Passaic Valley wrestler Ryan Dunphy claimed third place in the state of New Jersey at 140 pounds.  Dunphy was the only Jersey Sports Now-area wrestling athlete to take home a medal from the finals at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.

Just a junior, Dunphy defeated Eric Reger of Delsea 5-4 in a four-overtime battle to capture the bronze medal.  He gave up a takedown early in the consolation final but came back to win it, riding out Reger in the ultimate tiebreaker.  "I knew I had to push the match and make up some points somehow, and find a way to win," Dunphy said.

Dunphy finished with a 43-2 record on the wrestling season.  He won the Region 4 title and his first two matches at Atlantic City, pinning Matt Nobbs of Point Pleasant Boro in the pre-quarterfinals and then edging Reger 4-3 in the quarters.  In the semifinals, Dunphy fell to eventual state champion Anthony Baldosaro of Eastern, 9-3.  "I don't think I was at my best but Baldosaro is a real good wrestler," Dunphy said.  "My goal was the finals, but I was one step away."

After that defeat, Dunphy fought back to take third, nipping Charlie Croce of Middletown South 1-0 in his consolation semifinal, then earning the marathon win over Reger.

Two other Hornets also made it to Atlantic City, and 145-pounder Frank Crocco came within one round of earning a place on the wrestling podium.  After winning his preliminary round match 7-5 over Kevin Herget of Emerson/Park Ridge, Crocco was pinned in the pre-quarterfinals by top seed (and eventual runner-up) Troy Hernandez of Kittatinny.

Crocco bounced back to win his first consolation, 5-2 over Ryan Colwell of Madison, before falling in the second round of wrestlebacks, 14-3 to Nestor Taffur of Bound Brook.  Taffur went on to take fourth place.

The other Passaic Valley qualifier, 215-pounder John Irwin, lost by fall in his preliminary round bout to Bill Damiana of Lower Cape May.

As for Dunphy, he will be back on the mat for the Hornets next season, and says his goal will be nothing less than a state title.  -- Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now