Wayne Valley snags District 4 crown and four individual titles

District 4 Wrestling tournament finals The 2008-09 Wayne Valley wrestling team is the master of the tournament.  While the Indians suffered some disappointing results in dual meets, they had a perfect record in tournaments this season. The Indians capped their remarkable run by winning the District 4 wrestling Tournament for the first time, coming home with the team trophy and four individual gold medals.

Luke Rigoglioso became a four-time District wrestling champ with his tech fall victory at 140 pounds.  But it didn't come without a scary moment.  Scott Matthews of Pompton Lakes caught Rigoglioso with a lateral drop for a five-point move in the opening seconds.  But Rigoglioso fought off his back, and eventually recorded six sets of back points en route to the 20-5 win.

Also winning for the Indians, 145-pounder Bob Markowski, 130-pounder Jake Caposela, and heavyweight Emrah Akil.  The win for Akil was an upset as he pinned favored Luke Ramsey of West Milford in the second period.

The Indians edged Pequannock by just 8.5 points for the team title.  Things looked good for the Panthers as they won the first three weight classes in the finals, including a surprise win for Nick Esemplare in triple overtime at 119 pounds.  But the Panthers didn't win any more titles and saw the Indians surpass them.

West Milford also won three titles and took third place, while Pompton Lakes settled for just one titlist out of seven to make the finals and placed fourth.  Lakeland, Kinnelon and DePaul also had wrestlers take gold medals.

The winners from Saturday move on automatically to the quarterfinals of next week's Region 1 wrestling tournament at Wallkill Valley High School.  The runners-up and third place finishers must wrestle Tuesday night in the preliminary round in order to move on.   -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now