Frank Gabriele will be the only Verona High School wrestler going to Atlantic City this year after finishing in second place at 138 in the Region 3 wrestling championship.
Gabriele, who broke the record this year for most wins ever by a VHS wrestler, pinned Alex Jones of Caldwell in 2:15 before coming up just one point short against Cody Harrison of Phillipsburg in the finals. This weekend will be Gabriele’s second trip to the state championship.
John Gabriele won his first round, 7-2 over Nicholas Graessle of Whippany Park, but lost 3-10 to Vincent Andreano of Delbarton. In his wrestleback Gabriele pinned Janny Lope Valle of Randolph, pushing him to fifth place at 152. Only the top four finishers in each weight class move on to the state championships however.
Nick Riggio opened with a 2-3 loss to Lance Wissing of Phillipsburg, but rallied to pin Angel Reyes of Secaucus in 1:48. Riggio’s second wrestleback didn’t go his way, ending with a 4-5 loss to Nick Zarra of Hanover Park. Riggio finished sixth at 170.
Bill Fauerbach had a 9-0 loss to Austin Roth of Phillipsburg and did not place in his weight class.
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Photos copyright Joanna Breitenbach. Used by permission.
