Coaster Photo by Devin Peppler
Oceans Joe Falco (top) and Kyle Kiss (below) wrestle at a recent practice.
By ANDREW CANGIANO
Senior Joe Falco earned the 100th win of his high school career last week during the Spartans loss to Howell during the second round of the Shore Conference Tournament.
With the victory, Falco became just the third wrestler in the history of Ocean Township High School to reach triple digits in wins, with the other two being fellow teammate Kyle Kiss and recent graduate Dan Lopes.
It feels good because its the third time in school history thats happened, Falco said about his recent accomplishment.
The Ocean senior, who started out wrestling at 125 pounds as a freshman, has had to compete at various weight classes this year, ranging from 152-171 pounds.
Wherever the team needs me, Ill go, he said.
Falco said the adversity the Spartans have faced the last few years due to injuries has helped the team to grow, as it has given younger wrestlers a chance to gain more experience.
Head Coach Ken Hoff said Falco is a totally unselfish wrestler for the Spartans.
He does it for the team. He never complains, Hoff said about the various weights Falco has had to wrestle at. He gives it his all from the first second to the last second of every match.
Falco credits his brother, Gary, who wrestled for Ocean during the late 90s, with helping him to reach his potential as an athlete, as Gary helps Joe train for football and wrestling.
Hes made me a better wrestler and a better football player, Falco said of his older brother.
Having reached the 100 win plateau, Falco said the best ending to his high school career would be winning a fourth consecutive CJ Group III and downing Wall, who defeated Ocean on Jan. 17, along the way.
Weve just got to work together as a team, he said about how the Spartans can achieve their goal.
Weve built a little bit of a rivalry from the last couple of years, the senior said about rival Wall. They definitely want to take that [state title] from us, but we want to win it four years in a row.
It would be a nice way to finish off my senior year.
Wrestling Notebook
Spartans coach Ken Hoff said he is hoping his team will get healthy for the end of the season.
Hoff said the team is hoping to get Andrew Van Dyk back for the teams last match of the season before the state tournament, at home against Don Bosco on Wednesday.
Nick Menditto, who has been wrestling with a cast on, will finally be able to go without the protective guard soon, Hoff said.
The team also has Jeff Siciliano, who wrestles at 189 pounds, back in its lineup as well. Hoff said the team has benefited from the contributions of sophomore J.P. Palandrano at 119 pounds.
Despite recent losses to rival Wall (whom Ocean could possibly meet in the CJ Group III tournament) and Howell in the Shore Conference Tournament,
Hoff said the good competition Ocean faces helps the team in the long run, even if it loses some matches.
Im not afraid to lose as a coach, he said. Im not afraid to lose as a team.
I hope we can get better from wrestling tough competition.
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