SOMMA-CH FOR THE FAVORITES - Wrestling: Region VI 135-pound championsh

By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer

    TOMS RIVER -- Something looked off when the finalists lined up for the Lehigh Introductions at the NJSIAA Region VI Tournament. The 135-pounders were the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, and one of them was wearing a singlet from Colts Neck. But Cougars senior Jimmy Somma did not feel the least bit out of place.
    Soon after he became the first Colts Neck wrestler to advance to a region final, Somma continued to write school history when he defeated Southern's Nick Maugeri, 5-2, to capture the 135-pound title.
    "It's great, it's the first in school history and it really makes me proud," Somma said.
    As the No. 5 seed, Somma knocked off top-seeded Don Miller of Brick Memorial in the semifinals before topping Maugeri, the sixth seed, in the final. Against the Southern senior, Somma had a takedown in each of the first two periods and was in control the entire bout. Maugeri got a takedown at the buzzer, but those points could not stop Somma from making school and Region VI history.
    "I came in to the whole tournament as a lower seed but one through seven were very evenly matched," Somma said. "Maugeri had beat and lost to kids I beat so I felt very good knowing I could beat this kid and win this title."
    Somma had to overcome some adversity in the quarterfinals when he defeated Manalapan's Ryan McGilvray, who had defeated him twice already this season.
    "I didn't think about how he beat me, it was all about trying to figure out how to beat him when it counted most," Somma said.
    Now Somma hopes to continue his success in the state tournament and become the first Colts Neck state-place winner or even state champion.
    "I have high expectations for myself and I'm very confident coming out of this region," Somma said. "It's kind of rough being the only kid from your school here (in the finals), you look around and you see other kids with there teammates in the finals but you get over it and you come and just wrestle. Hopefully in a couple years there can be a few region champs from the school."

Click here for more highlights of Jimmy Somma
Click here for more highlights of Nick Maugeri

SOMMA-CH FOR THE FAVORITES - Wrestling: Region VI 135-pound championship

Published: 03/02/2008


Print Bookmark Email Facebook Google Email a link to your friend. Your Name Recipient Email Message SOMMA-CH FOR THE FAVORITES - Wrestling: Region VI 135-pound championship Published: 03/02/2008 View: Videos (4) By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer TOMS RIVER -- Something looked off when the finalists lined up for the Lehigh Introductions at the NJSIAA Region VI Tournament. The 135-pounders were the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, and one of them was wearing a singlet from Colts Neck. But Cougars senior Jimmy Somma did not feel the least bit out of place. Soon after he became the first Colts Neck wrestler to advance to a region final, Somma continued to write school history when he defeated Southern's Nick Maugeri, 5-2, to capture the 135-pound title. "It's great, it's the first in school history and it really makes me proud," Somma said. As the No. 5 seed, Somma knocked off top-seeded Don Miller of Brick Memorial in the semifinals before topping Maugeri, the sixth seed, in the final. Against the Southern senior, Somma had a takedown in each of the first two periods and was in control the entire bout. Maugeri got a takedown at the buzzer, but those points could not stop Somma from making school and Region VI history. "I came in to the whole tournament as a lower seed but one through seven were very evenly matched," Somma said. "Maugeri had beat and lost to kids I beat so I felt very good knowing I could beat this kid and win this title." Somma had to overcome some adversity in the quarterfinals when he defeated Manalapan's Ryan McGilvray, who had defeated him twice already this season. "I didn't think about how he beat me, it was all about trying to figure out how to beat him when it counted most," Somma said. Now Somma hopes to continue his success in the state tournament and become the first Colts Neck state-place winner or even state champion. "I have high expectations for myself and I'm very confident coming out of this region," Somma said. "It's kind of rough being the only kid from your school here (in the finals), you look around and you see other kids with there teammates in the finals but you get over it and you come and just wrestle. Hopefully in a couple years there can be a few region champs from the school." Click here for more highlights of Jimmy Somma Click here for more highlights of Nick Maugeri