Holy Spirit High School Sophomore Pat D'Arcy begins his road to a state title tonight when he faces Hillsborough's Adam LaBracio in the first round of the 106-pound state championship wrestling tournament in Atlantic City.
D'Arcy (35-4), of Galloway Township, finished second in the Region 8 tournament last weekend in Egg Harbor Township, when he lost to Clearview's Zack Firestone in the final. It was D'Arcy's first individual loss of the postseason. LaBracio is also 35-4.
The winner of the match faces either Ferdinand Mase (35-1) of Eastern Regional; High School, or Anthony Cruz (31-10), of Passaic Valley, in the second round, according to trackwrestlng.com
The state tournament features the top three wrestlers from each of the state's eight regions competing for a state title over the next three days. The 106-pound tournament features two undefeated wrestlers, including Region 6 champion Michael Russo (35-0), of Jackson Liberty; and Nick Suriano (34-0), of Bergen Catholic.
Both wrestlers have first round byes. Russo is the No. 1 overall seed, and Firestone is the No. 2 seed.
The full bracket is available here.