Wrestling: Morris Knolls places second in home tournament

DENVILLE – Garrett O’Shea and brothers Luke and Dean Drugac have made the transition into being a first-year head coach a little easier for rookie Morris Knolls coach Erik Bradley.

All three Golden Eagles rolled to first-places finishes at the Morris Knolls Christmas Tournament Saturday, but equally important is what those three do during practice, which sets the tone for the team.

“Those three have had a lot of success and they make us go,” Bradley said. “Being a first-year coach, it helps to have kids like that.”

Morris Knolls (198) finished second overall to South Plainfield (218). West Morris (195¹/₂) was third.

O’Shea (113) finished sixth in the state tournament at 106 last year and looked terrific in tecking Watchung Hills’ Max Meyer, 17-2 (4:47).

“Garrett wants to go further than he did last year and wants to be a contender in Atlantic City this year,” Bradley said. “The 113-pound weight is good weight for him, and we have some good opponents coming up that’ll make him better. He’ll be facing a lot of competition to get him ready.”

The Drugacs both dominated in winning their weight.

At 170, Luke Drugac tecked Newark Academy’s Charles Austin, 15-0 (2:53). Returning Region 1 champion Dean Drugac, meanwhile, built up an 8-0 lead and then pinned Watchung Hills’ Ben Gomes in 3:29.

“Both of those guys have been going to Mike Kennedy’s to work out (in Parsippany) and they’ve gotten stronger,” Bradley said. “They both went up a couple of weights and they have just been steamrolling people.

“All three of those guys – Garrett, Luke and Dean – have one speed and that is just to go.”

West Morris had four champions.

At 106, Shane Metzler decisioned Morris Knolls’ Austin Perrault, 9-3.

“Shane is doing really well,” Wolfpack coach Ken Rossi said. “He goes very hard in the room. Plus, he is a full 106-pounder now, which is important, rather than being 101 pounds.”

Dylan Luciano (120), fourth at Region 1 last year, decisioned Seton Hall Prep’s Nick Fierro, 3-0.

“Dylan has great match awareness and balance,” Rossi said. “He’s sharpened up his technique. He really wants it this year.”

David Migliaccio (145), fourth at Region I two years ago, beat Newark Academy’s Brandon Seyffried, 4-1. Migliaccio had a 2-1 lead late in the match and iced it with a takedown in the final seconds.

“The big thing with him is he is moving forward and is on the attack,” Rossi said. “Last year, he wouldn’t have gotten that late takedown.”

Kevin Sears (195) defeated Seton Hall Prep’s Donovan Monteverdi, 8-1.

“Sears worked his tail off to prepare for football because that is what he wants to do in college,” Rossi said. “He didn’t wrestle last year but he’s doing really well and we’re excited for him.”

Montville had three champions, including Outstanding Wrestler Anthony Fano (152), a two-time state qualifier who beat returning state qualifier Alex Murray of Watchung Hills, 7-3.

“That was a big win for Anthony,” Mustangs coach John Krip said. “It’s a nice way to start the season. He’s a hard worker and it’s paying off.”

Montville closed out the tournament with back-to-back wins at 220 and 285.

Joe Lascala (220) beat Morris Knolls’ Kevin Van Dyne, 7-1. Parker Fox (285) beat Seton Hall Prep’s Jake Baker, 7-2.

“Fox fractured his foot last year and never had a chance to wrestle,” Krip said. “Joe is a big, strong kid who is only a second-year wrestler. He does exactly what he is told. You only have to tell him to grab the arm one time, not 15 times like some other kids.”

Morris Knolls Christmas Tournament

Team scores: 1. South Plainfield (218); 2. Morris Knolls (198); 3. West Morris (195 ½); 4. Montville (148 ½); 5. Watchung Hills (124); 6. Seton Hall Prep (123); 7. Perth Amboy (75 ½); 8. Newark Academy (67); 9. Wallkill Valley 62; 10. Morris Hills 21.

106—Shane Metzler (West Morris) dec. Austin Perrault (Morris Knolls), 9-3.

113—Garrett O’Shea (Morris Knolls) tech. fall Max Meyer (Watchung Hills), 17-2 (4:47).

120—Dylan Luciano (West Morris) dec. Nick Fierro (Seton Hall Prep), 3-0.

126—Ryan Walsh (South Plainfield) maj.dec. Marco Gaita (West Morris), 11-2.

132—Kyle Bythell (South Plainfield) dec. Michael Glasser (Montville), 6-2.

138—Dan Hedden (South Plainfield) dec. T.J. Calas (Seton Hall Prep), 5-0.

145—David Migliaccio (West Morris) dec. Brandon Seyffried (Newark Academy), 4-1.

152—Anthony Fano (Montville) dec. Alex Murray (Watchung Hills), 7-3.

160—Jordan Handwerge (South Plainfield) dec. Joey Schiele (Morris Hills), 1-0.

170—Luke Drugac (Morris Knolls) tech. fall Charles Austin (Newark Academy), 15-0 (2:53).

182—Dean Drugac (Morris Knolls) pin. Ben Gomes (Watchung Hills), 3:29.

195—Kevin Sears (West Morris) dec. Donovan Monteverdi (Seton Hall Prep), 8-1.

220—Joe Lascala (Montville) dec. Kevin Van Dyne (Morris Knolls), 7-1.

285—Parker Fox (Montville) dec. Jake Baker (Seton Hall Prep), 7-2.