Second-ranked Old Bridge defeated fourth-ranked South Plainfield 47-24 in a battle of Home News Tribune Greater Middlesex Conference Top 10 wrestling teams in the eighth annual Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual at the Anthony J. Cotoia Gymnasium on Wednesday night.

The event honored the memory of Marisa Tufaro and served as a fundraiser for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, generating more than $3,000 for the nonprofit, which assists pediatric patients and underserved children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

South Plainfield’s Justin Culver (132), who won by fall, and Old Bridge’s Temi Odumbo (175), who recorded a major decision, were named Wrestler of the Match for their respective teams. Each received a commemorative plaque following the conclusion of the dual meet.

Jake Tenebruso (157), Dominick Paulino (190), Tarik Mohamed-Ali (285), Gavin Young (113) and Lorenzo Granato (126) all pinned for Old Bridge. Teammate Viktor Ilnytskyi (120) posted a major decision.

South Plainfield dropped nine of the first 10 bouts and fell behind 47-6 before closing out the dual meet with pins from Culver and Nicholas Irizarry (144) and decisions from Joseph Stanzione (138) and Ryan Balent (150) to produce the final margin.

“When it comes down to it, wrestling is a huge sport in both towns, but when we are getting together for an event like this, it goes beyond wrestling,” South Plainfield coach Steve Johnston said. “Both teams want to come away with a win and perform well. We are giving back and continuing to show the state that while wrestling is very big in New Jersey, there are a lot greater causes and bigger things going on that we should continue to honor and pay tribute to.”

South Plainfield (10-5), which opened the season with a team championship at the Morris Knolls Invitational, entered the Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual having won six of its last seven.

Two of South Plainfield’s losses are to North Hunterdon and Saint Joseph of Metuchen, both of which are currently ranked among the Top 20 teams in the state, according to the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association. The battle-tested Tigers also competed in the Sam Cali Invitational and Henry Boresch Duals.

Old Bridge (9-4) has now won seven of its last eight with the lone setback during that stretch coming to state-ranked Caldwell. Old Bridge’s three other losses came in a Jan. 4 quad meet against state-ranked Phillipsburg, Ridge and Cranford.

Old Bridge is currently regarded as the conference’s second-best team behind state-ranked Saint Joseph of Metuchen, which looks to defend its league tournament title this weekend.

The annual memorial match celebrates the life of Marisa Tufaro, whose indomitable spirit lives on through the foundation, which serves as her legacy.

Born with a severe cardiac defect, Marisa survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle. She was just 13 years old.

Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, Marisa was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.

Established seven and a half years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has made a profound impact, donating more than $350,000 to fulfill its mission.

The foundation has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, the foundation has awarded 46 scholarships totaling $33,000 to exceptional high school seniors, including nine graduates of South Plainfield and Old Bridge high schools, and sent 27 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Museum.

The South Plainfield and Old Bridge school communities have played an enormous and vital role in enabling Marisa’s legacy to be one of helping others.

Marisa is the daughter of former Home News Tribune and Courier News sportswriter Greg Tufaro and longtime Edison Township Public Schools educator Cyndi Tufaro.

The Tufaro family is grateful beyond words for all who made Wednesday night’s memorial match come to fruition, including the superintendents, boards of education, administrators, athletics directors, coaches, wrestlers, parents, and supporters of both programs.

Since its inception, the Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual has generated a total of $33,000 for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation. The Tufaro family appreciates beyond words all who took part in Wednesday night’s event.

State Senator Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., a lifelong South Plainfield resident whose legislative district includes his hometown, praised the Tigers and Knights for making the annual Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual a resounding success.

“This type of response really proves why Old Bridge and South Plainfield are special places to live,” said Diegnan, who also serves on The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s board of trustees.

“People care about each other and support each other and when there is a need, they do what is right. That’s what community is all about.”

OLD BRIDGE 47, SOUTH PLAINFIELD 24

157: Jake Tenebruso (OB) p. Jose Rodriguez 3:32

165: James Bermingham (SP) p. Ivan Bondar 1:13

175: Temi Odumbo (OB) md. Emanuel Torres 15-1

190: Dominick Paulino (OB) p. Joseph Ronzo 1:19

215: Zachary Florio (OB) won by forfeit

285: Tarik Mohamed-Ali (OB) p. Aaron Everitt 4:36

106: David Peoples (OB) d. Logan Stoeckel 12-9

113: Gavin Young (OB) p. Alex Pigna 3:03

120: Viktor Ilnytskyi (OB) md. Alexander Teal15-3

126: Lorenzo Granato (OB) p. Hayden Hook 2:53

132: Justin Culver (SP) p. Daniel Ferraro 5:40

138: Joseph Stanzione (SP) d. Griffin Nugent 5-3

144: Nicholas Irizarry (SP) p. Cole Clawson 5:17

150: Ryan Balent (SP) d. Ryan Hoey 12-5