By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer
TOMS RIVER -- They may weigh in at barely over 100 pounds, but Jackson's Tyler Biscaha and Marlboro's Charlie Frankel both know they are the heavyweights of the 103-pound class. So coming into the season the chance for multiple matchups was both anticipated and looked forward to.
"I expected to wrestle him more than a couple times coming into this year," said Biscaha of Frankel. "I knew we would meet in districts and then in regions and hopefully we meet again in the states."
When the NJSIAA Individual Tournament begins next Friday, it will be Biscaha who holds the edge after defeating Frankel, 6-1, to capture his first Region VI championship. The Jaguars junior took Frankel down right away in the first period before cutting him for a 2-1 lead. Biscaha never trailed in the bout by getting two back points after Frankel chose down in the second period and then scoring a reversal after he chose defense to start the third.
"After districts we went over some things, mainly how to score on him and finishing my single (-leg takedown)," Biscaha said. "In districts I got his leg in the air three times but couldn't finish him."
Biscaha now has two victories over Frankel in three meetings this season. Including Saturday's victory in the region final, Biscaha also topped Frankel in the New Jersey Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Invitational. Frankel defeated Biscaha last week to win the District 21 title.
"We wrestle a lot and we both know each other so it's the same advantage," Biscaha said. "We both expect the same stuff and it's about whoever comes out and executes better than day."
Even though this season is Biscaha's first as a full-time starter, his success should come as no surprise. The junior was stuck behind Derrik Russell last season, who won district and region titles at 103 before placing fifth in the state. Russell is now the Jaguars 125-pounder. When the two wrestled-off in the beginning of last season, Russell won by one, 3-2, with a last second takedown, according to Biscaha.
"It feels great to win, knowing that I was on JV last year behind Derrik and watching him go so far when we had such a close wrestle-off," Biscaha said. "To be able to come out here and wrestle on my own and just repeat what he did feels great."
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Click here for Biscaha-Frankel at the All-Star Invitational
Click here for Biscaha-Frankel District 21 Final
Click here for Tyler Biscaha video highlights
Click here for Chralie Frankel video highlights