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Spartans defeats Lakeland, Belvidere

| 31 Dec 2013 | 01:15
    Sparta's Sierra "Sissy" Blasone locks up her Lakeland opponent in the 113 pounds weight class.
    Sparta's Sierra "Sissy" Blasone locks up her Lakeland opponent in the 113 pounds weight class.
    At left Sparta's Sierra "Sissy" Blasone takes on her Belvidere opponent in the 113 pounds weight class.
    At left Sparta's Sierra "Sissy" Blasone takes on her Belvidere opponent in the 113 pounds weight class.
    A Sparta Spartan flips his Lakeland opponent onto the referee.
    A Sparta Spartan flips his Lakeland opponent onto the referee.
    The Sparta Spartans in a mat huddle.
    The Sparta Spartans in a mat huddle.
    Lakeland junior Chaz Huber was taken away by ambulance after suffering an injury in a match against Sparta wrestler Sissy Blasone. Blasone was disqualified for using an alledged illegal move.
    Lakeland junior Chaz Huber was taken away by ambulance after suffering an injury in a match against Sparta wrestler Sissy Blasone. Blasone was disqualified for using an alledged illegal move.

By George LeRoy Hunter
SPARTA — For several hours Sparta took on wrestlers from visiting Lakeland Regional High School (Wanaque) and Belvidere High School (Warren County) during the Varsity Wrestling Triangular at Sparta High School on Saturday, Dec. 28. Sparta defeated both schools.

The Sparta Spartans dominated in multiple weight divisions. The action on the mat got underway at 10 a.m. and kept going well into the afternoon.

There was some controversy concerning some of the matches. Sparta wrestling coach Frank Battaglia took issue with some of the officiating. Some verbal sparring went on between Battaglia and a referee. The referee felt Battaglia went on one sentence too long and took one point away from Sparta. Things calmed down after the penalty and Sparta continued its domination on the mat.

A controversial disqualification occurred late in the contest against Sparta's Sierra "Sissy" Blasone. The 4'9 113-pound Blasone is a seasoned wrestler with more than ten years of wrestling experience. Blasone — who is a junior and the only female on the varsity squad — was accused of executing an illegal slam against her opponent in her second match of the day. The spectators and wrestlers were in disagreement on whether the disqualification was justified.

Blasone was holding her own against Lakeland's junior Chaz Huber in the 113 pounds weight class. Blasone and Huber were locked together in a standing position. Blasone suddenly lifted Huber up off the mat and flipped him. Huber landed awkwardly on his head and shoulder. He did not loose consciousness but was in pain. Coaching staff from Sparta and Lakeland rushed to Huber's aid. It was determined Huber would be taken to the hospital as a precaution. The matches continued after about a 30-minute delay.

Blasone lost her earlier match and the disqualification in the second resulted in her coming up empty in the win column.

Blasone's father, Eric Blasone was asked if that was the first time his daughter ever laid out an opponent like that.

With a sly grin he said, "No that is not the first time. She is very good and several colleges are interested in her."

Even though he was disappointed in Sierra's disqualification he along with everyone else was concerned about Huber getting hurt.

Chaz Huber's condition was not known by print time.