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Sports

Fricke Headed to State Tournament

Senior is one win shy of becoming the first-ever Cougar with 100 wins.

UNION — In a season filled with injuries and disappointment, there was one bright spot for the Chatham Cougar wrestling team that came in the form of 160-pound senior Jeff Fricke.

After taking third in the Region 3 tournament on Saturday at Union High School, Fricke is headed to Atlantic City for a chance to win a state championship.

"Awesome. I couldn't be happier right now," Fricke said after the tournament. "I can't even talk right now, that's how excited I am. I'm going to states."

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Fricke, like almost every other Cougar wrestler, was battling injuries this season so severe that it wasn't clear if he would even be able to wrestle in the district tournament.

"He hadn't even wrestled since Feb. 3 when he was injured and we didn't even think he was going to go in districts. He's worked hard and it's finally paying off," Head Coach Mike Carbone said.

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But the senior came through and after winning the District 10 title last week and receiving a bye in the preliminary round on Tuesday, he faced Parsippany's Mike Kromka in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Fricke wrestled well, winning a 10-4 decision.

In the semifinals, though, Fricke faced No. 2 seeded Dennis Carroll of Roselle Park and lost a hard fought 9-6 decision. Fricke had pinned Carroll in the regional competition last week.

The loss sent Fricke to the consolation wrestle backs, where he needed to win two matches to take third place and head to the state tournament.

In the semifinal wrestle back round, Fricke made quick work of South Plainfield's Ryan Billich, recording a pin just 58 seconds into the first period. The win sent Fricke to the consolation final where he faced Boonton's Rich Barnish.

In the high-pressure situation, the Cougar stepped up and looked dominant, winning a 6-1 decision to take third place.

"I was a little worn out from today," Fricke said. "I was out for two weeks with the injury and in that match it was either I go home forever and never wrestle again or win. And I won."

Carbone was impressed with Fricke's performance.

"I think, if my history is correct, Jeff is only the third ever Chatham wrestler to make it to states," he said. "It's a great accomplishment for him, but we're not done yet. We're not satisfied. We're going to try and at least get the two wins under our belt to get to the medal round and take top eight."

Not only is Fricke only the third Cougar to go to the state tournament, but he sits at 99 career wins, which is only one win shy of becoming the first Chatham wrestler to accomplish the feat.

"He's got some things to look forward to, that's for sure," Carbone said.

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