Sports

Barber Hits 100th Career Win, Becomes Top Westfield Wrestler

Wrestler aims to be first Blue Devil to capture state wrestling title in 35 years.

Westfield High School senior 152-pounder Christian Barber's goals haven't changed
from the first day he walked into a wrestling room. Barber wants to be a state wrestling champion, the first for Westfield since 1976.   

But there are goals that are achieved on the way to standing on top of the podium at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Barber got one of them Saturday morning when he joined Cory Posey as the only two Blue Devils in program history to win 100 bouts.  Barber beat Somerville senior Alex Holderbaum 11-3 for his 100th and later added 101 and 102 with wins over opponents from Monroe and Randolph.   

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Posey finished his high school career with 118, but without a state title.He finished fifth/sixth at 140 in 1993, third at 140 in 1994, second at 145 in 1995 and third at 152 in 1996.   

Barber still has the opportunity to be the Blue Devils 12th state champ and first since 148-pounder Chuck Cosenza won in 1976. Barber would also be the first Westfield wrestler to place in a state meet since 1998, when Onur Tezucar placed fifth at 145 pounds.   

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Barber broke a tie with former Blue Devils' star Chris Jordan, who had 99.   

"It was a good goal I accomplished over my career, but not the number one goal,''
said Barber, now 32-0. "The No. 1 goal is to win the states. Right now I feel I can win it. There's no doubt in my mind.''     

"It's a nice accomplishment,'' said Westfield coach Glen Kurz. "But it's not his
goal. The big goal is to be a state champ. I think if anything it's a relief to get it
over with. The focus is on wrestling now. I thought Christian handled it really well and didn't allow it to become a distraction.''   

Kurz added that he wanted the 100th to be a quality win. Holderbaum had won 15 straight coming into his bout with Barber.   

"The two went at it pretty good,'' Kurz said.


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