CRANFORD, NJ – The Cranford High School’s wrestling team continues their record-breaking season with a 27-24 victory over the top-seeded West Essex of the NJSIAA Section 2, Group 3 final on February 7. It was the Cougar’s first sectional win since 2017, and fourth time in its history.
The highly anticipated match lived up to the hype, with 11 victories by decision. In the final bout, the team was trailing 24-21 after 10 matches. However, Jordan Chapman’s pin of Doug Taylor in 49 seconds earned bonus points that took them over the top for the win. Leading up to Chapman’s bout were wins by Eoghan O’Hara, Marcus Nick, and a thrilling victory by Dylan Jones with just two seconds left. (Interesting aside: Jones’s father, Gary, was on the wrestling team that won sectionals in 1986.)
“We dug ourselves a bit of a hole up top at the beginning, and we had to scratch our way back into it,” said Cranford coach Pat Gorman told NJ.com. “We had tight matches with Morris Hills and Warren Hills just to get to this point . . .It’s a special run we’re on.”
The Cougars will take on Section 1 champion Hopewell Valley at the Group 3 semifinals on Friday, February 9, at 6:00 p.m. at Hopewell Valley Central High School.
