CHS wrestling team has strong efforts after ECT

The Columbia High School varsity wrestling team went right back to work after the Essex County Tournament on Jan. 28, facing a Nutley team that had won the ECT title.
Due to a few injuries and illness, the Cougars sent a shortened team to Nutley on Feb. 1 and had a few highlights despite the loss. Senior captain KJ Jarrett, who was named the ECT Most Outstanding Wrestler after winning the 106-pound title, continued his winning ways with a technical fall over Nutley’s Juilian Figueroa.
Junior Chris Auriemma continued his march through the county with an overtime win over Vinnie Mainiero, who was 17-5 and seeded third in the ECT. Junior heavyweight Rodney Cenat continued his comeback from a concussion with a win over Andre Hamlin, who took third in the ECT.
The Cougars moved on to Scotch Plains this past Saturday Feb. 4 for a quad match with Scotch Plains, Madison and Highland Park. CHS picked up its seventh victory of the season, which is impressive considering the Cougars forfeit at least three weight classes per match. Jarrett won all three matches, pushing his record to an astounding 25-1.
Auriemma also won all three, pushing his record to 19-8, and winning 10 of his last 11.
Senior captain Obina Nwanonyiri won all three of his matches, and continues to get in wrestling shape after a long layoff. Senior Ben Hayes won two of his three matches, pushing his record to 18-9. Cenat also won two of his three matches.
The Cougars took part in the Essex County Junior Varsity Tournament this past Sunday in Nutley, and were quite successful. Khashari Wilson, Alex Reason and Evander Jackson all took first-place honors, while Nate Pham and Andrew Hernandez took second-place honors, and Cyriacos Ibezim earned a third-place medal.
The Cougars finish their regular season this week, with a home match against Barringer this past Monday Feb. 6, a visit to Cedar Grove on Feb. 8 and a visit to Bernards this Saturday Feb. 11.  They then will start to get ready for the District 10 tournament in Millburn Feb. 17-18.