The Chargers have a strong nucleus returning, and the addition of some key newcomers should enable them to make a run at a state title.
Here are the key returnees:
Junior Alan Nguy was 24-11 at 103 and a District 30 champion.
Senior Ricky Carter was 14-4 at 112, was a district and Region 8 champion and placed third in the state.
Junior Brandon Virgilio was 18-8 at 119.
Junior Brandon Keller was 36-5 at 125. He is 71-8 for his career and is a two-time district and region champ who finished fifth in the state last year.
Junior Dominic Ruggiero was 30-11 at 130 and placed third in the region.
Junior Bryce Shade was 33-7 at 140 and was a district and regional champion.
Junior Keith Bauberger went 19-13 at 145.
Senior Robert Shade was 35-4 at 152 and was a district champion. He is 72-15 for his career.
In addition there are three highly regarded transfers.
Junior Greg Webb an Inquirer all-South Jersey defensive lineman, was 33-3 last season at Paul VI as a heavyweight. He was a Region 7 champion and placed eighth in the state.
Junior Isiah DeGuzman was 35-4 at 125 last season for Pennsauken, is 50-8 for his career and is expected to wrestle at 132 or 138.
Sophomore John Amato is a transfer from Camden Catholic who was third in Region 7 at 103 last year.
Despite all the hype, the heads shouldn't be inflated for the Chargers wrestlers, especially with coach Nick Cottone in control.
Cottone is literally a fighter, and his team has developed a collective toughness in his image. The 31-year-old Cottone, a former wrestler at Highland, has been down for the count this preseason with a knee injury, which means he can't wrestle at the moment in practice. (Actually a few Timber Creek wrestlers may not mind having to tangle with their coach).
Cottone competes in MMA and has a 7-2 professional record. He injured his knee while competing.
