The thing I love most about the state tournament is the chance to witness history. Not necessarily New Jersey history, but seeing a wrestler accomplish something no one else had done previously at their high school.
Here's a few wrestlers who could do just that this weekend.
Jan Rosenberg -- The consensus favorite at 106 pounds is looking to become Morris Knolls' first state champion and second finalist since Fred Piotrowsky finished second in 1966, the first year of the program. Rosenberg, a senior, placed third a year ago at 103 and recently dominated the field at Region 1. He's 129-18 overall and heading to Rutgers next fall.
Kevin Devoy -- The 126-pound senior has already made a little history at Burlington Township with three fourth-place finishes in his outstanding career. The only other wrestler to finish fourth and match Devoy as the school's highest placewinner is Jared Holliday in 2010. Devoy (38-0), who is 147-12 overall, has made three trips to the state semifinals -- losing to champ Nick Francavilla of High Point in 2009, runner-up Kyle Casaletto of Southern in '10 and runner-up Troy Heilmann of South Plainfield in '11.
Billy Ward -- Buena, which started wrestling in 1974, has had three wrestlers reach the finals (Shawn Tripoli in 1990, Bob Hanson in '95 and Jim Thomas in '03), but none won the title. Ward, who was third at 119 last year, will try to end his school's state champ drought. It won't be easy at a loaded 120-pound class that features seven former placewinners.
James Dugan -- Becton-Wallington has never had a state champion and Dugan, who finished sixth last year at 160, will attempt to be the first. Everett Bell is Becton's highest placewinner (fourth in 1996). Dugan reached the semis in 2011, losing, 3-1, to Voorhees' Jadaen Bernstein.
Sal Mastriani -- After a fourth-place finish at 145 last year, Mastriani is looking to become Don Bosco's first champion. Joe Orecchio, who finished second twice in 2009 and '11, is the school's highest medal winner. Mastriani is at one of the toughest weight classes (152) in the tournament, but defeated Passaic Tech's Palal Deeb, 2-1, in last year's wrestlebacks. Deeb is Open Mike's pick to win this year's gold medal. High Point's Joe Gaccione, who finished third last year at 145, handed Mastriani both of his losses in AC.
Pelal Deeb -- Needless to say, Passaic Tech has not had an illustrious history when it comes to the state tournament. Deeb and Bryant Lighty are the school's lone medal winners, both finishing seventh in 2011. In fact, Passaic County has produced only a total of 19 state champs -- the last was Lakeland's Tom Fazio in 2005. Deeb gave Willingboro state champion James Green, now at Nebraska, his toughest match in last year's tournament, losing, 6-5, in the quarters. Deeb bumped up to 160 this season and took out Bergen Catholic's Johnny Sebastian, one of the favorites at 160. Former High Point coach Jan Michaels is an assistant at Passaic Tech and has made a big impact on the program, which has produced some tough individuals in recent years..
Ray Bethea -- Speaking of 152, Bethea is another contender for the title. He's trying to become his school's first champion and only the second from Mercer County, joining Mark Savino of Lawrence who made county history by winning the 130-pound title in 2004. Bethea finished sixth last year after a 4-3 loss to Paramus' Nick Alpher in the quarters. Bethea's older brother, Canaan, is one of only four Trenton wrestlers to reach the finals. Canaan fell to Wallkill Valley's Ryan Callahan in the 171-pound title bout in 2010.
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