The Old Bridge wrestling team achieved a historic victory at the Greater Middlesex Tournament, capturing the championship and ending St. Joseph of Metuchen’s three-year dominance. The Knights secured two individual titles, with standout performances from Temiloluva Odumba and Zach Florio, who both excelled in the final rounds of their respective weight classes.
Old Bridge coach John Post noted the team’s confidence as they assessed the scores during the tournament. “We looked at the team scores and we felt comfortable with where we were,” he said. This mindset allowed the athletes to focus on their individual matches without the pressure of team rankings weighing on them.
Odumba, who entered the tournament as the 13th seed, showcased remarkable skill and determination. After a significant victory by 18-6 in the semifinals against top-seeded Daniel Montemurro of Metuchen, he claimed the 190-pound title by defeating second-seeded Felipe Granadiero of South River with a close 7-5 decision. “He’s shown some flashes of brilliance,” Post remarked, emphasizing the importance of building Odumba’s confidence throughout the season.
Florio followed Odumba’s success by winning the 215-pound bracket with a decisive 20-10 major decision over Wilfredo Villalongo from Carteret. His path to the championship included three pins, which contributed significantly to Old Bridge’s overall team performance. Despite St. Joseph having five champions at the tournament, Old Bridge’s depth and ability to secure bonus points proved crucial, as they advanced an impressive 13 wrestlers to the semifinal round.
Old Bridge’s victory marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time the school has won this tournament since its inception in 1995, following the merger of Madison Central and Cedar Ridge High Schools. Coach Post acknowledged the team’s depth as a key factor in their success. “We have a lot of depth,” he stated, reflecting on their performance throughout the tournament.
While Old Bridge celebrated its achievements, they faced challenges in certain weight classes. At 106 pounds, top-seeded David Peoples suffered a technical fall loss to Monroe’s second-seeded Kyle Capodanno. Similarly, at 113 pounds, second-seeded Noah Perez from Woodbridge secured his fourth pin of the tournament against top-seeded Gavin Young.
With only two finals remaining, Old Bridge had already clinched the tournament title, but St. Joseph continued to showcase its strength. Top-seeded Julian Arango concluded the 120-pound bracket with an 11-3 major decision over Nikolas Rivas, and Nico DeRado sealed the 126-pound title with a pin in just 1:33.
As the tournament concluded, Post reflected on the team’s journey. “We came in with high hopes,” he said. Winning the Red Division was a goal, but the Knights are now focused on competing successfully in the sectionals against strong opponents like Jackson and Monroe. With their historic tournament win, Old Bridge has set a new standard for future seasons.
