Red Bank Catholic won’t be the favorite in the Non-Public B state tournament. That distinction will go to defending champion Camden Catholic. Pope John is the main challenger.
The Caseys might not be favored in District 32 either. Not with Lower Cape May, currently No. 13 in the state, boasting a state medalist, multiple state qualifiers and a head-to-head victory.
RBC is not a wrestling juggernaut, not yet at least. But the Caseys are on their way. Right now, they are a dangerous team that continues to build momentum with a lineup that thrives in a dual-meet setting.
Red Bank Catholic, ranked No. 16 in the NJ.com Top 20, won 10 bouts, including six straight from 132 through 165 pounds, to author a comprehensive 46-18 victory over host Lacey in a pivotal Shore Conference C Division match on Friday night in Lanoka Harbor.
Joseph Gallagher (113), Anthony Russo (150) and Javier Guzman (157) each won by fall to lead the Caseys to their 10th win in their last 12 matches. Their only defeats during that span have come to No. 9 Delsea and Lower Cape May. Chris Kelesidis (132) and Luken Ramos (144) won by technical fall, while John Tarantino (106), Robbie Fritz (138) and Christian Rodriguez (165) won by major decision. Brian Garcia (190) and Phil Bertole (285) won by decision.
For Lacey, Virginia Tech commit Killian Coluccio won by fall at 120 pounds, as did Joey Davis at 175. Aidan Flynn won by major decision at 126 and Jake Mott won by decision at 215. The Lions, however, were deducted one team point for unsportsmanlike conduct at 165 pounds.
Friday’s victory clinched at least a share of the Shore C Division title for RBC. The Caseys can clinch the title outright when they wrestle Point Pleasant Boro on Feb. 4. Either way, it will be the first division title in program history.
“They are truly a great dual-meet team because they care about each other more than their own wins and losses,” RBC head coach Joe Gallagher said. “That’s why we’re winning. That’s why we’re getting better. They listen so well and they care about everybody else.”
“We believe in each other and we’re working hard in the room,” Ramos said.
Red Bank Catholic (12-7) and Lacey (9-4) split the first four bouts. Tarantino won by major decision at 106 pounds over Chris Hingston and Gallagher locked in a cradle for a pin of Luke Miller at 113. Lacey answered when Coluccio, the state runner-up at 106 pounds last season, pinned Jax Bucco in 1:31 at 120. Senior Aidan Flynn scored a 14-6 major decision over Cole DeAngelo at 126 pounds to tie the match score 10-10.
By the time Lacey won another bout, RBC had already taken control of the match.
A technical fall by Kelesidis at 132 pounds ignited a dominant stretch through the middle weights that saw the Caseys open a commanding 40-10 lead. Fritz majored Eli Heilala at 138 for a four-point lead and Ramos followed with a technical fall at 144 for a 24-10 advantage. Pins by Russo and Guzman at 150 and 157, respectively, opened a 36-10 lead and Rodriguez capped the run with a major decision at 165 to clinch the match.
It was a thorough win for Red Bank Catholic over a solid Lacey team, and it came with the Caseys missing two starters. Junior 120-pounder Mako Vezzosi was banged up during a win over Washington Township at the Pine Barrens Duals. He weighed in but did not wrestle. Senior heavyweight Caden Sternlieb, a transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas where he was a state qualifier last season, has yet to make his RBC debut as he works his way back from an injury.
Balance has helped RBC overcome that type of adversity all season. The Caseys have one returning state qualifier in their lineup (Fritz). Tarantino is the only RBC wrestler ranked among the top eight in the NJ.com individual weight class rankings. Their success has been a product of depth, toughness and belief, not star power.
“I don’t know how this ends, but the way they wrestle, not many things are off the table,” Gallagher said.
“RBC is just getting started,” Ramos said. “We’re trying to become a powerhouse, and it’s only going to get better from here.”
NO. 17 RED BANK CATHOLIC DOMINATES MIDDLE WEIGHTS, CRUISES PAST LACEY TO KEEP MOMENTUM
