SPORTS

Wrestling: GMC Tournament 170 pound preview

Greg Tufaro

@GregTufaro

170 POUNDS

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

Favorite: Brandon Farrell of J.F. Kennedy, who boasts a 15-1 mark, is the defending conference tournament champion at 170 pounds. His only defeat was to Daniel Kilroy of Wayne Hills, who also sports a 15-1 record.

Top contenders: Anthony Tomayo (East Brunswick, 14-3), Nick DiFrancesco (South Plainfield, 8-12), Mike Yuhas (Old Bridge, 5-4), Kevin Creech (Monroe, 11-8).

Others to watch: Alexi Rissiotis (South Brunswick, 13-8), Edwin Aguilera (New Brunswick, 14-6), Zach Cottrell (Woodbridge, 13-5).

Rest of the field: Devin Michael (Bishop Ahr, 11-10), Demetrius Ruiz (Carteret, 8-13), Alex Robinson (Edison, 9-10), Jeff Mathis (Highland Park, 1-1), Sam Marshall (J.P. Stevens, 13-9), Matthew Mueller (North Brunswick, 14-5), Nick Zandomenego (Piscataway, 4-4), Tyler Lewis (Sayreville, 12-5), Kyle Baszak (South River, 3-9), James Witt (Spotswood, 7-8).

Top GMCT returner to weight class: Farrell is the defending champion, while Creech placed fifth.

Notes: Colonia standout Sam Pero will miss the tournament with an injury. He owns a 10-0 record. Pero was 15-1 entering last year's conference tournament, during which he endured a season-ending injury. The Patriots hope Pero returns in time for districts. Yuhas, who has wrestled up in class all season, has upset potential, as does Aguilera. Cottrell returned last week from an injury, which caused him to miss four duals. DiFrancesco has a deceptive record, the result of wrestling top state and national competition.

INTRACONFERENCE RESULTS OF FAVORITE AND TOP CONTENDERS

Brandon Farrell (JFK-Iselin) over Alexi Rissiotis (South Brunswick Hs) (MD 13-2)

Brandon Farrell (JFK-Iselin) over Matthew Mueller (North Brunswick Township) (Fall 0:24)

Brandon Farrell (JFK-Iselin) over Aldo Posas (South River) (Fall 0:48)

Brandon Farrell (JFK-Iselin) over Samuel Marshall (John P. Stevens) (Fall 1:53)

Brandon Farrell (JFK-Iselin) over Devin Michael (Bishop Ahr) (Dec 17-10)

Brandon Farrell (JFK-Iselin) over Peter Gelmine (Colonia) (Fall 0:48)

Brandon Farrell (JFK-Iselin) over Zackary Cottrell (Woodbridge) (Fall 0:15)

Anthony Tamayo (East Brunswick H.S.) over Algenis Nunez (New Brunswick) (Dec 10-6)

Anthony Tamayo (East Brunswick H.S.) over Alexander Robinson (Edison) (Fall 1:09)

Anthony Tamayo (East Brunswick H.S.) over Nicholas DiFrancesco (South Plainfield) (TB-1 6-3)

Anthony Tamayo (East Brunswick H.S.) over Edwin Aguilera (New Brunswick) (Dec 6-0)

Anthony Tamayo (East Brunswick H.S.) over Mattew Mueller (North Brunswick Township) (MD 16-4)

Tyler Schwarz (South Brunswick Hs) over Anthony Tamayo (East Brunswick H.S.) (Dec 3-2)

Anthony Tamayo (East Brunswick H.S.) over Nick Zamdomenego (Piscataway) (Fall 2:45)

Nicholas DiFrancesco (South Plainfield) over Yunior Castano (Perth Amboy) (TF 19-4 4:08)

Nicholas DiFrancesco (South Plainfield) over Alexi Rissiotis (South Brunswick Hs) (Dec 3-1)

Nicholas DiFrancesco (South Plainfield) over Kevin Creech (Monroe Township) (Dec 6-4)

Nicholas DiFrancesco (South Plainfield) over Alexander Robinson (Edison) (Dec 4-0)

Kevin Creech (Monroe Township) over James Witt (Spotswood) (Dec 6-2)

Kevin Creech (Monroe Township) over Akuamoah Fosuhene (Old Bridge) (Dec 3-0)

Russell Rivella (Edison) over Kevin Creech (Monroe Township) (Dec 7-3)

Nicholas DiFrancesco (South Plainfield) over Kevin Creech (Monroe Township) (Dec 6-4)

Tyler Schwarz (South Brunswick Hs) over Kevin Creech (Monroe Township) (Fall 3:29)

Mike Yuhas (Old Bridge) over Christopher Cuevas (Edison) (Dec 7-2)