Wrestling: Six! HWS struts championship stuff

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex had that championship feeling on Wednesday night. 

As expected, six area teams captured sectional titles, including Warren Hills, which ended its 15-year drought with an impressive 51-12 thumping of West Essex in the North 2, Group 3 final in Washington Township.

Phillipsburg (North 2, Group 5), North Hunterdon (North 2, Group 4), High Point (North 1, Group 2), Kittatinny (North 1, Group 1) and Delaware Valley (Central Jersey, Group 1) also advanced to Friday's Group semifinals -- giving the HWS area six public school sectional winners for the first time since 2017. Pope John, which reached the Non-Public North B sectional final, can give the area seven champions for just the fifth time and first since 2002, when the Lions host St. Thomas Aquinas (formerly Bishop Ahr) on Friday.

The area went 6-1 as Hunterdon Central came up short in a 31-26 loss to top-seeded Howell in the Central Jersey, Group 5 final.

Streaks sizzle

Warren Hills (17-3), which seeks the program's third Group 3 title and first since 1997, started quickly once again -- winning the first 10 bouts (11 total) against West Essex, which handed Hills a 34-31 loss in the 2020 title match. Starting right in the teeth of the Streaks' lineup at 157 pounds, junior Michael Drazek, who is lethal with the hazard tilt, got the ball rolling with a 13-1 major decision. 

WH celebrates its 6th title and first since 2007.

Senior Stephen Malia, a state medal contender at 165, followed with an 11-3 major to set the stage for  senior Owen Frizzell, whose 21-second fall at 175 started a string of four straight pins to give Hills a 32-0 lead through six bouts. Junior Jarett Pantuso (215) and senior Tyler McCatharn also added first-period pins.

"It felt awesome. We hung 50 on 'em," Frizzell said during a postmatch interview on the Garden State HS wrestling broadcast. "We executed well at every weight. I think me pinning [in 21 seconds] definitely set the tone for the rest of the match."

Warren Hills, now 6-9 all-time in sectional finals since the program's first title (North 2, Group 2 in 1982) under former coach Rich Kerr, who was in attendance, did not give up a takedown until the 10th bout -- a 10-6 win by junior Shawn Redfield over Joey Macrino. The Knights won the next three, but junior Cody Miller capped it for the Streaks, who snapped a five-match sectional finals skid dating to 2012, with a first-period pin at 150.

WARREN HILLS 51, WEST ESSEX 12

157 -- Jr. Michael Drazek (21-6), WH, md. Jr. Mike Maglione (18-8), 13-1.
165 -- Sr. Stephen Malia (25-1), WH, md. Jr. Anthony Lombardi (19-7), 11-3.
175 -- Sr. Owen Frizzell (24-4), WH, p. Fr. Carmine Masi (7-6), :21.
190 -- Sr. Ryan Galka (25-5), WH, p. Jr. Luke Struss (10-14), 1:42.
215 -- Jr. Jarett Pantuso (24-5), WH, p. So. Chris Nigro (10-15), 1:52.
285 -- Sr. Tyler McCatharn (25-3), WH, p. Jr. Luca Salvatoriello (15-10), 2:39.
106 -- Fr. Charlie Piccione (17-4), WH, d. So. Alex Esposito (14-13), 6-4.
113 -- Sr. Kevin Riedinger (22-5), WH, d. So. Ethan Kerlin (13-7), 4-2.
120 -- So. Josh Lee (20-6), WH, md. Fr. Thomas Ruane (15-10), 11-0.
126 -- Jr. Shawn Redfield (26-3), WH, d. Jr. Joey Macrino (15-10), 10-6.
132 -- Jr. Anthony Barra (17-8), WE, md. Sr. Max Pagano (4-1), 11-2.
138 -- Sr. Mike Pescatore (24-3), WE, tf. Jr. Ryan Lundy (11-15), 23-8, 5:27.
144 -- Sr. Ricky Cassidy (24-3), WE, d. Sr. Jared Lee (27-2), 8-4.
150 -- Jr. Cody Miller (18-9), WH, p. So. Nick Janish (1-10), 1:13.
Records -- West Essex 12-7; Warren Hills 17-3.
Officials -- Frank Leitner and Dave Marotta.

39 is fine

Phillipsburg keeps racking up sectional titles, but the Stateliners were never more dominant than in their run to the North 2, Group 5 championship. First-year head coach Brad Gentzle's team lost just three bouts in as many matches, including a 67-6 pasting of Watchung Hills in the finale.

The 'Liners (14-1), who captured their HWS-best 39th sectional title (first in Group 5) and first since 2019, will travel to Southern in one of the Group 5 semifinals on Friday. The winner will face either Howell or Livingston in Sunday's final. P'burg, which has won 22 championships (13 in Group 4 and nine in Group 3), in its illustrious history, seeks its first state title since 2018.

39th Sectional Championship Winners pic.twitter.com/JOU68WIvBO

— Phillipsburg Wrestling (@PBurgHSWrestlin) February 10, 2022

Junior Connor Hille (16-8), who competes at either 175 or 190, helped put a championship stamp on the night against Watchung Hills with his stunning pin of Christopher Baker (25-2) at 5:14 in the their bout at 175 -- avenging a 16-3 loss when they met in the Stateliners' 70-10 regular-season win (the program's 1,000th victory) on Jan. 6. Hille, who is really a 165-pounder and led, 6-2, at the time of the fall, has come a long way in his first varsity season, starting with a fourth-place finish at 172 in the rugged Bethlehem Holiday Classic in December.

"Connor is one of those kids that has improved so much every single time he stepped on the mat -- really from Bethlehem Holiday when he got his shot," Gentzle, who was part of eight sectional titles as an assistant coach (2011-19), told Mike Moore of Stateliner Sports. "Fall aside, what a huge improvement both on his feet and in the bottom position. That kid scored four or five takedowns and a couple turns on him eight weeks ago."

Repeat feat

North Hunterdon also won a regular-season rematch in the sectional finals with a 56-15 pounding of Ridge in the North 2, Group 4 title match.

NH outscored its sectional opponents, 157-43.

The Lions (16-4), who claimed the program's second straight championship and 16th overall, after winning the Group 4 state title in a perfect 2020 season, will host Brick Memorial in a Group 4 semifinal on Friday. The winner will face Mount Olive or Shawnee, which won its first sectional title, in Sunday's final.

North, which handed Ridge a 63-3 loss a week earlier in the regular-season finale, received pins from junior Brendan Raley (28-2 at 215) and senior Nick DeLorenzo (17-6 at 132), a starter on the 2020 championship team. Junior Alex Uryniak (24-3 at 190), a state medal winner last season, sat out all three sectional wins, including Monday's victories over Irvington and Middletown North. His status moving forward is unknown.

Coach Chris Hrunka's team, which last lost to St. John Vianney (37-33 on Jan. 22), is bidding for North's sixth state team championship. The Lions won four in Group 3 (1982, '84, '94, 2002).

Drive for 5

High Point has clearly overcome its early-season struggles as the Wildcats cruised to a 48-19 win over Jefferson in the North 1, Group 2 final -- beating the Falcons for a second time in eight days after securing the NJAC Freedom Division title with a 52-18 victory on Feb. 1. 

HP has won 17 sectional titles in Gardner's 24 seasons.

Coach John Gardner's team (12-4), which claimed the program's fifth straight championship and Sussex County-best 29th overall, hosts Collingswood in Friday's Group 2 semifinals. The winner faces Raritan or Hanover Park in Sunday's title match. Collingswood (24-2) beat Haddonfield, 26-25, on criteria (most first points) in the South Jersey sectional final.

After a 1-2 start, which included losses during a brutal stretch in early January to public heavyweights Mount Olive (47-18) and Southern (54-12), High Point has won 10 of 12 and seems primed for a run at the program's seventh state championship and second straight after winning it all in Group 2 in 2020. For the 'Cats, who all buy into the team concept, those tough early stretches are by design.

"That's kind of what we do," Gardner told Dan Cleary of Morris-Sussex Sports during a postmatch interview. "Sometimes people question what we're doing, but it's kind of set up to be that way. We wrestle quality people to get ready for the end. It doesn't seem sometimes like it's going to end up working out, but it usually does. The kids are committed. They believe in the process and hats off to them."

Seniors Brian Soldano and Clayton Utter, starters on the 2019 and '20 teams that won sectional titles, picked up their 114th and 86th career wins, respectively. Soldano (25-0 at 190), who has seen two of his three forfeit victories this season (21 pins and a technical fall in his other bouts) come against Jefferson, even though Peter Deleportas weighed in for both meetings, moved into sole possession of 12th place on the school's career wins list at 114-5. Up next is Tyler Forbeck (122-39 from 2005-09). 

Collision course?

Kittatinny and Delaware Valley took the next steps toward a potential rematch in the Group 1 final on Sunday with sectional titles.

The Cougars (18-2). who next host Roselle Park (North 2 winner) on Friday, claimed the program's 23rd championship (ninth in Group 1) with a 39-27 victory over Emerson-Park Ridge in a battle between two New Jersey coaching legends in Kittatinny's John Gill and Stan Woods, who became the first to reach 800 victories earlier this season. Gill has led his program to eight state titles (the last and only one in Group 1 in 2008).

Kittatinny has won 23 titles in John Gill's 42 seasons.

Sophomores Reece Smith (144) and Bryce Coesfeld (150) and freshman Ethan Dalling (157) came through with pins and senior state placewinner Steven Dalling (165) picked up a forfeit to give the Cougars a 36-15 lead through 10 bouts. After the Cavos won three straight, including two regular decisions and the outcome no longer in doubt, senior Ty Eldred scored a 3-1 win at 285.

Delaware Valley (15-4), which dropped a 30-29 decision to Kittatinny on Jan. 15, stormed past Point Pleasant Beach, 68-6, to secure the program's 20th sectional title and third in Group 1 after winning the first 17 in Group 2. It was also win No. 818 for the Hunterdon County school.

The Terriers, who will host Group 1 kingpin Paulsboro in the other Group 1 semifinal, are seeking their ninth state championship and first since winning it all in Group 2 in 2017. Coach Andy Fitz's teams are now 6-4 in sectional title matches, going 6-0 since a 31-30 win over Raritan in 2015.

Senior Trevor Bowen started things against Point Pleasant Beach with a pin at 215, one of nine for the hosts and 10 total in the matchup. Sam Thomas (165), Anderson Olcott (175) and Matt Schneider (190) finished it with three straight pins.

2022 Sectional Champions!

DV 68, Pt Beach 6

Win #818

Tim Torrey changed the number! pic.twitter.com/ukG0m5Lh3i

— Del Val Wrestling (@DVRWrestling) February 10, 2022

Wrestling: Group semis, NP section finals matchups

Pairings for the public semifinals in Groups 1-5 and the four Non-Public sectional finals to be contested on Friday at the higher seed. Winners advance to Sunday's state championships at Franklin High School.

Sunday's schedule is as follows: Group 1 and Non-Public B, 9 a.m.; Groups 5, 3 and Non-Public A, 11:30 a.m., and Groups 4 and 2, 2 p.m.

Group 5

4-Livingston (13-3, 32.80) at 1-Howell (21-4, 36.30)

3-Phillipsburg (14-1, 32.00)* at 2-Southern (17-0, 34.40)

* -- Phillipsburg defeated Livingston, 37-22, on Jan. 17

Group 4

4-Shawnee (23-1, 30.30) at 1-Mount Olive (16-2, 35.40)

3-Brick Memorial (17-3, 33.10) at 2-North Hunterdon (16-4, 34.70)

Group 3

4-Paramus (16-3, 28.80) at 1-Warren Hills (17-3, 35.00)

3-South Plainfield (16-2, 32.10) at 2-Delsea (19-4, 33.10)

Group 2

4-Hanover Park (15-5, 28.50) at 1-Raritan (20-6, 33.10)

3-Collingswood (24-2, 29.10) at 2-High Point (12-4, 32.30)

Group 1

4-Roselle Park (12-2, 26.10) at 1-Kittatinny (18-2, 30.60)*

3-Paulsboro (17-0, 29.90) at 2-Delaware Valley (15-4, 32.40)

* -- Kittatinny defeated Delaware Valley, 30-29, on Jan. 15

Non-Public North A final

2-Bergen Catholic (10-1) at 1-Delbarton (12-1)

Non-Public North B final

2-St. Thomas Aquinas (15-6) at 1-Pope John (8-4)

Non-Public South A final

3-St. Augustine (13-3) at 1-Christian Brothers Academy (17-2)

Non-Public South B final

2-Holy Spirit (10-6) at 1-Red Bank Catholic (11-5)

Wrestling: HWS sends 7 to public sectional finals

Phillipsburg and Warren Hills were nearly perfect as both easily advanced in Monday night's quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the NJSIAA sectional wrestling tournaments. 

In all, eight teams (Pope John is in the Non-Public North B semis) from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area are vying for titles. The area record is seven championships (1988, 1994, 1995, 2002).

P'burg (13-1), which is seeking an HWS area-best 39th sectional title, won 27 of 28 bouts in wins against fellow Skyland Conference foes Bridgewater-Raritan (68-5) and Franklin (80-0) in North 2, Group 5. Senior James Day picked up his 100th and 101st victories -- becoming the 25th to do so wrestling all four years at the Warren County school (two others were transfers). Day, one of the top 126-pounders in New Jersey, is 26-2 on the season and 101-29 overall.

WH also won conference titles in 2020, '21 and '22.

The top-seeded Stateliners, who are 38-3 all-time in title matches (missing in 1990, 2013 and 2020), will meet No. 3 seed Watchung Hills for the second time this season on Wednesday night in Lopatcong Township. The 'Liners topped the Warriors, 70-10, to earn the program's 1,000th victory in a Skyland Conference crossover contest at home on Jan. 6.

Warren Hills (16-3), the No. 1 seed in North 2, Group 3, also lost just one bout in wins against Rahway (77-0) in the quarterfinals and Mendham (63-3) in the semis. The Blue Streaks, who seek the program's sixth sectional title and first since 2007, will host No. 2 seed West Essex in a rematch of their 2020 title match, won by the Knights, 34-31, in North Caldwell.

Hills, which is 5-9 all-time in finals and lost its five previous finals appearances since 2007, is now 3-0 vs. Rahway and 5-0 vs. Mendham in career postseason meetings. Seniors Jared Lee (27-1 at 144) and Tyler McCatharn (24-3 at 285) picked up their 82nd and 92nd victories, respectively, while Stephen Malia (24-1 at 165) sits at 78-28 overall.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JAMES DAY FOR HIS 100th WIN!! pic.twitter.com/0CBjKbWGRL

— Phillipsburg Wrestling (@PBurgHSWrestlin) February 8, 2022

Big 5

Hunterdon Central, the No. 3 seed in Central Jersey, also advanced in the ridiculously-loaded Group 5 field with wins over Freehold Township (66-9) and No. 2 Rancocas Valley (44-27). The Red Devils (14-3), who have won 22 sectional titles in their history since the tournaments began in 1980, advance to face No. 1 Howell in the championship match.

Senior Tanner Peake (26-3), a sixth-place finisher in last year's state tournament, picked up a pair of forfeit victories and is 109-25 overall -- passing 1984 state champion Todd Patton (108-7-1 from 1980-84), Tim Cunningham (108-14-4 from 1989-93) and Kyle Brewer (108-31 from 1999-2003) for 12th place on the school's all-time wins list.

Final 4

North has won 2 titles in N2, G4 (2009 and '20)

North Hunterdon, which is seeking the program's 16th sectional title, will make a second consecutive North 2, Group 4 championship appearance after wins over Irvington (58-12) and Middletown North (43-27).

The top-seeded Lions, who fashioned their first unbeaten season in winning the Group 4 title in 2020, will host No. 3 Ridge on Wednesday night. Coach Chris Hrunka's team handed the Red Devils a 63-3 loss in North's regular-season finale on Feb. 2.

Senior Liam Akers (27-1 at 285), one of two state medal winners, along with junior Alex Uryniak (26-3 at 190), up top for North, picked up a pair of wins and is 81-18 overall.

Two!

High Point continued its march toward a Sussex County-best 29th sectional title with wins over Ramsey (56-15) and Newton (54-18). The latter victory also secured the NJAC Freedom Division title for the 'Cats as Friday's scheduled match was nixed due to inclement weather.

High Point has won 28 sectional and 6 state titles.

Coach John Gardner's team, which seeks the program's fifth consecutive sectional championship since 2017, will host No. 3 seed Jefferson once again in the title match. High Point (11-4), which has not won five straight titles since 2010-14 (program record is seven from 1986-92), handed Jefferson a 52-18 loss on Feb. 1 and a 52-16 loss in the 2020 semifinals en route to winning the Group 2 state title. The Falcons, who won their seventh and last sectional championship in 2000, also lost to the 'Cats in the 2017 and '18 finals.

High Point ace Brian Soldano (24-0 at 190), a two-time state champion and Rutgers recruit, picked up two pins on Monday to give him 21 on the season and 87 career (he also has two forfeits and a technical fall victory this season). Soldano, now 113-5 overall and riding a 61-match win streak dating to 2020, moved into a tie with Alex Dalrymple (113-29 from 2004-08) for 12th place on the school's all-time wins list.

Senior Clayton Utter (12-2) improved to 85-24 overall with wins against Ramsey and Newton.

The 1s

Kittatinny and Delaware Valley took steps toward a potential rematch in Sunday's Group 1 final as both easily advanced to sectional title matchups.

John Gill picked up his 600th win in 2021.

The Cougars (17-2), the top seed in North 1, Group 1, rolled past Lenape Valley (60-15) and Pompton Lakes (66-12) as legendary coach John Gill bids for his 23rd sectional title against Emerson-Park Ridge on Wednesday in Hampton Township. Gill (623-197-5 in 42 seasons) and EPR coach Stan Woods (New Jersey's all-time leader with 802 wins) have combined for 1,425 victories in 97 seasons.

The Terriers (14-4), also a No. 1 seed, rolled past Asbury Park (73-6) and Manville (60-6) to reach the Central Jersey, Group 1 final. Coach Andy Fitz's team, seeking the program's 20th championship and sixth since 2015, will take on No. 2 Point Pleasant Beach.

Public finals and Non-Public semifinals

Note: All No. 1 seeds and six No. 3 seeds advanced on the public side

Group 5

North 1

2-Passaic Tech (15-5, 28.50) at 1-Livingston (12-3, 32.80)

North 2

3-Watchung Hills (14-8, 26.90) at 1-Phillipsburg (13-1, 32.00)

Central Jersey

3-Hunterdon Central (14-3, 29.70) at 1-Howell (20-4, 36.30)

South Jersey

2-Kingsway (11-1, 31.22) at 1-Southern (16-0, 34.40)

Group 4

North 1

2-Morris Knolls (15-5, 29.00) at 1-Mount Olive (15-2, 35.40)

North 2

3-Ridge (8-10, 26.60) at 1-North Hunterdon (15-4, 34.70)

Central Jersey

2-Brick Memorial (16-3, 33.10) at 1-Middletown South (15-4, 33.40)

South Jersey

3-Moorestown (15-8, 27.40) at 1-Shawnee (22-1, 30.30)

Group 3

North 1

2-Paramus (15-3, 28.80) at 1-Morris Hills (17-5, 29.10)

North 2

2-West Essex (12-6, 31.90)  at 1-Warren Hills (16-3, 35.00)

Central Jersey

2-Robbinsville (19-2, 28.20) at 1-South Plainfield (15-2, 32.10)

South Jersey

2-Lacey Township (23-4, 32.00) at 1-Delsea (18-4, 33.10)

Group 2

North 1

3-Jefferson (18-3, 28.60) at 1-High Point (11-4, 32.30)

North 2

2-Governor Livingston (17-2, 28.20) at 1-Hanover Park (14-5, 28.50)

Central Jersey

2-Rumson-Fair Haven (11-9, 28.50) at 1-Raritan (19-6, 33.10)

South Jersey

2-Haddonfield (17-7, 28.30) at 1-Collingswood (23-2, 29.10)

Group 1

North 1

3-Emerson-Park Ridge (12-5, 26.90) at 1-Kittatinny (17-2, 30.60)

North 2

2-Roselle Park (11-2, 26.10) at 1-Hasbrouck Heights (15-7, 26.40)

Central Jersey

2-Point Pleasant Beach (15-7, 26.60) at 1-Delaware Valley (14-4, 32.40)

South Jersey

2-Gloucester City (18-7, 27.70) at 1-Paulsboro (16-0, 29.90)

Non-Public

North A

4-Paramus Catholic (9-2, 32.00) at 1-Delbarton (11-1, 34.00)
3-St. Joseph-Montvale (7-2, 31.43) at 2-Bergen Catholic (9-1, 32.33)

North B

4-DePaul (7-14, 24.70) at 1-Pope John (7-4, 28.89)
3-Pingry (11-2, 25.22) at 2-St. Thomas Aquinas (14-6, 28.70)

South A

4-St. Joseph-Metuchen (17-3, 30.80) at 1-Christian Brothers Academy (16-2, 34.70)
3-St. Augustine (12-3, 27.29) at 2-St. John Vianney (15-3, 34.00)

South B

5-St. Rose (3-16, 15.50) at 1-Red Bank Catholic (10-5, 27.80)
3-Donovan Catholic (7-9, 24.10) at 2-Holy Spirit (9-6, 25.00)

Wrestling: HWS schedule for Feb. 7-13

Monday, Feb. 7

(All matches 6 p.m., unless noted)

NJSIAA 

North 2, Group 5

Bridgewater-Raritan at Phillipsburg, 5 p.m., winner to face Newark East Side or Franklin

Central Jersey, Group 5

Freehold Township vs. Hunterdon Central, winner to face Monroe or Rancocas Valley

North 2, Group 4

Irvington at North Hunterdon, 4:30 p.m., winner to face Middletown North or Sayreville

North 2, Group 3

Rahway at Warren Hills, 5 p.m., winner to face Roxbury or Mendham

North 1, Group 2

Ramsey at High Point, winner to face Newton or Pascack Hills

North 2, Group 2

Hackettstown at Governor Livingston, 5 p.m., winner to face Voorhees or Passaic Valley

North 1, Group 1

Lenape Valley at Kittatinny, 5:30 p.m., winner to face Cresskill or Pompton Lakes

Central Jersey, Group 1

Asbury Park at Delaware Valley, winner to face Keansburg or Manville

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Parsippany at Vernon-Wallkill Valley

Tuesday, Feb. 8

(All matches 6 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

North Warren, Kinnelon at Randolph, 4 p.m.

Independent

West Milford at Sparta, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 9

(All matches 6 p.m.)

NJSIAA 

Sectional finals

North 2, Group 5

Watchung Hills at Phillipsburg

Central Jersey, Group 5

Hunterdon Central at Howell

North 2, Group 4

Ridge at North Hunterdon

North 2, Group 3

West Essex at Warren Hills

North 1, Group 2

Jefferson at High Point

North 1, Group 1

Emerson-Park Ridge at Kittatinny

Central Jersey, Group 1

Point Pleasant Beach at Delaware Valley

Non-Public North B semifinals

DePaul at Pope John

Skyland Conference

Rutgers Prep at Belvidere

Thursday, Feb. 10

(All matches 7 p.m., unless noted)

Independent

Belvidere at Pen Argyl (Pa.)
Somerville at Newton, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 11

(All matches 6 p.m., unless noted)

NJSIAA 

Group semifinals

Group 5

Phillipsburg at Southern

Group 4

Brick Memorial at North Hunterdon

Group 3

Paramus at Warren Hills

Group 2

Collingswood at High Point

Group 1

Roselle Park at Kittatinny
Paulsboro at Delaware Valley

Non-Public North B final

St. Thomas Aquinas at Pope John

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hopatcong, Boonton at North Warren, 4 p.m.
Lenape Valley at Hackettstown, 7 p.m.
Sparta at Randolph, 4 p.m.

Skyland Conference

Watchung Hills at Hunterdon Central

Independent

Iselin Kennedy at Voorhees
Vernon-Wallkill Valley at Passaic
Wilson (Pa.) at Belvidere, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 12

(All events 9 a.m., unless noted)

Tri-meets and quads

Hunterdon Central, Lenape Valley, at Roxbury quad
Hackettstown, Paramus Catholic, Plainfield at Watchung Hills, 10 a.m.
Belvidere, Jefferson, Westfield at West Morris
Sparta, New Milford at Wayne Hills
Hopatcong at Red Bank Regional quad

Sunday, Feb. 13

State team championships at Franklin 

Group 1

Delaware Valley vs. Kittatinny, 9 a.m.

Non-Public B

Red Bank Catholic vs. Pope John, 9 a.m.

Group 5

Phillipsburg vs. Howell, 11:30 a.m.

Group 3

Delsea vs. Warren Hills, 11:30 a.m.

Group 2

Raritan vs. High Point, 2 p.m.

Wrestling: Mat return! South off to 'promising start'

Leigh Hall had a wrestling vision. If South Hunterdon could rebuild it, the sport would come back to the tiny Group 1 school off Route 31 in West Amwell Township. 

After a 21-year absence, the Eagles are wrapping their first season as a junior varsity program. 

South Hunterdon, which dropped the sport following the 2000-01 season, has 19 boys on the current roster (three seniors), including five with previous experience. Hall is pleased with the group and their progress thus far. His team has competed in four dual meets and is gearing up for its fourth and final tournament this weekend at Somerville.

South returned to the mats for the 1st time in 21 years.

"The kids have all bought into the vision of where we eventually would like to get to as a program," Hall said. "All the kids have really enjoyed the season. Nobody was certain what this may look like when we started out, but this has been a promising start."

Hall, 55, one of wrestling's good guys and legendary men's league softball player, is no stranger to the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area. The former Delaware Valley standout, a District 16 champion and Region 4 runner-up at heavyweight as a senior in 1985, has made the rounds in Hunterdon County as an assistant coach with stints at Hunterdon Central (16 seasons from 2005-2021), Delaware Valley (1997-2004) and Voorhees (1989-97). 

Now in his 32nd year overall, Hall, a first-time head coach, has another veteran with him on the bench in assistant coach Bill Bevich, who previously served in the same capacity at East Brunswick. Hall said that former Hunterdon Central star and assistant coach Pat Strizki, a three-time state placewinner and runner-up at 119 pounds in 2007 who ranks second on the Red Devils' wins list (141-18 from 2003-07), has shown interest in helping out as well. His father, Brian Strizki, is a 1976 South graduate and former wrestler for the Eagles.

South will be a JV program for at least one more season.

"I have been so fortunate to coach many great kids over the years," Hall said. "Many have been reaching out to me wanting to help me with the South program anyway they can."

South Hunterdon, which originally formed the wrestling program in 1974 under longtime coach Barry Runkle, struggled to keep up in the old District 17 and with a county that featured four New Jersey powers in its heyday. 

Individually, Brian Mundhenk is the only Eagle to reach the state tournament (preliminaries at 158 pounds in 1980). Joel Horner (heavyweight in 1992), Doug Sheetz (103 in 1995) and Paul Simone (215 in 1996), all runners-up, were the school's only Hunterdon-Warren Tournament (no Sussex then) finalists.

Hall is looking forward to South's progression next season and beyond. It's a fine beginning and a great sign for the sport since programs that fold tend to stay that way. Sussex Tech, which also never had a state medalist, began wrestling in 1969 and has not resurfaced since disbanding after the 2003-04 campaign.

"We will definitely be JV again next season," Hall said. "I'm looking to build our duals up to around 15 and wrestle in as many tournaments as possible. Our goal is to continue to show progress in numbers and community interest in hopes of soon wrestling as a varsity unit.

"The school administration and community have been so supportive of re-establishing the wrestling program. It's going to take a little time, but we are going to get this done."

Wrestling: Streaks dominate Terriers in title tune-up

With postseason championship week right around the corner, Warren Hills stayed the course with an impressive 57-3 win over Delaware Valley to secure the Skyland Conference Valley Division title on Tuesday night in Washington Township. 

The Blue Streaks (13-3, 4-0 division), who won 13 bouts, secured their fourth straight division crown (third outright) as they extended their win streak over the Terriers (12-5, 3-1) to three in a row. Warren Hills, which has now outscored Del Val, 153-35, during that stretch, produced its second-largest margin of victory and most team points in the series since a 56-0 shutout (then Washington High School) in the inaugural meeting in 1962. Delaware Valley, which owns the only other shutout (66-0 in 1981) in the series, previously hit 50 in a 57-9 victory in 2000.

Warren Hills is now 4-2 at home this season.

Del Val, which owns a 31-22 edge overall, dropped the first eight bouts before sophomore Ben Levy, who logged the only two takedowns for the Terriers, scored a 6-2 decision over Ryan Lundy at 138 pounds. Warren Hills, which finished with a 23-2 edge on its feet, closed it out with two decisions, including a 4-3 win by Cody Miller over Chris Colasurdo (behind a third-period reversal) at 150, two pins and one technical fall.

The match started in a great spot for Warren Hills as  its strong group of upper weights set the tone. Senior Ryan Galka opened with a 10-2 major over Matt Schneider at 190. Galka (21-5), who has really come on in the second half of the season, hit a five-point move in the first period and added two more backs in the second. Junior Jarett Pantuso (20-5), who finished eighth in the state last season at 215, added a 6-0 decision and fellow state medalist Tyler McCatharn, sixth at 285, decked Kyle Cooke in 49 seconds.

The Streaks' lineup got even stronger with the return of senior Max Pagano, who stretched the lead to 34-0 after Sam Kirkpatrick defaulted in their bout at 132. Pagano had missed most of the season due to right elbow injury, but he looked sharp in his debut with a pair of first-period takedowns. Early in the second period, Kirkpatrick (15-10) appeared to sustain a right foot or ankle injury and could not continue.

Del Val, which closes out the regular season at home against Phillipsburg on Friday, hopes to be at full strength for next week. The Terriers, who are the top seed in Central Jersey, Group 1, are looking to make a run at the program's 20th sectional title and its first state championship since winning it all in Group 2 in 2017.

Warren Hills, which will host Livingston, the top seed in North 1, Group 5, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night, is the No. 1 seed in North 2, Group 3. The Streaks are eyeing the program's first sectional title since 2007 and first state championship since winning Group 3 in 1997.  

Hills performance against Del Val, which was coming off a pretty good showing in its 29-28 loss to Hunterdon Central on Monday, was reminiscent of the 35-15 rout of Phillipsburg on Jan, 14. Coach Dave Sbriscia's team won the first 10 bouts with a 22-1 advantage in takedowns. The Strreaks were impressive in all phases against the Terriers, particularly on the mat (15 sets of back points and two other turns that ended with pins).

WARREN HILLS 57, DELAWARE VALLEY 3

190 -- Sr. Ryan Galka (21-5), WH, md. Sr. Matt Schneider (17-10), 10-2.
215 -- Jr. Jarett Pantuso (20-5), WH, d. Sr. Trevor Bowen (16-9), 6-0.
285 -- Sr. Tyler McCatharn (21-3), WH, p. So. Kyle Cooke (5-6), :49.
106 -- Fr. Charlie Piccione (14-3), WH, d. Jr. Owen Kucharski (17-7), 8-2.
113 -- Sr. Kevin Riedinger (19-4), WH, d. So. Jake Taylor (12-9), 7-2.
120 -- So. Josh Lee (16-6), WH, md. Sr. Robert Groogan (5-2), 10-0.
126 -- Jr. Shawn Redfield (22-3), WH, tf. Fr. Jackson Bush (12-11), 16-0, 4:33.
132 -- Sr. Max Pagano (1-0), WH, default Sr. Sam Kirkpatrick (15-10), 2:05.
138 -- So. Ben Levy (17-9), DV, d. Jr. Ryan Lundy (8-14), 6-2.
144 -- Sr. Jared Lee (24-1), WH, d. Jr. Brayden Schneider (10-11), 6-1.
150 -- Jr. Cody Miller (16-7), WH, d. Jr. Chris Colasurdo (18-5), 4-3.
157 -- Jr. Michael Drazek (17-6), WH, tf. Sr. Noah Sheeley (19-7), 15-0, 3:06.
165 -- Sr. Stephen Malia (21-1), WH, p. Sr. Sam Thomas (6-5), 2:39.
175 -- Sr. Owen Frizzell (21-3), WH, p. So. Anderson Olcott (11-11), 1:18.
Records -- Delaware Valley 12-5, 3-1; Warren Hills 13-3, 4-0.
Official -- Joe Benvenuto.

Wrestling: HWS earns 7 top seeds (section pairings)

Let's get to the point. It wouldn't be a high school wrestling season in New Jersey without a controversy surrounding the release of final power point totals. Right on cue, a second set filled with corrections was released about 3 1/2 hours after the initial version hit inboxes around the state on Monday afternoon.

Delaware Valley coach Andy Fitz immediately noticed irregularities with the initial totals, noting that they seemed much lower than in previous years. The mathematics teacher and Lehigh University grad was again spot on, as several teams, including his Terriers, jumped up as much as three full points while many saw at least a .01 increase. A few Skyland Conference teams also had a rise in numbers.

Kittatinny eyes its 23rd sectional title.

In all, 12 Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area teams qualified for the upcoming sectional tournaments, which get underway with two rounds on Monday. The public school higher seeds will host -- 1 vs. 8 and 5 vs. 4 with the winners squaring off in the semifinals, same with 3 vs. 6 and 7 vs. 2. The championship finals are set for Wednesday, Feb. 9. 

The Non-Public schedule has quarterfinals set for Monday, followed by semifinals on Wednesday, Feb. 9 and finals on Friday, Feb. 11. Also under the new format, public sectional champs move on to the Group semifinals (seeded by power points) on Friday, Feb. 11. 

The public and Non-Public winners move on to the Group finals at Franklin High School on Sunday, Feb. 13. Group 1 and Non-Public B will be at 9 a.m.; Group 5, 3 and Non-Public A at 11:30 a.m., followed by Group 4 and 2 at 2 p,m.

Phillipsburg (North 2, Group 5), North Hunterdon (North 2, Group 4), Warren Hills (North 2, Group 3), High Point (North 1, Group 2), Delaware Valley (Central Jersey, Group 1), Kittatinny (North 1, Group 1) and Pope John (Non-Public North B) all earned No. 1 seeds.

Hunterdon Central (Central Jersey, Group 5) is a No. 3 seed, while Newton (North 1, Group 2) is a No. 5 seed. Voorhees and Hackettstown are the Nos. 6 and 7 seeds in North 2, Group 2. Lenape Valley is the No. 8 seed in North 1, Group 1.

The seeding committee met on Tuesday to finalize the pairings in each section and break any existing ties based on head-to-head, where applicable, followed in order by average of all duals, common opponents and winning percentage. Pairings become official as of noon on Thursday.

Phillipsburg (9-1), ranked No. 13 in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20, breathed a collective sigh of relief on Sunday when it was announced that the NJSIAA had waived the 10-match (in-state) requirement to qualify.

The Stateliners, who have won an HWS-best 38 sectional titles, annually wrestle Easton (Pa.) and will surely reevaluate how they cobble together any future schedules. In fairness, head coach Brad Gentzle had little input on the 2021-22 slate since it was mostly set during the coaching transition last spring. P'burg has long maintained stances to not wrestle dual meets involving Non-Public schools and only single duals (no tri-meets or quads). But one or both may have to change starting in 2022-23.

One possible scenario is to join dual meet events such as the Henry Boresch Duals or Patriot Duals at North Warren, provided either has openings for 2023. However, one potential drawback there is that North Hunterdon and High Point also compete in those tournaments and locals are trying to schedule competitions against teams they don't already see more than once a season. 

The Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament, which was a week earlier than usual this season, is likely to go back to its normal slot on Jan. 15, 2023, and the 'Liners regularly attend the King of the Mountain Tournament and Bethlehem Holiday Classic, where they track heavily against New Jersey's 30-match limit. P'burg also has previously attended the Virginia Duals, but that long running event is set for Jan. 13-15, 2023, which would conflict with HWS so that's likely not an option. There is certainly no guarantee of facing New Jersey schools in that tournament.

Warren Hills (12-3), ranked by Open Mike as the No. 1 team in HWS and No. 11 in the state by the NJWWA, is gearing up for a run at capturing the program's sixth sectional title and first since 2007. Coach Dave Sbriscia's Blue Streaks are 9-1 since a 33-22 loss to North Hunterdon on Jan. 7. Delsea (South Jersey) and South Plainfield (Central Jersey) are also Group 3 title contenders and odds-on favorites in those sections.

High Point won the program's 6th state title in 2020.

High Point (8-4), which won the Group 2 title in 2020, is an overwhelming favorite to claim its Sussex County-best 29th sectional title. Coach John Gardner's Wildcats were slowed earlier this season due to COVID-19 and injuries, but the lineup seems to be rounding into shape at the right time, though junior Roman Citro (10-4 at 120-126) has been sidelined with a knee injury sustained at the Patriot Duals on Jan. 22. Senior ace Brian Soldano (21-0 at 190), a Rutgers commit who is 110-5 overall, has 85 career pins (19 this season, plus one technical fall and a forfeit victory) and is riding a 58-match win streak dating to 2020.

North Hunterdon (12-4), which won the Group 4 title to cap the program's first unbeaten season in 2020, is seeking its 16th sectional championship. Coach Chris Hrunka's Lions aren't the state favorites this time around as Mount Olive (11-2), the top seed in North 1, Group 4, bids for the Morris County program's third sectional and first state championship. North handed Mount Olive a 40-19 loss in the 2020 Group 4 semifinals. 

Group 5 is surely the toughest field to navigate, but Group 1 is interesting from a local standpoint as Kittatinny and Delaware Valley have designs on a state title. The Cougars prevailed, 30-29, when the teams met in Hampton Township on Jan. 15. Coach John Gill has led Kittatinny to 22 sectional and eight state titles, seven in Group 2 and the last in Group 1 in 2008, while Fitz guided the Terriers, who have won 19 sectional championships, to their eighth and last state title in Group 2 in 2017. 

Should they both win sectional titles as expected, Kittatinny would be the top seed over Del Val (No. 2 seed) -- based on head-to-head -- for the Group 1 semifinal round. Kittatinny owns an 11-6 edge in the all-time series, including four wins in the Group 2 final (2001, '02, '05 and '06). 

Here are the seeds and pairings (records are through Jan. 30):

Group 5

North 1

At Livingston

1-Livingston (10-2, 32.80) vs. 8-Montclair (2-6, 16.75)
5-North Bergen (6-2, 25.75) vs. 4-Clifton (10-8, 26.50)

At Passaic Tech

3-Morristown (9-5, 27.10) vs. 6-Bloomfield (4-9, 23.80)
7-West Orange (1-5, 23.17) vs. 2-Passaic Tech (12-4, 28.50)

North 2

At Phillipsburg

1-Phillipsburg (9-1, 32.00) vs. 8-Bridgewater-Raritan (4-6, 23.00)
5-Newark East Side (8-2, 24.00) vs. 4-Franklin (8-5, 26.20)

At Westfield

3-Watchung Hills (8-7, 26.90) vs. 6-J.P. Stevens (6-9, 23.80)
7-Bayonne (5-7, 23.20) vs. 2-Westfield (10-5, 27.70)

Central Jersey

At Howell

1-Howell (16-3, 36.30) vs. 8-Edison (6-6, 23.40)
5-Hillsborough (5-8, 27.70) vs. 4-Old Bridge (10-6, 28.60)

At Rancocas Valley

3-Hunterdon Central (10-3, 29.70) vs. 6-Freehold Township (12-7, 27.60)
7-Monroe Township (12-3, 26.70) vs. 2-Rancocas Valley (14-3, 29.80)

South Jersey

At Southern

1-Southern (13-0, 34.40) vs. 8-Egg Harbor (6-15, 24.90)
5-Washington Township (12-5, 27.00) vs. 4-Williamstown (11-4, 27.80)

At Kingsway

3-Cherokee (12-5, 28.10) vs. 6-Toms River North (6-12, 25.10)
7-Lenape (7-3, 25.00) vs. 2-Kingsway (8-1, 31.22)

Group 4

North 1

At Mount Olive

1-Mount Olive (11-2, 35.40) vs. 8-Lyndhurst-North Arlington (6-4, 23.40)
5-Randolph (7-9, 26.60) vs. 4-Northern Highlands (7-6, 28.60)

At Morris Knolls

3-Ridgewood (9-5, 28.10) vs. 6-Bogota-Ridgefield Park (11-2, 26.30)
7-Fair Lawn (6-11, 25.50) vs. 2-Morris Knolls (12-5, 29.00)

North 2

At North Hunterdon

1-North Hunterdon (12-4, 34.70) vs. 8-Irvington (7-2, 25.33)
5-Middletown North (5-9, 26.30) vs. 4-Sayreville (12-6, 26.40)

At Woodbridge 

3-Ridge (6-7, 26.60) vs. 6-Kearny (9-1, 26.10)
7-Scotch Plains-Fanwood (9-3, 25.90) vs. 2-Woodbridge (11-4, 27.50)

Central Jersey

At Middletown South

1-Middletown South (11-3, 33.40) vs. 8-Colts Neck (7-9, 26.10)
5-Manalapan (10-11, 26.70) vs. 4-Freehold Boro (9-5, 29.90)

At Brick Memorial 

3-Jackson Memorial (12-6, 31.50) vs. 6-Long Branch (7-7, 27.40)
7-Princeton (11-2, 26.20) vs. 2-Brick Memorial (14-3, 33.10)

South Jersey

At Shawnee

1-Shawnee (16-1, 30.30) vs. 8-Central Regional (7-11, 25.60)
5-Toms River South (8-7, 26.30) vs. 4-Toms River East (9-9, 27.20)

At Northern Burlington

3-Moorestown (10-8, 27.40) vs. 6-Hammonton (9-6, 26.80)
7-Pennsauken (8-11, 25.90) vs. 2-Northern Burlington (13-2, 28.70)

Group 3

North 1

At Morris Hills

1-Morris Hills (14-5, 29.10) vs. 8-Wayne Valley (6-10, 24.40)
5-Pascack Valley (12-4, 27.50) vs. 4-Old Tappan (9-2, 27.30)

At Paramus

3-Montville (7-3, 28.30) vs. 6-Wayne Hills (6-8, 25.60)
7-Garfield (6-4, 24.70) vs. 2-Paramus (11-3, 28.80) 

North 2

At Warren Hills

1-Warren Hills (12-3, 35.00) vs. 8-Rahway (4-5, 22.22)
5-Roxbury (6-8, 26.80) vs. 4-Mendham (10-5, 29.00)

At West Essex

3-Cranford (13-4, 29.70) vs. 6-West Morris (6-12, 28.50)
7-Parsippany Hills (9-8, 25.60) vs. 2-West Essex (9-6, 31.90) 

Central Jersey

At South Plainfield

1-South Plainfield (10-2, 32.10) vs. 8-Matawan (7-10, 25.90)
5-Hopewell Valley (11-2, 26.80) vs. 4-Ocean Township (9-5, 27.40)

At Robbinsville 

3-Wall (10-7, 27.90) vs. 6-Brick Township (10-7, 26.20)
7-Lawrence (10-4, 26.00) vs. 2-Robbinsville (15-2, 28.20)

South Jersey

At Delsea

1-Delsea (14-3, 33.10) vs. 8-Westampton Tech (7-4, 24.20)
5-Mainland (8-6, 25.50) vs. 4-Absegami (11-6, 26.20)

At Lacey Township

3-Seneca (11-5, 26.90) vs. 6-Pemberton (9-7, 25.30)
7-Ocean City (5-10, 24.70) vs. 2-Lacey Township (15-4, 32.00)

Group 2

North 1

At High Point

1-High Point (8-4, 32.30) vs. 8-Ramsey (8-7, 26.00)

5-Newton (7-6, 27.20) vs. 4-Pascack Hills (9-3, 27.40)

At River Dell

 

3-Jefferson (16-1, 28.60) vs. 6-Demarest (11-2, 26.00)

7-Westwood (10-7, 26.00) vs. 2-River Dell (11-7, 29.70)

North 2

At Hanover Park

1-Hanover Park (12-4, 28.50) vs. 8-Rutherford (6-4, 24.40)
5-Madison (9-5, 26.50) vs. 4-Caldwell (9-4, 26.30)

At Governor Livingston 

3-Passaic Valley (10-5, 27.30) vs. 6-Voorhees (10-5, 26.10) 
7-Hackettstown (4-12, 24.70) vs. 2-Governor Livingston (11-2, 28.20)

Central Jersey

At Raritan

1-Raritan (14-6, 33.10) vs. 8-Holmdel (7-9, 25.50)
5-Cinnaminson (5-10, 26.10) vs. 4-Manasquan (10-4, 26.30)

At Rumson-Fair Haven

3-Point Pleasant Boro (11-2, 27.20) vs. 6-Middlesex-Dunellen (11-6, 26.00)
7-Delran (8-6, 25.60) vs. 2-Rumson-Fair Haven (7-6, 28.50)

South Jersey

At Collingswood

1-Collingswood (16-1, 29.10) vs. 8-Oakcrest (5-8, 23.40)
5-Middle Township (10-4, 26.10) vs. 4-West Deptford (10-7, 28.10)

At Haddonfield 

3-Lower Cape May (14-4, 27.70) vs. 6-Sterling (6-13, 24.70)
7-Haddon Heights (6-11, 25.00) vs. 2-Haddonfield (13-7, 28.30)

Group 1

North 1

At Kittatinny

1-Kittatinny (13-2, 30.60) vs. 8-Lenape Valley (6-4, 24.70)
5-Cresskill (11-6, 26.00) vs. 4-Pompton Lakes (12-2, 26.70)

At Butler

3-Emerson-Park Ridge (8-4, 26.90) vs. 6-New Milford (7-9, 25.50)
7-Hawthorne (7-5, 25.30) vs. 2-Butler (16-4, 28.10)

North 2

At Hasbrouck Heights

1-Hasbrouck Heights (10-5, 26.40) vs. 8-Whippany Park (3-11, 23.40)
5-Verona (7-5, 24.00) vs. 4-Johnson (5-11, 24.20)

At Roselle Park

3-Mountain Lakes (8-6, 25.40) vs. 6-Secaucus (6-8, 23.60)
7-Boonton (5-9, 23.50) vs. 2-Roselle Park (8-2, 26.10)

Central Jersey

At Delaware Valley

1-Delaware Valley (12-3, 32.40) vs. 8-Asbury Park (4-8, 20.90)
5-Keansburg (7-8, 24.40) vs. 4-Manville (10-1, 26.30)

At Point Pleasant Beach

3-Shore Regional (13-6, 26.40) vs. 6-Spotswood (7-11, 24.10)
7-Bound Brook (3-13, 23.90) vs. 2-Point Pleasant Beach (11-6, 26.60)

South Jersey

At Paulsboro

1-Paulsboro (13-0, 29.90) vs. 8-Pitman (10-7, 24.80)
5-Palmyra (9-7, 25.50) vs. 4-Woodstown (10-4, 27.10)

At Gloucester City

3-Audubon (13-5, 28.10) vs. 6-Haddon Township (8-8, 25.50)
7-Pennsville (7-7, 25.20) vs. 2-Gloucester City (13-6, 27.70)

Non-Public

North A

5-St. Peter's Prep (8-1, 31.22) at 4-Paramus Catholic (7-1, 32.00), winner to meet 1-Delbarton (10-0, 34.00) 

6-Seton Hall Prep (8-2, 30.20) at 3-St. Joseph-Montvale (6-1, 31.43)
7-Don Bosco Prep (4-3, 29.43) at 2-Bergen Catholic (6-1, 32.33)

North B

5-Newark Academy (2-4, 20.67) at 4-DePaul (5-11, 24.70), winner to meet 1-Pope John (7-3, 28.89)
3-Pingry (8-1, 25.22) at 2-St. Thomas Aquinas (12-5, 28.70)

South A

5-Camden Catholic (7-1, 27.63) at 4-St. Joseph-Metuchen (13-3, 30.80), winner to meet 1-Christian Brothers Academy (12-2, 34.70)

6-Paul VI-Haddonfield (4-11, 22.70) at 3-St. Augustine (8-3, 27.29)
7-Notre Dame (6-13, 21.40) at 2-St. John Vianney (12-2, 34.00)

South B

5-St. Rose (0-14, 15.50) at 4-Holy Cross (1-13, 17.40), winner to meet 1-Red Bank Catholic (10-3, 27.80)

3-Donovan Catholic (5-9, 24.10) at 2-Holy Spirit (6-5, 25.00)