Sports
Young Braves Have Talented, Motivated Leadership
The Absegami High School wrestling team brings back a 30-match winner and a 27-match winner, as well as a particularly motivated junior.
Nate Ross speaks like he is motivated this season, and according to Absegami High School wrestling coach Shawn Scannell, the junior is wrestling like it in the practice room.
The Braves enter this Saturday's season opening tournament at Christian Brothers Academy a much younger team than the squad that finished last year 23-4. However, the returning wrestlers, like Ross, expect to be become leaders on and off the wrestling mat.
"We are not as strong as last year, but we have some good wrestlers in critical spots that will make an impact on the team," Ross said.
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Ross, who will wrestle at 140 pounds, expects himself to be one of those wrestlers along with Mike Jiampetti, Kevin Stadtmueller and Chris Hahn. Ross was 15-12 last year, but wants to improve those numbers and contend at the district and regional tournaments.
"I'm expecting big things this year," Ross said. "I had a downfall in my sophomore year. I'm trying to come back and make something of myself in my junior year."
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"Nate had some good varsity experience last year," Scannell said. "He did a bunch of work over the spring and the summer. He looks really good."
The Braves' top returning wrestler is Stadtmueller, who is coming off a 30-win season that included two wins at the state tournament.
"He is our big gun," said Scannell of the 215-pound wrestler.
Jiampetti gives the Braves a solid wrestler in the lower weight classes. Jiampetti won 27 times last year and is expecting to contend in districts and regions.
"He is looking really good," Scannell said. "He is hoping to elevate his level, get to states and do some damage."
Despite losing wrestlers like Shane Robinson and John Harvey, the Braves expect to be in the hunt in the Cape-Atlantic League, where their main competition will be from St. Augustine Prep. Absegami also wants to earn another berth into the sectional tournament.
"We think we should compete in the CAL," Scannell said. "The Prep is tough. We will see with weight certifications how we match up, but I think we can match up. The sectionals are tough, especially with Washington Township, and Southern is good, too."
