Wrestling: Hawk (132) sets wins mark in P'burg rout

LOPATCONG TWP. -- It certainly was a banner night for senior ace Gavin Hawk and Phillipsburg's wrestling team in a 47-15 shellacking of Warren Hills in the 77th meeting between Skyland Conference rivals on Monday. 

Hawk also owns the P'burg pins record with 84

Hawk needed just 38 seconds to deck Johan Venegas Mosos at 165 pounds and secure a special place in Stateliner history with his program-best 132nd career victory -- surpassing former P'burg star and state runner-up Brian Meyer (131-35 from 2014-18), who was on hand, along with former three-time state medalist Cody Harrison (125-24 from 2015-19, including his freshman season at Warren Hills).

"Those are the guys I grew up watching. Just an honor to be up there with them," said Hawk, now 132-20 overall and 22-1 this season, and one of only 30 wrestlers (including five state champions) to reach the century mark for one of New Jersey's most storied programs. "I've definitely looked up to all of those guys in the 100-win club."

Phillipsburg (11-2), which was coming off a stinging 40-24 loss to archrival Easton (Pa.) that ended the 'Liners five-match win streak in the 87th meeting of that series, jumped all over Warren Hills (9-8) from the opening whistle -- winning 10 of 14 bouts and finishing with a 24-7 edge in takedowns.

"Some nights it goes our way and some it doesn't," said second-year Blue Streaks coach K.C. Wanamaker , whose team surrender bonus points (four pins, two technical falls and a major) in seven of its losses and settled for regular-decision wins in two others where the visitors were heavy favorites at 120 and 138. "I thought our guys battled tough. Our inexperienced guys in the upper weights went out and they battled tough."

Meyer's incorrect win total will be fixed after the season

Senior Luke Geleta's 50-second pin in the opening bout at 144 pounds started a run of five straight victories for P'burg, which led 24-0 and didn't surrender a takedown until the sixth bout. Geleta (22-1), a state medalist last season and 124-26 overall, also moved past Jimmy Schuitema (123-26 from 2011-15) for sole possession of fifth on the school's wins list. 

Another big one was sophomore Anthony Pettinelli's 5-4 upset of Warren Hills state qualifier and Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament champion Augie Szamreta at 113 pounds. Pettinelli (20-6) erased a 4-1 deficit after two periods with an escape and winning takedown off a scramble with 36 seconds left on the clock in the third. Szamreta (23-3) dominated their two previous meetings -- a 9-1 major in last year's dual and a 16-1 technical fall in 3:26 in the HWS finals on Jan. 11 -- but logged just one takedown in this season's rematch after racking up three along with seven back points in that county title matchup.

"I went down [to start the third period] and knew I could get out," said Pettinelli, whose in-match adjustment against Szamreta's high-crotch attempts was key after surrendering four takedowns of that variety in their last two meetings. "I got to his legs a couple times the first two periods so I knew I was more than capable [of getting a takedown]. I just had to finish.

"That HWS finals [loss] was extra motivation to keep going and get that last-second takedown."

P'burg is 62-15 all-time vs. Washington/Warren Hills

Meyer, who's the last of only eight P'burg wrestlers to win four district titles (Hawk can join him this season) to go with his three region championships, became a fan favorite for his aggressive and hard-nosed style on the mat during a success-laden career wearing the Garnet and Gray. The former Lehigh wrestler, who currently helps coach on the 'Liner youth level, was glad to pass the torch, so to speak. 

"I thought it was going to be broken this year," the classy Meyer said of his mark that stood for six full seasons. "So I was waiting for it. I didn't realize it was going to happen tonight so I'm happy I came [to watch] and congratulate Gavin. He's an awesome kid so I'm happy for him."

Hawk and Meyer also share some similarities on the mat and the distinction of being the last two P'burg state finalists (Nos. 60 and 61) -- losses that still resonate with both. Meyer, a two-time medalist who finished third as a junior in 2017, suffered a 5-4 defeat to Toms River South's Cole Corrigan in their entertaining 152-pound final in '18. 

P'burg (33) ranks 4th all-time in state champs

"A little bit," Meyer said when asked if he sees some of his wrestling style in Hawk. "I try and help out where I can. I've known him forever. He's definitely got his own style. He likes the underhooks and all that. But he's a beast. Strong kid, same build. I hope he finally gets a name on the [individual state champs] banner for us again."

There's nothing more Hawk, who dropped an 8-4 decision to St. Joseph-Montvale's Zach Ballante in their 150-pound final last season, would rather do than end Phillipsburg's state gold drought. It's been nearly 13 years since Brandon Hull (220 pounds in 2012) became the school's 33rd state champion.

"I think about it every day," said Hawk, a Princeton recruit. "It's a big motivator. That's what I really want to do. It's the most important goal and what I'm focusing on right now."  

PHILLIPSBURG 47, WARREN HILLS 15

144 -- Sr. Luke Geleta (22-1), P, p. So. Carson Steele (5-2), :50.
150 -- Jr. Gavin Geleta (19-4), P, tf. Sr. Ethan Drazek (13-13), 20-3, 2:54.
157 -- Sr. Benny Mendoza (7-5), P, d. Jr. Ryan Hisko (10-17), 10-3.
165 -- Sr. Gavin Hawk (22-1), P, p. Jr. Johan Venegas Mosos (2-8), :38.
175 -- Sr. Derek Stone (17-6), P, md. Sr. Tyler O'Neill (19-9), 10-1.
190 -- Sr. David Kocsor (17-9), WH, d. Sr. D'Angelo Hernandez (0-5), 11-5.
215 -- Sr. Jesus Alfaro (12-14), P, p. Jr. Hunter Scalora (0-3), 1:40.
285 -- Jr. Ben Ellis (14-10), P, p. Fr. James Gilligan (0-3), :17.
106 -- Fr. Zack Swingle (18-5), P, tf. Fr. Nicholas Ricevuto (7-18), 17-1, 3:32.
113 -- So. Anthony Pettinelli (20-6), P, d. Jr. Augie Szamreta (23-3), 5-4.
120 -- Sr. Charlie Piccione (23-2), WH, d. Fr. Matthew Velez (7-15), 10-3.
126 -- Jr. Davey Rhinehart (22-4), WH, p. Fr. Mason Przepaldo (0-2), :25.
132 -- So. Owen Garriques (17-7), P, d. So. Aidan Webb (19-8), 9-5.
138 -- Sr. Tyler Redfield (24-3), WH, d. Sr. Anthony Ashford (6-10), 8-6.
Records -- Warren Hills 9-8; Phillipsburg 11-2.
Officials -- Chris Rebels and Doug Fischer.