REGION 7 TOURNAMENT
@ TR East on Thursday / RJW Barnabas Health Arena in Toms River on Friday/Saturday
Schedule
Thursday: Prelims - 5:00pm
Friday: Quarterfinals - 5:00pm
Saturday: Semis/Wrestlebacks - 9:00am
Consolation Finals - 2:30pm
Saturday: Finals - 5:00pm
The Top 4 Seeds
Note: The highlighted number at the end is the wrestlers post-season advancement from last year, unless otherwise noted.
106
1: (Fr) Chase Casey - Camden Catholic (29-7 / 1st D25)
2: (Fr) Ryan Smith - Brick Memorial (19-3 / 1st D27)
3: (Sr) Louie Gagliardo - TR North (29-5 / 1st D26)
4: (So) Brett Blaess - Jackson Memorial (26-9 / 1st D28)
113
1: (So) Vin Santaniello - Brick Memorial (30-1 / 1st D27 / 2nd R6 in 2018) - NJ-8th (106)
2: (Jr) Georgio Mazzeo - Paulsboro (26-6 / 1st D26 / R7 Champ in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-WB3 (106)
3: (Jr) Ryan Rosenthal - TR North (32-5 / 2nd D26) - R7-5th (106)
4: (Sr) Jacob Kosowski - Rancocas Valley (33-6 / 2nd D27) - R7-PQ (113)
120
1: (Sr) Hunter Nixon - Seneca (34-4 / 1st D25) - R7-5th (113)
2: (Jr) Dainon Kappes - Eastern (32-5 / 1st D28) - R7-WB1 (113)
3: (Sr) Vin Scollo - Jackson Memorial (30-7 / 2nd D28 / 2nd R7 in 2018) - NJ-WB3 (106)
4: (Sr) Nick Reilly - TR North (25-7 / 1st D26 / 3-time Region Top 6) - R6-4th (113) in 2016
126
1: (So) Michael Conklin - TR East (38-2 / 1st D25 / 3rd R7 in 2018) - NJ-WB1 (120)
2: (So) Neiko Malone - Howell (27-6 / 2nd D25) - R7-5th (126)
3: (Jr) Tyler Pepe - Central (19-3 / 3rd D25 / 4th R5 in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-WB2 (120)
4: (Jr) Michael Richardson - Brick Memorial (27-6 / 1st D27)
132
1: (So) Cooper Pontelandolfo - Cherokee (32-4 / 1st D26) - R7-5th (120)
2: (Sr) Hunter Gutierrez - Lacey (29-4 / 2nd D26 / 2-time Region Champ, 3-time State Qualifier) - NJ-5th (106) in 2017
3: (Jr) Andrew Clark - Collingswood (37-2 / 1st D27 / 2nd R7 in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-8th (126)
4: (Jr) Cody Walsh - Camden Catholic (31-5 / 1st D25 / 2nd R7 in 2018) - NJ-WB4 (120)
138
1: (Sr) Darby Diedrich - Howell (33-2 / 1st D25 / 2-time Region Champ, 3-time State Qualifier) - NJ-7th (120) in 2017
2: (Sr) Anthony Croce - Camden Catholic (23-7 / 2nd D25 / 2-time R7 Champ, 3-time State Qualifier) - NJ-WB4 (138)
3: (Jr) Jacob Perez-Eli - Paulsboro (34-3 / 1st D26 / 3rd R7 in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-WB4 (126)
4: (Sr) Colton Worrell - Eastern (24-6 / 1st D28)
145
1: (Sr) Lucas Revano - Camden Catholic (29-1 / 1st D25 / 3-time State Placer) - NJ-1st (132)
2: (So) Kory Seidle - Seneca (29-8 / 2nd D25)
3: (Sr) CJ Thompson - Maple Shade (28-3 / 3rd D25) - R7-WB1 (132)
4: (Jr) Gabe Onorato - Paulsboro (33-4 / 1st D26 / 3rd R7 in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-WB3 (145)
152
1: (Sr) George Worthy - Paulsboro (34-3 / 1st D26 / 2nd R7 in 2018, 3-time State Qualifier) - NJ-5th (152)
2: (So) Paul Jakub - Howell (30-5 / 1st D25 / 2nd R6 in 2018) - NJ-WB3 (145)
3: (Jr) Brandon Mooney - Camden Catholic (28-8 / 2nd D25 / 2nd R7 in 2018) - NJ-WB4 (145)
4: (Sr) Carsten DiGiantomasso - Jackson Memorial (28-7 / 1st D28) - R7-5th (138)
160
1: (Sr) Corey Fischer - West Deptford (34-1 / 1st D25 / R7 Champ in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-7th (160)
2: (Sr) Jack Oleske - TR North (33-4 / 1st D26) - R7-PQ (132)
3: (Sr) Xavier Kelly - Howell (23-4 / 3rd D25 / 3rd R6 in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-WB2 (152)
4: (Sr) Joseph Wilson - Pemberton (32-2 / 1st D28 / 3rd R7 in 2018) - NJ-WB1 (152)
170
1: (Jr) Shane Reitsma - Howell (35-1 / 1st D25 / R6 Champ in 2017, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-6th (170)
2: (Jr) Brandon Green - Paulsboro (36-2 / 1st D26 / 2nd R7 in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-7th (170)
3: (Sr) Ethan Craft - Rancocas Valley (33-3 / 1st D27 / R7 Champ in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-WB1 (170)
4: (Fr) Martin Cosgrove - Camden Catholic (28-7 / 2nd D25)
182
1: (Sr) Santino Morina - Paulsboro (36-2 / 1st D26 / 2-time R7 Champ, 2-time State Placer) - NJ-5th (182)
2: (Sr) Christian Murphy - Howell (30-6 / 1st D25 / R6 Champ in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-WB4 (182)
3: (Sr) Brock Winston - Jackson Memorial (29-8 / 1st D28) - R7-WB1 (160)
4: (So) David Szuba - Brick Memorial (26-5 / 1st D27 / 4th R6 in 2018) - NJ-WB1 (160)
195
1: (Sr) Drew Bowker - Rancocas Valley (37-2 / 1st D27 / 3rd R7 in 2018, 2-time State Qualifier) - NJ-WB3 (170) in 2017
2: (Jr) Kyle Epperly - Jackson Memorial (36-0 / 1st D28) - R7-5th (170)
3: (Jr) Robert Damerjian - Moorestown (33-4 / 1st D26) - R7-PQ (170)
4: (Sr) Anthony Morina - Paulsboro (27-11 / 2nd D26 / 3rd R7 in 2018) - NJ-WB3 (195)
220
1: (Sr) Gabriel Klaus - Haddonfield (25-1 / 1st D28) - R7-WB1 (195)
2: (Sr) Joe Sardina - Howell (24-8 / 1st D25) - R6-PQ (220)
3: (Sr) Flynn Leaf - Paulsboro (31-7 / 1st D26)
4: (So) Vin Ceglie - Lacey (22-9 / 2nd D26) - R7-WB1 (195)
Hwt
1: (Sr) Max Sullivan - Cherry Hill West (31-4 / 1st D27) - R7-5th (Hwt)
2: (Jr) Mark Loveland - Rancocas Valley (32-4 / 2nd D27)
3: (Jr) Brad Galassi - Jackson Memorial (30-7 / 1st D28) - R7-PQ (195)
4: (Sr) Austin Mooney - Paulsboro (28-9 / 1st D26) - R7-PQ (Hwt)
SHORE CONFERENCE TEAMS
Brick Memorial Mustangs
61 Region Champs / Last: Ean Mueller in 2018 / Last State Qualifier: Vin Santaniello, David Szuba, Ean Mueller, Sam Williams in 2018
Entrants (7): (Fr) Ryan Smith (106 / 19-3) / (So) Vin Santaniello (113 / 30-1) / (So) Michael Cate (120 / 14-6) / (Jr) Michael Richardson (126 / 27-6) / (Sr) Caleb Alvarado (138 / 17-3) / (So) Jared Crippen (145 / 19-9) / (So) David Szuba (182 / 26-5)
The Stangs have had at least one Region Champ in each of the last the last 7 seasons. Seven qualifiers will attempt to keep the streak going, led by 2-timers Vin Santaniello (2nd last year), David Szuba (4th last year), and Caleb Alvarado.
Central Regional Golden Eagles
23 Region Champs / Last: Kalyph Hardy in 2011 / Last State Qualifier: Jalen Ramos in 2012
Entrants (1): (Jr) Tyler Pepe (126 / 19-3)
Tyler Pepe, a 2-time State Qualifier at St John Vianney, is Central's lone Region representative. He will attempt to become their first State Qualifier since Jalen Ramos in 2012.
Donovan Catholic Griffins
3 Region Champs / Last: Salvatore DiSalvo in 2018 / Last State Qualifiers: Cristiaan Dailey, Conor Panzarella, Sal DiSalvo, Cael Rankin in 2018.
Entrants (2): (Jr) Jacob Maroukis (126 / 29-6) / (Fr) Dom Brogna (Hwt / 18-2)
For the 4th straight season, the Griffins have multiple Region qualifiers. They will look to make it three years in a row with at least one Region medal winner.
Howell Rebels
34 Region Champs / Last: Darby Diedrich, Christian Murphy in 2018 / Last State Qualifiers: 9 in 2019
Entrants (10): (Jr) Ethan Liptzin (106 / 26-5) / (So) Neiko Malone (126 / 27-6) / (Sr) Darby Diedrich (132 / 33-2) / (So) Paul Jakub (152 / 30-5) / (Sr) Xavier Kelly (152 / 23-4) / (Jr) Shane Reitsma (170 / 35-1) / (Sr) Christian Murphy (182 / 30-6) / (Sr) Jake Nase (195 / 23-11) / (Sr) Joe Sardina (220 / 24-8) / (Jr) Justin Wright (Hwt / 20-6)
Darby Diedrich will attempt to become the Rebels 2nd 3-time Region Champ, while Christian Murphy is looking for his 2nd title. This will be Diedrich's 4th Region appearance, and the 3rd for Murphy. Also participating in their 3rd Region for the Rebels are Xavier Kelly and Shane Reitsma, while Joe Sardina, Paul Jakub, Ethan Liptzin, and Neiko Malone are in their 2nd.
Jackson Memorial Jaguars
51 Region Champs / Last: Matt McGowan in 2016 / Last State Qualifiers: Vin Scollo in 2018
Entrants (12): (So) Brett Blaess (106 / 26-9) / (Jr) Lance Hobbs (113 / 18-13) / (Sr) Vin Scollo (120 / 30-7) / (Sr) Chris McDonald (126 / 17-14) / (So) Nick White (132 / 12-17) / (So) Damien LiPari (138 / 9-7) / (Sr) Carsten DiGiantomasso (152 / 28-7) / (Jr) Hunter Smith (160 / 24-13) / (Sr) Leo Shimonovich (170 / 19-13) / (Sr) Brock Winston (182 / 29-8) / (Jr) Kyle Epperly (195 / 36-0) / (Jr) Brad Galassi (Hwt / 30-7)
The Jags will have the most Region participants of any team from the Shore Conference with 12 Jags on the mats. Vin Scollo, who was a Region runner-up last year, undefeated Kyle Epperly, and Leo Shimonovich are making their 3rd Region appearance for the Jags, while Carsten DiGiantomasso, Brock Winston, and Brad Galassi will be participating in their 2nd Region.
Lacey Lions
14 Region Champs / Last: Hunter Gutierrez, Luke Gauthier in 2018 / Last State Qualifiers: Hunter Gutierrez, Luke Moynihan, Luke Gauthier in 2018
Entrants (6): (Fr) Brady Carter (106 / 28-2) / (So) Collin Rolak (126 / 20-9) / (Sr) Hunter Gutierrez (132 / 29-4) / (Jr) Jackson Brandt (170 / 26-6) / (Sr) Quint Kearns (182 / 22-9) / (So) Vin Ceglie (220 / 22-9)
Six Lions qualified for the Regions, led by Hunter Gutierrez, a 2-time Champ, 3-time Medalist, who broke the school record for career wins last weekend at Districts. He will attempt to join Russ Witt as the only 3-time Region Champs in Lacey history.
Manchester Hawks
12 Region Champs / Last: Jimmy Lawson in 2010 / Last State Qualifier: Will Farparan in 2016
Entrants (3): (Jr) Connor Ferino (145 / 10-8) / (Sr) Syrus Colon (152 / 28-3) / (Sr) Blaise Lawson (195 / 15-15)
District Champ, Syrus Colon, with Connor Ferino and Blaise Lawson, match the highest number of Region qualifiers for the Hawks since 2016.
Toms River East Raiders
33 Region Champs / Last: AJ Meyers in 2016 / Last State Qualifier: Michael Conklin in 2018
Entrants (4): (Fr) Joe McCullough (113 / 23-10) / (So) Eddie Totten (120 / 20-11) / (So) Michael Conklin (126 / 36-2) / (Sr) Alexander Gorlin (132 / 20-11)
The Raiders have four Region participants for the first time since 2012, led by returning State Qualifier, Michael Conklin, and 3-time Region Qualifier, Alexander Gorlin.
Toms River North Mariners
25 Region Champs / Last: Taylor Kau, Johnny Morano, Brian Newman in 2009 / Last State Qualifiers: Nick Boggiano, Juan Nakano in 2018
Entrants (7): (Sr) Louie Gagliardo (106 / 29-5) / (Jr) Ryan Rosenthal (113 / 32-5) / (Sr) Nick Reilly (120 / 25-7) / (Jr) Nick Boggiano (138 / 33-3) / (Jr) Matt Spalletta (152 / 23-12) / (Sr) Jack Oleske (160 / 33-4 / (Jr) Mike Nakano (195 / 21-5)
Nick Reilly enters the Regions coming off a weekend in which he became the Mariners' first 4-time District Champion. Junior Nick Boggiano, a 2-time State Qualifier, is making his participating in his 3rd Region Tournament, as is Mike Nakano, while Ryan Rosenthal and Jack Oleske are in their 2nd Region.
Toms River South Indians
41 Region Champs / Last: Cole Corrigan in 2018 / Last State Qualifiers: Riley Cheong, Cole Corrigan in 2018
Entrants (3): (Jr) Justin Murray (106 / 26-7) / (Sr) Riley Cheong (145 / 24-6) / (Sr) Sam Akinlolu (170 / 21-8)
3-time qualifier Riley Cheong is looking for a return trip to the boardwalk. Justin Murray is in his 2nd tournament.
Predictions
Predictions
106
A very talented, balanced field. The Shore Conference grabbed 6 of the Top 8 seeds here. You always have to give a bit of an edge to the upperclassmen in this weight, and #3 Mike Gagliardo (TR North) is a senior who has had a ton of post-season success while wrestling down in Florida. #2 Ryan Smith (Brick Memorial) is in the 2-slot on the strength of a head to head over Gagliardo. If #5 Ethan Liptzin (Howell) wins his prelim, he'll get a rematch with #4 Brett Blaess (Jackson Memorial), who defeated him back in December, 10-7.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Gagliardo (TR North) / 2. Casey (Camden Cath) / 3. Smith (Brick Mem) / 4. Blaess (Jackson Mem)
ANONYMOUS: Casey (Camden Cath)
113
Brick Memorial's Vin Santaniello, who was 8th in the state last season, is the top seed. At #2 is 2-time State Qualifier, Georgio Mazzeo (Paulsboro), who is also a returning R7 Champ.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Santaniello (Brick Mem) / 2. Mazzeo (Paulsboro) / 3. Rosenthal (TR North) / 4. Boyle (Lenape)
ANONYMOUS: Santaniello (Brick Mem)
120
Hunter Nixon (Seneca) jumped into the #1 seed on the strength of a win over #2 Dainon Kappes (Eastern), who got the #2 by virtue of his D28 Final win over #3 Vin Scollo (Jackson Memorial), a returning State Qualifier. #4 Nick Reilly became TR North's first ever 4-time District Champ. He got the 4th by majoring #5 Andrew Aromando (Cherokee), a 2-time State Qualifier, in the D26 Finals.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Reilly (TR North) / 2. Scollo (Jackson Mem) / 3. Aromando (Cherokee) / 4. Nixon (Seneca)
ANONYMOUS: Scollo (Jackson Mem)
126
Four Shore Conference wrestlers, 3 from D25, grabbed the Top 4 seeds here. #1 Michael Conklin (TR East) avenged a. SCT Finals loss to Howell's Neiko Malone in the D25 Final to lock up the 1-seed. Malone has an 8-6 sudden victory win, also from the SCT, over #3 Tyler Pepe (Central), a 2-time State Qualifier. Hard to call a District Champ, and 3-time Region Qualifier, a spoiler, but beware Paulsboro's Geno Duca out of the 6-seed.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Conklin (TR East) / 2. Pepe (Central) / 3. Duca (Paulsboro) / 4. Malone (Howell)
ANONYMOUS: Conklin (TR East)
132
#1 Cooper Pontedolfo (Cherokee) denied Lacey's #2 Hunter Gutierrez's (5th in NJ in 2017) bid at becoming a 4-time District Champ last weekend. #3 Andrew Clark (Collingswood) was 8th in the State last year, while #4 Cody Walsh (Camden Catholic) was a win away from a medal in AC last year. This is going to be a very tough Top 4 for an outside seed to break in on, but there is a very solid, balanced field behind them, making this one of the best weights here.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Clark (Collingswood) / 2. Walsh (Camden Cath) / 3. Gutierrez (Lacey) / 4. Pontelando (Cherokee)
ANONYMOUS: Gutierrez (Lacey)
138
This is another terrific weight. Top-seeded Darby Diederich of Howell, 7th in NJ in 2017, has defeated both #2 Anthony Croce (Camden Catholic), 3-2 in the D25 Finals, and #3 Jacob Perez (Paulsboro), 3-2 in the ultimate tiebreaker, at the season-opening Paulsboro Tournament. Croce is 3-time AC Qualifier, finishing a win shy of a medal in each of the last two seasons. Perez has been to the boardwalk in each of his first two years, and was also a win short a spot on the podium in 2018. There's a great 4/5 Quarterfinal already set between a pair of District Champs in #4 Colton Worrell (Eastern) and #5 John Howe (Cherry Hill West).
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Diedrich (Howell) / 2. Croce (Camden Cath) / 3. Perez (Paulsboro) / 4. Howe (Cherry Hill West)
ANONYMOUS: Perez (Paulsboro)
145
#1 Lucas Revano (Camden Catholic) a defending State Champ, and a 3-time State Medal Winner, is the #1 ranked wrestler in the State at this weight, and a big favorite.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Revano (Camden Cath) / 2. Thompson (Maple Shade) / 3. Onorato (Paulsboro) / 4. Boggiano (TR North)
152
#1 George Worthy (Paulsboro) was 5th in the State last year, and is a 3-time State Qualifier. He defeated #2 Paul Jakub (Howell), 7-5, back in December at the Paulsboro Tournament. Jakub, who advanced to AC as a freshman last year, defeated #3 Brandon Mooney of Camden Catholic, who was a win away from a State Medal last year, in the D25 Finals. Mooney jumped ahead of #4 Carsten DiGiantomasso (Jackson Memorial) by virtue of his 5-1 win in a dual in mid-January.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Worthy (Paulsboro) / 2. Jakub (Howell) / 3. Mooney (Camden Cath) / 4. DiGiantomasso (Jackson Mem)
ANONYMOUS: Worthy (Paulsboro)
160
#1 Corey Fischer (West Deptford), 7th in NJ last season at this weight, defeated #2 Joe Wilson (Pemberton) on opening weekend, 3-0. It was one of only two wins for Fischer that did not come with bonus. Originally, TR North's Jack Oleske was the #2 seed, but he dropped to #5 after Howell's Xavier Kelly withdrew from the tournament, bumping Wilson and #3 Xavier Barker (Cherry Hill West) ahead of him, since Oleske was at #2 due to his win over Kelly.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Fischer (West Deptford) / 2. Wilson (Pemberton) / 3. Oleske (TR North) / 4. Barker (Cherry Hill West)
ANONYMOUS: 1. Fischer (West Deptford)
170
There is a lot of work to be done before we get there, but if the seeds do hold, the potential #1 Shane Reitsma (Howell) vs. #2 Brandon Green (Paulsboro) final would be one of the most anticipated bouts. Both are returning State Medal Winners at this weight, and they are currently ranked #1 and #2 in the state. The two did not meet at the Paulsboro Tournament, as Green was defeated by Mariana Bracetti Academy's Angel Garcia in the Paulsboro Tournament semis, who Reitsma defeated in the finals.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Reitsma (Howell) / 2. Green (Paulsboro) / 3. Craft (Rancocas Valley) / 4. Cosgrove (Camden Cath)
ANONYMOUS: Reitsma (Howell)
182
2-time State Medalist, Santino Morina (Paulsboro), defeated #2 Christian Murphy (Howell), a 2-time State Qualifier, at the Paulsboro Tournament Finals, 7-3.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Morina (Paulsboro) / 2. Murphy (Howell) / 3. Winston (Jackson Mem) / 4. Szuba (Brick Mem)
ANONYMOUS: Morina (Paulsboro)
195
It's another weight where if the seeds hold, we get a highly anticipated final between #1 Drew Bowker (Rancocas Valley), a 2-time State Qualifier, and Jackson Memorial's undefeated 2-seed, Kyle Epperly.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Epperly (Jackson Mem) / 2. Bowker (Rancocas Valley) / 3. Morina (Paulsboro) / 4. Damerjian (Moorestown)
ANONYMOUS: Bowker (Rancocas Valley)
220
This could be the most wide-open weight class here, with several guys seen as legit contenders.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Klaus (Haddonfield) / 2. Sardina (Howell) / 3. Leaf (Paulsboro) / 4. Jacamo (Lindenwold)
ANONYMOUS: Sardina (Howell)
Hwt
Max Sullivan (Cherry Hill West) secured the #1 seed with his win over #2 Mark Loveland (Rancocas Valley) in the D27 Finals. Jackson Memorial's #3 Brad Galassi has wrestled from 195-285 this season. He turned a lot of heads by taking 3rd at heavyweight in the Shore Conference Tournament, and is a legit contender here. He received the 3-seed on the strength of a head to head over #4 Austin Mooney of Pauslboro.
PICKS
DESPO: 1. Sullivan (Cherry Hill West) / 2. Galassi (Jackson Mem) / 3. Mooney (Paulsboro) / 4. Loveland (Rancocas Valley)
ANONYMOUS: Galassi (Jackson Mem)
