CBA Punches Their Ticket to Rutgers with Surprise Return from Sean Kenny
photo & coverage by: AJ Morales
When Christian Brothers Academy and St. Peter’s Prep meet, the margin is razor thin and every lineup decision matters. In their Non-Public A semifinal rematch Thursday night, CBA made the right adjustments, welcomed back a major piece, and executed down the stretch to secure a 32–23 win and a long-awaited trip to Rutgers.
This wasn’t a carbon copy of their first meeting. The biggest storyline came before the first whistle... the return of Sean Kenny. The top-ranked 113-pounder, sidelined all season with injury, stepped on the scale and gave CBA flexibility that changed the entire dual. His presence allowed the Colts to bump in the lower weights and adjust matchups strategically, something that proved pivotal as the night unfolded.
The dual opened at 126 where St. Peter’s struck first with a 4–1 decision from John Barron. At 132, Paul Kenny answered in a key bout. In their previous meeting, CBA had surrendered points to Ramirez at this weight. This time, Kenny controlled the action and secured an 11–5 decision over Christian Ramirez, as St. Peter's prevented the kind of six-points from a pin that hurt them before. It was an early statement that this night would be different.
Prep grabbed momentum at 138 with a fall from Salvatore Borrometi and extended the lead at 150 and 157 with tight decisions. Anthony Borrometi’s 4–1 win at 157 flipped the script from their first matchup, where CBA was unable to capitalize at that weight. When Josh Piparo added a technical fall at 190, Prep had built a 23–11 advantage and the path to Rutgers looked steep.
That’s when the dual shifted.
At 215, Brock Oizerowitz delivered one of the most important wins of the night. In a match that nearly swung the other way after Anthony Verdi landed a huge trip and briefly exposed Oizerowitz’s back, Brock rolled through, fought back to neutral, and eventually secured a 3–1 ultimate tiebreaker win. Instead of falling further behind, CBA cut into the deficit. Tyler Palumbo followed at heavyweight with a commanding 19–6 major decision, tightening the score to 23–18 and bringing the building to life. The lower weights then took over.
Santino Edgar delivered a 25–7 technical fall at 106 to tie the dual at 23–23. Shiloh Joyce followed with another technical fall at 113, giving CBA its first lead since early in the match. The lineup adjustments had worked. The Colts had turned a 12-point deficit into a five-point advantage heading into the final bout.
That set the stage for Sean Kenny.
In his first match back all season, with Rutgers on the line, Kenny stepped onto the mat knowing exactly what was needed. A win would seal it. Bonus points would remove all doubt. He didn’t waste time. “I knew all I had to do was just win, so bonus points weren’t something I was looking for,” Kenny said afterward. “But I knew I had to win. As soon as he opened up, I put him on his back and the match was over.”
Kenny secured an 11–1 major decision over Robert Rodriguez, closing the door and sending CBA to the state final. “Feels great to be back home,” Kenny said. “One of the biggest matches in CBA history, going to the State Final. I’ve been around CBA my whole life. To do this in front of this big crowd means everything.”
Beyond the points he scored, Kenny’s return reshaped the lineup and gave the Colts options they didn’t have the first time around. His presence allowed bumps, prevented bonus points, and ultimately positioned CBA to control the lower weights late.
“I’ve been trying to help these guys since I’ve been out,” Kenny added. “Mentally, physically, helping them in every position they’re struggling. As much as they’re contributing to this win, I am too.”
In a dual defined by adjustments and resilience, CBA proved it learned from the first meeting. The Colts absorbed early blows, flipped key swing matches, and leaned on depth and strategy when it mattered most.