REGION 5 TOURNAMENT
@ Franklin Twp High School
500 Elizabeth Avenue
Somerset, NJ 08873
Schedule
Thursday: Prelims - 5:30pm
Friday: Quarterfinals - 5:30pm
Saturday: Semis/Wrestlebacks - 10:00am
Saturday: Consolation Finals - 2:30pm
Saturday: Finals - 4:00pm
The Top 4 Seeds
Note: The highlighted number at the end is the wrestlers post-season advancement from last year; unless noted otherwise.
106
1: (So) Brett Ungar - Hunterdon Central (34-0 / 1st D18 / R5 Champ in 2018) - NJ-6th (106)
2: (So) Jack Maida - Shore Regional (36-1 / 1st D20 / 4th in R6 in 2018) - NJ-WB2 (106)
3: (So) Harrison Gordon - Marlboro (32-3 / 1st D19)
4: (Jr) Nick Ammirati - Holmdel (25-10 / 2nd D18) - R5-5th (106)
113
1: (So) Dean Peterson - St John Vianney (27-0 / 1st D17 / 2nd in R5 in 2018) - NJ-2nd (106)
2: (Sr) Brandon Spellman - Pingry (30-4 / 1st D18 / 3rd R5 in 2018) - NJ-WB4 (113)
3: (So) Frank DiEsso - North Hunterdon (30-2 / 1st D20 / 4th R4 in 2018) - NJ-WB1 (113)
4: (Sr) Matt Klemser - Shore Regional (30-5 / 2nd D20) - R6-WB1 in 2017
120
1: (So) Anthony White - South Plainfield (35-1 / 1st D17 / 2nd R4 in 2018) - NJ-WB4 (106)
2: (So) Colton Washleski - Hunterdon Central (31-4 / 1st D18 / 4th R5 in 2018) - NJ-WB1 (113)
3: (Sr) Connor Robinson - North Hunterdon (28-7 / 1st D20) - R4-6th (106)
4: (So) Kamrin O'Neill - Matawan (30-7 / 1st D19) - R6-PQ (113)
126
1: (Sr) Jack Bauer - Hunterdon Central (29-5 / 1st D18 / 3-time R5 runner-up) - NJ-WB4 (120)
2: (Jr) James Rodriguez - Perth Amboy (26-2 / 1st D19 / 2-time 3rd in R5) - NJ-WB4 (132)
3: (Sr) David Loniewski - South Plainfield (32-3 / 1st D17 / 2-time R5 Placer) - NJ-WB4 (120)
4: (Sr) Daniel Monahan - Princeton (27-5 / 2nd D17) - R5-WB1 (120) in 2017
132
1: (Sr) AJ DeRosa - Delaware Valley (31-1 / 1st D19 / 1st R5 in 2018) - NJ-WB4 (126)
2: (Jr) Al DeSantis - Shore Regional (33-4 / 1st D20 / 2-time R6 Placer) - NJ-WB2 (126)
3: (Sr) Thomas Fierro - South Plainfield (28-3 / 1st D17 / 2nd R4 in 2018) - NJ-WB1 (132)
4: (Fr) Tanner Peake - Hunterdon Central (32-5 / 1st D18)
138
1: (Sr) Alec Bobchin - Princeton (32-2 / 1st D17 / R5 Champ in 2018) - NJ-8th (138)
2: (Sr) Alex Baran - Manalapan (39-0 / 1st D20 / 2-time R6 Placer) - NJ-WB3 (138)
3: (So) Max Brignola - Rumson (33-3 / 1st D18 / 3rd R5 in 2018) - NJ-WB2 (126)
4: (Jr) Jake Sisk - Piscataway (22-10 / 3rd D18) - R5-PQ (138)
145
1: (Sr) Joe Sacco - South Plainfield (31-3 / 1st D17 / 2-time R4 Placer) - NJ-WB4 (138) in 2017
2: (Sr) Pasquale Vizzoni - Hunterdon Central (24-2 / 1st D18 / 3rd R5 in 2018) - NJ-WB2 (138)
3: (Sr) Justin Venezia - Hopewell Valley (32-6 / 1st D19) - R5-5th (138)
4: (Sr) Alec Meyers - Old Bridge (28-5 / 2nd D17) - R5-WB1 (138)
152
1: (Sr) Vincent Romaniello - Hunterdon Central (29-7 / 2nd D18 / 2nd R5 in 2018) - NJ-WB1 (145)
2: (So) Ray O'Callaghan - Hillsborough (28-3 / 1st D18 / 4th R5 in 2018) - NJ-WB1 (145)
3: (Sr) Paul Santomarco - Manalapan (32-7 / 1st D20 / 6th R6 in 2018) - R6-5th (106)
4: (Jr) Marus Petite - Piscataway (26-3 / 3rd D18) - R5-6th (145)
160
1: (So) Jack Kelly - Rumson (26-11 / 1st D18)
2: (Sr) Joseph Hatcher - Piscataway (33-1 / 2nd D18 / 3-time R5 Placer) - NJ-WB4 (152) in 2017
3: (Jr) Matt Benedetti - Manalapan (36-3 / 1st D20 / 3rd R6 in 2018) - NJ-WB2 (160)
4: (Sr) Michael Wilson - North Hunterdon (31-4 / 2nd D20) - R4-WB1 (145)
170
1: (Jr) Nathaniel Fossett - North Hunterdon (23-3 / 1st D20) - R4-PQ (182)
2: (Sr) Gabriel Rodrigues - Piscataway (22-6 / 1st D18) - R5-PQ (145) in 2017
3: (Sr) Zach Dobson - Pingry (26-3 / 2nd D18) - R5-PQ (145)
4: (Sr) Shawne Ramsby - Delaware Valley (25-8 / 1st D19 / 3rd R5 in 2018) - NJ-WB1 (170)
182
1: (Sr) Nick Addison - Rumson (35-0 / 1st D19 / 2nd R5 in 2018) - NJ-4th (170)
2: (Sr) Brenden Hedden - South Plainfield (25-8 / 3rd D17) - R4-5th (182)
3: (So) Nicholas Lodato - Piscataway (21-11 / 2nd D18)
4: (Sr) Christian Perrine - East Brunswick (26-9 / 1st D20)
195
1: (Sr) Luke Niemeyer - South Plainfield (33-1 / 1st D17 / 2-time Region Placer) - NJ-5th (195)
2: (Sr) Nick Recine - Piscataway (26-3 / 1st D18 / 3rd R5 in 2017) - NJ-WB1 (170)
3: (Jr) Liam Horan - Rumson (26-8 / 2nd D18) - R5-5th (182)
4: (Sr) Taylor Sousa - Shore Regional / 23-13 / 1st D20) - R6-PQ (182)
220
1: (Sr) Zach DelVecchio - South Plainfield (33-1 / 1st D17 / 2-time State Placer) - NJ-4th (220) in 2017
2: (Jr) Keshon Davila - New Brunswick (30-7 / 1st D20) - R5-5th (220)
3: (Jr) Michael Pavlinetz - Holmdel (22-7 / 1st D18)
4: (So) Von Factor - Rumson (13-5 / 2nd D18)
Hwt
1: (Sr) Paul Liseno - St John Vianney (31-3 / 1st D17 / 2-time 6th R5) - R5-6th (Hwt)
2: (Jr) Marcus Estevez - Franklin (29-5 / 2nd D17 / 4th R5 in 2018) - NJ-WB2 (Hwt)
3: (Sr) Benedict Arthur - Sayreville (30-4 / 3rd D17) - R5-WB1 (Hwt)
4: (So) Johan Coria - Perth Amboy (16-6 / 1st D19)
SHORE CONFERENCE TEAMS
Holmdel Hornets
1 Region Champ / Last: John Mullan in 1983 / Last State Qualifier: Scott DuPont in 2018
Entrants (4): (Jr) Nick Ammirati (106 / 25-10) / (Fr) Jaden Gallo (126 / 28-10) / (Jr) Victor Wladika (170 / 27-8) / (Jr) Mike Pavlinetz (220 / 26-12)
After going from 1984-2016 without a State qualifier, the Hornets' Scott DuPont advanced in 2017 and 2018. Four Hornets, all who return next season, will take a shot at making it three years in a row with a representative on the boardwalk.
Keansburg Titans
1 Region Champ / Last: Tyree Sutton in 2015 / Last State Qualifier: Tyree Sutton in 2015
Entrants (1): (Sr) Liam Riecks (220 / 18-3)
Riecks is a 3-time qualifier and is looking to become the Titans' first State qualifier since Tyree Sutton in 2015, who went on to win a State Title.
Keyport Red Raiders
2 Region Champs / Last: Greg Velasco in 2011 / Last State Qualifier: Greg Velasco in 2011
Entrants (1): (Sr) Mike McCahon (182 / 24-7)
After going two seasons without a Region qualifier, McCahon made it back to back seasons for the Raiders with a participant by placing 3rd in D20.
Manalapan Braves
26 Region Champs / Last: John Appice in 2013 / Last State Qualifier: AJ Sortino, Alex Baran, Matt Benedetti in 2018
Entrants (10): (So) Calvin Burke (113 / 17-7) / (Jr) Hunter Konstantoulas (126 / 27-6) / (Sr) Kareem Ghaida (132 / 23-6) / (Sr) Alex Baran (138 / 39-0) / (Sr) Andrew Keller (145 / 20-9) / (Sr) Paul Santomarco (152 / 32-7) / (Jr) Matt Benedetti (160 / 36-3) / (Jr) Dylan Waller (170 / 27-10) / (So) Gavin Claro (182 / 30-7) / (Sr) John Montgomeie (195 / 16-10)
This the 3rd Region appearance for Santomarco, Baran, Ghaida, and Benedetti. Baran enters the tournament needing one victory to tie the program record of 120 career wins, held by the Braves' last Region Champ, John Appice. Benedetti enters the tournament with 97 career wins.
Marlboro Mustangs
2 Region Champs / Last: Mitch Seigel in 2011 / Last State Qualifier: Mitch Seigel, Vinnie Leone in 2011
Entrants (4): (So) Harrison Gordon (106 / 32-3) / (So) Zach Vasile (132 / 25-5) / (Jr) Edward Jang (152 / 19-13) / (Sr) Evan Brown (160 / 28-5)
The Mustangs match their highest Region representation since 2015 with four participants. This is the 2nd appearance in the Regions for Evan Brown.
Matawan Huskies
6 Region Champs / Last: Johnny Short in 2010 / Last State Qualifier: Derrick Wiley in 2017
Entrants (3): (So) David Rubin (106 / 30-6) / (So) Lee Rubin (113 / 26-8) / (So) Kamrin O'Neill (120 / 30-7)
The Huskies solid sophomore trio of David and Lee Rubin, and Kamrin O'Neill enter with a combined 86 wins on the season. The last time Matawan had multiple underclassmen (sophs/frosh) in the Regions was 2014 when Khalil Haskins and Calvin Beatty did it.
Middletown South Eagles
21 Region Champs / Last: Nick Hering in 2012 / Last State Qualifier: Justin Weimer, Adam Markmann in 2018
Entrants (3): (Jr) Michael Holland (113 / 26-12) / (Fr) Robert Generelli (120 / 26-12) / (Sr) Brady Smith (220 / 27-9)
This is the 3rd Region appearance for Holland, who finished 6th last season, while Smith is making his 2nd appearance.
Monmouth Regional Falcons
0 Region Champs / Last State Qualifier: Anthony Bongarzone, Paul Schweighardt in 2007
Entrants (2): (So) Kevin Cartagena-Walsh (138 / 17-8) / (Sr) Victor Olimpio (160 / 26-6)
Both Cartagena-Walsh and Olimpion came from seeds outside the Top 4 to medal at Districts and move into the Regions. It is the first time the Falcons have more than one participant since Mike Montefinese and Shannen McCue in 2015.
Red Bank Regional Bucs
6 Region Champs / Last: Lamar Brown in 2005 / Last State Qualifier: Edison Quesada in 2018
Entrants (2): (Fr) Phil Stolfa (120 / 28-6) / (Sr) Justin Gooding (Hwt / 20-10
Edision Quesada became the Bucs first State Qualifier in 13 years last season. Senior Justin Gooding and freshman Phil Stolfa take a stab at making it back to back years with a State qualifier for the Bucs.
Rumson Bulldogs
5 Region Champs / Last: Marcus Iwama in 2015 / Last State Qualifier: Max Brignola, Nick Addison in 2018
Entrants (6): (So) Max Brignola (138 / 33-3) / (So) Tyler Brignola (145 / 21-12) / (So) Jack Kelly (160 / 26-11) / (Sr) Nick Addison (182 / 35-0) / (Jr) Liam Horan (195 / 26-8) / (So) Von Factor (220 / 13-5)
Nick Addison, a runner-up last season and 4th place finisher in States, is making his 4th Region appearance. He enters the tournament tied with Marcus Iwama for the career wins record at Rumson with 132. Max Brignola, who also advanced to AC last year, and Liam Horan, who finished 5th in the Region last year, are making their 2nd appearances.
Shore Regional Blue Devils
2 Region Champs / Last: Chris Gornik in 2002 / Last State Qualifiers: Jack Maida, Al DeSantis in 2018
Entrants (9): (So) Jack Maida (106 / 36-1) / (Sr) Matt Klemser (113 / 30-5) / (Fr) Gabe Scalise (120 / 26-11) / (Jr) Al DeSantis (132 / 33-4) / (So) Mike McGhee (145 / 36-1) / (Sr) Ian Smith (152 / 24-11) / (Sr) Jack McCrae (160 / 29-4) / (Fr) Jamie Mazzacco (170 / 30-3) / (Sr) Taylor Sousa (195 / 23-13)
The Blue Devils, who have a program record 9 Region participants this year, are looking for their first champ since 2002. They have a pair of 2-seeds that advanced to AC last year in Al DeSantis and Jack Maida. Matt Klemser, Jack McCrae, Mike McGhee, and Taylor Sousa are all making their 2nd Region appearances.
St John Vianney Lancers
5 Region Champs / Last: Nick Caracappa in 2018 / Last State Qualifier: Dean Peterson, Tyler Pepe, Nick Caracappa, Steven Giannios in 2018
Entrants (6): (Fr) Nico Diaz (106 / 22-7) / (So) Dean Peterson (113 / 27-0) / (So) Seth Rotondella (126 / 16-4) / (So) Blake Clayton (170 / 25-8) / (Sr) Jaden Duncan (220 / 11-11) / (Sr) Paul Liseno (31-3)
The Lancers are looking to keep a 3-year streak alive with a Region Champion. Paul Liseno is making his 3rd appearance. He placed 6th in each of the previous two appearances. Dean Peterson, making his 2nd appearance in as many seasons, was a runner-up in the Region and State last season. Blake Clayton is also making his 2nd appearance in two years. He placed 6th a year ago.
Predictions
106
#1 Brett Ungar (Hunterdon Central / 6th NJ - 2018) and #2 Jack Maida (Shore Regional) are ranked 1st and 3rd in the state, respectively. The real wild card here is the #5 seed, freshman Jacob DelVecchio of South Plainfield, who went 32-3 for the Tigers wrestling mostly at 113 during the regular season.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 Ungar (Hunterdon Central) / 2. #2 Maida (Shore) / 3. #5 DelVecchio (South Plainfield) / 4. #6 Diaz (SJV)
ANONYMOUS: Ungar (Hunterdon Central)
113
2018 State runner-up at 106, Dean Peterson of St John Vianney, is the strong favorite here. Very interesting quarterfinal on tap between D18 Champ #2 Brandon Spellman of Pingry, and D19 Champ #7 Jacob Venezia of Hopewell Valley.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 Peterson (SJV) / 2. #3 DiEsso (North Hunterdon) / 3. #2 Spellman (Pingry) / 4. #7 Venezia (Hopewell Valley)
ANONYMOUS: Peterson (SJV)
120
Top-seeded Anthony White of South Plainfield was one win away from a spot on the Boardwalk Hall podium last season. The 2nd-seeded Colton Washleski has had some big wins this year, and was a 4th Place finisher in the Region last season.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 White (South Plainfeld) / 2. #2 Washleski (Hunterdon Central) / 3. #3 Robinson (North Hunterdon) / 4. #4 O'Neill (Matawan)
ANONYMOUS: White (South Plainfield)
126
Senior #1 Jack Bauer of Hunterdon Central is looking to capture his first Region Title after finishing as a runner-up the previous three seasons. #2 James Rodriguez (Perth Amboy), who has advanced to AC in each of his first two seasons, defeated #3 David Loniewski (South Plainfield) in the finals of the GMC Tournament, 7-3.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 Bauer (Hunterdon Central) / 2. #2 Rodriguez (Perth Amboy) / 3. #5 Lanciano (Hopewell Valley) / 4. #3 Loniewski (South Plainfield)
Anonymous: Bauer (Hunterdon Central)
132
#1 AJ DeRosa (Delaware Valley) is a returning Region Champ, and was a win away from placing in AC last season. #2 Al DeSantis (Shore) is a 2-time State Qualifier.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 DeRosa (Del Val) / 2. #2 DeSantis (Shore) / 3. #3 Fierro (South Plainfield) / 4. #7 Ghaida (Manalapan)
ANONYMOUS: DeRosa (Del Val)
138
Top-seeded Alec Bobchin (Princeton) was 8th in the State last year, and a returning R5 Champ. Outside of his matches at the Beast of the East, he has won every single bout with bonus. Undefeated #2 Alex Baran (Manalapan), who is a win away from tying the program for career wins, is a 2-time State Qualifier. #3 Max Brignola of Rumson punched a ticket to AC last season as a freshman.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 Bobchin (Princeton) / 2. #2 Baran (Manalapan) / 3. #3 Brignola (Rumson) / 4. #6 Anthony Romaniello (Hunterdon Central)
ANONYMOUS: Baran (Manalapan)
145
One of the more balanced weights here. The top two seeds have both been to AC, and #1 Joe Sacco (South Plainfield) was a win away from a medal in 2017.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 Sacco (South Plainfield) / 2. #2 Vizzoni (Hunterdon Central) / 3. #5 McGhee (Shore) / 4. #3 Venezia (Hopewell Valley)
ANONYMOUS: Sacco (South Plainfield)
152
#2 Ray O'Callaghan (Hillsborough) pinned #1 Vincent Romaniello (Hunterdon Central) in the D18 Finals, but was seeded behind him due to an earlier loss to #6 Anthony DeRosa (Delaware Valley) that created a triangle.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #2 O'Callaghan (Hillsborough) / 2. #1 Romaniello (Hunterdon Central) / 3. #4 Petite (Piscataway) / 4. #3 Santomarco (Manalapan)
ANONYMOUS: Romaniello (Hunterdon Central)
160
There's potential here for this to be a pretty wide open weight. Rumson's Jack Kelly shot up to the #1 seed after defeating Piscataway's #2 Joseph Hatcher, a 3-time State Qualifier, in the D19 Finals.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #2 Hatcher (Piscataway) / 2. #4 Wilson (North Hunterdon) / 3. #3 Benedetti (Manalapan) / 4. #5 Santos (South Plainfield)
ANONYMOUS: Benedetti (Manalapan)
170
Perhaps one of the more wide-open weights here. The only returning State Qualifier is the #4 seed, Shawne Ramsby of Delaware Valley, who was beaten by #1 Nathaniel Fossett of North Hunterdon, and #3 Zach Dobson of Pingry, in duals this season.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 Fossett (North Hunterdon) / #2 Rodrigues (Piscataway) / 3. #5 Clayton (SJV) / 4. #4 Ramsby (Del Val)
ANONYMOUS: Fossett (North Hunterdon)
182
Rumson's Nick Addison is the solid favorite here, with the rest of the field looking like it could be pretty wide open.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 Addison (Rumson) / 2. #2 Hedden (South Plainfield) / 3. #8 James (Franklin) / 4. #4 Perrine (East Brunswick)
ANONYMOUS: Addison (Rumson)
195
Top-seeded Luke Niemeyer's lone loss came all the way back during opening weekend. He was a 5th Place finisher in the State last season at this weight.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 Niemeyer (South Plainfield) / 2. #2 Recine (Piscataway) / 3. Horan (Rumson) / 4. Sousa (Shore)
ANONYMOUS: Niemeyer (South Plainfield)
220
#1 Zach DelVecchio (South Plainfield) is a 2-time State Placer. He was the favorite to win a State Title last year, but was forced to withdraw after the Districts due to injury.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 DelVecchio (South Plainfield) / 2. #2 Davila (New Brunswick) / 3. #6 Riecks (Keansburg) / 4. #7 Porcaro (Sayreville)
ANONYMOUS: DelVecchio (South Plainfield)
Hwt
The Top 3 seeds here are all from D17. SJV's Paul Liseno earned the top-seed on the strength of his D17 Finals win over #2 Marcus Estevez (Franklin), a State Qualifier last season.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. #1 Liseno (SJV) / 2. #2 Estevez (Franklin) / 3.#3 Arthur (Sayreville) / 4. #4 Coria (Perth Amboy)
ANONYMOUS: Liseno (SJV)
