Timber Creek Wrestlers Begin Quest for State Title Today

The state wrestling tournament starts Friday in Atlantic City and features several Timber Creek competitors.

Four Timber Creek Wrestlers Compete for State Titles

Brandon Keller received a top seed for the NJSIAA state wrestling tournament, March 8-10 in Atlantic City.

Four Timber Creek Regional High School wrestlers will grapple for a state title beginning this week in Atlantic City. The wrestlers learned their seeds Monday morning, NJ.com reports. Appearing in the state tournament are: 113 pounds, bottom bracket: John Amato (No. 5) 138 pounds, bottom bracket: Brandon Keller (No. 1) 152 pounds, top bracket: Dom Ruggierrio (No. 4) 160 pounds, top bracket: Bryce Shade (No. 2) The state tournament will unfold at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall March 8, 9 and 10. The final wrestler standing in each weight class will be crowned a state champion. Tickets are on sale via ticketmaster.com for the tournament. For the full wrestling state tournament seeds, visit NJ.com’s coverage.

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Keller's Fourth Title Highlights District 30 Tournament

Brandon Keller is a four-time District 30 Wrestling Tournament champion.

Brandon Keller has had the same vision ever since he emerged as a standout wrestler his freshman year at Timber Creek Regional High School. He sees himself as standing on the top of the podium in Atlantic City, crowned as a state champion. “You have to (have that vision). If you are not picturing yourself on the top of that podium, then you are not going to be on the top of the podium,” Keller said. “As a freshman, I pictured myself at the top when I placed and every year I have done that. It doesn’t matter who is in front of you, if you step on the line and wrestle your match, you can beat anyone.” Keller took the first step toward achieving that goal Saturday, claiming his fourth District 30 Wrestling Tournament championship. Keller …

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Sean McCullen

1:53 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013

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Nolan's Upset Highlights Opening Night of District 30 Wrestling Tournament

Highland's Tom Nolan is one of 25 local athletes who advanced to the semifinals.

Tom Nolan only competed in six matches this season, and even though he won five of them, little was known about the Highland Regional High School junior. That changed on Friday. Nolan, a No. 7 seed, recorded the biggest upset of the NJSIAA District 30 Wrestling Tournament, defeating No. 2 Emanuel Mitchell, of Winslow, 5-1. Nolan’s victory shook up the 170-pound bracket. He will take on Timber Creek’s Keith Bauberger in the semifinals with the winner advancing to the district final. While Nolan’s victory was one of the biggest storylines of the night, he was far from the only local athlete to make a statement. Highland, Timber Creek and Triton combined to advance 25 wrestlers into today’s semifinal round. The Tartan’s led the way with 11 …

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Chargers, Tartans Provide Friday Night Thriller

The Timber Creek wrestling team got all they could handle from Highland in a 31-22 victory.

When a final wrestling bout of Friday night’s match between Highland Regional High School and Timber Creek came to a close, fans of the victorious Chargers rose to their feet to applaud a hard-fought victory. At the same time, fans of the Tartans also stood up and let their wrestlers know that only on the scoreboard was Friday night’s match considered a loss. Timber Creek reaffirmed its place as the area’s dominating wrestling team with a 31-22 victory over Highland, while the Tartans proved that youth doesn’t mean weakness in a valiant effort. On a night filled with drama, excitement, loud crowd noise and even a few bursts of temper, just about everyone left Timber Creek satisfied. “I love these kids,” Highland coach Mike Davidson said. “…

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