Updated Monday Jan. 16

One of the top overall wrestlers in the Shore Conference and top wrestlers in the state at his weight class is out for the rest of the season.

St. John Vianney senior 113-pounder Luke Ecklof, who won the Region VI 106-pound  title and placed eighth in the NJSIAA Tournament last season, suffered a broken ankle on Saturday during a match against Long Branch's Carlos Irizarry and will be sidelined for the rest of the season.

St. John Vianney junior Luke Ecklof placed eight at 106 pounds and is the Lancers' third state medalist all-time and first since 2004. (Photo by Ray Richardson).
St. John Vianney senior Luke Ecklof placed eighth in NJ at 106 pounds last season. (Photo by Ray Richardson).
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"It looked like he was trying to hit a duck under and his foot just stuck to the mat," said St. John Vianney head coach Denny D'Andrea on Sunday monring. "He cracked a bone in his ankle. It's not a bad crack but it's still a crack. The doctor in the hospital said four-to-six weeks but he'll go to the orthopedic on Monday or Tuesday and get a better idea."

D'Andrea updated Ecklof's condition on Monday afternoon, confirming he is indeed done for the year.

Ecklof was 14-0 before the injury, winning individual titles at the Robin Leff Invitational and Mustang Classic. He is the top-ranked 113-pound wrestler in the Shore by theshoreconference.com and is ranked No. 3 in the state by NJ.com. He currently has 93 career victories.

"Wrestling is big deal and a family affair for the Ecklofs," D'Andrea said. "He's been wrestling since he was four years old, training and training. He's a senior, so that's what's tough. If he was a junior or sophomore you wouldn't push the panic button, but this is the end of the road. The kid has aspirations and has been working his butt off."

 

Wrestling editor Bob Badders can be reached at badders@allshoremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.

 

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