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Sports

Six Absegami High School Wrestlers Eye Trip to States

The Region 8 tournament begins tonight at Egg Harbor Township High School.

Absegami High School wrestling coach Shawn Scannell knows what it's like to wrestle on the state's biggest stage.

He wants his wrestlers to have the same experience.

"Six through to the states," Scannell said about what his goal is for his wrestling team this week.

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Absegami has six wrestlers competing in the Region 8 Wrestling Tournament, which begins 5:30 p.m. tonight at Egg Harbor Township High School. The top three in each of the 14 weight classes advance to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City for the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships.

Four of the six Braves’ wrestlers still alive for states won't wrestle until Friday since district champions get a first-round bye. Nate Ross (140 pounds), Chris Hahn (152), Alex Gong (171) and Kevin Stadtmueller (215) will hit the mat on Friday.

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"Basically everyone is a good kid, and it comes down to who is mentally tougher and who is in better shape," Ross said. "We will see who is prepared and who is not."

Mike Jiampetti (119) and Steve Schwartz (heavyweight), who both finished second at the District 32 Tournament, will be in action during the first round. Jiampetti will take on Winslow Township's Robert McNeil, who took third at District 30. Schwartz will meet West Deptford's Mike Hayes, who was third at District 29.

All six Braves have their eye on region titles, but more importantly they want to make it to states.

"I'm going to try my hardest and see what happens," Hahn said.

"There should be some good matchups, and hopefully I can come out on top again," Stadtmueller said.

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