NEWARK, Del. - Washington Township High School junior Colton Hagerty turned St. Peter's Prep's Sal Borrometi for two points with 10 seconds left in the match in last year's NJSIAA state tournament blood round, earning a 2-1 victory and his first placement on the Atlantic City podium.
So when Borrometi - a 2023 state placewinner - rode Hagerty out in the second period of their Beast of the East 126-pound third-round match Saturday, the Minuteman lightweight standout knew exactly what he had to do with the match scoreless heading into the final period.
Hagerty turned Borrometi for three points in the middle of the third period, then rode him out the rest of the way for a 3-0 victory and a spot in Sunday morning's quarterfinals.
"I've (faced) him a couple times now and every single time has gone that way, so I knew I had to get a turn or ride and go to overtime," said Hagerty. "It's going to be (tough) on the mat and either somebody gets an edge on their feet or it comes down to turns."
Borrometi defeated Hagerty, 4-2, in sudden victory in the state tournament their freshman year, then added a 4-0 win at Escape the Rock last season before Hagerty got on the board at states in March.
"It's even now," said Hagerty. "I always say we always find each other. It's good to wrestle him to see where I'm at."
Hagerty will really have a chance to assess where's he at in the quarterfinals when the No. 8 seed takes on top-seeded Anthony Knox of St. John Vianney. Knox is a three-time state champion and two-time Beast of the East champ.
"It's just a great opportunity to step on the mat, go against greatness and see what I can do," said Hagerty. "I'm just going to wrestle my match, do the same things I also do."
Hagerty admitted the win over Borrometi and the subsequent seventh-place finish last year at 113 pounds helped give him a boost heading into his junior year.
"It really just gave me confidence that I can be on the mat with anyone and no one is better than me," said Hagerty.
He'll certainly put that theory to the test on Sunday morning.
Bill Evans can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him at @bybillevans.