GRHS wrestler O'Keefe makes good run in Region tourney
By Joe Ragozzino
Sports Editor
Glen Ridge High School senior varsity wrestler Evan O’Keefe came up short in his bid to reach the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament.
Nevertheless, it was a fantastic season for the 152-pounder.
O’Keefe, who won the District 13 title the previous weekend, brought a 28-1 record into the Region 4 tournament at West Orange High School last Saturday.
After beating District 14 champion Joe Anello of Belleville in the quarterfinals, O’Keefe lost to Devin Ruiz of St. Peter’s Prep in the semifinals.
O’Keefe then was eliminated in the wrestleback semifinals, falling to Sean Soto of Union City to finish with a 29-3 mark. GRHS head coach Kendall Southerland noticed that O’Keefe was a bit uncharacteristic in his semifinal match. O’Keefe had his head down, and Ruiz took advantage, said Southerland.
Still, Southerland was proud of O’Keefe’s stellar season.
“I’m definitely proud of him,” said Southerland. “He worked hard. He went to (wrestling) clubs. He was dedicated to the sport. He wrestled six to seven times a week. My hats off to him.
“He was a county champ and a district champ. He had three losses on the whole season.
“He went 28-1 going to the Regions. I’m extremely proud of him.”
Senior John Grimaldi was the other GRHS Region qualifier. The 135-pound Grimaldi was eliminated in the pre-quarterfinals on Feb. 23.
Region 4
at West Orange High School
Pre-quarterfinals, Feb. 23
135: Justin Estevez, Livingston, pin John Grimaldi, Glen Ridge, 3:10.
Feb. 27
Quarterfinals
152: Evan O’Keefe, Glen Ridge, pin Joe Anello, Belleville, 2:09.
Semifinals
152: Devin Ruiz, St. Peter’s Prep, pin Evan O’Keefe, Glen Ridge, 3:59.
Wrestleback semifinals
152: Sean Soto, Union City, dec. Evan O’Keefe, Glen Ridge, 6-3.
Sports Editor
Glen Ridge High School senior varsity wrestler Evan O’Keefe came up short in his bid to reach the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament.
Nevertheless, it was a fantastic season for the 152-pounder.
O’Keefe, who won the District 13 title the previous weekend, brought a 28-1 record into the Region 4 tournament at West Orange High School last Saturday.
After beating District 14 champion Joe Anello of Belleville in the quarterfinals, O’Keefe lost to Devin Ruiz of St. Peter’s Prep in the semifinals.
O’Keefe then was eliminated in the wrestleback semifinals, falling to Sean Soto of Union City to finish with a 29-3 mark. GRHS head coach Kendall Southerland noticed that O’Keefe was a bit uncharacteristic in his semifinal match. O’Keefe had his head down, and Ruiz took advantage, said Southerland.
Still, Southerland was proud of O’Keefe’s stellar season.
“I’m definitely proud of him,” said Southerland. “He worked hard. He went to (wrestling) clubs. He was dedicated to the sport. He wrestled six to seven times a week. My hats off to him.
“He was a county champ and a district champ. He had three losses on the whole season.
“He went 28-1 going to the Regions. I’m extremely proud of him.”
Senior John Grimaldi was the other GRHS Region qualifier. The 135-pound Grimaldi was eliminated in the pre-quarterfinals on Feb. 23.
Region 4
at West Orange High School
Pre-quarterfinals, Feb. 23
135: Justin Estevez, Livingston, pin John Grimaldi, Glen Ridge, 3:10.
Feb. 27
Quarterfinals
152: Evan O’Keefe, Glen Ridge, pin Joe Anello, Belleville, 2:09.
Semifinals
152: Devin Ruiz, St. Peter’s Prep, pin Evan O’Keefe, Glen Ridge, 3:59.
Wrestleback semifinals
152: Sean Soto, Union City, dec. Evan O’Keefe, Glen Ridge, 6-3.
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