All Rhodes lead to Boardwalk Hall

Absegami’s George Rhodes lost a 3-2 decision to archrival Jared Schoppe of Delsea in overtime in Saturday’s 175-pound Region 8 final. But he will be wrestling in Boardwalk Hall Friday in the New Jersey State Championships along with fellow Brave junior Sean Cowan, who finished third at 157 pounds.

Teammates and seniors Bhavya Rama and Nadhim Drinkard ended their scholastic wrestling careers with honor Friday night in the Region 8 pre-quarterfinals. Fellow Braves Frank Gargione, Braydon Wright and Julian Rivera also lost in the same round but will all be back in brown and gold.

Cowan lost in the semifinals to rival Charley Cossaboone of Ocean City. Cowan had beaten Cossaboone twice this season. Despite not feeling well during his tough loss to Cossaboone Cowan got it together and stuck it to the Prep’s Tristan Mcleer with an 18-5 major decision in a wrestleback match that, had he lost, would have ended his season at EHT. Cowan came through once more in the wrestleback finals, whipping Clearview’s Aiden Dick 9-4.

In action prior to the finals Rhodes was dominant. He decked Buena’s Nick Wiker in 3:09 in the quarterfinals. He flattened Kingsway’s James Calhoun in 3:14 in the semifinals to set up his dramatic dual with Schoppe. Prior to his semifinal loss Cowan pinned Hammonton’s William Way just 48 seconds into the second period.

Stay tuned as we will present a preview of Rhodes’ and Cowan’s state brackets later this week.