HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (December 8, 2024) – Sussex County Community College returned to the wrestling mat after a week-long break with a visit to the 2024 Bob Quade Open, hosted by Centenary University Sunday afternoon.
Although there was no team scoring, two wrestlers each won three individual matches for the Skylanders and those were Roman Citro and Jose Alvarenga Giron. Alvarenga Giron lost his first match of the day by decision to Monmouth’s Luke Petaccia 11-7. He then bounced back in the consolation bracket first with a 6-1 victory against ESU’s Luke Bracken, where he pinned him after 90 seconds, and then defeated UMBC’s Carlos Del Rio by tech fall 15-0 in the first period. This resulted in a rematch with Petaccia and Alvarenga Giron was defeated again by decision 6-2, but he secured a spot in the fifth place bout, which he won by medical forfeit.
Citro won his first match by major decision 11-0 over Monmouth’s John Dooley, but followed that by getting pinned against Army West Point’s Nain Vasquez. He then pinned his next two opponents to make it to the fifth place bout himself. However, he fell by major decision 13-3 to Centenary’s Jack Thode.
The only other wrestler to win more than one match on the day was Thaylor Sibblies, who won two matches in the consolation bracket after dropping his first match by decision 5-0 to Army West Point’s Shane Percelay. He pinned Monmouth’s Jamelle Cockren for his first win and then dominated ESU’s Austin Noe with a 19-4 tech fall win. His afternoon ended with another 5-0 decision loss, this time to ESU’s Brian Lombardi.
Chris Casale, Michael VanderMeulen, and Aidan Hallowich also each notched a match win for the Skylanders. Hallowich earned his courtesy of a medical forfeit after losing his first match by decision 7-5 against UMBC’s Trevor Campbell, and then losing by tech fall 15-0 after his forfeit win. Casale started strong by pinning Millersville’s Collin Higgins after just 58 seconds, but was then pinned himself in his next match against ESU’s Evan Thompson. This caused him to forfeit the fifth place bout, costing him a chance at a top five finish.
VanderMeulen’s win was sandwiched in between two losses, much like Hallowich. It started with a 6-4 decision loss to Centenary’s Anthony Tardibuono, but was followed with a strong second match where he pinned Centenary’s Miguel Lopez in the first period. His run was finished with an 18-2 tech fall loss to Adrian DeJesus.
The four remaining wrestlers for Sussex were Carson Citro, Carlos Delgado, Mason Mericle, and Shawn Pawlowski, but none were able to notch a win and finished the day 0-2. Despite that, their coach Nick Barzano continues to see improvement in what was their last open of the season, but added that adjustments are still needed.
“I feel the guys wrestled very well today,” Barzano said. “They continue to improve and close gaps. We had a few breakout moments and our backbone guys looked great against their Division I matchups. However, some small adjustments are needed here and there to get everyone to the next level.”
The Skylanders now travel to King’s College of Pennsylvania for the King’s Duals on Saturday morning, with a scheduled 10 a.m. start time.
