Bonner Wins 100th, Then Adds Title

Rory Bonner won his 100th career match Saturday in the semifinals of the District 29 Wrestling Tournament at Gloucester County College.

However, win No. 101 was most satisfying.

Bonner, who is heading to Bucknell University, scored a first-period pin over Glassboro’s Gabe Sastre to win a district title at the 195-pound weight class. It was the second-straight district title for Bonner, who finished in fifth at states last season.

Bonner’s performance was the highlight of the weekend for the West Deptford High School wrestling team. He was the only Eagles’ wrestler to win a district title, but he will have plenty of company at for Regions at Egg Harbor Township, as four other West Deptford wrestlers finished in the top three, including his brother Griffin.

Griffin took second at 106 pounds, falling to Clearview’s Zack Fierstone, 6-0, in the finals. Tyler Kaminski also claimed second at 120. He took on Paulsboro’s John Gentile in one of the most anticipated bouts of the night, and fell 5-1. Gentile was later selected as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. Kaminski, a No. 3 seed, had advanced to the finals with a 6-3 decision over No. 2 seed Michael VanBrill, of Clearview.

Mark Fisher also had a highly successful tournament, taking second place at 220. The West Deptford junior pinned Deptford’s Zack Nesbitt in 2:37 to
reach the final, before ending up on the wrong side of an 8-3 decision against Pitman’s William Coffi.

Meanwhile, Dustin Zuzulock, a No. 4 seed, achieved his goal of reaching regions by winning a consolation match at 113. He earned a hard-fought 7-4 victory over Paulsboro’s Tim Robinson, who was seeded third.  

Hunter Holmstrom and Jarryd Ley saw their seasons come to an end with fourth-place finishes.