By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer
TOMS RIVER -- He did not get the Most Outstanding Wrestler Award, but Toms River North junior John Morano surely deserves something extra for his performance during the NJSIAA Region VI Tournament.
Not only did Morano capture the 125-pound title, he did so by running an unimaginably tough gauntlet of wrestlers that included Point Boro's Jordan Beverly, Wall's Frank Labrusciano and Jackson's Derrik Russell, the latter of whom he defeated 4-2 to win his first region title.
"I'm feeling pretty confident now," Morano said. "Having won here, I don't think there's going to be much of a difference in the states. Being a region champ in the toughest region in New Jersey feels great."
Against Russell, Morano scored the only takedown of the bout in the first period and also received a stalling point and an escape point while holding Russell to just two escapes. Morano's victory in the final completed a terrific run from the No. 7 seed through arguably the region's deepest weight class.
"After beating Jordan (Beverly, in the quarterfinals) I knew there wasn't much better than him, he's top notch," Morano said. "It gave me confidence the rest of the way but I didn't take anyone lightly, they are all great wrestlers."
Now, as all the region champions do, Morano will be counting the days until he gets to wrestle on the floor of Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.
"I feel awesome about it," Morano said. "I'm looking forward to wrestle my heart out."
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Click here for more highlights from Derrik Russell