Army Strong Wrestling Team of the Week: Toms River North
New for this winter season, the United States Army and Shore Sports Network have selected a wrestling Team of the Week based on its performance over the past week.
The final recipient of the Army Strong Team of the Week for the 2018 season is Toms River North, which captured its first district team title since 1971 by claiming the NJSIAA District 28 team championship. Shore Sports Network along with Sergeant First Class Nicole McMinamin from the U.S. Army were at practice Thursday to present the Mariners and head coach Bill Wilbert with a special banner to commemorate their accomplishments.
Ryan Rosenthal, Nick Reilly, Nick Boggiano and Juan Nakano each won district titles and four more Toms River North wrestlers finished in the top three as the Mariners won their first district team title since 1971.
Reilly became just the third Toms River North wrestler to win three district titles when he defeated Shawnee's Ed Morriarity, 7-4 in double overtime, to win the 120-pound title. Rosenthal won by fall in both of his bouts, including pinning Shawnee's Ethan Greenberg in the final, to win the 106-pound championship. In one of the top finals matchups in the district, Boggiano defeated Toms River South's Riley Cheong, 5-0, in the 138-pound final. Nakano won by 14-2 major decision over Lenape's Ross Capri to take the 170-pound title.
Jack Oleske (132) and Michael Nakano (182) each finished second and Mark Fedeli (126) and Anthony Clavijo (195) placed third.
Michael Nakano won his preliminary-round bout in the Region 7 Tournament on Wednesday night and will join Rosenthal, Reilly, Boggiano and Juan Nakano in Friday night’s quarterfinal round. Each has their eyes set on finishing in the top four of their respective weight classes and qualifying for the state tournament. If either wins a region title they will be Toms River North’s first region champion since Taylor Kau, John Morano and Brian Newman each won Region 6 titles in 2009.
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