Wrestling: HWS eyes expansion in NJWWA Top 20

The season's first New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20 released before the new year was unusually light where the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area is concerned. Same for the second as Phillipsburg remains the only local representative in the latest poll, which dropped on Tuesday morning.

P'burg (5-0), which is coming off wins over No. 18 Cranford and No. 19 Ridge, holds steady at No. 10 overall and is the state's third-ranked public school behind No. 8 Southern (6-0) and No. 9 Delsea (4-0).

But there's another local team looking to join the party as North Hunterdon gears up for a big Skyland Conference showdown with Delaware Valley on Wednesday night in Alexandria Township. Hunterdon County bragging rights will be on the line in a match that should give the winner a leg up in a very competitive Raritan Division title chase.

North (3-2), which owns a 31-26 lead in a series dating to 1963, dropped a 37-25 decision to Del Val at home in last season's meeting -- snapping the program's six-match win streak vs. the Terriers, who finished as the Group 1 runners-up. The Lions had won 10 of the previous 12 meetings in the rivalry.

"I'm excited about it," second-year North coach Dave Bell said following his team's 65-11 loss to Delsea in the Henry Boresch Duals title match at Newton on Saturday. "Last year, they were the better team. That was probably one of our better dual meets, we wrestled hard. We had them on their heels, not really in danger of beating them, but they knew they wrestled us. 

"This year, I think we're a little better matched. Should be a great environment [on Gold Rush Night at the Daniel Hutchins Memorial Gym]." 

Lion hearted

North, which wrestles perhaps the area's most rugged schedule, hasn't exactly eased into a new season. The Lions have already faced the state's top two publics -- opening the dual slate with a 55-18 loss to Southern on Dec. 18. Bell's club also participated in the Rams' tough Robin Leff Tournament and won the Ron Mazzola Memorial Tournament team title in Old Bridge before taking a needed 12-day break prior to returning to the mat in a 37-23 win over Warren Hills on Friday. 

NH after its 2nd runner-up finish at the Boresch since 2022

Just hours later, North headed to the 19th Boresch Duals, where the Lions knocked off South Plainfield (43-20) and Hillsborough (41-30) before facing a juggernaut Delsea squad.

"I think it was a good day for us," said Bell, whose team features state qualifiers Reid Buzby (8-2 at 126), Aidan Yarussi (8-2 at 132) and Evan Kinney (9-1 at 175). "I knew that we were kind of overmatched by Delsea, but I told [our team] that will be us one day. We'll catch them one day."

North has definitely been battle tested early on, which may give them an edge vs. Del Val, which is eyeing back-to-back wins in the series for the first time since 2016-17. The hosts also hope to celebrate senior ace Jaden Perez (14-0 at 126), who looks to become the 14th member of his school's 100-wins club at 99-18 overall. 

"It's been a good stretch," Bell said. "This was a strange season, not a lot of time to prepare. It was two [practice] weeks then a late Thanksgiving and an early start. We're all in the same boat, but I like where we are now. It's a good group. They're pretty positive about what they're doing and they fight -- even in defeat."

'Liner notes

P'burg, which is at 1,052 wins overall and travels to unbeaten Watchung Hills (5-0) on Wednesday, has also kept busy to start the season -- knocking off two fellow North 1, Group 4 sectional title contenders within the span of 14 days. 

After gutting out a 32-30 win over reigning Group 4 state runner-up Mount Olive on Dec. 21, coach Tim Longacre's team secured a 36-23 victory over Ridge, last season's Group 4 champion, as part of the Cranford Duals on Saturday.

Hawk was the OW at HWS in 2024

The 'Liners don't have the usual balance to their lineup, but freshman Matthew Velez (3-7 at 120) came up with crucial wins against Mount Olive and Cranford, while junior Massimo Gonzalez (14-2 at 126) is off to a great start. The key for P'burg is minimizing points lost up top, where the uppers besides senior Derek Stone (10-2 at 175) are battling through inexperience, while a strong group of middle weights will be tough for teams to navigate.

Talented seniors Luke Geleta (12-1 at 144) and Gavin Hawk (11-1 at 157) lead the way there, while junior Gavin Geleta (9-3 at 150) looks to take that next step. Down low, freshman Zack Swingle (8-4 at 106) has been a fine addition, while sophomores Anthony Pettinelli (10-4 at 113) and Owen Garriques (10-3 at 132) are proven winners. 

Hawk, a returning state finalist and 121-20 overall, is tied with former state runner-up Robert Melise (121-22 from 2013-17) for fifth place on Phillipsburg's all-time wins list. Hawk is looking to become the program's first four-time HWS Tournament champion on Saturday, while Pope John senior ace Carson Walsh (14-1 at 138), a state runner-up in 2024, also looks to join that exclusive club. 

Only two others have won four in the event's 15-year history -- JoJo Aragona (2016-19) and Eddie Ventresca (2017-20) -- both former state champs for PJ. 

Rank	School	Record	Votes	Previous
1	Delbarton (8)	(8-1)	160	1
2	St. Peter's Prep	(5-1)	150	3
3	St. John Vianney	(5-1)	144	4
4	Bergen Catholic	(4-1)	127	12
5	Christian Brothers Academy	(4-3)	125	6
6	Camden Catholic	(5-0)	122	5
7	St. Joseph-Montvale	(3-2)	119	2
8	Southern	(6-0)	108	7
9	Delsea	(4-0)	100	9
10	Phillipsburg	(5-0)	84	10
11	Rumson-Fair Haven	(5-0)	79	11
12	Mount Olive	(4-2)	64	14
13	St. Augustine Prep	(4-2)	63	17
14	Don Bosco Prep	(4-4)	62	8
15	Paramus Catholic	(1-2)	57	13
16	Caldwell	(4-0)	33	19
17	St. Joseph-Metuchen	(4-1)	31	18
18	Cranford	(5-1)	22	NR
19	Ridge	(7-2)	18	15
20	Washington Township	(4-0)	11	20

Also receiving votes: Seton Hall Prep (2-5) 9. 

Voting members listed in alphabetical order: Donald J. Brower (gardenstatehswrestling.com); Frank D’Esposito (shoreconferencewrestling.com); Steven Falk (Asbury Park Press and APP.com); Sean Farrell (The Record and NorthJersey.com); Tom McGurk (Courier Post and courierpostonline.com); Andy Mendlowitz (Courier News, Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com); Michael Weilamann (Open Mike and mikeopen.blogspot.com), Brad Wilson (lehighvalleylive.com/The Express-Times). 

Wrestling: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

(Through Saturday's matches)

Skyland Conference
Delaware Division
		Overall	Division
Watchung Hills		(5-0)	(1-0)
Hillsborough		(5-3)	(0-0)
Hunterdon Central		(2-5)	(0-0)
Phillipsburg		(5-0)	(0-0)
Bridgewater-Raritan		(6-2)	(0-1)
Raritan Division
		Overall	Division
Delaware Valley		(8-0)	(1-0)
North Hunterdon		(3-2)	(1-0)
Ridge		(7-2)	(0-0)
Immaculata		(3-3)	(0-1)
Warren Hills		(3-3)	(0-1)
Valley Division
		Overall	Division
Bernards		(2-2)	(1-0)
Somerville		(2-3)	(1-0)
Franklin		(2-3)	(1-1)
Montgomery		(4-3)	(0-0)
Voorhees		(0-5)	(0-2)
Mountain Division
		Overall	Division
Belvidere		(3-0)	(2-0)
Bound Brook		(3-6)	(2-0)
Manville		(5-1)	(1-0)
Pingry		(0-2)	(0-0)
Rutgers Prep		(0-3)	(0-2)
South Hunterdon		(0-4)	(0-2)
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Freedom Division
		Overall	Division
Hackettstown		(4-2)	(0-0)
High Point		(4-3)	(0-0)
Hopatcong-Lenape V		(2-3)	(0-0)
Jefferson		(1-6)	(0-0)
Kittatinny		(4-4)	(0-0)
American Division
		Overall	Division
Mount Olive		(5-2)	(1-0)
West Morris		(4-3)	(1-0)
Delbarton		(8-1)	(0-0)
Sparta		(2-3)	(0-0)
Morris Hills		(2-4)	(0-1)
Pope John		(4-3)	(0-1)
Colonial Division
		Overall	Division
Dover		(3-1)	(0-0)
Newton		(1-3)	(0-0)
North Warren		(0-1)	(0-0)
Vernon		(0-7)	(0-0)
Wallkill Valley		(0-5)	(0-0)

Wrestling: HWS schedule for Jan. 6-11

Tuesday, Jan. 7

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at High Point
Kittatinny at Jefferson
Morris Hills at Pope John
Vernon at Newton, 6 p.m.
North Warren at Dover, 6 p.m.
Mount Olive at Sparta

Wednesday, Jan. 8

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

Skyland Conference

North Hunterdon at Delaware Valley, 6 p.m.
Phillipsburg at Watchung Hills
Warren Hills at Bridgewater-Raritan, 6 p.m.
Manville at Belvidere

Independent

Montville at Hunterdon Central, 6:30 p.m.
South Hunterdon, South River at Highland Park, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Jefferson at Hackettstown, 6 p.m.
Hopatcong-Lenape Valley at High Point
Hanover Park at Kittatinny, 6:30 p.m.
Wallkill Valley at Newton
Sparta at Pope John
Dover at Vernon, 6 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 10

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

Independent

North Warren at Belvidere
Jefferson at Warren Hills
Morris Hills at Hunterdon Central, 6:30 p.m.
River Dell at Voorhees, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 11

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg, 9:30 a.m.

Wrestling: Goles 3xers talented trio (HWS rankings)

When it comes to the sport of wrestling, achieving what only a few others before have done can be a special feeling. The 66th John Goles Invitational on Saturday featured a rare moment as three from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area put their names in the history books in securing a third individual title.

Delaware Valley seniors Jaden Perez (132 pounds) and Jackson Bush (150), along with Warren Hills senior Charlie Piccione (126), joined a list that previously included only 38 other three- or four-timers in what was formerly the nation's second-longest consecutive holiday event. All three received plaques bearing the name of former tournament director Bill Lunger, who also served as the school's outstanding public address announcer for many years. Lunger died in 2019, but his love for this event and dedication to detail is missed to this day.

Warren Hills has produced 201 Goles champs

Piccione, whose second-place finish as a junior was a big motivator in his final attempt, became just the 19th Blue Streak to win at least three. Ryan Kanewski (1993-96) is the school's only four-time Goles champ.

Piccione (7-1), who has 92 career wins, also earned the distinction of capturing the program's 200th individual title and was later joined by senior Tyler Redfield (7-1), who won the gold at 144 pounds and snapped his string of three straight runner-up finishes vs. Del Val wrestlers. The names of all Streaks winners are prominently displayed on the practice room walls. Former Hills state champ and current assistant coach Marty White won twice (1989-90).

"It's definitely an honor," said Piccione, who is the school's first three-time winner since Matt Valli (2013-16) and got Hills on the title board after being shut out a year ago for the first time since 2002. "I was going for four [titles], but it didn't happen. It's an honor to be up on the wall with those guys."

Piccione's third title seemed to be a lock as he cruised to an 11-0 lead against Hopewell Valley's Dylan Hersh behind two four-point turns off tilts after one period. He added an escape before surrendering a pair of second-period takedowns and Hersh closed the gap to 13-9 with another takedown at the 26-second mark in the third, but Piccione held on for a 14-9 win.   

"I started putting the skates on and was getting too lackadaisical," Piccione, a Stevens Institute commit said of his finals performance. "Tried to pick it back up, got a little nervous and started slipping a little bit. But I got it done."

Junior Augie Szamreta (120), who weighed in light as he descends to 113, will get one more crack at a title next season. Szamreta (7-1) dropped an 8-2 decision to St. Joseph-Metuchen's Nico DeRado (OW) for a second straight runner-up finish after placing third in his freshman season.

Three for two Terriers 

Perez (second from right) on the 2024 podium in AC

Perez had a much easier time nailing down his third Goles title as the returning state medalist received a forfeit in the finals. Still, the historical importance of his accomplishment was not lost on Perez (10-0), who is plenty motivated after a fifth-place finish at 126 pounds last season in AC.

"It was definitely something that I needed to accomplish going into the season, but I'm chasing stuff a lot bigger," said Perez, now 95-18 overall. "I've gotten a lot better from last year. I've grown. I'm not a kid anymore."

Bush, who was a runner-up as a sophomore, also won with ease as he scored a 17-2 technical fall win over Verona's Joel Gonzalez in 2:57. Bush (9-1), a returning state qualifier, scored his 83rd career victory in the finals. Bush and Perez had previously ended Redfield's title bids in 2021 and '22, before Matt Roche knocked off the Blue Streak with a 12-2 major in '23.

Awards show

The John Goles Invitational hands out plenty of hardware, including two awards bearing the names of a former Blue Streaks wrestler (who tragically died days before the 1998 Region 1 Tournament in an auto accident) and another honoring a front-row superfan. For those who did not know, here's hoping more people will stick around after next year's finals and a proper introduction of the history behind these honors is made to all in attendance. 

Ryan M. Storm Memorial Award (Most pins in least time by a champion) -- Thomas Borgia, West Morris (3 in 2:55).

Alonzo Widenor Memorial Award (Fastest pin) -- Deacon Frayne, West Morris (5 seconds).

Area team rankings

1. Phillipsburg (2-0) -- Stateliners finished sixth in the rugged Bethlehem Holiday Classic this past weekend behind five placewinners -- Anthony Pettinelli (8-3, sixth at 113), Massimo Gonzalez (11-2, third at 127), Owen Garriques (7-3, fifth at 133), Luke Geleta (9-1, third at 145) and Gavin Hawk (8-1, second at 160). Hawk, a four-time medalist and three-time finalist (champ in 2022), who moved into seventh place on the program's all-time wins list at 118-20 and 13 back of leader Brian Meyer (131-35 from 2014-18).

Up next: Cranford Duals on Saturday. 

2. Delaware Valley (4-0) -- Terriers finished second behind St. Joseph-Metuchen (256 1/2-193) in the John Goles Invitational team race behind three-time champs Perez and Bush, while senior Luke Sinkewicz (10-1 at 157) was denied in his bid for a second straight title. Junior Olivier Paul (8-2, runner-up at 165) made his first Goles finals appearance.

Up next: at Immaculata on Friday; Kittatinny, Mendham and Morris Knolls at home on Saturday.

North is 41-24 all-time against Warren Hills

3. North Hunterdon (0-1) -- Lions have been idle since finishing first in the Ron Mazzola Memorial Tournament at Old Bridge on Dec. 21. Coach Dave Bell's team is set to host Warren Hills in a key Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash on Friday and earned the No. 2 seed in the 19th Henry Boresch Duals on Saturday.

Up next: Warren Hills at home on Friday; South Plainfield in the Boresch Duals on Saturday.

4. High Point (4-0) -- Wildcats have a huge weekend on tap after scoring their second NJAC non-divisional victory -- a 56-12 thumping of Morris Hills on Monday and the program's 794th win overall -- as senior Nick Clayton (9-3 at 157) picked up his 93rd career victory. Clayton, who looks to become the 18th member of the school's 100-wins club, was one of four 'Cats to place top five in the Mustang Classic at Brick Memorial on Saturday. He was third, while Carter Drouin (10-3 at 120) and Gavin Mericle (7-1 at 285) finished second and Donald Weiss (10-2 at 215) was fifth. 

Up next: Southern and West Essex at Mount Olive on Saturday; Hackettstown at home on Tuesday.

5. Pope John (3-2) -- Lions recently competed in the Sam Cali Invitational this past weekend and the Gary Vittorio Classic at Parsippany Hills on Monday. Star senior and Pitt recruit Carson Walsh (138), a three-time state finalist and runner-up in 2024, won a Sam Cali title, while junior David Thomson (190) struck gold in the Gary Vittorio Classic.

Up next: Camden Catholic at Paramus Catholic tri-meet on Saturday; Morris Hills at home on Tuesday.

Hills and North meet for the 66th time on Friday

6. Warren Hills (1-1) -- Blue Streaks finished fifth in their own John Goles Invitational on Saturday behind two champions -- Piccione and Redfield -- and a pair of runners-up -- Szamreta and David Kocsor (4-4 at 215). Davey Rhinehart (7-1 at 132), Aidan Webb (5-3 at 138) and Ethan Drazek (4-4 at 150) all finished third. Hills seeks its first three-match win streak against North Hunterdon since 1989-91, when the teams meet on Friday. 

Up next: at North Hunterdon on Friday; Dan Trainer Duals at Collingswood on Saturday.

7. Kittatinny (3-1) -- Cougars, who are sitting on 691 dual-meet wins as a program, finished fifth in their Linn Crawn Memorial Classic on Friday. Though coach John Gill's team did not crown a champ for the first time since 2016, senior runners-up Aiden McClain (6-4 at 157) and Ethan Dalling (9-2 at 175) were among five placers as junior Nikolas Martinez (10-2 at 132) finished third, while sophomores Justin Tighe (5-5 at 106) and Shane Weiss (5-2 at 285) were fourth.

Up next: at Morris Hills on Friday; Mendham and Morris Knolls at Delaware Valley quad on Saturday; at Jefferson on Tuesday.

8. Sparta (0-2) -- Spartans split their squad for the Linn Crawn Classic and Sam Cali Invitational as junior Trevor Ekeland (4-4 at 165) placed third at Kittatinny, while junior Patrick Bruseo (5-4 at 126) and senior Garrett VanHouten (2-5 at 157) placed fourth. Logan Hrenenko (144) finished fifth and Ryan Hrenenko (132) was sixth at Sam Cali.

Up next: Jefferson on Thursday; at Ramsey Duals on Saturday; Mount Olive at home on Tuesday.

Washleski is 81-12 overall

9. Hunterdon Central (1-2) -- Red Devils dropped a 46-30 decision to Monroe before earning their first win of the season -- 53-30 over Voorhees at the Field House on Monday. Jace Brownlie (5-3 at 126), Rhett Washleski (11-2 at 150), Grant Thompson (9-3 at 157) and Nehemiah Bugash (4-3 at 175) all went 2-0 on the day.

Up next: at Williamstown Duals on Saturday.

10. Hackettstown (4-0) -- Tigers swept their home quad on Monday with wins over Rutherford (48-29), Vernon (54-21) and Whippany Park (47-33). Bryan Dougherty (7-1 at 126) and Giovanni Gutierrez (6-2 at 132) -- both sophomores -- went 3-0 in the quad. Another sophomore, Joseph Rowinski (113) placed sixth in the Sam Cali Invitational last weekend.

Up next: at Ramsey Duals on Saturday; at High Point on Tuesday.