight class. Keith is a very athletic heavyweight who can do it all. Keith finished the season with a record of 25-11. Without Keith's consistency and ability to generate bonus points, the Eagles would not have as much team success over the last 2 seasons. Some of Keith’s accomplishments include: 1st in the Edison Classic, 3rd in the GMC Tournament and 1st in the District 19 Tournament. Keith also showed improvement in the Region 5 tournament this season. Keith also was a 3rd team All Area selection. Keith looks to increase focus and return in his senior year as a dominant heavyweight in the GMC.
ETI-INI UDOTT, PISCATAWAY
As a second year starter for the Chiefs, Eti-ini became one of the most improved wrestlers on the team. Increasing his win total by 11 matches, Eti-ini also went undefeated in the dual meet season. Eti-ini started his season off with a 3rd place finish in the Garden State Classic in Princeton and followed that up with a 2nd place finish at the Roselle Park tournament, with both losses coming to eventual state place winners. Along with his outstanding dual meet season, Eti-ini had a strong tournament season finishing 3rd in the GMC Tournament and capturing his first District 19 title. He had a good showing at the Region 5 Tournament with a 4th place finish, just one win away from making it to the state tournament. Piscataway will look to Eti-ini for leadership next season in his final year and is excited for his senior season.
ELIAS VEGA, CARTERET
Elias has been a captain since his freshman year. It's an honor that is well deserved. In just his sophomore wrestling campaign he captured 3 tournament titles at the Edison Classic, Rahway Tournament and the Buc Classic. He continued an undefeated streak that ran to 22-0 and he did not taste defeat until the semifinals of the GMC Tournament. He quickly recovered from the loss and captured 3rd place and went on to capture his 2nd consecutive District 19 Championship.
RYAN WALSH, SOUTH PLAINFIELD
A three-year starter, Ryan put together one of his finest seasons as a Tiger. He finished with an outstanding 30-10 record. He started the season by winning the Morris Knolls tournament. He continued to wrestle well during the season, during which he was the runner up in the GMC Tournament. Ryan saved his best wrestling for the end of the season where he claimed his second consecutive District 12 title and went on to place 3rd in the Region 3 tournament, securing his first state tournament appearance. Ryan has improved tremendously over his past three years as a starter for the Tigers. The coaching staff believes in Ryan's hard work and dedication so much that he has already been named captain for his senior season. We are expecting his senior year to be his most successful!
JOE ZARGO, MONROE
Joe Zargo emerged as a major contributor to Monroe's line up this season. His third place finish at the GMC Tournament, and Runner Up finish in District 20 were both career highs. He upped his win total from 17 last season to 24 this year. Zargo had several big victories in dual meet competition, helping the team to a White Division Title.