Buena Bounces West Deptford from Playoffs for Second Straight Year

This time, there would be no comeback.

Drama and intrigue were replaced by helplessness for the wrestling team Wednesday night, as it was dismantled by Buena, 45-18, in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 2 semifinals.

The No. 2 Chiefs handled the No. 3 Eagles from start to finish, eliminating West Deptford in the semifinals for the second straight year. Last season saw the match go down to the final bout, and there were hopes Wednesday’s match would do the same.

But with West Deptford shorthanded two wrestlers due to medical reasons and Buena wrestling the best it had all season, any hopes of a competitive match were short-lived.

“It wasn’t good,” said junior Tyler Kaminski, who had one of West Deptford’s four wins. “It wasn’t right. We definitely came out weak.”

West Deptford trailed 12-0 entering Kaminski’s match. A 5-0 decision put the Eagles on the board and gave the team hope that the lightweights would again turn a deficit into a lead.

Instead, the Eagles lowest five weights went just 2-3 and Buena pulled away, clinching the win with four bouts yet to be contested.

“I always feel like we can turn things around, but we came out tonight and didn’t wrestle our match,” Kaminski said.

“I knew it was going to be tough down there, especially with Billy Ward (15-0 tech fall over Evan Zuzulock at 120) down there and Sal (Marandino, a 2-1 winner over Griffin Bonner at 106),” West Deptford coach John Craig said. “We knew we were going to have to get bonus points at 126 and get a win a 132, so we knew that was going to be difficult for us.

“But hat’s off to them. They did a really good job.”

Steve Alt managed an 8-2 decision at 126, but Christian Terinoni lost, 3-1, at 132. Also getting wins for the Eagles were Phil Fisher (pin at 170) and Rory Bonner (forfeit at 182).

Buena will take on No. 1 Delsea for the Group 2 title Friday at Delsea. As for West Deptford, the Eagles can hang their hat on knowing they had a season that included winning a Liberty Division title for the first time since 1978, in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year.

“We’ve had a good season team-wise and it’s over now,” said Craig, before referencing a weekend meet still to come. “We just have to rebound and focus on the individual part now. That’s all you can do.”

Kaminski agreed.

“It’s water under the bridge now,” Kaminski said. “We’ve got practice tomorrow, and we just have to go at it and hope for the best.”

West Deptford won its first 18 matches before hitting a bump in the road that has resulted in four losses over the past two weeks. Craig said the losses should have no impact on his wrestlers’ confidence levels as they prepare for the district tournament next week.

“Individually, we have a handful of guys that are going to do well no matter what,” said Craig. “You just have to be ready for the postseason. At that point everything is individual, and these guys will be ready to go. I have no doubt about that.”