Caldwell’s wrestling team showcased their strength on January 7, 2025, securing a decisive victory over Cedar Grove with a final score of 40-32. The match took place at the Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, New Jersey, and marked a significant performance for Caldwell, particularly in the lighter weight classes.
Cedar Grove began the dual meet with an early lead. Rocco Caputo narrowly defeated Michael Rankin in the opening bout, earning an 18-16 decision. This initial win, however, would be one of the few highlights for Cedar Grove as Caldwell quickly gained momentum, winning the next eight matches in succession.
Matthew Ruane initiated Caldwell’s dominant streak with a 6-3 decision over Tommy Sica at 113 pounds. State-placer Carmine Sipper extended the lead by pinning Anthony Cheridan at 120 pounds, giving Caldwell a 9-6 advantage. The momentum continued as Yankee Mabee pinned Logan Donion at 126 pounds, followed by KJ Lissenden’s 3-1 decision over Luke Oeckel at 132 pounds.
At 138 pounds, Solomon Soriente secured a technical fall victory against Richie Galloto, finishing with a score of 22-7. Caldwell’s Anthony Barrett then pinned Vincent LaStella at 150 pounds. Rocco Conforti capped off this impressive run with a technical fall against Gerard Immersi at 157 pounds, leading to an overwhelming 40-6 score before Cedar Grove could respond.
Cedar Grove’s team rallied in the later matches with Charles Zajack, George Dakar, and Bryce Kent all recording pins, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. Nicholas Constantini added to Cedar Grove’s total with a dominant 19-3 technical fall over Qays Rabah, while Michael Leno earned a forfeit victory at 190 pounds.
Caldwell’s victory illustrates their exceptional depth in the lighter weight classes, showcasing a combination of skill and strategy that proved effective against Cedar Grove. The Chiefs will look to build on this success as they continue their season, while Cedar Grove aims to regroup and strengthen their lineup in upcoming matches.
