"We wrestle down to ONE CHAMP in these parts"
State Tournament Preview
106 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (So) Brett Ungar - Hunterdon Central (1st R5 / 37-0)
#4 (Fr) Joe Manno - St Joseph's Montvale (1st R1 - 30-4)
From The Shore
#8 (Sr) Louie Gagliardo - TR North (1st R7 / 32-5)
#9 (Fr) Brady Carter - Lacey (2nd R7 / 31-3)
#13 (Fr) Ryan Smith - Brick Memorial (3rd R7 / 22-4)
#21 (Fr) Evan Tallmadge - Brick Twp (2nd R6 / 31-3)
#28 (Jr) Ethan Liptzin - Howell (4th R7 / 29-7)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1(So) Brett Ungar - Hunterdon Central (6th Place-106)
#12 (So) Frank Mazza - Roxbury (WB1-106)
106 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Jr) Tyler Klinsky - Middletown North (1st R6 / 39-0)
#3 (So) Jack Maida - Shore Regional (2nd R5 / 38-2)
From The Shore
#14 (Fr) Nico Diaz - St John Vianney (3rd R5 / 26-8)
#2 (Jr) Tyler Klinsky - Middletown North (1st R6 / 39-0)
#3 (So) Jack Maida - Shore Regional (2nd R5 / 38-2)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Jr) Tyler Klinsky - Middletown North (WB3-113)
#3 (So) Jack Maida - Shore Regional (WB2-106)
QUICK LOOK:
Ungar has been a monster this season, as the closest anyone has been in a match with him are a few 6-point decisions. Other than that, it's been major or better in 33 of his 37 wins. As usual with the 106-pounders, you always look for the wild cards out of seniors who have the experience edge, a good candidate there would be TR North senior Louie Gagliardo at the #8 seed a multi-time State Placer in Florida before moving back to Toms River this season. He opens with another one of the wild cards you look for, the freshman without criteria, but a whole lot of big match experience in the regular season. In this case it's South Plainfield's Jacob DelVecchio, the highest seeded Region 4th place finisher in what was a loaded Region 5 bracket with #1 Ungar, #3 Jack Maida (Shore Regional), and #14 Nico Diaz (St John Vianney). There's a couple bouts in the opening round where I think the loser, as long a road as it may be, can still hit the podium, the first being Gagliardo and DelVecchio, but also the matchup between #7 Joseph Cangro of Bergen Catholic, and #26 Clayton Utter of High Point.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #2 Klinksy (Midd North) over #1 Ungar (Hunterdon Central)
ANONYMOUS: 1 Ungar (Hunterdon Central) over #2 Klinsky (Midd North(
DARK HORSE:
#26 Utter (High Point)
THE SHORE?:
As good as Ungar's year has been, Klinsky has won every bout this season with bonus. He has been flat out dominant, and I think he's getting the job done. This has been a great weight for the Shore this season, and I think there's a shot to get 3 on the podium here in Maida and Gagliardo joining Klinsky.
113
113 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (So) Dean Peterson - St John Vianney (1st R5 / 30-0)
#4 (Sr) Quinn Melofchik - Belvidere (1st R3 / 34-1)
From The Shore
#1 (So) Dean Peterson - St John Vianney (1st R5 / 30-0)
#12 (Jr) Ryan Rosenthal - TR North (3rd R7 / 36-6)
#13 (Jr) Thomas O'Keefe - Middletown North (2nd R6 / 33-6)
#21 (Jr) Jayson Scerbo - Southern (2nd R8 / 26-10)
Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (So) Dean Peterson - St John Vianney (2nd Place-106)
#4 (Sr) Quinn Melofchik - Belvidere (7th Place-106)
#5 (So) Nicholas Nardone - Delbarton (3rd Place-106)
#8 (Jr) Joseph Lamparelli - Allentown (WB4-106)
#9 (Sr) Brandon Spellman - Pimgry (WB4-113)
#16 (Sr) Gabriel Leo - Roselle Park (WB2-106)
#17 (So) Ethan Fernandez - Westwood (WB1-106)
113 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Fr) Alex Almeyda - Fort Lee (1st R4 / 24-0)
#3 (Jr) Nick Kayal - Bergen Catholic (3rd R2 / 32-7)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#6 (So) Vincent Santaniello - Brick Memorial (1st R7 / 33-1
#26 (So) Demetri Poniros - Ocean Township (4th R6 / 28-12)
#3 (Jr) Nick Kayal - Bergen Catholic (4th Place-106)
#6 (So) Vincent Santaniello - Brick Memorial (8th Place-106)
#7 (Jr) Nick Babin - Emerson (WB4-106)
#10 (Jr) Georgio Mazzeo - Paulsboro (WB3-106)
#11 (Sr) Carmen Giumarello - Clearview (WB3-106)
#14 (Sr) Travis Kotelnicki - Northern Burlington (WB2-106)
#19 (So) Frank DiEsso - North Hunterdon (WB1-113)
QUICK LOOK:
Top-seeded, and undefeated, Dean Peterson has been the overwhelming pick here all season long. He was the runner-up at 106 last season, and is currently ranked #5 in the country by InterMat. It can be tough for freshman to get high seeds without any previous criteria, but Fort Lee's Alex Almeyda, also unbeaten this season, shot up to #2 after knocking off #3 Nick Kayal of Bergen Catholic, and #7 Nick Babin of Emerson in the Region 4 Tournament. He also handed #4 Quinn Melofchik of Belvidere his only loss this season. Almeyda may very well be the top frosh in this entire tournament, a win here cements that.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #1 Peterson (SJV) over #3 Kayal (Bergen Catholic)
ANONYMOUS: #1 Peterson over #2 Almeyda (Fort Lee)
DARK HORSE:
#8 Lamparelli (Allentown)
THE SHORE?:
This is a deep field, so it's going to be tough for the Shore guys seeded outside the Top 8 to break seed and get into medal slots. I go with Peterson at the top, and Santantiello in that 3-6 range.
120 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Jr) Anthony Clark - Delbarton (R3 1st / 32-3)
#4 (Jr) Justin Bierdumpfel - St Joseph's-Metuchen (R1 2nd / 30-8)
From The Shore
#20 (Sr) Nick Reilly - TR North (3rd R7 / 28-8)
#8 (Sr) Vin Scollo - Jackson Memorial (1st R7 / 34-7)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Jr) Anthony Clark - Delbarton (CHAMPION-113)
#4 (Jr) Justin Bierdumpfel - St Joseph's-Metuchen (WB4-106)
#5 (Jr) McKenzie Bell - Kingsway (7th Place-113)
#8 (Sr) Vincent Scollo - Jackson Memorial (WB3-106)
#12 (So) Patrick Adams - St Peter's Prep (WB2-106)
#13 (Sr) Sean Faraon - Paramus Catholic (WB2-120)
#16 (Jr) Jaden Hinton - Clayton (WB1-113)
#17 (Jr) Robert Bohr - West Morris Central (WB1-106)
#25 (Jr) Zack Martinez - Elmwood Park (WB2-106)
120 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Jr) Eddie Ventresca - Pope John (R1 1st / 35-1)
#3 (Jr) Dylan Cedeno - Bergen Catholic (R2 1st / 17-2)
From The Shore
#10 (Jr) Nico Messina - Freehold Boro (1st R6 / 32-4)
#22 (So) Logan Waller - Colts Neck (3rd R6 / 32-6)
#27 (Jr) Fred Luchs - Middletown North (4th R6 / 33-9)2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Jr) Eddie Ventresca - Pope John (3rd Place-113)
#3 (Jr) Dylan Cedeno - Bergen Catholic (WB4-113)
#6 (So) Anthony White - South Plainfield (WB4-106)
#7 (Jr) Luke Hoerle - Westfield (WB2-113)
#10 (Jr) Nico Messina - Freehold Boro (WB1-113)
#11 (Jr) Andre Ruiz - Ridgefield Park (WB2-113)
#15 (So) Colton Washleski - Hunterdon Central (WB1-113)
#26 (Jr) Andrew Aromando - Cherokee (WB2-106)
QUICK LOOK:
This is a loaded weight class that should have some great battles just to get to the semis. Delbarton's top-seeded Anthony Clark was the champ at 113 last year. #2 Eddie Ventresca of Pope John was 3rd at 113 last season, and is coming off a 9-5 Region 1 Finals win over #4 Justin Bierdumpfel of St. Joe's. #3 Dylan Cedeno, previously of Fair Lawn and now at Bergen Catholic, has finished one win shy of a medal in each of his first two AC appearances.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #3 Cedeno (Bergen Catholic) over #1 Clark (Delbarton)
ANONYMOUS: #2 Ventresca (Pope John) over #4 Bierdumpfel (St Joe's)
DARK HORSE:
#6 White (South Planfield) (Is a 6 really a dark horse?)
THE SHORE?:
In the running for one of the toughest weights for the Shore to reach the podium, but I'll go with Scollo and Messina wrestling each other for 7th/8th.
126 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Jr) Robert Howard - Bergen Catholic (R2 1st / 34-2)
#4 (Jr) CJ Composto - Westfield (R4 1st / 30-1)
From The Shore
#25 (So) Neiko Malone - Howell (4th R7 / 30-8)
#29 (Jr) Jacob Glantzman - Wall (4th R6 / 23-16)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Jr) Robert Howard - Bergen Catholic (CHAMPION-120)
#4 (Jr) CJ Composto - Westfield (5th Place-106)
#5 (Sr) Nicky Cabanillas - DePaul Catholic (5th Place-126)
#8 (Sr) Dom DiGena - West Morris Mendham (WB3-120)
#9 (Jr) Garrett Stewart - Sparta (WB2-126)
#12 (Sr) Jack Bauer - Hunterdon Central (WB4-120)
#13 (Sr) David Loniewski - South Plainfeild (WB4-120)
#16 (Sr) Mike Ruane - West Essex (WB1-126)
126 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (So) Joey Olivieri - Hanover Park (R3 1st / 34-5)
#3 (Sr) Samuel Alvarez - St Joseph's Montvale (R1 1st / 32-3)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#10 (So) Michael Conklin - TR East (1st R7 / 39-2)
#15 (Jr) Ryan Zimmerman - Long Branch (1st R6 / 34-3)
#19(Jr) Michael Richardson - Brick Memorial (3rd R7 / 30-7)
#23 (So) Avery Clarke - Freehold Twp (3rd R6 / 30-10)
#26 (Sr) Sebastian Delligatti - Southern (4th R8 / 24-12)
#27 (Jr) Hunter Konstantoulas - Manalapan (4th R5 / 29-8)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (So) Joey Olivieri - Hanover Park (CHAMPION-106)
#3 (Sr) Samuel Alvarez - St Joseph's Montvale (2nd Place-113)
#6 (Jr) James Rodriguez - Perth Amboy (WB4-132)
#7 (Sr) Gianni Manginelli - Dumont (WB2-126)
#10 (So) Michael Conklin - TR East (WB1-120)
#11 (So) Hunter Gandy - Woodstown (WB1-113)
#14 (So) Sean Rendeiro - St Peter's Prep (WB3-113)
#15 (Jr) Ryan Zimmerman - Long Branch (WB2-113)
#26 (Sr) Sebastian Delligatti - Southern (WB1-126)
QUICK LOOK:
A pair of returning Champs are here with last year's 120-Champ, Robert Howard of Bergen Catholic at the top seed, and last year's 106-Champ, Joe Olivieri of Hanover Park at the #2. Further loading the weight is 2-time runner-up Sammy Alvarez of St Joe's at the 3-seed, and a pair of 5th-place finishers in #4 CJ Composto of Westfield, and #5 Nicky Cabanillas of DePaul. Lots of potential sleepers throughout here as well in #10 Michael Conklin of TR East, #12 Jack Bauer of Hunterdon Central, and #15 Ryan Zimmerman of Long Branch.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #1 Howard (Bergen Catholic) over #3 Alvarez (St Joe's)
ANONYMOUS: #1 Howard Bergen Catholic) over #2 Olivieri (Hanover Park)
DARK HORSE:
#10 Conklin (TR East)
THE SHORE?:
With nobody seeded in medal position, someone will have to break seed to reach the podium, which I think Conklin will.
132 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Sr) Nicholas Raimo - Hanover Park (R3 1st / 17-1)
#4 (Sr) Mark Montgomery - Roselle Park (R4 1st / 33-2)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Sr) Nicholas Raimo - Hanover Park (3rd Place-132)
#4 (Sr) Mark Montgomery - Roselle Park (WB4-126)
#5 (Jr) Kaya Sement - Pope John (WB3-120)
#8 (Sr) Bryan Miraglia - Delran (WB3-132)
#12 (Sr) Travis Jones - Phillipsburg (7th Place-120)
#13 (So) Finnegan McFadden - Kingsway (WB3-126)
#16 (Jr) Darren Jones - West Essex (WB2-120)
#20 (Sr) Thomas Fierro - South Plainfield (WB1-132)
#25 (Jr) Cody Walsh - Camden Catholic (WB4-120)
132 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Jr) Andrew Clark - Collingswood (R7 1st / 40-2)
#3 (Jr) Will Grater - Don Bosco (R1 1st / 25-8)
From The Shore
#26 (Jr) Al DeSantis - Shore Regional (4th R5 / 34-3)
#10 (Sr) Hunter Gutierrez - Lacey (3rd R7 / 33-5)
#22 (Jr) Jack Nies - Ocean Township (2nd R6 / 35-6)
#23 (Sr) Sam LaCorte - CBA (3rd R6 / 26-9)
#30 (Jr) Jesse Bowers - Pt Beach (4th R6 / 34-3)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Jr) Andrew Clark - Collingswood (8th Place-126)
#3 (Jr) Will Grater - Don Bosco (8th Place-120)
#7 (Sr) Peter Tringali - West Morris Mendham (WB2-132)
#10 (Sr) Hunter Gutierrez - Lacey (WB3-113)
#11 (Sr) Luke Mazzeo - Emerson (6th Place-132)
#14 (Sr) Justin Cariss - Highland (WB3-132)
#15 (Sr) AJ DeRosa - Delaware Valley (WB4-126)
#19 (Sr) Michael Esposito - DePaul Catholic (WB1-120)
#26 (Jr) Al DeSantis - Shore Regional (WB2-126)
QUICK LOOK:
Top-seeded Nicholas Raimo of Hanover Park was a champ in 2017, a runner-up in 2016, and a 3rd-place finisher in 2018. He's as good as they come, but missed a good portion of the regular season with an injury. He's going to have to be as close to 100% as possible if he is to hold this deep field off for his 2nd title. This really could shape up to be a wild weight, especially when you have a 25-seed, Cody Walsh of Camden Catholic, who was a win away from the podium last year, an 11th-seed who placed 6th, Emerson's Luke Mazzeo, and a #12 who finished 7th, in PBurg's Travis Jones. This is going to be a fun weight.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #2 Clark (Collingswood) over #1 Raimo (Hanover Park)
ANONYMOUS: #1 Raimo (Hanover Park) over #11 Mazzeo (Emerson)
DARK HORSE:
#8 Miraglia (Delran)
THE SHORE?:
#10 Gutierrez is the only seed inside the Top 20. He got a decent enough draw even being at #10, and I think he reaches the podium.
138 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Sr) Joseph Aragona - Pope John (R1 1st / 38-0)
#4 (Sr) Alec Bobchin - Princeton (R5 1st / 35-2)
From The Shore
#12 (Jr) Robert Woodcock - Southern (R8 1st / 32-4)
#21 (So) Max Brignola - Rumson (R5 / 3rd36-4)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Sr) Joseph Aragona - Pope John (3rd Place-138)
#4 (Sr) Alec Bobchin - Princeton (8th Place-138)
#5 (Sr) Anthony Croce - Camden Catholic (WB4-138)
#8 (Sr) Craig Manno - St Joseph's Montvale (WB2-138)
#9 (So) Dylan Weaver - Lyndhurst (WB2-126)
#12 (Jr) Robert Woodcock - Southern (WB1-138)
#13 (Jr) Tim Spatola - Delsea (WB2-138)
#20 (Sr) Nick Ciraulo - Watchung Hills (WB2-132)
#21 (So) Max Brignola - Rumson (WB2-126)
#25 (So) Justin Cantor - North Bergen (WB2/132)
138 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Sr) Darby Diedrich - Howell (1st R7 / 36-2)
#3 (Jr) Alex Poniros - Ocean Township (2nd R6 / 8-4)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Sr) Darby Diedrich - Howell (1st R7 / 36-2)
#3 (Jr) Alex Poniros - Ocean Township (2nd R6 / 8-4)
#11 (Sr) Alex Baran - Manalapan (2nd R5 / 41-1)
#31 (Sr) Steve Pabone - Long Branch (4th R6 / 25-12)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Sr) Darby Diedrich - Howell (WB3-126)
#3 (Jr) Alex Poniros - Ocean Township (7th Place-132)
#6 (Jr) Jacob Perez-Eli - Paulsboro (WB4-126)
#7 (Jr) Alex Strashinsky - Bergen Catholic (WB4-120)
#10 (Sr) Domenic Difrancescantonio - Hanover Park (WB1-126)
#11 (Sr) Alex Baran - Manalapan (WB3-138)
#14 (So) Aaron Ayzerov - Paramus (WB2-120)
#15 (Jr) Billy Talmadge - High Point (WB1-132)
#18 (Sr) Kyle Tino - Phillipsburg (WB2-132)
#22 (Sr) Craig Cook - Burlington Twp (WB1-132)
#26 (Jr) Ryan Figueroa - Hammonton (WB1-132)
QUICK LOOK:
If you're searching for the best pound for pound wrestler in the tournament, it may very well be here with the top-seeded Joseph Aragona of Pope John, who is currently ranked #1 in the nation by Intermat. Aragona, who has committed to Rutgers, is a 2-time 3rd Place, and 1-time runner-up in States. Lots of talent here, but if you're looking for someone to keep an eye for the future, check out Holy Spirit freshman, Ken Sherman. He's had some nice wins and some close calls against some tough competition, and could spring a surprise or two here.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #1 Aragona (Pope John) over #2 Diedrich (Howell)
ANONYMOUS: #1 Aragona (Pope John) over #2 Diedrich (Howell)
DARK HORSE:
#22 Cook (Burlington Twp)
THE SHORE?:
I think Diedrich reaches the finals. It's tough enough to reach the podium at 100%, but Poniros may be a bit too banged up to make a return trip this year. Can't sleep on Woodcock at the 12-seed, he's capable of breaking through to the medal rounds. #11 Baran got a brutal draw, and has a lot of work to do.
145 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Sr) Ricky Cabanillas - DePaul Catholic (R2 1st / 35-3)
#4 (Sr) Wyatt McCarthy - Newton (R1 1st / 34-2)
From The Shore
#16 (Jr) Ty Bailey - Pt Boro (2nd R6 / 33-6)
#17 (Sr) Nick Pepe - Southern (3rd R8 / 31-7)
#32 (Sr) Tony Dushku - Freehold Boro (4th R7 / 27-9)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Sr) Ricky Cabanillas - DePaul Catholic (CHAMPION-145)
#4 (Sr) Wyatt McCarthy - Newton (7th Place-145)
#5 (Sr) Joe Sacco - South Plainfield (WB2-145)
#8 (Jr) Jack Prendergast - Woodstown (WB3-120)
#9 (Sr) Scott Jarosz - Roxbury (WB2-138)
#12 (Sr) Pasquale Vizzoni - Hunterdon Central (WB2-138)
#13 (Jr) Stefano Sgambellone - St Joseph's Montvale (WB2-132)
#16 (Jr) Ty Bailey - Pt Boro (WB1-138)
#25 (Jr) Gabe Onorato - Paulsboro (WB3-145)
145 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Sr) Lucas Revano - Camden Catholic (R7 1st / 32-1)
#3 (Sr) Wade Unger - Bergen Catholic (R2 2nd / 27-7)
From The Shore
#11 (Jr) Nick Boggiano - TR North (3rd R7 / 37-4)
#14 (Jr) Luke Rada - Colts Neck (1st R6 / 36-1)#15 (So) Michael McGhee - Shore Regional (3rd R5 / 39-2)
#23 (Jr) Nico Vargas - Wall (3rd R6 / 31-1)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Sr) Lucas Revano - Camden Catholic (CHAMPION-132)
#3 (Sr) Wade Unger - Bergen Catholic (5th Place-145)
#6 (Sr) Matt Sacco - Bridgewater-Raritan (WB1-138)
#10 (Sr) Alex Winant - West Morris Mendham (WB2-145)
#11 (Jr) Nick Boggiano - TR North (WB2-138)
#26 (Sr) Wayne Scott - Penns Grove (WB1-152)
QUICK LOOK:
Another weight with a pair of returning State Champs. #1 Ricky Cabanillas of DePaul was the champ at this weight last season, while #2 Lucas Revano of Camden Catholic was the 132-pound Champ. It's a very strong and balanced field behind them, but it's going to take a pretty sizable upset to keep these from meeting in the finals.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #2 Revano (Camden Catholic) over #1 Cabanillas (DePaul)
ANONYMOUS: #2 Revano (Camden Catholic) over #1 Cabanillas (DePaul)
DARK HORSE:
#11 Boggiano (TR North)
THE SHORE?:
Such a deep weight, and with Boggiano being the Shore's best seed with a #11, there's work to do. Still, can call me a Shore homer if you will, I think Rada and Boggiano both have a great shot at placing here.
152 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Sr) Nick Bennett - Delsea (R8 3rd / 37-3)
#4 (Sr) Robert Garcia - Pope John (R1 1st / 18-0)
From The Shore
#8 (So) Paul Jakub - Howell (2nd R7 / 32-6)
#29 (Sr) Carsten DiGiantomasso - Jackson Memorial (4th R7 / 30-9)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Sr) Nick Bennett - Delsea (2nd Place-145)
#4 (Sr) Robert Garcia - Pope John (WB4-145)
#5 (Sr) George Worthy - Paulsboro (5th Place-152)
#8 (So) Paul Jakub - Howell (WB3-145)
#9 (Jr) Brandon Mooney - Camden Catholic (WB4-145)
#12 (Jr) Joe Zargo - Bergen Catholic (WB3-138)
#13 (Sr) Matt Beyer - Pascack Valley (WB2-138)
#17 (Sr) Jerry Andaluz - Nottingham (WB1-152)
#25 (Sr) David McCullough - Clearview (WB2-152)
152 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Sr) Nick O'Connell - Southern (1st R8 / 36-0)
#3 (Sr) Cody Harrison - Phillipsburg (R4 1st / 35-2)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Sr) Nick O'Connell - Southern (1st R8 / 36-0)
#23 (Sr) Paul Santomarco - Manalapan (3rd R5 / 35-8)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Sr) Nicholas O'Connell - Southern (WB4-152)
#3 (Sr) Cody Harrison - Phillipsburg (4th Place-138)
#6 (Jr) Dante Stefanelli - Delbarton (WB2-138)
#7 (Sr) Justin LeMay - West Morris Central (WB4-152)
#11 (Sr) AJ Bencivenga - Cranford (WB4-145)
#14 (Sr) Jonah Schechtman - Emerson (WB2-152)
#15 (Sr) Connor Kraus - St Augustine (WB2-138)
#18 (Sr) Vincent Romaniello - Hunterdon Central (WB1-145)
#19 (Sr) Raymond O'Callaghan - Hillsborough (WB1-145)
QUICK LOOK:
Nick Bennett of Delsea finished 3rd in the Region, but due to a series of triangles, he held on to his top-seed as a returning State runner-up. Southern's #2 Nick O'Connell has had a monster year for the Rams, including a major decision win over #3 Cody Harrison of Phillipsburg. If the seeds hold, in what is a stacked top bracket, there's potential for a great quarterfinal between undefeated #4 Rob Garcia of Pope John, and #5 George Worthy of Paulsboro, who placed 5th at this weight last year.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #2 O'Connell (Southern) over #4 Garcia (Pope John)
ANONYMOUS: #2 O'Connell (Southern) over #5 Worthy (Paulsboro)
DARK HORSE:
#16 McCabe (Monroe)
THE SHORE?:
I'm all-in on O'Connell. Jakub received the 8-seed, which has become a tough seed seeing as you get the best of the Region Top 4's. If a particular Region is loaded at that weight, it makes for a very tough draw, which is what Jakub got in Clearview's David McCullough.
160 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Sr) Robert Kanniard - Wall (1st R6 / 41-0)
#4 (Jr) Matt Benedetti - Manalapan (2nd R5 / 38-4)
From The Shore
#1 (Sr) Robert Kanniard - Wall (1st R6 / 41-0)
#4 (Jr) Matt Benedetti - Manalapan (2nd R5 / 38-4)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Sr) Robert Kanniard - Wall (2nd Place-160)
#4 (Jr) Matt Benedetti - Manalapan (WB2-160)
#5 (Sr) Joseph Hatcher - Piscataway (WB3-152)
#8 (Sr) Salvatore Manera - St Augustine (WB4-152)
#12 (Sr) John DeVito - West Morris Central (WB2-160)
#16 (Jr) Jacob Vega - Carteret (WB1-160)
#25 (Sr) Brian Berry - Woodstown (WB1-145)
160 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Sr) Corey Fischer - West Deptford (R7 1st / 37-1)
#3 (Sr) Joseph Wilson - Pemberton (R7 2nd / 34-3)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#14 (Sr) Anthony Aquilano - Raritan (2nd R6 / 34-6)
#26 (Sr) Anthony Esposito - Ocean Township (4th R6 / 33-8)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Sr) Corey Fischer - West Deptford (7th Place-160)
#3 (Sr) Joseph Wilson - Pemberton (WB1-152)
#6 (Jr) Connor O'Neill - DePaul Catholic (WB3-152)
#7 (Sr) Vincent Andreano - Delbarton (WB4-152)
#14 (Sr) Anthony Aquilano - Raritan (WB1-160)
#18 (Jr) Jacob Rodriguez - Clayton (WB1-145)
QUICK LOOK:
Another nationally ranked Rutgers commit at the top seed, with Wall's Robert Kanniard, who just broke the Shore Conference's all-time wins record, at the #1. He'll be a heavy favorite to get through the top bracket. The bottom bracket should be a great battle, and you could make a strong case for good number of wrestlers to come through here. Some of the outside seeds to watch for include #14 Anthony Aquilano of Raritan, who pinned #2 Corey Fischer of West Deptford this season, for Fischer's only loss. #^ Connor O'Neill of DePaul has had some big wins this season, and we have a couple more frosh to keep an eye on in #10 Brian Soldano of High Point, and #19 Raymond Weed of Absegami.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #1 Kanniard (Wall) over #6 O'Neill (DePaul)
ANONYMOUS: #1 Kanniard (Wall) over #2 Fischer (West Deptford)
DARK HORSE:
#12 Asatrian (Paramus)
THE SHORE?:
Kanniard is the favorite here, and Benedetti is in good shape with the 4-seed. It would not surprise me one bit if Aquilano breaks through from the 12-seed and medals.
170 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Jr) Shane Reitsma - Howell (R7 1st / 38-1)
#4 (Sr) AJ Lonski - Delbarton (R3 1st / 29-2)
From The Shore
#1 (Jr) Shane Reitsma - Howell (1st R7 / 38-1)
#5 (Sr) George Burdick - Raritan (2nd D21 / 35-6)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Jr) Shane Reitsma - Howell (6th Place-170)
#4 (Sr) AJ Lonski - Delbarton (WB4-170)
#5 (Sr) George Burdick - Raritan (WB4-182)
#8 (Sr) James Cruz - St Peter's Prep (WB2-170)
#12 (Sr) Vincent Mattaliano - Watchung Hills (WB2-170)
#17 (Jr) Joseph Colon - St Augustine (WB2-160)
#20 (Sr) Shawne Ramsby - Delaware Valley (WB1-170)
170 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Jr) Brandon Green - Paulsboro (R7 2nd / 38-3)
#3 (Sr) Garrett Bilgrav - Robbinsville (R6 1st / 41-0)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#11 (Sr) John Stout - Southern (1st R8 / 40-2)
#27 (So) Blake Clayton - St John Vianney (4th R5 / 27-10)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Jr) Brandon Green - Paulsboro (7th Place-170)
#3 (Sr) Garrett Bilgrav - Robbinsville (WB4-160)
#6 (Sr) Anthony Sciuto - Northern Highlands (WB2-160)
#7 (Sr) Reid Colella - Wayne Valley (WB1-152)
#11 (Sr) John Stout - Southern (WB2-170)
#26 (Sr) Ethan Craft - Rancocas Valley (WB1-170)
QUICK LOOK:
The anticipated final here would be a Region 7 Finals rematch between #1 Shane Reitsma of Howell, and #2 Brandon Green of Paulsboro, a match won by Reitsma, 6-4. There are a lot of obstacles in the way of that potential rematch though. You have the home run hitter in #5 George Burdick of Raritan, a pair of unbeatens in #3 Garret Bilgrav of Robbinsville and #6 Anthony Sciuto of Northern Highlands, and probably as good as an 11-seed you'll find in Southern's John Stout.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: Reitsma (Howell) over #2 Green (Paulsboro)
ANONYMOUS: #1 Reitsma (Howell) over #3 Bilgrav (Robbinsville)
DARK HORSE:
#11 Stout (Southern)
THE SHORE?:
The Shore has only 4 entrants here, but I think 3 of them, Reitsma, Burdick, and Stout all hit the podium.
182 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Sr) Christopher Foca - Bergen Catholic (R2 1st / 37-1)
#4 (Sr) Santino Morina - Paulsboro (R7 1st / 39-2)
From The Shore
#8 (Sr) Christian Murphy - Howell (2nd R7 / 32-7)
#16 (Sr) Michael Jannucci - Colts Neck (2nd R6 / 25-5)
#17 (Jr) Jason Sherlock - Pt Beach (3rd R6 / 36-2)
#25 (Sr) Dante Morris - Lakewood (4th R6 / 34-10)
#32 (So) Glavin Claro - Manalapan (4th R5 / 33-9)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Sr) Christopher Foca - Bergen Catholic (2nd Place-170)
#4 (Sr) Santino Morina - Paulsboro (5th Place-182)
#5 (Sr) Tommy Chiellini - Pascack Valley (WB4-160)
#8 (Sr) Christian Murphy - Howell (WB4-182)
#9 (So) Mike Misita - St Augustine (WB3-182)
#25 (Sr) Dante Morris - Lakewood (WB2-195)
182 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Jr) John Poznanski - Colonia (R4 1st / 35-1)
#3 (Sr) Nick Addison - Rumson (1st R5 / 38-0)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#3 (Sr) Nick Addison - Rumson (1st R5 / 38-0)
#14 (Sr) Brock Winston - Jackson Memorial (4th R7 / 32-9)
#15 (So) Jacob Whitworth - Wall (1st R6 / 33-5)
#26 (So) David Szuba - Brick Memorial (4th R7 / 28-7)
#31 (Sr) Evan Burton - Pinelands (4th R8 / 26-12)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Jr) John Poznanski - Colonia (3rd Place-160)
#3 (Sr) Nick Addison - Rumson (4th Place-170)
#7 (Sr) Zach Mafaro - Kittatinny (6th Place-182)
#10 (Jr) Kieran Calvetti - Delbarton (WB2-160)
#11 (Jr) Alex Garcia - Seton Hall Prep (WB1-170)
#26 (So) David Szuba - Brick Memorial (WB1-160)
QUICK LOOK:
Top-seeded, Cornell commit, Christopher Foca of Bergen Catholic, finish 3rd in 2017, 2nd in 2018, and is looking to take that final step up to the top of the podium. #2, John Poznanski of Colonia, suffered his lone loss this season to Foca, a wild 16-13 decision. He was 3rd at 160 last year. At #3 is Stanford-bound Nick Addison of Rumson, who took 4th at 170 a year ago.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #1 Foca (Bergen Catholic) over #3 Addison (Rumson)
ANONYMOUS: #3 Addison (Rumson) over #1 Foca (Bergen Catholic)
DARK HORSE:
#9 Misita (St Augustine)
THE SHORE?:
I think Addison makes the finals, and has a great chance here. Murphy should protect his seed and make the podium.
195 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Sr) Jacob Cardenas - Bergen Catholic (R2 1st / 36-2)
#4 (Sr) Luke Niemeyer - South Plainfield (R5 1st / 36-1)
From The Shore
#12 (Sr) Justin Acevedo - Raritan (3rd R6 / 37-6)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Sr) Jacob Cardenas - Bergen Catholic (CHAMPION-195)
#4 (Sr) Luke Niemeyer - South Plainfield (5th Place-195)
#5 (Jr) Luke Chakonis - Don Bosco (WB4-195)
#8 (Sr) Keevon Berry - Oakcrest (WB3-195)
#9 (Sr) Anthony Franden - Eastern (WB2-195)
#12 (Sr) Justin Acevedo - Raritan (WB1-195)
#25 (Sr) Ryan Brazill - Bordentown (WB1-195)
195 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Jr) Kyle Jacob - Paramus (R2 2nd / 18-5)
#3 (Sr) Joe Daddario - Montville (R2 3rd / 33-3)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#6 (Sr) Jacob Anderson - Middletown North (1st R6 / 30-3)
#26 (Jr) Kyle Epperly - Jackson Memorial (4th R7 / 38-2)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Jr) Kyle Jacob - Paramus (WB3-160)
#3 (Sr) Joe Daddario - Montville (WB3-170)
#6 (Sr) Jacob Anderson - Middletown North (WB4-195)
#7 (Jr) Zane Coles - Pitman (WB1-182)
#10 (Sr) Drew Bowker - Rancocas Valley (WB2-182)
#11 (Sr) Tommy Hill - Northern Burlington (WB1-182)
#14 (Sr) Sebastian Iakouchevitch - AL Johnson (WB1-182)
QUICK LOOK:
Ranked #1 in the nation by InterMat, the defending 195-pound champ, #1 Jacob Cardenas of Bergen Catholic, is a heavy favorite here. The rest of the field appears to be pretty wide open.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #1 Cardenas (Bergen Catholic) over #3 Jacob (Paramus)
ANONYMOUS: #1 Cardenas (Bergen Catholic) over #6 Anderson (Midd North)
DARK HORSE:
#26 Epperly (Jackson Memorial)
THE SHORE?:
Just 3 entrants here. Anderson should be able to hold seed and finish Top 6. I have a feeling Epperly comes out fired up after a disappointing Region and crashes the podium.
220 - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Sr) Zach DelVecchio (R5 1st / 36-1)
#4 (Sr) Luke Fischer - Newton (R1 1st / 36-0)
From The Shore
#13 (Sr) Billy Borowsky - Pt Boro (2nd R6 /36-1)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#4 (Sr) Luke Fischer - Newton (WB3-220)
#5 (Sr) Benny Dahdah - Westwood (WB4-220)
#8 (Jr) Gage Armijo - West Morris Mendham (WB2-195)
#9 (Sr) Jajuan Hayes - Bordentown (WB2-220)
#12 (Sr) Niccolo Colucci - St Peter's Prep (WB2-182)
#13 (Sr) Billy Borowsky - Pt Boro (WB1-195)
220 - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Sr) Tyreke Brown - Penns Grove (R8 1st / 29-1)
#3 (Sr) Zach Lewis - Emerson (R2 1st / 34-1)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#14 (Sr) Steven Cmielewski - RBC (3rd R6 / 39-3)
#15 (Jr) JT Cornelius - Southern (2nd R8 / 36-4)
#18 (Sr) Joe Sardina - Howell (1st R7 / 27-8)
#19 (So) Vin Ceglie - Lacey (2nd R7 / 25-10)
#23 (Sr) Brady Smith - Middletown South (3rd R5 / 30-10)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Sr) Tyreke Brown - Penns Grove (5th Place-220)
#3 (Sr) Zach Lewis - Emerson (WB4-182)
#7 (Sr) Nick Trani - Wayne Valley (WB2-195)
#11 (Sr) Nicolas Galka - Warren Hills (WB2-220)
QUICK LOOK:
#1 Zach DelVecchio placed 7th as a freshman, and 4th as a sophomore, at this weight. He was forced to withdraw after Districts last season due to illness. He bids for his first title, in a field that includes undefeated #4 Luke Fischer of Newton, returning 5th-place finisher Tyreke Brown of Penns Grove at #2, #3 Zach Lewis of Emerson, whose only loss was a 1-0 decision to DelVecchio.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #1 DelVecchio (South Plainfield) over #3 Lewis (Emerson)
ANONYMOUS: #1 DelVecchio (South Plainfield) over #2 Brown (Penns Grove)
DARK HORSE:
#8 Armijo (Mendham)
THE SHORE?:
This is going to be an awfully difficult Top 8 to break through on, and nobody got a particularly favorable draw. This might be a tough weight for the Shore to reach the podium here.
Hwt - Top Bracket
Top Seeds
#1 (Sr) Lewis Fernandes - Voorhees (R4 1st / 42-0)
#4 (Sr) Kevin Cerruti - Long Branch (1st R6 / 33-1)
From The Shore
#4 (Sr) Kevin Cerruti - Long Branch (1st R6 / 33-1)
#29 (Jr) Griffin Jackstadt - Barnegat (4th R8 / 27-5)
#24 (So) Joseph Teresi (3rd R6 / 31-8)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#1 (Sr) Lewis Fernandes - Voorhees (CHAMPION-Hwt)
#4 (Sr) Kevin Cerruti - (7th Place-Hwt)
#9 (Sr) Nikolaos Diakides - Seton Hall (WB4-Hwt)
#16 (Sr) Ryan Knox - Randolph (WB1-Hwt)
#25 (Sr) John High - Bergen Catholic (WB3-Hwt)
Hwt - Bottom Bracket
Top Seeds
#2 (Sr) Jervey Sistrunk - Bound Brook (R4 2nd / 36-3)
#3 (Sr) Paul Liseno - St John Vianney (2nd R6 / 33-1)
From The Shore
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#3 (Sr) Paul Liseno - St John Vianney (2nd R6 / 33-1)
#27 (Jr) Brad Galassi - Jackson Memorial (4th R7 / 32-9)
2018 Returning State Qualifiers
#2 (Sr) Jervey Sistrunk - Bound Brook (3rd Place-Hwt)
#6 (Jr) Marcus Estevez - Franklin (WB2-Hwt)
#10 (Sr) Dean Setticase - Saddle Brook (WB2-220)
#11 (Sr) Deshon Alexander - Overbrook (WB1-Hwt)
#26 (Sr) Nicholas Huntt - North Bergen (WB1-Hwt)
QUICK LOOK:
If there was any doubt that #1 Lewis Fernandes of Voorhees, the returning champ at this weight, was the man to beat, consider this: in his 33 contested bouts this season, he won 32 of them by pin, 31 of those in the 1st period, including a THREE SECOND fall. His only other win was by tech fall, over the #2 seed Jervey Sistrunk of Bound Brook, who he also pinned in the Region 4 Finals.
PREDICTION:
DESPO: #1 Fernandes (Voorhees) over #7 Gashi (West Essex)
ANONYMOUS: #1 Fernandes (Voorhee) over #3 Liseno (SJV)
DARK HORSE:
#7 Gashi (West Essex)
THE SHORE?:
At the #3 and #4 seeds, Liseno and Cerruti should both bring some some hardware.
