VIDEO, PHOTOS: LCM sweeps home quad to remain unbeaten

January 8, 2023

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

ERMA – The Lower Cape May Regional High School wrestling team enjoyed a darn good week.

The Caper Tigers swept a home quad over Toms River North (64-24), Pinelands (60-15) and Vineland (62-15) on Saturday. That came after victories over Hammonton and Buena over the previous three days.

Lower takes a dual meet record of 6-0 into the new week.

At Saturday’s quad, three Lower Cape May wrestlers won all three of their bouts by pin to lead the way, Connor Barikian won by fall twice at 120 pounds and once at 126 pounds, Logan Haggerty scored three first-period pins at 165 pounds and Quinten Hagan posted two first-period pins and one second-period pin at 215 pounds.

Other triple winners included Chase Hansen (132) with two pins and a win by forfeit; Eric Coombs (106) with a major decision, win by fall and a win by forfeit; Benjamin Rue (Hwt.) with a pin and two forfeit wins; and Cade Heacock (113) with three wins by forfeit.

Also for Lower, Jachere Harris (138), Deron Azile (157), Isiah Carr-Wing (175) and Ryan Rush (190) each won two of their three matches.

Lower Cape May is currently competing without one of its stars, Rider signee Brock Zurawski, who has been battling an injury that isn’t expected to keep him out of the lineup for much longer. Zurawski is currently ranked second in the state in the 190-pound weight class.

Billy Damiana’s team is next in action Tuesday at St. Augustine Prep.

Lower Cape May's Connor Barikian (top) takes down Toms River North's Luke Meehan en route to victory by fall.
Lower Cape May's Chase Hansen (top) works to turn Toms River North's Matt Stankowitz to his back prior to winning by pin at 138 pounds.
Lower Cape May's Jachere Harris (bottom) lost this bout to Toms River North's Joe Dolci but bounced back to win his two other matches at Saturday's quad.
Lower Cape May's Gabe Donaghy (left) squares off with Toms River North's Tristan Pedre at 144 pounds.
Lower Cape May's Logan Haggerty (top) puts pressure on the back of the head of Toms River North's Jeriel Sanchez en route to a win by fall at 165 pounds.
Lower Cape May's Isiah Carr-Wing scores a takedown against Mark Gustelia of Toms River North at 175 pounds. Carr-Wing eventually won by fall.
Lower Cape May's Ryan Rush (right) maneuvers against Toms River North's Angel Perez at 190 pounds.
Benjamin Rue (top) of Lower Cape May moves into position to pin TRN's Cole Ganska at heavyweight.