That's because the Stateliners are money when it comes to winning Group 4 titles -- capturing their fourth in a row and the program's 21st state championship overall with a gritty 35-24 win over Mendham on Sunday at Pine Belt Arena.
Phillipsburg (16-1), which had little trouble in a 41-21 victory over Kingsway in the semifinals, won eight bouts and had to overcome an early 12-0 deficit against Mendham, which got here by winning its first-ever sectional title. The 'Liners were also working shorthanded as senior 195-pounder Drew Horun sat out both matches due to a knee injury he sustained in the sectional final win over Middletown North on Friday night.
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| P'burg and coach Dave Post celebrate with the championship trophy. |
"He got the green light to wrestle, and we gave him the option, but he said it doesn't feel right," said coach Dave Post, now 5-1 in state title matches in his seven seasons and two shy of Rick Thompson's school record of seven over his three different coaching stints.
"We decided to give him the week [off]. He has an appointment with the school orthopedist on Monday. It happened so soon. There was no swelling or anything, and we thought it was maybe a muscular or soft tissue injury. Not having him sure made things interesting."
Mendham (22-4) won the first three bouts, two decisions and a pin, before Melise stopped the bleeding with an 18-second pin at 220. Melise, who had an 11-second pin in the semifinals, was among three seniors in the lineup to go 4-0 in Group 4 finals over their careers.
"I've been around for four of them now," said the classy state runner-up, who had this place going crazy two years ago with his improbable pin that gave the 'Liners a win over Southern for their 19th title. "Our senior class has left a special legacy. I can't wait to see the next group come along. This is a special moment for us."
Senior Justen Caraballo followed with a 2-0 win at 285 before junior Cullen Day delivered a 12-3 major at 106 to give P'burg a 13-12 lead through six bouts. Day racked up six takedowns, including two in the third period for the added bonus point.
After P'burg sophomore Travis Jones lost a gutsy 5-4 decision toe district runner-up Dom DiGena at 113, junior Tyris Manley started a three-bout run with a 7-2 win over region qualifier Peter Tringali at 120 that helped the 'Liners regain control of the match. Sophomore Cody Harrison followed with a pin at 126 and sophomore Kyle Tino added an 8-3 win at 132 to give P'burg a 25-15 lead with three to go.
"After Manley won, I turned to [assistant coach Scott Silvis] and said, 'We're in the driver's seat,'" Post said.
Sophomore Jayson Zinsmeister put a lock on No. 21 when he cemented Connor McClellan in 1:57 at 145, with junior Brian Meyer capping the scoring for P'burg with a major at 152.
"I give our guys a lot of credit," Post said. "We had three guys pounding water on the bus. Meyer worked out for about 45 minutes before we left [to make 145], and we told him we needed him to weigh in at 152. But the guys have faith in us, and it doesn't work unless they believe in us. I can't be happier for them. I love our guys ... they came to battle tonight."
Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex went 2-2 in the finals, as Delaware Valley won its first Group 2 title since 1999, and its eighth overall, with a thrilling 30-28 win over Hanover Park, while Kittatinny lost to Paulsboro in the Group 1 final for the second straight year. Hunterdon Central was unable to end its championship drought with a tough 28-27 loss to Howell in the Group 5 final.
PHILLIPSBURG 35, MENDHAM 24
170 -- Sr. Liam Meckes (17-17), M, d.. Sr. Dan Fisher (13-11), 1-0.
182 -- Sr. Michael Servais (15-8), M, d. So. Austin Roth (5-15), 7-2.
195 -- Jr. Giuseppe Canino (23-9), M, p. Fr. Cody Cruts (0-7), :54.
220 -- Sr. Robert Melise (27-2), P, p. Sr. Robert Longo (7-8), :18.
285 -- Sr. Justen Caraballo (10-14), P, d. Sr. Blake Barrigan (9-16), 2-0.
106 -- Jr. Cullen Day (26-6), P, md. Fr. Tristan Navarino (17-12), 12-3.
113 -- So. Dom DiGena (29-4), M, d. So. Travis Jones (22-8), 5-4.
120 -- Sr. Tyris Manley (12-8), P, d. So. Peter Tringali (24-10), 7-2.
126 -- So. Cody Harrison (17-4), P, p. Jr. Scott Zwillman (1-2), 1:39.
132 -- So. Kyle Tino (12-14), P, d. Jr. Alex Schlegel (19-14), 8-3.
138 -- So. Alex Winant (26-8), M, d. Jr. Josh Ramos (5-6), 4-3.
145 -- So. Jayson Zinsmeister (12-12), P, p. Sr. Connor McClellan (15-17), 1:57.
152 -- Jr. Brian Meyer (27-7), P, md. Fr. Gage Armijo (18-14), 13-3.
160 -- Sr. Troy Navarino (32-1), M, forfeit.
Records -- Phillipsburg 16-1; Mendham 22-4.
Referees -- Joe Benvenuto and Jason Brown.
SEMIFINALS
PHILLIPSBURG 41, KINGSWAY 21
160 -- Jr. Brian Meyer (26-7), P, md. Jr. Colin Wexler (15-7), 16-3.
170 -- Sr. Morgan Bell (13-5), K, d. Jr. Shamyr Brodders (5-14), 10-5.
182 -- Sr. Dan Fisher (13-10), P, d. Fr. Noah Falabella (8-11), 8-3.
195 -- So. Austin Roth (5-14), P, d. Jr. Jaylen Shanklin (8-18), 6-2.
220 -- Sr. Robert Melise (26-2), P, p. Jr. Myles Payne (3-13), :11.
285 -- Sr. Justen Caraballo (9-14), P, p. Sr. Briheen White (4-16), 4;46.
106 -- Fr. McKenzie Bell (26-8), K, d. Jr. Cullen Day (25-6), 6-5.
113 -- So. Travis Jones (22-7), P, md. Fr. Cheney Kinner (25-9), 13-4.
120 -- Sr. Tyris Manley (11-8), P, d. Jr. Matthew Klaiss (8-18), 6-5.
126 -- So. Cody Harrison (16-4), P, p. Fr. John Sambogna (6-14), 3:46.
132 -- Sr. Atlee Cullison (20-10), K, d. So. Kyle Tino (11-14), 8-4.
138 -- Jr. Quinn Kinner (32-2), K, forfeit.
145 -- Sr. Trace Kinner (30-4), K, forfeit.
152 -- So. Jayson Zinsmeister (11-12), P, p. Jr. Dalvin Johns (3-8), 3:08.
Records -- Phillipsburg 15-1; Kingsway 15-12.
MENDHAM 30, JACKSON MEMORIAL 28
160 -- Sr. Troy Navarino (31-1), M, md. Fr. Kyle Epperly (11-8), 10-1.
170 -- Sr. Dan Bergeron (25-6), JM, d. Sr. Liam Meckes (16-17), 12-6.
182 -- Sr. Brent Bartzak (12-10), M, d. So. Leo Shimonovich (4-11), 5-2.
195 -- Jr. Giuseppe Canino (22-9), M, md. Sr. Freddy Michel (3-19), 11-0.
220 -- Sr. Robert Longo (7-7), M, d. Sr. Frank Fowler-Umana (2-13), 9-4.
285 -- Jr. David Lemay (28-3), JM, p. Sr. Blake Barrigan (9-15), 2:25.
106 -- So. Vincent Scollo (27-2), JM, d. Fr. Tristan Navarino (17-11), 7-1.
113 -- So. Dom DiGena (28-4), M, p. So. Chris McDonald (14-13), :19.
120 -- So. Peter Tringali (24-9), M, d. Jr. Kevin Hogan (3-6), 5-1.
126 -- Jr. Alex Schlegel (19-13), M, d. So. Carsten DiGiantomasso (14-7), 4-2.
132 -- Sr. Matt McGowen (27-2), JM, p. Sr. Tristan Lombardo (4-5), 2;17.
138 -- So. Alex Winant (25-8), M, md. Jr. Ryan Bohringer (9-10), 14-4.
145 -- Jr. Nicholas Tomasiello (13-12), JM, md. Sr. Connor McClellan (15-16), 14-2.
152 -- Sr. Tim Hamann (18-7), JM, forfeit.
Records -- Mendham 22-3; Jackson Memorial 14-9.
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