The NJSIAA Individual Wrestling State Championships were held in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall from March 3 through 5. Five Lancer wrestlers qualified for this showcase of New Jersey’s best grapplers: Aidan Carmody at 106 pounds; Shaun Quirk at 126 pounds; Max Lee at 165 pounds; Stratos Kantanas at 175 pounds; and Eddie Padilla at 215 pounds. “The Livingston wrestlers had an incredible weekend as each Lancer reeled off at least two wins at the hardest tournament in the state” noted head coach Dan Brill.The top eight wrestlers at each weight class, the coach explained, “make the podium and earn a medal. This is the greatest honor a New Jersey wrestler can earn.” Aidan Carmody and Stratos Kantanas each placed sixth at their respective weight classes. “For Aidan, this is the second time he has found the podium after placing fifth at last year’s state tournament,” said the coach. “The relentless and fearless Carmody is a junior and has one more year to make fireworks fly in Atlantic City. To be a three-time state qualifier and a two-time state place winner as a junior is a true testament to his focus and dedication.”Stratos is a senior and a threetime state qualifier, “but up until this year, has not been able to reach the elusive podium,” recounted the coach. “After a high school career of unparalleled hard work, he was able to break through this year with unbelievable efforts on the mats at Boardwalk Hall. He picked up a one-point win in the blood round to advance to placing rounds, and then another one-point victory to move up into the third through sixth range.”Coach Brill added, “I’m so unbelievably proud of these two. They work so hard all year ’round and have earned every bit of this. For Aidan, he is a two-time state qualifier with another year to go. He is cementing himself into a very elite group of wrestlers. As for Stratos, he placed fourth in the district as a freshman. From that year on, he set a goal to get on that podium. There are not many people who work harder than Strat daily, so for him to reach this milestone is such a fantastic achievement. These two should be so proud of themselves.”Seniors Max Lee and Eddie Padilla, along with junior Shaun Quirk, also did well in the tournament. Each earned two victories in Atlantic City, which puts ...
