MIDDLESEX TAKES SECOND IN THRILLING GSAC WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Middlesex College wrestling, enjoying one of their finest seasons in recent years, finished second overall in an exciting Garden State Athletic Conference Championship. The Colts went into the last match of the GSAC finals against RCSJ-Gloucester needing a pin for the win. However, RCSJ-Gloucester's All-American Jaden Roberts held off Nick Jairdullo to clinch the title. 

The Colts were without Troy O'Connor (Freshman/Middlesex, NJ), one of their best wrestlers, due to injury as they sought their first title in over a decade. They hope to have O'Connor back for the Region XIX Tournament.  

Middlesex head coach Kyle Brewer made a risky, but key move, forfeiting at 125 and bumping his stable of lower weights up a class. Zain Ahmad (Zain Ahmed/South Brunswick, NJ) who weighed in at 125, bumped up to wrestle at 133 and scored a 6-3 decision for the Colts. Kyler Rodriguez was up next at 141 and was able to secure a fall for the Colts, putting Middlesex up 9-6. 

Chris Folkens (Freshman/Flemington, NJ) was able to get another six points, further advancing the Middlesex lead to 15-6.  The Colts forfeited at 157 to bump George Kirvalidze (Freshman/Fords, NJ) up to 165 where he was able to stay off his back avoiding a pin.  Going into 174 RCSJ_Gloucester was up 17-15 and in an exciting and pivotal match, Mohammad Kiebre (Freshman/South Brunswick, NJ) almost pulled out a win. However, the Colt fell 12-8 but by only allowing a decision, it kept Middlesex alive going into the final match. 

The GSAC title came down to Jairdullo at 184 with Middlesex trailing by 5 points. A pin by Jairdullo would have clinched the Conference Championship for the Colts, but in a very exciting match, Jairdullo fell just short of doing so against one of the top wrestlers in the GSAC.

The Colts will travel to Lackawanna for their national qualifer and region championships on February 19.