Phillipsburg High School wrestling team should be among best in New Jersey

Thursday, December 18, 2008

By BRIAN FORTNER

The Express-Times

The high school wrestling season is a rollercoaster affair littered with peaks and valleys, and obstacles of all shapes and sizes. It all culminates in the ultimate prize of being called state champion for those lucky enough to survive the grind.

Phillipsburg High School coach Jason Magditch isn't sure what the next four months will bring, but he's doing everything in his power to make sure his Stateliners are prepared for the ride.

"This is a veteran team that's been with me for three years now," Magditch said. "We're right where we want to be to compete at the highest level."

Magditch, the 2008 Express-Times Coach of the Year, has 10 starters -- all regional qualifiers -- back from last season's 27-3 squad and the preseason polls are touting Phillipsburg as one of New Jersey's elites.

But the third-year head coach knows that goals aren't reached and awards aren't handed out according to preseason rankings.

"On paper, we look really good," Magditch said. "But you don't win anything on paper. You have to put the work in and dedicate yourself. A lot goes into becoming the best. We're doing everything we can to get there."

The first step in the process was beefing up the schedule, which Magditch has made a priority.

"Phillipsburg wrestling likes to beat up all the teams they're supposed to beat up on -- all the time," Magditch said. "Now it's time to beat some of the teams we're not supposed to beat. We went after everybody that finished ahead of us in last season's rankings and that are ranked ahead of us this year."

The Stateliners schedule reads like a murderer's row of New Jersey's best. Dual meets against Group 3 champions High Point, Group 2 powers Brearley and Long Branch and perennial state powers Paulsboro and Kittatinny are scattered from top to bottom. Don't forget traditional rivals Hunterdon Central, Delaware Valley and of course Easton.

The Stateliners kick off the season Friday at the Reno Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nev.

Then there's the Escape the Rock Tournament at Council Rock High School (Pa.) in early January, which includes Paulsboro and Great Bridge (Va.) among others.

"It's not how you start the season, it's how you finish," Magditch said. "Our schedule is geared toward succeeding in late February and March. A lot of these guys might go into districts with six or seven losses, but they'll be battle tested."

"I saw the schedule last year," junior 125-pounder John Horak said. "It pushed me every day in the off-season to get ready for the season. You have to be ready every week for a great opponent."

Horak (21-14) is one of three returning state qualifiers for the 'Liners, along with seniors Nick Pare (31-11) and Matt Santini (28-13). All were district champs.

"We can feel the pressure without a doubt," Pare said. "We try to use it as a motivator. People are expecting big things out of us and we expect big things out of ourselves."

Also returning are sophomores Ryland Watson (112), Dan Brockerhoff (119), Matt Lane (125), juniors Oliver Brukhardt (135) and seniors Mike Simon (160), Jared Crouse (189-215) and Jimmy Tersigni (285).

Senior 140-pounder Bobby Moyer is also back after posting a 14-1 record as a junior. Moyer, who was the odd man out last season when districts rolled around, scored a huge major decision against Easton. Unfortunately, P'burg lost the match (32-24), making it 23 losses in the past 25 years to Easton.

The Stateliners should be considered the favorite to defeat the arch-rival Red Rovers when they meet at The Pit on January 24.

"We really didn't accomplish much last season," Horak said. "We had a good year, but we kind of choked in some big matches. We felt like we should have beaten Easton and we should have done better in the groups. This year I think we'll live up to the expectations."

Brian Fortner can be reached at 800-360-3601 or by e-mail at sports@express-times.com.