High Point's wrestling team kept sharp for the upcoming sectional tournament with a dominating 62-12 victory over Sussex County rival Newton on Wednesday night in the 40th meeting between the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference schools at Henry Boresch Gymnasium.
The Wildcats (15-4), who have won five in a row, improved to 33-7 all-time against the Braves (8-14) and extended the program's streak in the series to 10 straight -- all by an average margin of 40 points. It's the second-longest run in the series, as High Point won 17 in a row from 1986 to 2002.
Newton's last win was 31-27 in 2003.
High Point, which drew the top seed in the North 1, Group 2 bracket, will host West Morris on Friday in the final regular-season tuneup. Coach John Gardner's team, ranked No. 14 in the state by the New Jersey Wrestling Writers, is seeking the program's 23rd sectional title -- the most in Sussex County. Kittatinny is next with 17.
Newton, which won its only sectional titles in 2009 and '10, was no match in this one, as coach Eric Bollette's squad surrendered eight pins while winning only two bouts -- pins by Josh Sibblies and Trevor Morales at 182 and 106 pounds, respectively.
"I thought we wrestled well and frustrated them in a few weights," said Bollette, now 1-11 all-time against High Point.
Sibblies (25-3), a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex champion, started the proceedings by decking sophomore Ryan Olinger. High Point won the next three, taking a 15-6 lead after Gunny Wassong's pin at 285. Junior Kyle Stoll scored an impressive 7-1 decision over up-and-coming Newton sophomore Gus Protgeropoulos at 195, while Bobby McDonnell flattened freshman Ethan Reczka at 220.
After Morales stuck sophomore reserve Trevor Risdon with a cradle, sophomore Dom Gallo started a run of nine straight High Point wins with a pin at 113. Freshman Jared Kobis (28-1) worked Eddie Medina for a 12-0 major at 120, while Connor McHugh (126), Ryan Cullen (132), Collin Grimm (138), Jason Gaccione (145) and Antonio Porraspita (170) all had falls for the 'Cats.
Gardner, now in his 15th season and 14-1 against Newton, captured his 263rd victory -- second-most in program history behind leader Jeff Hull (288), who coached Gardner from 1986-90. High Point's program is 637-212-7 overall in 47 seasons.
Newton seeks the program's 730th win on Friday when it travels to Belvidere for an independent showdown in Warren County. Sibblies could meet up with Region 1 champion Evan Bray, who finished third at HWS, in that one. The two did not face each other at the county tournament.
HIGH POINT 62, NEWTON 12
182 -- Sr. Josh Sibblies (25-3), N, p. So. Ryan Olinger (0-4), 1:14.
195 -- Jr. Kyle Stoll (24-3), HP, d. So. Gus Protogeropoulos (23-6), 7-1.
220 -- Jr. Bobby McDonnell (22-5), HP, p. Fr. Ethan Reczka (9-10), 2:38.
285 -- Jr. Gunny Wassong (15-8), HP, p. Sr. Brandon Alemany (6-17), 3:27.
106 -- So. Trevor Morales (17-9), N, p. So. Trevor Risdon (5-11), 3:10.
113 -- So. Dom Gallo (24-3), HP, p. Fr. Robert Borgognoni (0-4), 1:21.
120 -- Fr. Jared Kobis (28-1), HP, md. So. Eddie Medina (11-18), 12-0.
126 -- Sr. Connor McHugh (19-8), HP, p. Jr. Vincenzo Sebastiano (1-2), :49.
132 -- So. Ryan Cullen (6-3), HP, p. Sr. Nick Aquino (0-6), :33.
138 -- Sr. Collin Grimm (9-13), HP, p. So. Robert Reese (4-9), :35.
145 -- So. Jason Gaccione (27-2), HP, p. Sr. Bryan Velez (0-2), 1:05.
152 -- Jr. Tommy Hooker (18-8), HP, md. So. Ben Sibblies (11-17), 10-0.
160 -- Sr. Moses Yasin (10-16), HP, d. Jr. Garrett Richards (3-14), 8-2.
170 -- Jr. Antonio Porraspita (17-7), HP, p. Sr. Jared Jensen (5-19), 1:41.
Records -- High Point 15-4; Newton 8-14.
Official -- Gary Szucs.
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