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Sports

Ocean City's O'Brien, Pettit Win District 32 Titles

O'Brien named Outstanding Wrestler.

The usually stoic Coley O'Brien sprang to his feet, ran toward his coaches and put four fingers up in the air, telling everyone in attendance he is a four-time district wrestling champion.

The Ocean City High School senior, who won the title in overtime, was also named Outstanding Wrestler of the District 32 Wrestling Tournament Saturday at Absegami in Galloway Township.

"It's an honor and privilege to be named Outstanding Wrester," O'Brien said.

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Teammate Dan Pettit (145) also win a district championship, as the Red Raiders advanced five wrestlers to the Region 8 Tournament.

The top-3 finishers in each weight class advances to the Region 8 Tournament at Egg Harbor Township. The second and third-place finishers will wrestle Tuesday night. The district winners get a bye until Friday night's quarterfinals.

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O'Brien, the No. 2 seed, faced top seed Joe Espositio of St. Augustine in what many considered the best matchup of the tournament.

The two wrestlers entered the extra period tied at one. O'Brien registered the takedown to win the match and a spot in Friday's quarterfinals.

"As soon as I picked up his leg and got the two it just starting pouring out of me," O'Brien said. "I usually try to stay calm and composed the whole time, but after that I just had to let it out. It felt amazing.

"He is a tough wrestler and beating a guy like that is nice and it feels really good. It's really tough to be a four-time district champion," Ocean City coach Dave Castellini said. "You have to be on your game every year. He is a really good wrestler, and it's something to be proud of."

Pettit, the No. 2 seed, edged top seed Justin Pierotti of Buena, 4-3, to win his title.

The two wrestlers entered the third period tied at three. Pettit started the final two minutes in the down position, and finally escaped with 15 seconds remaining in the match to a 4-3 win.

"It feels good, it was a high-paced match," said Pettit. "It was the toughest match of the year I think."

Ocean City's Anthony DeSantis (160) and Lucas Pearson (215) lost in the district finals.

DeSantis, the top seed, seemed in control early, but St. Augustine's Adam Schroeder, the No. 2 seed,rallied to win 5-4.

Pearson, the No. 2, seed, lost to Absegami's Kevin Stadtmueller, 10-2.

The Red Raiders had three wrestlers in the consolation round vying for a Region 8 berth, but only Jake Terry took third-place. The Ocean City 171-pounder, who was the No. 4 seed, bounced back from his semifinals loss to pin No. 3 seed John Benard of Oakcrest in 1:15 seconds.

"I went out there upset because my whole bracket was messed up because I lost to him during the season" Terry explained. "It gave me the motivation to beat him even more. I went out there with fire."

Terry was in the consolation round after losing to top seed Alex Gong of Absegami, 13-5, in the semifinals. Gong also beat Terry in last year's districts.
"I didn't go out there as intense as (the consolation round)," Terry said. "I took my time, and I just ran out of gas."

Ocean City's Gallagher, the No. 5 seed, lost to top seed Chris Hahn of Absegami, 7-4 in the 152-pound semifinals, and dropped an 11-8 decision to No. 2 seed James Bennett of St. Augustine Prep in the consolation round.

Red Raiders heavyweight Josh Johnson, the No. 4 seed, lost to top seed Steve Schwartz of Absegami by pin, and to No. 3 Emad Ziyadeh of Buena, 6-2, in the consolation final.

Absegami won the team title with 189 points, followed by St. Augustine Prep (159) and Buena (156.5) to round out the top-3.Buena's Doug Castellari was named District 32 Coach of the Year

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