Long Branch surges past Colts Neck to win Central Jersey Group 4 sectional title

LONG BRANCH — After a seven-year drought, Long Branch wrestling is back on top.

A five-bout run between 175 and 106 pounds where the Green Wave piled up 24 points sparked their comeback from an early deficit as they took the lead and held off Colts Neck, 36-25, to win the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 sectional title on Wednesday night. It is Long Branch’s seventh sectional title in program history and first since 2018.

Photo credit: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com

Trailing 13-9 through five bouts, standout junior and two-time state qualifier Tornick Kajaia (27-1) won by fall in 57 seconds to give Long Branch the lead for good and kickstart a 24-point run by the teeth of the Green Wave lineup. Senior Jesus Marino-Quinones won by major decision at 190, senior Tyler Taylor delivered a 19-4 technical fall at 215, and sophomore Nickolas Soria came through with a pin at heavyweight to put Long Branch up 30-13 through nine bouts.

Sophomore Jordan Vieira capped the Green Wave’s five-bout winning streak with a 14-10 decision at 106 pounds that gave Long Branch a 33-12 lead with four weights left. It was a controversial bout that also resulted in Colts Neck losing a team point. According to multiple sources on site, 18 seconds elapsed after a restart but the clock operator did not start the clock on time. Colts Neck’s coaching staff argued that time should be taken off and were called for a misconduct penalty that deducted a team point. The clock was not adjusted after the fact.

Colts Neck won the next three bouts with a technical fall and two major decisions, but when sophomore Justin Ramos and senior Aiden McVey were able to limit the damage at 120 and 126, respectively, it clinched the match for Long Branch with an eight-point lead with one bout left. Freshman Tristen Hepburn closed it out for the Wave with a 13-7 decision at 132 pounds.

Seniors Pedro De Souza and Devon Smith also had victories for the Green Wave with De Souza winning by decision at 144 pounds and Smith winning by fall at 157.

Long Branch will wrestle at North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 champion Phillipsburg on Friday in the semifinals.

Box Score

1-Long Branch 36, 2-Colts Neck 25