Holmdel

Mar 14, 2023

Seven Satz Wrestlers Crowned at Annual Tournament

By Les Pierce

Michael Todisco controls his opponent in the 126-pound final.

Seven members of the William R. Satz School wrestling team captured championships at the Shore Conference of Middle Schools Tournament. Twenty weight classes were contested in the tourney that was held at Raritan High School on Feb. 4.

Gold medals went to Colton Cortese (70 pounds), Logan Placca (80), Michael Paulino (90), Christian Reyes (95), Dylan Placca (105), Michael Todisco (126) and John Gann (HWT). Nicholas Paulino (110) picked up a silver medal.

Cortese made a mark taking the 70-pound title as the first sixth grader in the program’s history to claim a championship at the annual tournament. Moments later, another sixth-grade student, Logan Placca, avenged a pair of regular season losses to a rival when he captured the 75-pound crown.

Michael Paulino wins the 90-pound title.

Satz finished second to Thompson Middle School (150) in team scoring with 130 points. The Holmdel based team arrived at the tourney short staffed and was able to compete in only 14 of the 20 weight classes.

Prior to the tournament, the squad posted an impressive 14-3 record for their dual meet campaign.

Three wrestlers closed out the 2022-23 season undefeated: Colton Cortese (16-0 record), Michael Todisco (17-0) and John Gann (17-0). All 17 of Todisco’s victories came via pinning his opponent. Todisco and Gann served as team captains. 

Other wrestlers sporting excellent records were Dylan Placca (16-1), Christian Reyes (14-1), Michael Paulino (15-2) and Logan Placca (15-2).

In his first season as head coach, Michael Oxley Sr. is well on his way in creating a robust feeder system for the Holmdel varsity program. There is actually a family connection here as Michael Oxley Jr. coaches the Holmdel High School team.