After missing the opening week of the season due to a sore neck, LaQuan Brown finally got a chance to hit the mat. The Oakcrest High School senior made a memorable debut. The 220-pounder started his season with three wins in a quad meet with rival Absegami, Hammonton and Williamstown on Dec. 27. Brown registered a decision in the Falcons’ first win over sister-school Absegami since 2006. He added pins in the other two matches to begin the season at 3-0. 
Oakcrest’s LaQuan Brown got off to a 3-0 start this season, including a win that helped the Falcons beat rival Absegami. Despite the two pins, it was the decision over the Braves’ Ben Maggio that meant the most to Brown and his teammates. The Falcons edged the Braves, 36-35. “It’s a great feeling because we beat them in football and now wrestling,” Brown said. “I was feeling pretty good, and we beat them by one point, which made it an even better feeling.” Brown expects big things this season, wrestling at 220 pounds instead of 195, like he did as a junior. At the heavier weight, Brown believes he can use his quickness to his advantage. “I can probably be one of the fastest guys in my weight class,” Brown said. Brown expects a much better season than a year ago, especially working with assistant coach Craig Capella. Facing a heavier wrestler every day is one of the reasons why Brown believes he can be a force this season. “Going into matches, I know I can handle having that weight on me,” Brown explained. “And I can use my speed to my advantage.” Considering his start, there is reason to believe Brown will be among the areas best. One of his three wins came against Williamstown’s Darius Boyer who was one win away from making the Region 8 Tournament last year. “He is fast, has explosive power, and good mat sense and awareness,” Oakcrest coach Drew Muzslay said. “He is a heck of an athlete. He is very agile for 220.” He added: “I know he wants to wrestle in Atlantic City (in the NJSIAA State Championships) and if he works hard, which he has been, there is no reason that LaQuan can’t make it to Atlantic City if everything falls in place. I think it is a realistic goal.”
— Giuseppe Ungaro, managing editor
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