Wrestling: Spotswood's Okafor no longer under the radar

Even though he decisively decisioned a talented wrestler who handed defending Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament 182-pound champion Michael Gargano of Old Bridge his only defeat this season, Ejike Okafor was flying under the radar.

That all changed for the Spotswood High School senior earlier this month when he bumped up in class and pinned reigning GMCT 195-pound champion Doug Ryan of South River in a quad meet.

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All eyes at the Frank Cangelosi Gymnasium were on a dual between Edison and Sayreville, which was undefeated at time, when the attention abruptly shifted to the match between Okafor and Ryan.

"The (other dual meet) is the one (spectators) were watching then most of the fans turned their heads to us," Spotswood coach Dan Krainski said. "Most were watching just to see that matchup."

Okafor's pin helped Spotswood register one of the season's biggest upsets as the Chargers (5-10 overall, 3-4 division) handed the Rams (8-6 overall, 5-1 division) their only Blue Division loss.

More importantly, from an individual standpoint, the unselfish Okafor, who is Spotswood's team captain, put himself on the map entering this weekend's conference tournament, which will be contested Friday and Saturday at Piscataway.

Okafor (21-1) earned the No. 4 seed in the 182-pound class which features top-seeded Gargano (18-1), second-seeded Christian Gonzalez (14-4) of South Plainfield and third-seeded Eti-ini Udott (13-2) of Piscataway.

Ryan Walsh, owner of an 18-3 record at 126 pounds, is South Plainfield's lone top-seeded wrestler. The Tigers have won the GMCT team championship 10 of the past 11 years, losing the crown to Sayreville in 2008.

"Having one top seed really doesn't mean much," South Plainfield coach Kevin McCann said. "The seeds don't mean anything to us. I've said it before: We are battle tested. Our schedule is set so it prepares us for the rest of the year including this tournament."

J.F. Kennedy received three top seeds, while Monroe and Old Bridge each earned two top seeds.

"Of course I'm happy with the seeds," J.F. Kennedy coach Nick Cilento said. "But seeds at this point mean nothing. They've earned their seeds. They need to earn their medals now."

Monroe, which some expected could challenge South Plainfield for the team title, enters the tournament without four starters, three of who would have been top contenders. Andy Lombard (106), Nick Lombard (113), Donny Albach (145) and Kaylon Bradley (182) are sidelined.

"We'll be getting (reserves) some exposure," said Monroe coach Billy Jacoutot, putting a positive spin on his makeshift lineup. "What you are creating through injuries is you are layering your program, trying to establish depth, and that takes a long time to do.

Gargano's only defeat was a 2-1 decision to Cinnaminson's Zack Sireci, who is 19-2 with a 9-4 loss to Okafor in the Nottingham Tournament. Udott dropped a 4-2 decision to Gargano earlier this season and also lost by disqualification to Gonzalez.

A .500 wrestler two years ago, Okafor finished 18-15 last season, during which he placed fourth in the GMCT at 152 pounds but made an early exit from the District 20 Tournament, failing to qualify for the regions despite being a No. 3 seed.

Okafor wasted no time preparing for this season, lifting three times a week, competing in various tournaments for a CJA Wrestling Club team and commiting himself to excellence. Okafor has missed just one practice (to take a college placement exam) in four years.

"The steps he's taken, where he's come from, now he's our guy," Krainski said. "That's kind of how me and (assistant) coach (Chris) Williams have always envisioned it. Hopefully, he continues to impress."

Okafor will have to do his impressing this weekend on the radar.

GMC WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

at Piscataway High School

FRIDAY: preliminary and pre-quarterfinals, 5 p.m.

SATURDAY: quarterfinals, 10 a.m.; Semifinals and consolation quarterfinals, noon; consolation semifinals, 2 p.m.; consolation finals, 3:30 p.m.; finals, 6 p.m.

TICKET PRICES

ALL-TOURNAMENT PASS (sold Friday only): adults $17; students and senior citizens $10.

FRIDAY SESSION ONLY: adults $7; students and senior citizens $5.

ALL-SATURDAY PASS (sold Saturday until 3 p.m.): adults $14, students and senior citizens $10.

FINAL ROUND TICKET (only sold Saturday after 3 p.m.): adults $7, students and senior citizens $5.

NOTE: No "Saturday morning only" tickets will be sold.