Warriors putting together another solid season
BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

FARRAH MAFFAI New Egypt’s Lee Hopkins has put more than a few opponents on their backs this season, posting a 16-1 mark thus in leading the Warriors to another successful season on the mats.

NEW EGYPT — With losing most of its starters to graduation, the New Egypt High School wrestling team wasn’t expected to challenge for the divisional crown.

After all, the Warriors lost nine starters off the 2003-04 squad that captured the Burlington County Interscholastic Athletic Conference Freedom Division crown. This year just three seniors returned.

“There were a lot of question marks coming into the season,” first-year coach Kevin English said. “When you lose that many starters basically you’re left in a rebuilding situation. I think we’ve had a solid season to date. Our young underclassmen have stepped to the front and performed well.”

Indeed, New Egypt has risen above most critics expectations, wining eight of its first 11 matches. Just last week the Warriors found themselves competing against Riverside for the divisional title.

Unfortunately, New Egypt didn’t have enough firepower to override a more experienced Riverside club and fell, 40-31. At the start of the match it appeared New Egypt would repeat as divisional champs. The Warriors won three of the first four bouts to forge ahead, 15-6.

However, a scrappy Riverside team rebounded and managed to rally for 34 more points to complete the comeback and claim the title.

“Obviously, we’re a little disappointed in not defending our title,” English said. “I thought that we matched up pretty well with them. We started strong and I was hoping that would provide us with momentum to carry us through.”

Junior Pat Riordan defeated Zach Sanders 7-3 at 125 pounds to give New Egypt its first win of the match. Riordan has had a steady season so far, compiling an overall mark of 13-5.

At 135 pounds, junior Dan Murray pinned James Hozler at 3:41, while teammate senior Chris Springer won by forfeit. Springer is 13-4 overall on the season.

Senior Lee Hopkins needed just 21 seconds to shoulder Sergio Kuik at 189 pounds. Hopkins is 16-1 on the season, which includes a championship title at the Hawk Classic held at Manchester High School earlier in the season.

It marked the first time a New Egypt wrestler collected a title at the prestigious wrestling tournament. His lone defeat came in the finals of the season-opening Ewing Tournament. He is a perfect 11-0 in dual meets.

“He’s had an unbelievable season,” English said. “His speed, quickness, strength and solid technique make him a rough opponent for anybody out there.”

Freshman Tom Morton topped Zach Schultice 14-5 at 103 pounds and senior Noel Larios pinned Steve Cujdik at 2:40.

Morton, whose older brothers Jimmy and Craig were members of the wrestling team last season, is 11-6. Craig Morton was the first ever New Egypt wrestler to earn a berth into the state tournament.

New Egypt has another talented freshman in Tom Carr, who has posted nine wins at 112 pounds. Junior heavyweight Nick Markee is 11-4 overall.

“We still have a number of tough matches left,” English said. “We’re just going to try and keep improving one match at a time.”