The Wrestling Knights were crowned North 2 Group 3 champions in a thrilling match against Morris Hills, winning 38-32 on Feb. 18. They secured their eighth sectional title, the first one since 2020, clinching the victory with 175-pound Reid Clausi’s pin in the final bout.
West Essex took home big wins in the quarterfinal and semifinal matches against Roxbury and Nutley on Monday, Feb. 16. The Knights dominated Roxbury with a big 62-9 win, with clutch performances from all across the board. Nutley was a closer match, with a final score of 34-30, coming down to the second-to-last match where Danny Harraka secured the win by decision.
The Knights started strong against Morris Hills in the finals with a pin by 190-pound wrestler Joe Cutruzulla in the first match, setting the tone for the night. A tie-breaker decision win, 5-4, from heavyweight wrestler Rocco Maglione gave the Knights a 9-5 lead heading into the lighter weights.
“Maglione, who has stepped up for us over and over again all year long, got it done in a crazy match, a crazy atmosphere and that got the ball rolling,” head coach Michael Markey said in an interview with Garden State Wrestling on Feb. 18.
West Essex had three consecutive wins from Joe Formosa, Jayson Nigro and Christian Bastante, keeping them in the back-and-forth matchup. As the match continued, there were numerous changes in momentum, yet West Essex kept their composure.
“I think we were able to rise above the craziness of it all and be focused and dialed in,” Markey said to The Wire.
Dante D’Achille won by decision in an impressive battle, 8-4, putting the Knights back on the board.
165-pound wrestler, Kole Corcoran, was the last hope for the Knights late in the match, and even with all of the pressure on him, he remained calm.
“It was the calmest I have ever felt,” Corcoran said. “I just went out there with the intent of putting points on the board.”
Corcoran stunned the crowd with a pin, tying the match at 32-32.
“It was a euphoric feeling, I was just really overwhelmed with emotions,” he said.
Corcoran set the stage for Clausi to come in and take home the sectional title. Clausi pinned his opponent after a minute into the first period after having a 3-0 lead.
On Friday the Knights were defeated by Brick Memorial 44-22 in the Group 3 semifinals. They finished their group season with a 20-5 record and 3-2 in the SEC American division. Top wrestlers, Reid Clausi and Christian Bastante also each secured their 100th career win this season, adding another accomplishment to an already successful season They look to finish their season strong by each individually competing in the state tournament.
