Give High Point's wrestling team credit for not shying away from taking some losses. The end result is what matters for the Wildcats and veteran coach John Gardner as they keep their eyes on the big prize in February -- winning a Group 2 state title.
"This is just part of our process," Gardner said following a 38-23 loss to North Hunterdon in the title match at the Patriot Duals on Saturday.
High Point (6-2), ranked No. 11 in the state by the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association, gets right back at it on Monday night with an independent clash against No. 7 Phillipsburg at The Pit. The 'Cats have beaten the Stateliners just once (2009) in 19 meetings, but the goal for any team worth its salt is to be better at the end of the season than in December and January.
"You have to face good teams to reach your potential," said Gardner, whose team is looking to atone for a 46-26 loss to South Plainfield in last season's Group 2 final. I'm not going to complain about where we are at."
The 'Cats are led by seniors Devon Liebl (20-3 at 126) and Billy Talmadge (23-0 at 138), fifth in the state tournament last season, along with sophomore stud Brian Soldano (17-1 at 160). Sophomore Clayton Utter (13-3 at 113) and junior Josh Gervey (17-3 at 132) are also returning state qualifiers, while freshman Roman Citro (9-5) has solidified the lower weights since dropping to 106, scoring a 1-0 win over North Hunterdon's Logan Wadle, a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament champion.
"We have some guys who make it difficult for people and cause problems, and we have some spots where we will continue to work," Gardner said.
The upper weights continue to be a work in progress, while injuries have also impacted the lineup, including the loss of talented freshman Shane Woolf (6-5 at 138-145) for the season with a knee issue. Gardner hopes to get junior Nick Douma back soon to help out around 132 and give the team some much needed flexibility. Junior Alex Buchwald (4-2 at 170) is being counted on up top after missing most of the season with injuries.
North Hunterdon coach Chris Hrunka also liked what he saw from his team in the win over High Point. The Lions continued the march toward their goal of winning North 2, Group 4 and Group 4 state titles -- winning eight bouts against High Point, including four pins and two major decisions.
"I think our guys are getting better," Hrunka said. "As the [Patriot Duals] went on, we wrestled better and better. There was not too much more I could ask from these guys."
The Lions (14-0) have certainly been battle tested -- beating Kingsway and Paulsboro, the reigning state champions in Group 4 and 1, at the Boresch Duals on Jan. 4 -- while ending a 13-year drought against Phillipsburg with a 30-24 win on Jan. 15. Including a 35-28 victory over West Essex in the Patriot Duals semifinals, North has knocked off five ranked teams in the NJWWA Top 20. That's a tough gauntlet this early for any team, but the Lions have responded well to the grind.
"It helps that they're having success," Hrunka said. "We thought we could have a couple losses by now. But we wanted them to see [tough teams] because that's what sections and groups are going to be like. We're trying to keep it light and fun with them."
Hrunka maintains that his team has not hit its peak this season.
"We're getting closer," he said.
Now, onto this week's rankings:
1. North Hunterdon (14-0) -- Lions cruised to wins over Warren Hills (58-10) and Montgomery (69-7) on Wednesday, as the latter secured the program's fourth Skyland Conference title (this one in the Raritan Division) overall and first since the 1994-95 season. Coach Chris Hrunka's team, ranked No. 4 in the state, collected another trophy at the Patriot Duals on Saturday with victories over High Point (38-23), West Essex (35-28) and Morris Catholic (84-0). Junior Frank DiEsso (18-3 at 120) picked up his 75th career win with a major decision in the title match.
"This is just part of our process," Gardner said following a 38-23 loss to North Hunterdon in the title match at the Patriot Duals on Saturday.
High Point (6-2), ranked No. 11 in the state by the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association, gets right back at it on Monday night with an independent clash against No. 7 Phillipsburg at The Pit. The 'Cats have beaten the Stateliners just once (2009) in 19 meetings, but the goal for any team worth its salt is to be better at the end of the season than in December and January."You have to face good teams to reach your potential," said Gardner, whose team is looking to atone for a 46-26 loss to South Plainfield in last season's Group 2 final. I'm not going to complain about where we are at."
"We have some guys who make it difficult for people and cause problems, and we have some spots where we will continue to work," Gardner said.
The upper weights continue to be a work in progress, while injuries have also impacted the lineup, including the loss of talented freshman Shane Woolf (6-5 at 138-145) for the season with a knee issue. Gardner hopes to get junior Nick Douma back soon to help out around 132 and give the team some much needed flexibility. Junior Alex Buchwald (4-2 at 170) is being counted on up top after missing most of the season with injuries.
North Hunterdon coach Chris Hrunka also liked what he saw from his team in the win over High Point. The Lions continued the march toward their goal of winning North 2, Group 4 and Group 4 state titles -- winning eight bouts against High Point, including four pins and two major decisions.
"I think our guys are getting better," Hrunka said. "As the [Patriot Duals] went on, we wrestled better and better. There was not too much more I could ask from these guys."
The Lions (14-0) have certainly been battle tested -- beating Kingsway and Paulsboro, the reigning state champions in Group 4 and 1, at the Boresch Duals on Jan. 4 -- while ending a 13-year drought against Phillipsburg with a 30-24 win on Jan. 15. Including a 35-28 victory over West Essex in the Patriot Duals semifinals, North has knocked off five ranked teams in the NJWWA Top 20. That's a tough gauntlet this early for any team, but the Lions have responded well to the grind.
"It helps that they're having success," Hrunka said. "We thought we could have a couple losses by now. But we wanted them to see [tough teams] because that's what sections and groups are going to be like. We're trying to keep it light and fun with them."
Hrunka maintains that his team has not hit its peak this season.
"We're getting closer," he said.
Now, onto this week's rankings:
 |
| North celebrates its title at the Patriot Duals. |
Up next: Delaware Valley at home on Tuesday; at Hunterdon Central on Friday.
2. Phillipsburg (7-2) -- Stateliners opened last week with a 61-9 thumping of Ridge in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash before knocking off Easton (Pa.), 42-22, in the 83rd meeting of that historic rivalry -- giving the 'Liners, who have won five of the last seven matchups vs. the Red Rovers, back-to-back wins in the series for the second time since 2014-15 and the third time overall since winning nine straight from 1963-71. Coach Dave Post's team suffered a 36-24 loss to Southern on Saturday, as P'burg yielded five pins and lost the flip to control 160 and 170, which also hurt.
Nice n Quiet now at the PIT n @Pburgstudsec but in 30 Hours the PIT n @Pburgstudsec Will Rocking n Rolling!!— PBurg HS Wrestling (@PBurgHSWrestlin) January 26, 2020
Tomorrow Night is SOLD OUT!!
Doors open at 5pm
JV-5:30pm
Varsity- 7pm@StatelinerSport Air time is 6:50pm on @YouTube @HighPointHSWres at @PBurgHSWrestlin pic.twitter.com/NbJU43lmSe
Up next: High Point at The Pit on Monday; at Hanover Park on Wednesday; Hillsborough at home on Thursday; Newton at home on Saturday.
3. High Point (6-2) -- Wildcats picked up a pair NJAC cross-division wins against West Morris (48-21) on Tuesday and Mount Olive (32-23) on Thursday before going 2-1 and finishing second at the Patriot Duals on Saturday. Coach John Gardner's team posted victories over North Warren (65-9) and Westfield (52-16) before dropping a 38-23 decision to North Hunterdon in the title match. Senior Billy Talmadge went 3-0 on Saturday in improving to 23-0 on the season and 123-26 for his career. -- moving him into a tie with Gavin Tarsa (123-24 from 2004-08) for ninth place on the program's all-time list.
Up next: at Phillipsburg on Monday; Jefferson at home on Tuesday; at Southern on Thursday; Watchung Hills at Hunterdon Central on Saturday.
4. Pope John (8-4) -- After opening last week with wins over Don Bosco Prep (54-14) and West Morris (45-28) on Tuesday and Thursday, the Lions went 1-2 at the Kingsway Duals on Saturday, with losses to defending Group 4 champion Kingsway (36-28) and top-ranked Bergen Catholic (54-20), along with a win over Jackson Memorial (50-24).
Up next: at Montville on Tuesday; St. Joseph-Montvale at home on Wednesday; at Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) on Saturday.
5. Delaware Valley (14-4) -- Terriers, who are dealing with the flu bug, went 3-3 last week with wins against Bernards (60-16) and Hillsborough (48-18) after a loss to Watchung Hills (33-28). In a quad on Saturday, coach Andy Fitz's team dropped decisions to Manalapan (65-9) and Sayreville (42-28) before getting a win over Perth Amboy (57-24). The victory over Bernards set up a showdown with Warren Hills on Saturday for the Skyland Conference Valley Division title. Senior Gage Crater (23-4) enters the week needing three wins to become the 13th wrestler in program history to reach 100.
Up next: at North Hunterdon on Tuesday; New Brunswick at home on Wednesday; at Warren Hills on Saturday.
— Del Val Wrestling (@DVRWrestling) January 25, 2020
Up next: at North Hunterdon on Tuesday; New Brunswick at home on Wednesday; at Warren Hills on Saturday.
6. Hunterdon Central (8-5) -- Red Devils rolled to a 38-21 win over Morris Knolls on Wednesday as the program honored the life of former head coach Russ Riegel, who died at the age of 89 last November. Riegel, a four-time state finalist for Washington High School under the legendary John Goles, led Central to eight of its 22 sectional titles and the Group 4 championship in 1989 -- its only state title -- while compiling a career mark of 533-89-6. Coach Jon Cantagallo's team closed out the week by going 2-1 in a quad at home with wins against Roxbury (52-27) and Westwood (30-21) -- program wins 992 and 993, along with a loss to Woodstown (31-30).
Up next: at Bound Brook on Wednesday; North Hunterdon at home on Friday; High Point and Watchung Hills at home on Saturday.
Up next: at Bound Brook on Wednesday; North Hunterdon at home on Friday; High Point and Watchung Hills at home on Saturday.
7. Warren Hills (14-5) -- Blue Streaks finished fifth at the Patriot Duals -- scoring wins over Bound Brook (51-23) and North Warren (38-34) after a tough loss to Westfield (34-32) in the opening round. Coach Dave Sbriscia's team opened the week with a win against Montgomery (59-13) and a loss to North Hunterdon (58-10) in a tri-meet on Wednesday before staying unbeaten in Skyland Conference Valley Division action with a 41-18 win at Somerville on Friday. Senior Logan Nauta (19-6 at 132) picked up his 70th and 71st career victories on Saturday. The program is set to commemorate the 30-year anniversary of the 1989-90 team's unbeaten season, Group 3 state title and No. 1 state ranking prior to the Del Val match on Saturday.
Up next: Manville at home on Wednesday; at Hackettstown on Friday; Delaware Valley at home on Saturday.
Up next: Manville at home on Wednesday; at Hackettstown on Friday; Delaware Valley at home on Saturday.
8. Kittatinny (7-4) -- Cougars scored a 35-33 win over Newton on Thursday to snap a two-match skid in the series and swept a quad against Pascack Valley (48-19), Ramapo (58-15) and Dumont (51-27) on Saturday. Against Newton, senior Gian Knippenberg escaped at the buzzer in the ultimate tiebreaker for a 4-3 win in a key bout at 160 pounds as coach John Gill went up against his friend and former wrestler Eric Bollette, now 6-16 against his mentor as Newton coach. "I'm competitive and so is Eric, I didn't want [wins in the series] to start slipping away," Gill said. "We've gotten used to getting beat by P'burg [which has won 10 in a row against the Cougars]. We've beaten them, but they've gotten on a run and then no one remembers when you have."
Up next: at West Morris on Monday; Hackettstown at home on Tuesday; at Sparta on Friday; Wayne Hills, Paramus Catholic and Ridgewood at home on Saturday.
Up next: at West Morris on Monday; Hackettstown at home on Tuesday; at Sparta on Friday; Wayne Hills, Paramus Catholic and Ridgewood at home on Saturday.
9. Sparta (9-5) -- Spartans rebounded from a 49-21 loss to Montville in an NJAC American Division clash on Thursday by going 2-1 in a quad on Saturday with wins over Demarest (58-20) and Wallkill Valley (69-3) around a loss to Pascack Hills (37-35) as coach Frank Battaglia took the opportunity to rest several starters. Senior Garrett Stewart (20-1 at 138) is two wins shy of becoming the school's all-time leader, while junior Spencer Stewart (21-0 at 132), a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament champion, enters the week with 94 career wins.
Up next: Roxbury at home on Tuesday; Kittatinny at home on Friday; Waldwick at Pascack Valley on Saturday.
Up next: Roxbury at home on Tuesday; Kittatinny at home on Friday; Waldwick at Pascack Valley on Saturday.
10. Newton (8-7) -- Braves dropped a tough 35-33 decision to crosstown rival Kittatinny before a packed house at Henry Boresch Memorial Gym on Thursday -- snapping the program's two-match winning streak in the series. Coach Eric Bollette's team bounced back with independent victories against New Brunswick (47-21) and Montgomery (71-8) in a tri-meet on Saturday.
Up next: at Voorhees on Wednesday; North Warren at home on Thursday; at Phillipsburg on Saturday.
On the bubble
North Warren (7-7) -- Patriots finished seventh in their dual tournament on Saturday with a 71-12 win against Morris Catholic following losses to High Point (65-9) and Warren Hills (38-34). Coach Kellen Bradley and the staff did a great job with the tournament, which looks to remain a featured event for 2021. North, which got two key wrestlers -- senior Justin Gerkhardt (126) and Austin Collett (170) back in the lineup -- also took another step toward the NJAC Colonial Division title with a 78-6 victory over Wallkill Valley on Thursday.
Up next: Vernon at home on Tuesday; at Newton on Thursday; Glen Rock, Paramus and West Milford at home on Saturday.
Up next: at Voorhees on Wednesday; North Warren at home on Thursday; at Phillipsburg on Saturday.
On the bubble
North Warren (7-7) -- Patriots finished seventh in their dual tournament on Saturday with a 71-12 win against Morris Catholic following losses to High Point (65-9) and Warren Hills (38-34). Coach Kellen Bradley and the staff did a great job with the tournament, which looks to remain a featured event for 2021. North, which got two key wrestlers -- senior Justin Gerkhardt (126) and Austin Collett (170) back in the lineup -- also took another step toward the NJAC Colonial Division title with a 78-6 victory over Wallkill Valley on Thursday.
Up next: Vernon at home on Tuesday; at Newton on Thursday; Glen Rock, Paramus and West Milford at home on Saturday.
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