Westfield wrestling coach Glen Kurz believes that junior 103-pounder Mike Kalimtzis has flown beneath the radar, meaning that competing behind Blue Devils' unbeaten senior 152-pounder Christian Barber isn't a bad thing.
But this is the weekend where the three-year varsity starter can take the forefront. Kalimtzis won his second straight District 11 title last Saturday and is this week's Westfield Patch Male Athlete of the Week.
Kalimtzis pinned Linden's Nick Tekula in 62 seconds for the title, and pinned Brearley's Giovanni Fillipone in 36 seconds in the semifinal.
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Now, chase to the state tournament resumes.
Kalimtzis, the No. 3 seed, will wrestle Hanover Park sophomore Anthony Arce tonight in a Region III quarterfinal at Union High School. Kalimtzis beat Arce 6-1 Dec. 28 in the 103-pouhnd final of the Roselle Park Tournament.
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Kalimtzis, who has a 30-2 record, will have to place in the top three to qualify for
next weekend's NJSIAA State Wrestling Tournament at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
"In terms of our own team, Christian has taken a lot of the attention, but Mike has
quietly put together quite an impressive season of his own,'' said Kurz.
Kalimtzis was beaten in last year's region quarterfijnals, then lost to Madison's
Patsy Davis in the wrestleback semifinals.
His only two losses this year have been 5-3 up at 112 pounds to Cranford sophomore
Mike Helmsetter and 9-6 to Governor Livingston's Jon Mele in the 103-pound Union County Tournament final. Kalimtzis won the county title last season.
If Kalimtzis wins Friday night and Mele beats Delbarton's Christian Innarella
tonight, then there'll be a county final rematch in the region semifinals.
"Mike didn't wrestle well in the county; it wsa a good wakeup call, he's wrestling
really well and wrestling well in practice,'' said Kurz. "He's dedicated himself to the
sport. He's done everyting right and has managed his weight right. He's just a
responsible kid. I hope those kids get what they deserve.''
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