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Sports

Ending Stellar Season, Pietrantuono Bounced From States

RHS senior competes in NJSIAA tournament down the shore.

ATLANTIC CITY—A two-hour car ride down the Garden State Parkway, a season of top-notch wrestling, and a NJSIAA pass were all New Jersey's top wrestlers needed to get into Boardwalk Hall yesterday, as Friday kicked off the annual NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships. 

Senior Sam Pietrantuono was Ridgewood High School's lone entry in not only the 140-pound bracket, but also the entire tournament. As a standout cornerback for the Maroons football squad, representing one's school is difficult enough on a team, but making the trip down to Atlantic City to wrestle alone was a greater task.

Last night's event included the preliminary and pre-quarter final rounds of the tournament. Any wrestler who scored a win in the preliminary round was guaranteed at least two more fights, but any wrestler that lost was eliminated.

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Coaches, fans, and undoubtedly wrestlers were heard questioning whether or not a one-and-done format was worth the long ride "down the shore," but the intensity was high nonetheless.

Pietrantuono had plenty of momentum as he took to the mat to face Mike Monarque of Jefferson Township High School. At 25-6, Pietrantuono's final season for RHS was a successful one. His opponent came into the competition as a 34-3 junior, and Pietrantuono hoped his experience would help him to capitalize on a formidable opponent.

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Unfortunately, Monarque came out on top, topping Pietrantuono by a score of 8-2 in a hard-fought match. Though Pietrantuono was upset with his early elimination, he took the tough defeat with grace and elegance. 

"I made it here three times," Pietrantuono said. "This is my first year here alone."

As for the match itself, Pietrantuono was hard on himself despite an excellent season.

"I made a stupid mistake. He took me out early and started off aggressive. Late in the second I had a shot, and he put me on my back."

Coach Torrie Watson weighed in Pietrantuono's season as a whole, and he was quick to mention Pietrantuono's road to Atlantic City was a long and trying one.  

"He was out with a torn ACL, but he did a very nice job this year," Watson said. "It was hard for him to rebound and make things up. He had a tough opponent, but he did a great job and I'm proud of him."

While Pietrantuono may be heading home earlier than anticipated, Ridgewood residents, teammates, and wrestling fans have plenty to be proud of.

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