Lower, Middle combine for five championships at two different tournaments

A total of five wrestlers from Lower Cape May and Middle Township won their respective weight classes at different early-season tournaments on Saturday.

Lower Cape May, without its full compliment of wrestlers, still managed to enjoy massive success at the Gator Tournament at Gateway Regional High School. The Tigers placed second out of 10 teams at the event.

The Tigers produced two champions and a total of nine top-three finishes at the event, despite not having the services of top wrestlers Brock Zurawski, Brayden Castillo and Marcus Hebron, who were instead competing at the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament.

Nathan Stewart (157) and Brody Saltzman (190) each won their weight classes for Lower Cape May. Both won by first-period fall in their respective championship matches.

Lower’s Connor Barikian (113), Matt Harris (132) and Jadan Farrow (165) each finished in second place, while Cade Heacock (106), Dennis Serra (144), Quinten Hagan (215) and Corey Achuff (Hwt.) each placed third. Sean Stoner (175) added a fourth-place finish.

Middle Township had three winners and two other finalists at the Hammonton Kick-Off Tournament. The Panthers finished fifth out of eight teams.

Adrien LaBoy (1507), Alick Lillian (157) and David Giulian (190) each won their respective weight classes. All three won all three of their matches in the tournament via fall.

Also for Middle, X’zavier Swinton (132) and Kani Perry (Hwt.) each finished in second place after losing championship bouts. Both suffered close 2-1 losses in the title bouts.

Connor Rowlands (113) and Ashton Metzler (175) each placed fourth.