While Christian Brothers Academy has become accustom to winning championships, rarely do four wins fall on the same weekend. The past two days were chalk-full of major championships: wrestling, track and hockey on Saturday and swimming on Sunday.
WRESTLING
Following up their Shore Conference Championship from January, the CBA wrestling team won their third consecutive District 22 title on Saturday afternoon at Red Bank Regional High School. Led by standout senior Sebastian Rivera, who also won his third individual district title, the Colts held off Long Branch High School in the team standings, 187-184.
Rivera recorded three pins on his way to the 133-pound championship. Aside from Rivera, the Shore Conference hero, junior Nick Schutzenhofer, won the individual title in the 106-pound division. Senior Jack LaCorte also won the individual title in the 195-pound class. CBA's district winners now advance to the Region VI tournament, where Rivera is a defending champion as well.
"We knew this was going to be a tough one because Long Branch is good," Rivera commented after the win. "We're excited we (as seniors) got it done one more time for the coaches."
Head coach Russell Witt was named District 22 Coach of the Year. Witt led CBA to championships in the A North Division (shared), Shore Conference Tournament and District 22 Tournament.
TRACK
CBA Indoor Track won their sixth-straight NJSIAA Non-Public Group State Championship on Saturday afternoon at the Bennett Center in Toms River. The victory was also the team's 21st overall state title, which is the most of any high school in New Jersey. They won by 60 points over second place Union Catholic.
The Colts had four individuals win their respective events at the meet. Senior Mike Zupko added to his list of accomplishments this season with a win in the 400 m. event. Senior Will Lutkewitte was crowned champion in the shot put event. Junior Drake Anzano won the 1600 m. in 4:17. Finally, senior Sean Martinek turned in a sub-two minute 800 m. to win that event.
"We came in here determined to give our best effort in all our events,'' Zupko told the media after the event. "The winning tradition is obviously something we are very proud of, so to win this for the 6th straight time is something that means a lot to us.''
The indoor season is far from finished, however. The Colts will take part in the Meet of Champions next weekend in Toms River, while they continue to work towards the Eastern States and National Championships in March.
HOCKEY
For the first time since 2013 and eighth time in program history, CBA Hockey won the Gordon Cup on Saturday night, securing a 3-1 victory over rival Delbarton in West Orange.
The Colts avenged two regular season losses to No. 1 Delbarton, thanks to a three-goal effort by senior Derek Contessa. His first goal came with 5:47 left in the first period, with the assist coming from senior Ryan Bogan, Jr. Contessa netted his second goal with 5:00 remaining in the second period, giving CBA a 2-0 lead. The Green Wave closed the gap to 2-1 with a goal at the 8:30 mark of the third period, but Contessa added an empty-net goal in the final minute to seal the victory.
"It's a great experience," Contessa said after the game. "Most of the guys on this team haven't experienced a Gordon Cup, that's me included. I had never won a Gordon Cup, so this is a first. It's huge for our team."
CBA now turns their attention to the state tournament next week, where they will look to defend their 2015 championship. The Colts landed the No. 3 seed, which gives them a first round bye and sets up a game against No. 19 St. Rose/Donovan Catholic or No. 14 Seton Hall Prep.
SWIMMING
At this point, it's like clockwork. When the calendar hits February, CBA Swimming wins the state championship. The Colts did just that on Sunday afternoon, defeating Seton Hall Prep in resounding fashion, 126-44.
CBA recorded 1-2-3 finishes in the 200 free, 500 free and 50 free to start off the day. Seniors John Hall and Tyler Kauth led the way for the Colts. Hall won the 200 and 100 freestyle, while Kauth was victorious in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke.
John Shea (50 free), Andrew Farrel (100 breast), Jack Hoagland (100 fly) and Kevin Volkov (100 breast) all recorded wins as well. The Colts swept all three relays, leading to CBA's largest victory of this year's postseason.
"In a year where they suffered their first loss in seven years, they wanted to go out stronger," head coach Vito Chiaravalloti said about his team. "They wanted to fight through it instead of giving up and I give them all the credit. I wanted this win so bad for them and they wanted to win it for each other. It was a special one today."
