Sebastian, Suriano Claim State Titles in Atlantic City

After three days and four opponents, Bergen Catholic junior Johnny Sebastian and freshman Nick Suriano walked out of Atlantic City with a state title to their name after a one point victory over their opponents.

Both athletes sprinted their way into the finals after handing their opponents major decision losses in the pre-quarterfinals, a split decision/techincal fall in the quarterfinals and major decisions in the semis.

Their final victories, Suriano a 3-2 decision over Don Bosco's Kyle Bierdumpfel and Sebastian's 4-3 win against Hammonton's David Williams makes the duo the second pair of Crusaders to return as state champions in a single season. The last time Bergen had two state champions in the same year was in 2007 with Joe Trause and Frank Cagnina.

Suriano becomes only the second freshman in BC history to win a state title, (Cagnina in 2007) and the only one to finish undefeated on the season. Sebastian's two state titles now ties him with BC assistant coach Joe Trause as the most highly decorated wrestlers in Crusader history.

Bergen Catholic had initally sent nine wrestlers to Atlantic City but only Suriano, Sebastian and teammate Carmine Goldsack returned with a medal. Goldsack finished in seventh place after a quarterfinal loss to Manalapan's John Appice. He went on to defeat St. Peter's Prep Jose Palamino, 6-2 for the seventh place title.

The Crusaders saw three athletes defeated in the first round as JP Ascolese, Laurian Anghelina and Christian Jenco were upset early. Jenco would advance through two wrestlebacks before running into Emerson's Robbie Maggiulli in the third round and falling 9-5.

Tyler Casamenti and Joe Grello earned shut out wins in the first round but were unable to capitalize in the pre-quarterfinals for additional points. Casamenti earned a 3-0 first wrestlebacks victory and then lost 4-3 in the second round. Grello found himself in the third round of wrestlebacks before he was shut out in the last minute by Colin Barber of Westfield.

Freshman Kevin Mulligan earned a 4-2 pre-quarterfinal win but the tides turned in the quarterfinals as he fell by the same score to Brick Township's Dan Wojtaszek. He was defeated in the third wrestlebacks, 9-4, by Connor Donahue of Clearview.

River Dell's TJ Tirelli defeated Peter Ottaviano (Colts Neck), 8-6 in the first round but was sent packing to the wrestlebacks in the pre-quarterfinals after a 2-1 loss to Brenden Calas (Seton Hall). 

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