Ocean City's Cooper Gallagher Captures First District Wrestling Crown

Cooper Gallagher was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the District 32 tournament when he won his first individual championship on Saturday, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

Gallagher advanced to the final match of the tournament for the third time, and picked up his 100th career victory in the final, according to the report.

He defeated St. Augustine’s James Bennett, 4-2, in the 182-pound final, according to nj.com. He entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed, and defeated Egg Harbor Township’s Eric Wollermand, the No. 3 seed, in the semifinals earlier on Saturday. On Friday night, he pinned Buena’s Juan Tinoco in 43 seconds.

Gallagher’s teammate Luke Demore will join Gallagher at the Region 8 tournament, according to nj.com.

Demore entered the 170-pound tournament as the No. 1 seed. He opened the tournament on Friday with a 7-1 win over Oakcrest’s Richie Kreischer. He then defeated Holy Spirit’s Justin Figueroa in the semifinals before falling to St. Augustine’s Jose Tabora, the No. 2 seed, 10-4 in the final.

Demore must compete in the preliminary round of the Region 8 tournament along with the other second and third place finishers on Tuesday.

Gallagher will begin his quest for a region title with the other district champions on Friday.