Ridgewood Wrestlers Just Scratched Surface in 2010-2011

The Ridgewood wrestling team was able to collect the same record as they did the year before, arguably exceeding expectations on a young team. Unfortunately for the Maroons, the state tournament was just out of reach despite that good-looking 17-8 record.

In making the state team tournament for the 2009-10 season, it was only the second time for the Ridgewood wrestling program.

Coming into this season they were without several graduated seniors so the same record this season was a much applauded accomplishment. "I was very happy with the season," said Ridgewood head coach Torre Watson. "It was a tough season because we had to fill a lot of holes."

Leading the 2010-11 team and back next season is junior Brandon Giovanetti and freshman Joe Oliva, both third team All Bergen County. Each were also second team All Big North Freedom division honorees.

Both Giovanetti and Oliva had some of the most victories of the Ridgewood team. Giovanetti tied a school record with 34 wins while Oliva neared that mark with 33 victories. Both were District 6 champions.

"Brandon is a very skilled wrestler in all areas but he is probably most effective from the neutral position," said head wrestling coach Torre Watson of the talented junior. "He is a strong wrestler and very quick as well. He has a very nice shot and had done a great job this season on seeing the window of opportunity to score on his opponents and taking advantage of this small window as much as possible.”

Watson admitted he was a little surprised about the success of Oliva. "You're always surprised when a freshman does that well at the varsity level," said Watson. "Its a huge difference going from recreation wrestling to high school."
Watson said that the coming out party for Oliva was winning the Mahwah Tournament in December.

"We knew then that we had something special."

Oliva leads an impressive freshmen group that Watson will have for the next three years. The other top freshmen are Stephen Gerdner (103), Vladimir Mirkovic (140) and and freshman Michael Antosiewicz (heavyweight).

On the first team All Big North were sophomore Will Montgomery (119 pounds) and senior Kyle Gibson (160).

Joining Oliva and Giovanetti on the second team All Big North Freedom, are Gerdner (103), junior Justin Gramaglia (135), Mirkovic (140), junior Aaron Bess (152), senior Gordon Ruffing (189) and Antosiewicz (heavyweight).

One of the most impressive is Antosiewicz, who is wrestling in a upper classman-dominated class at heavyweight. He collected 11 victories despite going up against much more experienced wrestlers.

"It definitely is a tough situation especially not wrestling before," said Watson of Antosiewicz, a neophyte before this season. "He did a great job."

On the honorable mention all Big North list is junior Josh Lay (171) and senior Omar Hamza (215).

***2010-2011 RIDGEWOOD WRESTLING HONORS

All County Wrestlers 2010 – 2011

Third Team

• Joe Oliva – 112 pounds
• Brandon Giovanetti – 130 pounds

Honorable Mention

• Stephen Gerdner – 103 pounds
• Kyle Gibson – 160 pounds
• Gordon Ruffing – 189 pounds

Big North Freedom Division

All League Wrestlers 2010 - 2011

First Team

• Will Montgomery – 119 pounds
• Kyle Gibson – 160 pounds

Second Team

• Stephen Gerdner – 103 pounds
• Joe Oliva – 112 pounds
• Brandon Giovanetti – 130 pounds
• Justin Gramaglia – 135 pounds
• Vladimir Mirkovic – 140 pounds
• Aaron Bess – 152 pounds
• Gordon Ruffing – 189 pounds
• Michael Antosiewicz – heavyweight

Honorable Mention

• Josh Lay – 171 pounds
• Omar Hamza – 215 pounds