Miller Grapplers Look to Capitalize in New Division

When the Millburn wrestling team steps on to the mats for the first time this season, they can enter the circle with the confidence that they will have a better chance of winning their division than they did a year ago.

With the state's realignment, the newly formed Super Essex Conference Liberty Division is as wide-open as it can get. There is no clear favorite in the preseason, and for the first time in years Millburn has as good of a shot as any team in the division.

"In some circles, we'll probably be regarded as the favorite. I don't know if that will necessarily be the case," said Millburn head coach Mike Artigliere. "I think we have potential to be better than last year. We have a conference that we can win."

Artigliere said it's too early to tell anything about the quality of teams in the division, but Millburn's conference schedule on paper was more difficult a year ago. He added their out-of-conference schedule includes the likes of Caldwell and West Orange, both in the top American Division, so there will be some tough matches.

"Wrestling tougher competition throughout the season makes you a better wrestler," Artigliere said. "We've tried to keep the difficulty of our schedule at least close to the level we've had in past years."

As members of the Northern Hills Conference last year, the Millburn boys finished with a 12-15 record and were near the bottom half of the conference. They were not a playoff team and by all standards had a disappointing year.

This season, losing only three seniors to graduation (though losing all three team captains is big), the Millers have returned a strong group of senior grapplers. They will make up the core of this team and have a lot to do with how good or bad the wrestlers are as a team this winter.

Of the returning seniors, the top wrestler is co-captain Sam Waters (119), who is currently sidelined from an injury suffered during soccer season. Artigliere said the injury is minor and Waters should be back wrestling soon. Waters was fourth in the region a year ago, one spot below qualifying for the state tournament in Atlantic City.

"I think he has a great chance at getting there," Artigliere said of Waters' chances to go to Atlantic City. "He has worked hard during the off-season, and we're looking forward to getting him on the mat."

Other starting seniors include co-captain Patrick Colicchio (135), Derek Weber (130), Bo Sieg (189), Shai Bialer (152), Lorenzo Apacible (215) and Reece Parsons (145).

"All of our seniors are really the core of our team," Artigliere said. "We're definitely hoping with the senior leadership that we can have a successful season."

The number one goal for the local grapplers is to win the conference. Next is to qualify for the state sectionals, and then, of course, have a good showing in districts and regions. Artigliere said the biggest obstacle will be health throughout the season. Millburn relies on about 16-17 wrestlers to fill 14 weight classes, so injuries could prove devastating to the small squad.

The Millers' first action of the season comes on Saturday morning at the Point Pleasant Beach Duals.