After Second Region 6 Title, CBA’s Sebastian Rivera Wants to Win – And Dominate

TOMS RIVER -- Christian Brothers Academy senior Sebastian Rivera sent a message on the mat by dominating the field to win the 2016 NJSIAA Region 6 113-pound title.

Then, in case any of his future opponents weren't impressed, he had a message for them.

"I don't want to just win a state title, I want to dominate my way there," Rivera said. "There's no way I'm not coming out of there without fighting and dominating those guys like Pat Glory and Jonathan Tropea. That's the way I want to win a state title."

CBA senior Sebastian Rivera won by technical fall over Howell sophomore Kyle Slendorn to defend his Region 6 113-pound title and win Most Outstanding Wrestler. (Photo by Harleigh Donovan).

Rivera cruised to his second straight Region 6 113-pound title on Saturday night at Pine Belt Arena with a pin and two technical falls, including an 18-3 victory over Howell sophomore Kyle Slendorn in the championship bout. Rivera, who is ranked No. 3 in the country and signed to Northwestern, has placed fifth in each of the last two state tournaments at 106 and 113 pounds, respectively.

Glory, a sophomore from Delbarton who was second in the state at 106 pounds last season, and Tropea, a senior from St. Joseph Regional in Montvale who was third at 106 last season and eighth in 2014, are his main obstacles to winning a state crown. Tropea won the Region 2 title on Saturday with a 5-2 victory over Bergen Catholic's Carmen Ferrante. Glory pinned Cranford's Anthony Capece to win the Region 3 title.

Rivera wrestled most of the season at 120 pounds, but was light for the weight. Dropping to 113 for the individual tournaments was always an option, and he made it official late in the season. During the offseason Rivera won the prestigious Super 32 title at 113 pounds, defeating Glory 9-7 in the final.

Rivera is ranked No. 3 in the nation by InterMat, while Glory is No. 5 and Tropea, a Rider University recruit, is No. 11.

"I'm coming for them, but I think they already know that," Rivera said. "I think Pat knows after our Super 32 final. The score was close, but he knows it wasn't that close. I'm looking to do the same thing but let the score sheet show it and let the whole state know."

Rivera (27-1) has one loss this season, which came to Hanover Park freshman Nick Raimo. When CBA wrestled Hanover Park earlier this season and Rivera was up at 120 pounds, Raimo won by fall late in the third period of a close bout.

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.