Wrestling: HWS schedule for Jan. 19-24

Monday, Jan. 19

Independent

Phillipsburg at Rumson-Fair Haven, 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 20

(All matches 6 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at High Point
Newton at Kittatinny
Pope John at Sparta, 7 p.m.
Vernon at Wallkill Valley

Wednesday, Jan. 21

(All matches, 7 p.m., unless noted)

Skyland Conference

Ridge at Delaware Valley, 6:30 p.m.
Hunterdon Central at Phillipsburg, 6:30 p.m.
Bridgewater-Raritan at North Hunterdon
Pingry at South Hunterdon, 4:30 p.m.
Montgomery at Voorhees, 6 p.m.
Belvidere at Manville

Thursday, Jan. 22

(All matches 6 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at Wallkill Valley
Sparta at Hopatcong-Lenape Valley, 7 p.m.

Independent

Warren Hills at High Point

Friday, Jan. 23

(All matches 7 p.m.)

Skyland Conference

North Hunterdon at Warren Hills

Independent

Hackettstown at Belvidere
Kittatinny at Manville

Saturday, Jan. 24

(All events 9 a.m., unless noted)

High Point, Delsea, Lower Cape May, Peddie, Red Bank Catholic, St. Peter's Prep, Washington Township at Shawnee Duals
Newton, Garfield, Hackensack at Tenafly
Voorhees, Westwood at Sparta
Hunterdon Central, Governor Livingston, Ramapo at Dumont

Independent duals

Ramsey at North Warren, 10 a.m.
Cranford at Delaware Valley, 4 p.m.
Easton (Pa.) at Phillipsburg, 6:30 p.m.
New Hope-Solebury (Pa.) at South Hunterdon, 11 a.m.

Wrestling: Delaware Valley at Phillipsburg preview

What: Delaware Valley Terriers at Phillipsburg Stateliners.

Where: Phillipsburg High School, Lopatcong Twp.

When: Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Conference: Skyland cross-divisional.

Records: Delaware Valley 11-0; Phillipsburg 4-2.

State rankings (New Jersey Wrestling Writers): Delaware Valley No. 19; Phillipsburg No. 14.

Coaches: Andy Fitz (316-99, 19th season, 1-14 vs. P'burg); Tim Longacre (39-7, third season, 2-0 vs. Del Val).

Series history: Phillipsburg, which is 40-7 overall dating to 1975, won the previous two meetings, including last season's 39-23 victory in Alexandria Township. Delaware Valley ended a 13-match skid in the series with a thrilling 33-27 win at home on Jan. 30, 2023. Teams did not meet during the 1978-79, 2008-09, 2021 (COVID) and 2021-22 seasons. Del Val's last road victory in the series was 42-9 at The Pit on Feb. 1, 2006. The Terriers' other wins came in 1975, '82, '84, '93 and '05.

Notes: Delaware Valley wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses. Weight classes reflect two-pound growth allowance.

108 -- Jr. Vincent Rainey (10-7) vs. So. Zack Swingle (11-7) or Fr. Rocco Munzipapa (2-7).

115 -- Jr. Owen Shuey (2-3) or Fr. Jaxon Bingert (2-2) vs. Fr. Jack Flynn (2-6) or Swingle.

122 -- Sr. Tristan Fawthrop (14-4) vs. Jr. Anthony Pettinelli (10-6).

128 -- Sr. Julian Bednar (11-4) or So. Tanner Donaruma (14-8) vs. Fr. Noah Regemann (5-10).

134 -- Donaruma or Bednar vs. So. Matthew Velez (2-9).

140 -- Sr. Tye Falkenstein (15-6) vs. Sr. Massimo Gonzalez (16-2).

146 -- Sr. Michael Hasson (21-1) vs. So. Mason Hawk (13-4).

152 -- Sr. Sebastian Dobak (19-1) vs. Jr. Owen Garriques (17-2).

159 -- So. Hunter Taffera (15-4) vs. Sr. Brad Kisselbach (12-8).

167 -- Jr. Marcus Gary (16-4) vs. Jr. Seth Wolfinger (3-6).

177 -- Sr. Olivier Paul (18-2) vs. Sr. Gavin Geleta (15-2).

192 -- Jr. Matthew Sencher (12-6) vs. Sr. Kevin Buonocore (4-8).

217 -- Sr. Luke Cyphert (15-5) vs. Fr. Ian Jankowski (7-8).

287 -- Sr. Luken Alberdi (12-8) vs. Sr. Ben Ellis (14-4).

Breakdown: Delaware Valley, which is in the midst of its toughest stretch of regular-season dual meets, passed its first big test of the season with a 41-27 road win (No. 888 overall) over North Hunterdon on Tuesday -- the Terriers' second victory in three seasons vs. the Lions, who are 26-33 in that series. Del Val's balanced

P'burg is 235-44-2 all-time vs. Hunterdon-Warren teams

lineup should also present problems for P'burg as the Stateliners, who also beat North (35-30 on Jan. 7), are coming off a 36-28 victory over Watchung Hills (No. 1,068 overall) on Wednesday. Straight up, P'burg is favored at seven weights (106 with Swingle down, 113, 120, 138, 150, 175 and 285, with one tossup (190) and the potential for bonus in at least two of those. Del Val has a big edge at 126 and 132, and will be favored at 144, 157, 165 and 215 (four of those with bonus potential). The Terriers went 3-2 in head-to-head meetings at the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament -- Bednar md. Velez (15-5); Hasson d. Hawk (10-8); Cyphert md. Jankowski (16-5). P'burg picked up wins Gonzalez (6-0 over Falkenstein) and and Ellis (pinned Alberdi in 3:40). Depending where the match starts -- preferable for P'burg to start down low or at 285 -- Del Val, which has more depth, could opt to bump away from Garriques in a clash of state qualifiers at 150, for a greater opportunity to take three of four from 157-190. Fitz also may feel his team can do that straight up and save points at 150 and 175, in potential losses. For P'burg, getting Swingle, who didn't wrestle on Wednesday, back down at 106 will also be key for the best shot at winning three of the first four down low. Hasson vs. Hawk was a tight one here at HWS, so that could be the bout of the night. Del Val is used to winning at 138, 150 and 175 in most duals, but that's a tall order in this one. As a result, I think P'burg saves a few bonus points and gets one as the underdogs (190 could be a swing bout) to escape in what should be another nail-biter.    

Prediction: Phillipsburg, 30-25.

Wrestling: HWS schedule for Jan. 12-17

Monday, Jan. 12

(All matches 6 p.m. unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Jefferson at Kittatinny
Dover at North Warren

Independent

Phillipsburg at Southern, 6:30 p.m.
North Star Academy at South Hunterdon

Tuesday, Jan. 13

Skyland Conference

Delaware Valley at North Hunterdon, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 14

(All matches 7 p.m. unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at Hopatcong-Lenape Valley
Kittatinny at High Point
Morris Knolls at Sparta
Jefferson at Wallkill Valley, 6 p.m.

Skyland Conference

North Hunterdon at Hunterdon Central, 6:30 p.m.
Watchung Hills at Phillipsburg
South Hunterdon at Belvidere, 6 p.m.
Franklin at Voorhees, 6 p.m.
Somerville at Warren Hills

Friday, Jan. 16

(All matches 7 p.m. unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Morris Knolls at Hackettstown
High Point at Newton
Hopatcong-Lenape Valley at Kittatinny, 6 p.m.
Sparta at Morris Hills
Vernon at Jefferson, 6:30 p.m.
Wallkill Valley at Dover

Skyland Conference

Delaware Valley at Phillipsburg, 6:30 p.m.

Independent

Belvidere at North Warren, 6 p.m.
Warren Hills in Jack Welch Duals at Moorestown

Saturday, Jan. 17

(All events 9 a.m. unless noted)

Tris and quads

Sparta, Mendham, Verona at Hackettstown
High Point, DePaul, Northern Burlington at Ocean Township
Boonton, Dover at Hopatcong-Lenape Valley
North Warren, Morris Knolls, Lenape at Newton
Vernon, Kinnelon, West Milford at Butler
Voorhees, JFK-Iselin, North Plainfield at Belvidere
Warren Hills in Jack Welch Duals at Moorestown

Independent duals

Kittatinny at Colonia, 2 p.m.
Caldwell at Delaware Valley, 11 a.m.
Hopewell Valley at Hunterdon Central
North Hunterdon at St. Joseph-Metuchen

Wrestling: Vernon ace a True champ (HWS roundup)

LOPATCONG TWP. -- True story. Vernon's championship drought is finally over.

Jackson Moore and True DiGiuseppe

Vikings senior True DiGiuseppe made history by decimating the field at 190 pounds to claim his school's first individual title in the 16th Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg High School.

DiGiuseppe (16-0), a four-time placewinner who finished third (2024) and fourth twice (2023 and '25) in previous appearances, was in a class by himself with three bonus-point victories, including decking North Hunterdon senior Owen Dandeo in 55 seconds for the championship and his second pin of the day. Vernon took home two medals in all as junior Jackson Moore finished fifth at 215. 

"Feels awesome. It's always been a goal to win at [any event]," said DiGiuseppe, who logged a 9-0 major decision in the semifinals over Phillipsburg's Kevin Buonocore, a champion in 2025 at 215. 

So how did DiGiuseppe pull it off?

"Just sticking to what I'm good at ... the basics pretty much," he said after becoming only the second finalist for Vernon, joining Jon Gemeinhardt, a runner-up at 285 in 2012. 

It also helps having a former HWS champion and Outstanding Wrestler Award winner in your corner. That familiar face you saw in the gym on Saturday sporting unfamiliar Vernon blue was former High Point star and state medalist Billy Talmadge, who is in his first season as a head coach.

"He's every helpful," said DiGiuseppe, a Sussex Tech student studying welding and whose older brothers, Storm and Sage, wrestled for the Vikings. "Gives me a lot of great tips and on tournament wrestling. He definitely keeps me mentally in check and prepared to wrestle."

Talmadge (far right) helped HP win 4 sectional and 2 Group 2 titles

Talmadge, who won the 138-pound title in 2020 en route to a fifth-place finish in the state tournament at Atlantic City before going on to wrestle in Division I at Lock Haven University, is looking to build Vernon up to a competitive level across the board. Having your star wrestler stay home and committed to the program certainly helps in the era of Non-Public school dominance.  

"It's really cool," said Talmadge, who spent last season as an assistant at High Point, where he placed twice (eighth in 2019) in the state tournament and won three district titles. "I see True work hard every day [in practice] and obviously at Vernon there's a wide array of experience. So it's cool to see True put his head down and come in the room and do whatever we're going over and become a young man."

DiGiuseppe, whose promising junior campaign was cut short by a neck injury, is laser focused on making his first trip to AC in pursuit of some other lofty goals. He's looking to join Jan Michaels, a two-time finalist and the Vikings' only champion (1979) and Brian Hoyt (seventh at 112 pounds in 2007) as the only Viking wrestlers to medal in the state tournament. Hoyt is also the lone member of the school's 100-wins club, going 114-31 from 2003-07. 

"We'll see," DiGiuseppe said of hitting 100 wins as he entered the week at 81-16 overall "I haven't even been keeping track of that to be honest. My goals are at the state tournament. That's where I have my eyes set on. I'm healed up properly and I'm ready to go."

Talmadge certainly thinks his wrestler has the talent to make some noise in March.

"True is phenomenal on his feet," Talmadge said. "I think we were able to fine-tune some skills on his feet so he's a really good offensive wrestler. He's a hard worker. We set goals at the beginning of the season and getting down to Atlantic City and doing some damage down there is definitely one of the goals."

Don't sleep on this Lion

"Nothing can happen if not first a dream." -- late North Carolina State men's basketball coach Jim Valvano, on his 1983 NCAA championship team. 

North Hunterdon produced a tournament-best 4 champs

North Hunterdon junior Aidan Yarussi pulled off the upset of the day with his 5-3 win over two-time Pope John state medalist and HWS champ Dalton Weber in their finals rematch at 132 pounds, while thwarting Weber's bid to become only the 11th wrestler to win three or more county championships. Yarussi's re-attack for a takedown with 24 seconds to go in the third period snapped a 1-1 tie and helped secure North Hunterdon's second team title and first since 2020 as the Lions produced a tournament-best four winners, including junior Cayden Wadle (106), sophomore Owen Fol (113) and senior Reid Buzby (126).

For his efforts, Yarussi (15-1), who finished third and second in his two previous HWS appearances, joined current assistant coach Andrew Gapas (2017) as the only North wrestlers to earn Outstanding Wrestler Award honors. It was also sweet redemption for the lopsided 18-5 loss to Weber in last year's title match at 132.

"I'm super proud of this," said Yarussi, a two-time state qualifier and 83-21 overall. "He's really good. I go to the same club and honestly, I'm surprised by myself with that win."

Well, maybe a little surprised. Yarussi said he actually dreamt the night before that he was going to win the rematch with Weber, who a three-time district and two-time region champ who placed third as a sophomore and eighth as a junior in the state tournament.

What was the difference this time around? 

"I had to go into the match poised because last year I almost got teched by him," Yarussi said. "I was just going at him [last season] and putting my hands on him and he kept slide-bying me. [This time] I kept my distance to get to my one good shot and split off to the double to finish the match."

North also had plenty of motivation coming off a disappointing 35-30 loss to Phillipsburg in this gym on Wednesday as coach Dave Bell's team was bidding for a third straight win over the 'Liners after sweeping the series last season, including a Group 4 title victory.

"Whole team was upset and we wanted to get them back at the county tournament ... and we got 'em." 

Back points

Delaware Valley enjoyed one of its best tournament performances in quite some time as all 12 of its entries placed in the top six to give the third-place Terriers their fourth straight top-four finish. Coach Andy Fitz's team also produced two champions -- Michael Hasson (144) and Hunter Taffera (157) -- for the first time since 2012, when Mike Pongracz (126) and Will Van Doren (170) won golds. This well-balanced group should give Phillipsburg a run when the teams meet back here on Friday.  

Speaking of P'burg, the second-place Stateliners matched North Hunterdon with six finalists as senior Massimo Gonzalez (138), junior Owen Garriques (150) and senior Ben Ellis (285) all won their first HWS titles -- giving the Warren County school a record 43 winners overall. Garriques joined his father, John, as a county champion and will have a chance to match him next season. John Garriques, a three-time state medalist and runner-up in 1997 for P'burg, won two titles in the former Hunterdon-Warren event in 1995 and '96 to go with a runner-up finish in '94 after transferring from Hackettstown following placing third in '93. 

 And speaking of Hackettstown, junior Joseph Rowinski, a winner at 106 last season, became the Tigers' seventh champion overall and joined Alex Carida (2017-18) as the only ones to win multiple titles with an impressive 7-3 win over Phillipsburg's Anthony Pettinelli at 120 pounds. It was only the third time that Hackettstown produced multiple finalists (junior Steven Vidal was a runner-up at 106) and first since 2018 (Carida and Joe Andes won titles at 145 and 285). 

Voorhees had two finalists for the first time since 2018

Sparta senior Liam Hassloch became his school's seventh HWS champion after being pinned in last year's title match at 215 pounds. Hassloch scored a 6-5 win in sudden victory over Voorhees' Dimos Maroulis to become the Spartans' first champ since Connor White (215 in 2024). "It feels amazing to get first after finishing second last year," Hassloch said. "Connor White was our last [champ] and wrestling with him, he pushed me hard to get me where I'm at now."

Maroulis and fellow senior Christian Bollette (144), who earned his 100th career win in the opening round, gave Voorhees multiple finalists since brothers Scott (runner-up at 195) and Lewis Fernandes (champ at 220) in 2018. Scott Fernandes also lost to a Sparta opponent when he was pinned by Robert Gennat in 3:43. Lewis decked Jake Brown from Pope John (located in Sparta) in 3:59 for the first of his two HWS titles. 

It's been a long time since South Hunterdon produced a top-four county finisher but it came in the Eagles' first HWS appearance after reforming the program and competing on the varsity level last season. Senior Parker Rampel placed fourth at 215 pounds, giving South its first HWS medalist and the school's first since Paul Simone finished fourth at 215 in the 1997 Hunterdon-Warren Tournament. South dropped the program following the 2000-01 season. Former Delaware Valley star and wrestling good guy Leigh Hall took on the challenge of bringing it back and was a successful coach at every other Hunterdon County posts during stops at his alma mater, Voorhees and Hunterdon Central as an assistant. More individual success is sure to follow.

Wallkill Valley, which also returned to a single program after a co-op with Vernon for a few years in recent seasons, had two HWS placers for the first time in quite awhile as junior Scottie Weiss (165) and sophomore Gabe Perrotto-Wald (175), a 12 seed, finished fourth. The Rangers, who were dead last in the team standings last season with seven points, placed 15th as a team and hadn't been higher than 16th since the program's best finish of seventh in the inaugural event in 2010.

Crosstown rivals Kittatinny and Newton meet in what could be a very interesting dual on Jan. 20 in Hampton Township. Newton, which is coached by former Kittatinny state placer Eric Bollette, went 2-1 in head-to-head meetings with the Cougars at HWS. The Braves had one finalist in senior Tyler Morodan (157), the school's first since Thaylor Sibblies (runner-up in 2022), while Kittatinny (one fifth and five six-place finishers) did not have a finalist or a top-four placewinner for the first time in HWS history. 

Hunterdon Central went 0-2 in the finals, but freshman phenom James Fearon (126) arrived on the scene with a stunning and dominant 7-1 semifinal win over Warren Hills senior Augie Szamreta, a state placer and returning HWS champion. Fearon avenged a 6-2 loss when they met in a December dual meet.

Pope John senior Cole Dunham (175) won his second HWS title, while junior Lukas Katsigiannis (165) picked up his first to give the Lions multiple champs for the 10th straight tournament. Dunham looked very good in a 10-4 win over Phillipsburg state qualifier Gavin Geleta, while Katsigiannis scored an 11-0 major of High Point's Jayden Ruplall. Former Lions star JoJo Aragona, now an assistant coach, had a ringside seat and was the first of just four wrestlers (three from Pope John) to log four consecutive HWS titles.

Wrestling: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex results, stats

Team standings: 1. North Hunterdon (NH) 232; 2. Phillipsburg (P) 211: 3. Delaware Valley (DV) 201; 4. Pope John (PJ) 153 1/2; 5. Hackettstown (Ha) 113 1/2; 6. Hunterdon Central (HC) 107; 7. Sparta (S) 87; 8. Kittatinny (K) 75 1/2; 9. Newton (Ne) 69 1/2; 10. Voorhees (Vo) 61; 11. Hopatcong-Lenape Valley (HLV) 59 1/2; 12. High Point (HP) 57 1/2; 13. Warren Hills (WH) 53; 14. Vernon (Ve) 49; 15. Wallkill Valley (WV) 42; 16. North Warren (NW) 35; 17. South Hunterdon (SH) 21; 18. Belvidere (B) 18.

North Hunterdon won its 2nd team championship and first since 2020

Placewinners by school

Delaware Valley 2+0+6+1+1+2=12; North Hunterdon 4+2+2+0+2+1=11; Phillipsburg 3+3+1+1+1+0=9; Pope John 2+2+2+1+0+0=7; Hackettstown 1+1+0+2+1+1=6; Kittatinny 0+0+0+0+1+5=6; Hunterdon Central 0+2+1+0+1+1=5; Sparta 1+0+0+0+2+2=5; Newton 0+1+0+1+2+0=4;  High Point 0+1+1+0+1+0=3; Hopatcong-Lenape Valley 0+0+0+2+0+1=3; Voorhees 0+2+0+1+0+0=3; Warren Hills 0+0+1+0+1+1=3; North Warren 0+0+0+2+0+0=2; Vernon 1+0+0+0+1+0=2; Wallkill Valley 0+0+0+2+0+0=2; South Hunterdon 0+0+0+1+0+0=1; Belvidere 0+0+0+0+0+0=0.

Championships

106 -- 1-Jr. Cayden Wadle (15-2), NH, d. 3-Jr. Steven Vidal (13-5), Ha, 7-1.

113 -- 1-So. Owen Fol (15-2), NH, md. 2-So. Zack Swingle (11-5), Pb, 10-2.

120 -- 1-Jr. Joseph Rowinski (15-2), Ha, d. 2-Jr. Anthony Pettinelli (8-5), Pb, 7-3.

126 -- 2-Sr. Reid Buzby (13-6), NH, d. 5-Fr. James Fearon (12-7), HC, 6-0.

132 -- 2-Jr. Aidan Yarussi (16-1), NH, d. 1-Sr. Dalton Weber (18-4), PJ, 5-3. 

138 -- 1-Sr. Massimo Gonzalez (13-2), Pb, d. 3-Jr. Kieran Raley (14-5), NH, 5-1.
144 -- 3-Sr. Michael Hasson (20-1), DV, md. 4-Sr. Christian Bollette (16-2), Vo, 11-3. 

150 -- 1-Jr. Owen Garriques (14-2), Pb, tf. 3-Jr. Daniel Arroyo (11-6), PJ, 19-4, 5:40.
157 -- 2-So. Hunter Taffera (14-4), DV, p. 1-Sr. Tyler Morodan (6-6), Ne, 1:31.

165 -- 1-Jr. Lukas Katsigiannis (20-2), PJ, md. 2-Sr. Jayden Ruplall (13-2), HP, 11-0. 

175 -- 2-Sr. Cole Dunham (14-6), PJ, d. 1-Sr. Gavin Geleta (12-2), Pb, 10-4.

190 -- 1-Sr. True DiGiuseppe (16-0), Ve, p. 3-Sr. Owen Dandeo (9-6), NH, :55.
215 -- 1-Sr. Liam Hassloch (11-3), S, d. 2-Sr. Dimos Maroulis (13-2), Vo, 6-5 SV.
285 -- 2-Sr. Ben Ellis (11-4), Pb, d. 4-Sr. Declan Joyce (15-5), HC, 6-2.
Outstanding Wrestler Award -- Aidan Yarussi, North Hunterdon. 
Note: True DiGiuseppe is Vernon's first HWS champion.

Third-place consolations

106 -- 7-Fr. Colin Greda (11-8), HC, p. 4-Jr. Aiden Qualtieri (11-4), HLV, 3:42.

113 -- 4-So. Jacob Campbell (12-4), PJ, tf. 3-So. Cole Dahl (8-4), Vo, 16-0, 3:14.

120 -- 3-Jr. Carter Drouin (9-4), HP, tf. 4-Sr. Tristan Fawthrop (13-4), DV, 18-2, 3:47.

126 -- 1-Sr. Augie Szamreta (12-4), WH, tf. 3-Sr. Conor Hallowich (13-3), NW, 20-3, 4:28.

132 -- 3-Sr. Julian Bednar (11-3), DV, p. 4-Jr. Diego Penaloza (12-5), Ha, :28. 

138 -- 5-Sr. Tye Falkenstein (15-5), DV, p. 2-Jr. Bryan Dougherty (9-4), Ha, 1:31.
144 -- 9-Jr. Matthew Esposito (13-6), NH, md. 2-Sr. Matthew Farley (6-3), PJ, 15-2. 

150 -- 2-Sr. Sebastian Dobak (18-1), DV, p. 4-Jr. Cole Castles (11-6), NW, 4:24.

157 -- 5-Sr. Brad Kisselbach (10-7), Pb, p. 3-Jr. Mike Kmec (10-7), HLV, 4:49.

165 -- 3-Jr. Marcus Gary (15-4), DV, md. 4-Jr. Scottie Weiss (6-5), WV, 16-4. 

175 -- 3-Sr. Olivier Paul (17-2), DV, tf. 12-So. Gabe Perrotto-Wald (5-2), WV, 18-3, 3:30. 

190 -- 2-Sr. Nick Mignone (4-4), PJ, d. 4-Sr. Kevin Buonocore (3-6), Pb, 6-2.

215 -- 3-Sr. Luke Cyphert (14-5), DV, p. 4-Sr. Parker Rampel (8-5), SH, 1:35.

285 -- 8-Jr. Anthony DeSimone (10-8), NH, p. 3-Sr. Sean Brown (8-4), Ne, 1:51. 

Fifth-place consolations

106 -- 6-Fr. Kellen Shearer (14-6), S, d. 8-Jr. Vincent Rainey (10-6), DV, 4-2.
113 -- 5-So. Thomas Jaust (12-8), HP, d. 7-Fr. Anthony Plesh (8-5), WH, 9-5.
120 -- 7-Fr. Dominick Colaluce (9-5), WH, p. 10-So. Luis Alicea (6-10), K, 5:26.
126 -- 4-Jr. Giovanni Gutierrez (14-5), Ha, d. 6-So. Tanner Donaruma (14-7), DV, 9-4.
132 -- 7-Fr. Jake McNamara (8-4), Ne, d. 5-Jr. Callum Trilling (9-9), K, 3-0.
138 -- 4-Sr. Patrick Bruseo (9-2), S, d. 6-Jr. Zavier LaPlace (13-7), HLV, 15-8.
144 -- 6-So. Mason Hawk (11-3), Pb, medical forfeit, 1-Sr. Ryan Hrenenko (16-2), S.
150 -- 8-Jr. Ian English (12-8), NH, md. 6-Jr. Lawrence Parillo (8-10), HC, 15-3.
157 -- 7-Jr. Luke Charbonneau (10-9), NH, p. 10-Jr. Keegan Monahan (3-7), K, 1:48.
165 -- 9-Jr. Timothy McNamara (9-6), Ne, p. 7-Sr. Trevor Ekeland (8-7), S, 3:24.
175 -- 8-Jr. Michael Witowski (10-9), K, p. 11-Fr. Nicholas Romaniello (4-9), NH, 1:05.
190 -- 9-Jr. Arsenius Gebraeel (6-5), HC, p. 6-Jr. Roman Volpe (5-11), K, 2:14.
215 -- 7-Jr. Jackson Moore (10-6), Ve, p. 5-So. Carlos Lopez (7-5), Ha, 2:42.
285 -- 7-Sr. Luken Alberdi (12-7), DV, d. 1-Jr. Trevor Greenwood (10-5), K, 5-2 SV.

Semifinals

106 -- Cayden Wadle, NH, tf. Aiden Qualtieri, HLV, 16-0, 2:21; Steven Vidal, Ha, d. Colin Greda, HC, 12-8.

113 -- Owen Fol, NH, tf. Jacob Campbell, PJ, 17-1, 5:21; Zack Swingle, Pb, p. Cole Dahl, Vo, 2:53.

120 -- Joseph Rowinski, Ha, tf. Tristan Fawthrop, DV, 22-5, 4:34; Anthony Pettinelli, Pb, d. Carter Drouin, HP, 11-8, SV.

126 -- James Fearon, HC, d. Augie Szamreta, WH, 7-1; Reid Buzby, NH, tf. Conor Hallowich, NW, 15-0, 5:50.

132 -- Dalton Weber, PJ, tf. Diego Penaloza, Ha, 21-5, 1:36; Aidan Yarussi, NH, tf. Julian Bednar, DV, 17-2, 2:31. 

Christian Bollette (102) is the 14th member of Voorhees' 100 wins club 

138 -- Massimo Gonzalez, Pb, d. Tye Falkenstein, DV, 6-0; Kieran Raley, NH, md. Bryan Dougherty, Ha, 12-1.
144 -- Christian Bollette, Vo, p. Matthew Esposito, NH, 3:40; Michael Hasson, DV, d. Matthew Farley, PJ, 8-3. 

150 -- Owen Garriques, Pb, p. Cole Castles, NW, 1:59; Daniel Arroyo, PJ, d. Sebastian Dobak, DV, 7-3 UTB.
157 -- Tyler Morodan, Ne, d. Brad Kisselbach, Pb, 5-3; Hunter Taffera, DV, md. Mike Kmec, HLV, 20-8.

165 -- Lukas Katsigiannis, PJ, tf. Scottie Weiss, WV, 17-2, 2:55; Jayden Ruplall, HP, d. Marcus Gary, DV, 6-1. 

175 -- Gavin Geleta, Pb, p. Gabe Perrotto-Wald, WV, 1:50; Cole Dunham, PJ, p. Olivier Paul, DV, 2:30. 

190 -- True DiGiuseppe, Ve, md. Kevin Buonocore, Pb, 9-0; Owen Dandeo, NH, d. Nick Mignone, PJ, 4-1.
215 -- Liam Hassloch, S, p. Parker Rampel, SH, 1:36; Dimos Maroulis, Vo, d. Luke Cyphert, DV, 12-9 SV.

285 -- Declan Joyce, HC, d. Anthony DeSimone, NH, 5-2; Ben Ellis, Pb, p. Sean Brown, Ne, :37. 

Quarterfinals

106 -- Cayden Wadle, NH, tf. Vincent Rainey, DV, 19-4, 3:07; Aiden Qualtieri, HLV, d. Rocco Munzipapa, P, 11-5; Steven Vidal, Ha, p. Kellen Shearer, S, 1:28; Colin Greda, HC, p. Evan Bollette, Vo, :28.

113 -- Owen Fol, NH, tf. Nicholas Delcalzo, WV, 19-4, 2:45; Jacob Campbell, PJ, tf. Thomas Jaust, HP, 15-0, 2:48; Cole Dahl, Vo, d. Giancarlos Vega, HLV, 11-5; Zack Swingle, Pb, p. Anthony Plesh, WH, 3:33.

120 -- Joseph Rowinski, Ha, p. Finn McGurrin, Sp, 1:22; Tristan Fawthrop, DV, tf. Layne Smith, Ne, 16-1, 4:55; Carter Drouin, HP, p. Hunter Coppolella, HLV, :58; Anthony Pettinelli, Pb, p. Luis Alicea, K, 1:04.

126 -- Augie Szamreta, WH, p. Liam Stout, HLV, 1:22; James Fearon, HC, d. Giovanni Gutierrez, Ha, 9-2; Conor Hallowich, NW, d. Tanner Donaruma, DV, 4-2; Reid Buzby, NH, d. Sal D'Arco, PJ, 10-4.

132 -- Dalton Weber, PJ, tf. Kristian Clowes, HLV, 21-6; Diego Penaloza, Ha, md. Callum Trilling, K, 12-3; Julian Bednar, DV, md. Matthew Velez, Pb, 15-5; Aidan Yarussi, NH, p. Jake McNamara, Ne, 1:49. 

138 -- Massimo Gonzalez, Pb, p. Braiden O'Hearn, WH, :14; Tye Falkenstein, DV, tf. Patrick Bruseo, S, 15-0, 1:45; Kieran Raley, NH, p. Zavier LaPlace, HLV, 3:42; Bryan Dougherty, Ha, md. Frank Spagnola, PJ, 11-3.

144 -- Matthew Esposito, NH, d. Ryan Hrenenko, S, 11-7; Christian Bollette, Vo, tf. Adrian Pinto, Ha, 18-1, 2:35; Michael Hasson, DV, d. Mason Hawk, Pb, 10-8; Matthew Farley, PJ, p. Joshua Buck, HC, :50. 

150 -- Owen Garriques, Pb, p. Ian English, NH, 3:13; Cole Castles, NW, p. Nikolas Martinez, K, 3:58; Daniel Arroyo, PJ, tf. Lawrence Parillo, HC, 17-1, 2:35; Sebastian Dobak, DV, tf. Nate Slader, HLV, 18-1, 1:54.

157 -- Tyler Morodan, Ne, p. Declan Tanzola, WV, 1:59; Brad Kisselbach, Pb, p. Evan Carr, Ha, 1:30; Mike Kmec, HLV, md. Andrew Zinko, HC, 10-0; Hunter Taffera, DV, md. Luke Charbonneau, NH, 10-0.

165 -- Lukas Katsigiannis, PJ, tf. Timothy McNamara, Ne, 19-4, 3:22; Scottie Weiss, WV, p. Sebastian Santos, NH, 2:47; Marcus Gary, DV, p. Richard Quinones, Be, :20; Jayden Ruplall, HP, md. Trevor Ekeland, S, 13-0.

175 -- Gavin Geleta, Pb, p. Michael Witowski, K, :41; Gabe Perrotto-Wald, WV, p. Deegan Manfready, SH, 1:57; Olivier Paul, DV, p. Nicholas Romaniello, NH, 1:05; Cole Dunham, PJ, p. Matthew McGovern, Ha, 1:30. 

190 -- True DiGiuseppe, Ve, p. Arsenius Gebraeel, HC, :24; Kevin Buonocore, Pb, p. Erles Semiefort, Ha, 1:15; Owen Dandeo, NH, p. Roman Volpe, K, 3:07; Nick Mignone, PJ, p. Tyler Metternich, S, 3:37.

215 -- Liam Hassloch, S, p. Hunter Scalora, WH, 1:42; Parker Rampel, SH, p. Carlos Lopez, Ha, :15; Luke Cyphert, DV, md. Ian Jankowski, Pb, 16-5; Dimos Maroulis, Vo, p. Jackson Moore, Ve, 5:46.

285 -- Anthony DeSimone, NH, p. Trevor Greenwood, K, 2:32; Declan Joyce, HC, p. Alex Conway, HP, 1:10; Sean Brown, Ne, p. Jackson Foehr, NW, 1:09; Ben Ellis, Pb, p. Luken Alberdi, DV, 3:40.

Wrestling: HWS Tournament information, stats, picks

What: 16th Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

Where: Phillipsburg High School, Lopatcong Township.

When: Saturday's schedule (approximate times): Preliminaries and pre-quarterfinals (four mats), 9:30 a.m.; pre-quarterfinal losers and second wrestlebacks (four mats), 10:30 a.m.; quarterfinals and third wrestlebacks (four mats), 11:30 a.m.; championship semifinals and wrestleback semis (4 mats), 1 p.m.; championships, third-place and fifth-place consolation finals (3 mats) to follow.

Teams (18): Belvidere, Delaware Valley, Hackettstown, High Point, Hopatcong-Lenape Valley, Hunterdon Central, Kittatinny, Newton, North Hunterdon, North Warren, Phillipsburg, Pope John, South Hunterdon, Sparta, Vernon, Voorhees, Wallkill Valley, Warren Hills.

Returning champions (6, this season's weights): Jr. Joseph Rowinski, Hackettstown (first-2025, third-2024, 120); Sr. Augie Szamreta, Warren Hills (first-2025, second-2024, second-2023, 126); Sr. Dalton Weber, Pope John (first-2025, first-2024, third-2023, 132); Sr. Cole Dunham, Pope John (first-2025, 175); Sr. Kevin Buonocore, Phillipsburg (first-2025, 190); Sr. Gavin Mericle, High Point (first-2025, fifth-2024, 285). 

Returning placewinners (38, this season's weights): Jr. Cayden Wadle, North Hunterdon (second-2025, 106); Jr. Steven Vidal, Hackettstown (sixth-2025, 106); So. Zack Swingle, Phillipsburg (third-2025, 113); So. Cole Dahl, Voorhees (fifth-2025, 113); So. Owen Fol, North Hunterdon (fifth-2025, 113); Jr. Nicholas Delcalzo, Wallkill Valley (sixth-2025, 113); Jr. Anthony Pettinelli, Phillipsburg (second-2025, fifth-2024, 120); Sr. Reid Buzby, North Hunterdon (second-126); So. Logan Takach, High Point (fourth-2025, 126); Sr. Conor Hallowich, North Warren (fourth-2025, fourth-2024, 126); So. Giovanni Gutierrez, Hackettstown (sixth-2025, 126); Jr. Aidan Yarussi, North Hunterdon (second-2025, third-2024, 132); Sr. Davey Rhinehart, Warren Hills (fourth-2025, fifth-2024, sixth-2023, 132); So. Matthew Velez, Phillipsburg (fifth-2025, 132); Jr. Bryan Dougherty, Hackettstown (third-2025, 138); Sr. Massimo Gonzalez, Phillipsburg (third-2025, third-2024, 138); Jr. Kieran Raley, North Hunterdon (sixth-2025, 138); Sr. Ryan Hrenenko, Sparta (third-2025, third-2024, 144); Sr. Michael Hasson, Delaware Valley (fifth-2025, 144); Sr. Christian Bollette, Voorhees (sixth-2025, sixth-2024, sixth-2023, 144); Jr. Owen Garriques, Phillipsburg (fourth-2025, fifth-2024, 150); Jr. Cole Castles, North Warren (fourth-2025, sixth-2024, 150); Sr. Sebastian Dobak, Delaware Valley (fifth-2025, sixth-2024, 150); Jr. Daniel Arroyo, Pope John (sixth-2025, 150); Sr. Jayden Ruplall, High Point (fourth-2025, fourth-2024, 165); Jr. Lukas Kastigiannis, Pope John (fifth-2025, 165); Sr. Gavin Geleta, Phillipsburg (third-2025, fourth-2024, sixth-2023, 175); Sr. Olivier Paul, Delaware Valley (third-2025, 175); Sr. Jack Kithcart, High Point (second-2025, 190); Sr. True DiGiuseppe, Vernon (fourth-2025, third-2024, fourth-2023, 190); Sr. Owen Dandeo, North Hunterdon (fourth-2025, fourth-2024, 190); Jr. Matthew Sutton, Pope John (sixth-2025, 190); Sr. Liam Hassloch, Sparta (second-2025, 215); Sr. Ben Ellis, Phillipsburg (second-2025, 285); Jr. Trevor Greenwood, Kittatinny (third-2025, 285); Sr. Declan Joyce, Hunterdon Central (fourth-2025, 285); Sr. Luken Alberdi, Delaware Valley (fifth-2025, 285); Sr. Pedro Isaque Dos Santos, Belvidere (sixth-2025, 285).

Previous placewinners (2, this season's weights): Sr. Tristan Fawthrop, Delaware Valley (sixth-2024, 120); Sr. Tyler Morodan, Newton (sixth-2024, 157).

Notes: Pairings were not released on Friday evening as expected (not a huge surprise) due to technical errors and misinformation. But as has been the case in recent years, several former placewinners are absent from this year's event due to injuries. It should be a three-way battle for the overall team championship between North Hunterdon, Pope John and host Phillipsburg. Pope John may be without two returning medalists in Braydan Lombreglia and returning champion David Thomson, who had to injury default in his team's dual meet against Morris Hills on Wednesday. ... Weber (16-3), who is 111-21 overall, is looking to become only the 11th wrestler in tournament history to win at least three titles and the fifth at his school, which has produced three four-time winners including current assistant coach JoJo Aragona (2016-19), who was the first of only four to do so in this event. Eddie Ventresca (2017-20), Carson Walsh (2022-25) and Jake Rotunda (2016-18) are the only other Lions to win three or more. Only 39 wrestlers have won two or more titles in HWS history, while there have only been five

Phillipsburg leads the field with nine team titles (2011-15, '19, '22, '23, '25).

wrestlers to make four championship finals appearances -- Hunterdon Central's Dylan Nace (2011-14) and Phillipsburg's Gavin Hawk (2022-25), along with Aragona, Ventresca and Walsh. Pope John has had at least one winner since 2016 (no finalists in '15). ... P'burg has produced a record 40 individual champions and at least one every year since missing in 2010, followed by Pope John (30), North Hunterdon (24) Hunterdon Central (22), Kittatinny (14), Delaware Valley and Warren Hills (12), which has produced a finalist in all but one of the previous 15 tournaments (2011), and High Point (10). No other school boasts double-digit winners. Reigning Group 4 champion North Hunterdon did not produce a champion in the previous two tournaments. ... Vernon is the only school without a champion, but that could change this season as DiGiuseppe, whose promising junior campaign was cut short due to injury, is primed for a title run at 190 pounds. He's also looking to become the second to win at least 100 career bouts for the Vikings, joining former state medalist Brian Hoyt (114-31 from 2003-07). ... Newton has produced at least one finalist in 11 of the previous 15 tournaments, missing only in 2016, '23, '24 and '25. There was no tournament in 2021 due to the pandemic, while there were no fifth-place consolations contested under a shortened format in '22. ... Two wrestlers are closing in on the century mark for wins -- Bollette (99) and Rhinehart (96) -- as they bid for their first HWS titles. Bollette recently became the winningest wrestler in his wrestling-rich family. His father, J.P. is a former state placewinner for Kittatinny, along with uncle, Eric, who is the head coach at Newton. Another uncle, Brian, who is the head coach at Morris Hills, logged 98 career wins for the Cougars, while Eric amassed 81 under legendary coach John Gill. ... Kittatinny is looking to extend its streak of 15 straight HWS Tournaments with at least one finalist. ... Hrenenko, who recently joined his older brother, Logan, in Sparta's 100-wins club at 104-25 overall, seeks the first title in his family after Logan's runner-up finish at 138 pounds in 2025. ... There are several up-and-coming freshmen to keep an eye on, including Hunterdon Central's James Fearon (126) and High Point's Luke Tompkins (157), who should be in the title hunt.

Championship picks

106 -- Cayden Wadle, North Hunterdon
113 -- Owen Fol, North Hunterdon
120 -- Anthony Pettinelli, Phillipsburg
126 -- Reid Buzby, North Hunterdon
132 -- Dalton Weber, Pope John
138 -- Massimo Gonzalez, Phillipsburg
144 -- Ryan Hrenenko, Sparta
150 -- Owen Garriques, Phillipsburg
157 -- Luke Tompkins, High Point
165 -- Lukas Kastigiannis, Pope John
175 -- Cole Dunham, Pope John
190 -- True DiGiuseppe, Vernon
215 -- Liam Hassloch, Sparta
285 -- Gavin Mericle, High Point

Team champion: Phillipsburg.

Wrestling: North Hunterdon at Phillipsburg preview

What: North Hunterdon at Phillipsburg Stateliners.

Where: Phillipsburg High School, Lopatcong Township.

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Conference: Skyland Delaware Division.

Records: North Hunterdon 4-5 overall, 0-0 division; Phillipsburg 2-1, 0-0.

State rankings: (NJWWA Top 20): North Hunterdon No. 11; Phillipsburg No. 17.

Coaches: Dave Bell (28-24. third season, 2-1 vs. P'burg); Tim Longacre (37-6, third season, 1-2 vs. NH)

Series history: Phillipsburg owns a 59-13-1 edge dating to 1961, including a 7-5 mark in postseason meetings. Lions swept both meetings last season -- 34-24 in a regular-season clash on Jan. 29, 2025, at the Lions Den (snapping the Stateliners' three-match win streak) and 37-27 in the Group 4 final on Feb. 16 at Rutgers University's Jersey Mike's Arena. North is eyeing a third straight win in the series for only the second time in program history and first since snapping their 17-match skid in the series with a 30-24 win on the road in 2020 and a dominating 37-12 win in the North 2, Group 4 sectional final en route to the Group 4 state title and the program's only unbeaten season. The Lions, who completed a three-peat with 32-23 win at home in 2021, had logged consecutive wins in the series on only one other occasion in 1961-62. North's other wins came in the Group 3 finals (1982, '84 and '93), and regular-season dual meets in 1961, '62, '65, '75 and 2007.

Note: North Hunterdon wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses.

106 -- Jr. Cayden Wadle (11-2) or So. Thomas Wade (0-2) vs. Fr. Rocco Munzipapa (1-2).

113 -- So. Owen Fol (11-2) vs. So. Zack Swingle (9-4) or Fr. Jack Flynn (2-5).

120 -- Fr. Daniel Snyder (0-11) vs. Jr. Anthony Pettinelli (6-4).

126 -- Sr. Reid Buzby (8-6) vs. Fr. Noah Regemann (3-6).

132 -- Jr. Aidan Yarussi (12-1) vs. So. Matthew Velez (0-5).

138 -- Jr. Kieran Raley (11-3) vs. Sr. Massimo Gonzalez (10-2).

144 -- Jr. Matthew Esposito (9-5) vs. So. Mason Hawk (7-2). 

150 -- Jr. Ian English (8-6) vs. Jr. Owen Garriques (11-2).

157 -- Jr. Luke Charbonneau (6-7) vs. Sr. Brad Kisselbach (7-6).

165 -- Fr. Nicholas Romaniello (1-6) or Jr. Dylan McGuinness (3-3) or Sr. Sebastian Santos (2-8) vs. Jr. Seth Wolfinger (1-3).

175 -- McGuinness or Romaniello or Santos vs. Sr. Gavin Geleta (10-1).

190 -- Sr. Owen Dandeo (5-4) vs. Sr. Kevin Buonocore (2-4).

215 -- So. Dajinder Dillon (4-6) vs. Fr. Ian Jankowski (4-4).

285 -- Jr. Andrew DeSimone (7-6) vs. Sr. Ben Ellis (8-4).

Breakdown: The 74th meeting has the potential to be a real nail-biter, at least on paper, and should decide this season's Delaware Division championship. Interestingly, both teams are coming off tough losses to Howell, which beat North, 35-29, in the Boresch Duals semifinals on Saturday before heading back up the Parkway on Monday to score an impressive 46-29 win at The Pit. North is the odds-on favorite and Phillipsburg has been slow out of the gate this season due to a pre-holiday layoff because of skin issues, but one look at the matchups and it's clear that there could be as many as four or five tossup bouts. North is strong from 106-144, but the Lions have struggled a bit in the middle weights and up top. Phillipsburg is fighting through some varsity inexperience in the middle of its lineup, but the uppers, anchored by Geleta who was a round shy of placing in last season's individual state tournament, are seasoned for the most part with the freshman Jankowski showing immense potential thus far.

P'burg is 234-44-2 all-time vs. Hunterdon-Warren teams

North has a bit more depth and could make a few moves, starting at 106, where Bell may opt to run Wadle up against Swingle, who dropped both of their meetings last season (8-5 SV and 4-1), and insert Wade, who pinned Munzipapa in a recent junior varsity matchup, though the 'Liner was winning handily before the fall so that could be a bit of a gamble on North's part. Depending on where the match starts, Wadle could stay down where he'd be eyeing big bonus points. Fol also went 0-3 against Pettinelli last season and would be giving up weight to move up. Straight up, North is favored at 106, 113, 126, 132, 144 and 190. P'burg has the edge at 120, 150, 175 and 215. Call 138, 157, 165 and 285 tossups. To pull off the upset, I think the 'Liners need all of the tossups -- or an upset elsewhere -- and limit the damage down low. It's a lot to ask, but it's not out of the question and would be a huge momentum builder for a young squad (six starters with 20 or fewer career varsity bouts). But North is the reigning Group 4 champion and has been a bit more battle tested thus far. That should be the difference in a good one!   

Prediction: North Hunterdon, 33-28.