SPORTS

Wrestling: GMC Tournament 138 pound preview

Greg Tufaro
@GregTufaro

138 POUNDS

CHECK IT OUT: Convenient link for previews of the 13 other weight classes

RELATED: Check out our GMC tournament preview and coverage plans

RELATED: Box scores for every single GMC dual meet contested this season

RELATED: GMC Division Standings

Favorite: Owner of a 16-5 record, all of South Plainfield junior Dan Hedden's losses are out of conference. His losses are by a total of 12 points including two defeats in sudden victory. Hedden lost last year's 126-pound GMCT final to Monroe's Sal Profaci. Hedden hasn't wrestled since Jan. 17 because his last three opponents forfeited. Hedden did not face Chris Muce in South Plainfield's dual against Monroe.

Top contenders: Chris Muce (Monroe, 18-2), John Sheedy (Bishop Ahr, 21-2).

Others to watch: Brandon Pacheco (South River, 13-5), Stiven Skenderi (J.F. Kennedy, 16-3), Chris Dessino (Middlesex, 11-7), Joey Montuoro (Edison, 11-8), James Halladay (Carteret, 10-12), Brian DiBartolo (South Brunswick, 5-2), T.J. Angstadt (Old Bridge, 15-6), Maddux Mason (Sayreville, 11-5).

Rest of the field: Lenny Gigantino (Colonia, 0-5), Paul Pichirallo (East Brunswick, 11-5), Ish Zabrairu (Highland Park, 4-10), Matt Jasinski (J.P. Stevens, 5-9), Ben Pincus (Metuchen, 4-8), Kelvin Peralta (New Brunswick, 8-10), Cullen McArdle (North Brunswick, 9-11). Brandon Grover (Spotswood, 5-14), Sean Smith (Woodbridge, 2-5).

Top GMCT returner to weight class: No returning medal winners.

Notes: Muce won the 132-pound GMCT title last season and poses the biggest challenge to Hedden. However, Sheedy, who was fourth In the GMCT at 120 pounds last season, should not be discounted. Montuoro was seventh in the GMCT at 145 pounds a year ago. Angstadt defeated him 4-3 in a dual last week.

INTRACONFERENCE RESULTS OF FAVORITE AND TOP CONTENDERS

Daniel Hedden (South Plainfield) over Michael Yeboah (Piscataway) (Fall 0:56)

Daniel Hedden (South Plainfield) over Paul Pichirallo (East Brunswick H.S.) (Fall 1:07)

Daniel Hedden (South Plainfield) over Donald Albach (Monroe Township) (Fall 1:55)

Chris Muce (Monroe Township) over Maddux Mason (Sayreville War Memorial) (Dec 7-0)

Chris Muce (Monroe Township) over TJ Angstadt (Old Bridge) (Dec 9-4)

Chris Muce (Monroe Township) over Joseph Montuoro (Edison) (Fall 3:49)

Chris Muce (Monroe Township) over Frank Ferraro (South Plainfield) (Dec 3-1)

John Sheedy (Bishop Ahr) over TJ Angstadt (Old Bridge) (Dec 8-1)

William Povalac (Edison) over John Sheedy (Bishop Ahr) (TF 21-6 5:58)

John Sheedy (Bishop Ahr) over James Halladay (Carteret) (Fall 4:45)

John Sheedy (Bishop Ahr) over Mahmoud Bachir (Colonia) (Fall 2:34)

John Sheedy (Bishop Ahr) over Stiven Skenderi (JFK-Iselin) (Dec 13-9)

John Sheedy (Bishop Ahr) over Brian DiBartolo (South Brunswick Hs) (Fall 4:45)

John Sheedy (Bishop Ahr) over Isaac Blagogee (Sayreville War Memorial) (MD 8-0)

John Sheedy (Bishop Ahr) over Matthew Jasinski (John P. Stevens) (Fall 5:48)

John Sheedy (Bishop Ahr) over Sean Smith (Woodbridge) (Fall 2:53)