Wrestling: 'Cats, 'Liners tested with tournaments

We're still weeks away from the much anticipated showdown in Wantage between High Point and Phillipsburg -- Saturday, Jan. 18 to be exact -- but it's never too early to check in on two of the top public school programs in New Jersey.

We'll start with coach John Gardner's Wildcats, who participated in the Colt Classic at Christian Brothers Academy and Mustang Classic at Brick Memorial to start the season.

Junior Dom Gallo, a gritty 120-pounder, is off to a 6-0 start by winning titles in both events. Fellow juniors Mike Derin (4-1 at 132) and Jason Gaccione (6-1 at 145), both state placewinners last season, already sustained their first losses, each to Paulsboro wrestlers. Derin was decked by Sam Morina in the Mustang finals, while Gaccione dropped a 7-5 decision to Ronnie Gentile, a state runner-up last season.

Sophomore Jared Kobis (2-0) won the 126-pound title at the Colt Classic and did not compete in the Mustang due to a minor knee issue. He is expected back in the lineup for the Sussex County school's upcoming appearance this weekend at the prestigious Cheesehead Tournament in Wisconsin.

Seniors Kyle Stoll (4-1 at 195), a Mustang champion, and Bobby McDonnell (5-2 at 220) also have hit some tough competition early on.

"We're OK," Gardner said. "[We have] lots of work to do."

Paetzell making P'burg proud

Sophomore dynamo Brandon Paetzell, projected by many to be in the 106-pound state final in Atlantic City come March, rolled to a title in the rugged Bethlehem Holiday Classic at Liberty High School in Pennsylvania.

Paetzell (9-1), who finished third at the Reno Tournament of Champions the previous weekend, recorded a pin, a major and two technical falls -- including a 20-5 win over Freedom's Dylan Brown in the Bethlehem Holiday final -- en route to the championship at Liberty. 

Coach Dave Post's squad also received a boost with the return of juniors Corey Zinsmeister (4-2 at 138), Jimmy Schuitema (4-2 at 145) and Joe Maso (3-2 at 195) at Liberty. All three did not compete in the Reno TOC.

Phillipsburg will open the dual meet portion of its season on Thursday when it hosts Lehigh Valley power Parkland (Pa.) in an independent match at The Pit. It will be the first meeting between the former East Penn Conference rivals since P'burg's 53-9 victory at home during the 1994-95 campaign. The following school year, the 'Liners entered the Skyland Conference.

It should be a packed house at the raucous Pit -- something rare in this age of tri-meets and quads.

"We want our kids to wrestle in that atmosphere," said Post, who to his credit has only single dual meets on the schedule. "[Kittatinny coach] John Gill asked us if we wouldn't mind wrestling on a Friday night because he thought they could fill their gym [on Jan. 31]. I said, 'sure.'"

The Trojans, who rate as a slight favorite on paper, have beaten the Stateliners just twice, both at home -- 29-19 in 1975 and 32-27 in 1990. P'burg holds an 18-2 edge (10-0 at home) in the all-time series dating to '75 -- winning 13 in a row from 1977-89 and the last five meetings since the loss in '90.

Odds and ends

There's already quite a bit of chatter surrounding this year's Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament, which is to be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Hunterdon Central's Field House. The one-day event will likely be run as in previous years -- at the speed of light to get done before nightfall.

It's a crying shame that Hopatcong, which does a great job with a two-day affair, does not want to host the counties in the same year it hosts the District 2 Tournament, which rotates between the Sussex County school and Randolph. Chiefs athletic director Tom Vara is on the HWS committee and is aware of the issues for fans at Central -- namely four mats for semifinals and two mats for finals.

Problem is, no other school in the Hunterdon-Warren area is equipped to host it and some of those coaches I've spoken to are not a fan of traveling to Hopatcong every year. It's a disgrace that this tournament is not given the respect it deserves at Central. Fans, you who pay to get in, voice your opinion on Jan. 11 and let it be known what an injustice this is.

While we're on the subject of what's bad for the sport, during Newton's 47-18 loss at Jefferson on Monday, fans were robbed of witnessing a potential feature bout between District 3 placewinners. At 195, junior Gus Protogeropoulos took the mat for Newton with the Braves trailing 16-0 through four bouts. Jefferson with the match well in hand and expecting a forfeit win four bouts later at 106, opted to forfeit at 195 and bump Tyler Zimmerman to 220. In turn, Braves coach Eric Bollette, none too pleased with the move at 195, gave a forfeit win to Zimmerman.

Makes zero sense. I've seen this too many times and often it's about protecting postseason seeds. Wrestling can't do enough to keep fans' interest and in this case they were jilted out of enjoying one marquee matchup in a one-sided dual meet. 

Congratulations to both Gary Dinmore of Hunterdon Central and Kieran Gerrity of Kittatinny on recently recording their 100th career wins. Dinmore is the 17th Red Devil to reach the century mark, while Gerrity, who got his 100th at home on Friday in the 170-pound third-place bout of the Linn Crawn Memorial Tournament, is the 13th to do so for the Cougars.

Next up is Central senior Dylan Nace (7-0), who is four wins shy at 96-24. He should reach the mark at home in the HWS Tournament, with the Red Devils having scheduled matches against North Hunterdon (Friday) and Hillsborough (Jan. 8) before the counties. Let's hope people will actually know he's wrestling on one of the six mats -- including one with an obstructed view to some fans in the stands.

When P'burg makes the trek to take on High Point on Jan. 18, it will be just the sixth time that the Stateliners have wrestled in Wantage. P'burg holds a 15-1 edge in the all-time series, but High Point won the last meeting -- 30-22 at The Pit on Jan. 31, 2009. The last match at High Point was on Jan. 2, 1999 -- a 49-12 win for the visitors.

Wrestling: John Goles wrapup, observations

Every holiday season, we get to relive a little history on the mats at the John Goles Invitational -- the granddaddy of tourneys in the Open Mike area. The 56th edition on Friday was full of surprises and milestones. Let's take a look at some of what went down at Warren Hills Regional High School:

1. The host Blue Streaks repeated as teams champions for the first time since 1996-97 --  the program's 22nd overall since the event's inception 1958. Freshman Matt Valli (113), along with junior John Fluck (120) and senior Steve Cleaver (182) won individual titles, while juniors Max Nauta and Andrew Pacheco (285) and seniors Ryan Ostir (170) and Ryan Witner (220) were runners-up.

Valli was especially impressive in racking up four takedowns in a 9-3 win over Edison's Fernando Encarnacion. There have only been six wrestlers to win four Goles titles and Valli is one-quarter of the way home.

Fluck and Cleaver also won their first titles, while Cleaver also earned the most team points award with a total of 25.

2. North Hunterdon recovered from a rough semifinals round to go 5-for-5 in the championship finals. Paul Robinson (106), Ryan Pomrinca (126) and Mike Ciavarro (152) were all repeat winners, while Mike Sicola (160) and Joe Guzzo (170) claimed their first gold medals.

Pomrinca joined an exlusive list -- becoming just the 33rd wrestler to win at least three Goles championships -- with his impressive 13-4 major of two-time District 1 medalist Dylan Luciano of West Morris.

Coach Tim Flynn's Lions, who went 4-5 in the semis, closed the gap on the Blue Streaks (182-174 in the team standings) with a strong finish, including Guzzo's 8-4 win over Ostir in the only head-to-head matchup between the top two teams. The Hunterdon County school has produced at least one finalist every year since re-joining the tournament on a full-time basis in 2008, while crowning at least one champion every year but '08.

It was the closest team race since 2002, when Delaware Valley beat Scotch Plains by a half point (161.5 to 161).

3. Edison hasn't made much noise in recent years since winning its last team title in 2006, but the Eagles managed a fourth-place finish behind a stunning 7-1 win in the 138-pound final, as junior Billy Povalac knocked off two-time champion Max Nauta of Warren Hills.

Povalac was simply too big and strong for Nauta, who won a Region 1 title at 113 pounds last season. The victory also netted the Outstanding Wrestler Award -- Edison's first since Mike Franco-Bandiero won it back-to-back in 2007-08. Joe Duhigg (1987, '89), Mike Malinconico ('95) and Griff Banos ('98) are the other Eagles to earn OW honors.

4. Despite finishing a distant seventh, Newton had cause to celebrate with junior Gus Protogeropoulos winning the 195-pound title -- 3-0 over Edison's Kevin Karvaski. A first-period takedown was the highlight, as the Braves celebrated a champion after not producing a finalist a year ago for the first time in coach Eric Bollette's 13 seasons. Protogeropoulos, who won the Ryan Storm Memorial Award for most pins in the least total time by a tournament champion, was the lone winner among six Newton wrestlers in the quarterfinals.

Assistant coaches Andy Iliff (1985-86) and Ted Sibblies (1987-88) are among the 84 champions for Newton, which trails only Warren Hills (174).

5. You have to wonder what kind of tournament it might have been had Delaware Valley been at full strength. Coach Andy Fitz's Terriers were without the services of Luke Zehnbauer (170) and Kody Eichlin (182) due to injuries. Both wrestlers would have been top seeds and favorites to win titles.

Del Val finished third without them -- 26 points behind second-place North Hunterdon and 34 in back of first-place Warren Hills. Nour Mays (170) did finish third by avenging an earlier loss in the quarterfinals to Ben Schulman of West Windsor South (5-4 in UTB), with a 1-0 victory in their third-place bout. Schulman is the son of West Windsor South coach Darren Schulman, who won the 123-pound state title for East Brunswick in 1986.

Senior heavyweight Marek Tomanek set the place on its ear with a stunning 3-2 upset-win over Pacheco in the 285-pound final. A reversal with 56 seconds left won it, as Tomanek (7-0) rode tough on top to secure the title.

Other notables:

In a touching gesture by the John Goles Invitational staff, the fastest pin award was named after longtime Warren Hills fan Alonzo Widenor, who died shortly before the Streaks' 76th season. Pacheco became the fourth Warren Hills wrestler in five years to win the award with his 27-second pin of Newton's Tyler Pittenger in the quarterfinals. The nine-second fall by Pope John's Anthony Koert in 2004 remains the fastest in John Goles history.

There were a number of former Goles champions on hand, including former Warren Hills greats Julius DiRisio (1985, '87 and '88) and Barry Van Scoten (1988-89). Also spotted in the crowd were former Blue Streaks Bob Leh (1962-63) and Rob Rhinehart (1973, '74, '75). Current Del Val assistant coach Gregg Wiseburn was a two-time winner for Warren Hills in 1999 and 2000, while Millburn coach Mike Artigliere won a titles for Madison in 1985 and '86.

Interestingly, Pomrinca and Mike Ciavarro recorded the only technical falls in the tournament. Pomrinca scored a 19-3 win in 3:52 over Del Val freshman Rhys Zigich, while Ciavarro posted a 19-4 victory in 5:03 over Caleb Isemann of West Morris.

Warren Hills pulled away in the team race by going 7-for-7 in the semifinals, holding a slim half-point lead over North Hunterdon entering that round. The Streaks also registered a tournament-best 14 pins, two more than Delaware Valley.

In the previous three seasons, the team that finished higher at the Goles between Del Val and North Hunterdon lost the dual meet. Last year, Warren Hills finished higher than Del Val, but lost the dual meet in Alexandria Township.

In all, nine underclassmen won titles, including three juniors from North Hunterdon. Pomrinca will try to become only the seventh wrestler to win four in 2014 -- joining Steve Kasza of Belvidere/Warren Hills (1981-84), Joe Duhigg of Edison (1986-89), Ryan Kanewski of Warren Hills (1993-96), Dan Hutchins of Delaware Valley (1998-2001), Mike Franco-Bandiero of Edison (2005-08) and Kevin Churchill of Newton (2006-09).

Results from the 56th John Goles Invitational

Team standings: 1. Warren Hills 182; 2. North Hunterdon 174; 3. Delaware Valley 148; 4. Edison 138; 5. West Morris 115; 6. Scotch Plains 96; 7. Newton 55; 8. West Windsor South 46; 9. South Brunswick 36; 10. Millburn 16.

Championships

106 -- 1-Jr. Paul Robinson (4-1), North Hunterdon, md. 3-Fr. Robert Cleary (5-1), Edison, 10-2.
113 -- 5-Fr. Matt Valli (4-2), Warren Hills, d. 2-Sr. Fernando Encarnacion (5-1), Edison, 9-3.
120 -- 3-Jr. John Fluck (4-2), Warren Hills, p. 8-Sr. Tyler Smith (3-3), Delaware Valley, 1:23.
126 -- 1-Jr. Ryan Pomrinca (6-0), North Hunterdon, md. 2-Jr. Dylan Luciano (4-1), West Morris, 13-4.
132 -- 5-Jr. Ryan Erwin (5-2), Delaware Valley, d. 3-Sr. Ryan Moshman (5-2), West Windsor South, 9-4.
138 -- 2-Jr. Billy Povalac (6-0), Edison, d. 1-Jr. Max Nauta (5-1), Warren Hills, 7-1.
145 -- 2-Jr. Brian Lapham (4-0), Scotch Plains, d. 1-Jr. David Migliaccio (2-1), West Morris, 3-1 SV.
152 -- 1-Sr. Mike Ciavarro (6-0), North Hunterdon, md. 2-Sr. Dom Natale (3-1), Scotch Plains, 12-4.
160 -- 1-Jr. Mike Sicola (5-2), North Hunterdon, d. 2-Sr. Dino Gagula (4-1), Edison, 5-1.
170 -- 2-Sr. Joe Guzzo (6-1), North Hunterdon, d. 1-Sr. Ryan Ostir (3-3), Warren Hills, 8-4.
182 -- 2-Sr. Steve Cleaver (5-1), Warren Hills, p. 1-Sr. Matt Ridge (3-1), Scotch Plains, 2:38.
195 -- 2-Jr. Gus Protogeropoulos (5-1), Newton, d. 4-Sr. Kevin Karvaski (4-2), Edison, 3-0.
220 -- 2-Sr. Jesse Windt (5-0), West Morris, d. 4-Sr. Ryan Witner (5-1), Warren Hills, 7-1.
285 -- 2-Sr. Marek Tomanek (7-0), Delaware Valley, d. 1-Jr. Andrew Pacheco (5-1), Warren Hills, 3-2.

Third-place consolations

106 -- 5-Fr. Shane Metzler (4-2), West Morris, d. 2-So. Vito Intili (2-3), Delaware Valley, 1-0.
113 -- 3-Fr. Matt Kolonia (6-1), Delaware Valley, d. 4-Fr. Kade Loughney (4-2), West Morris, 4-0.
120 -- 1-Sr. John Schade (3-1), West Morris, d. 4-Jr. Trevor Morales (4-2), Newton, 4-3.
126 -- 4-So. Austin Pidoto (5-2), Warren Hills, d. 5-Jr. JT Beirne (3-2), Scotch Plains, 12-5.
132 -- 2-Sr. Eric Martin (6-2), North Hunterdon, md. 1-Jr. Tommy Cunningham (3-2), Scotch Plains, 12-0.
138 -- 4-So. Derek Ciavarro (6-2), North Hunterdon, d. 3-So. John Serruto (3-3), Millburn.
145 -- 4-So. Brian Smolinsky (6-2), North Hunterdon, md. 9-So. Anthony Roessner (3-5), Warren Hills, 12-4.
152 -- 3-Jr. Cory Lightner (7-1), Delaware Valley, md. 7-Jr. Eric Nolan (4-3), Edison, 16-4.
160 -- 4-So. Kyle Schlittler (6-2), Delaware Valley, injury default over 5-So. Shane Deemer (3-4), Warren Hills, 2:48.
170 -- 6-Sr. Nour Mays (7-1), Delaware Valley, d. 3-Jr. Ben Schulman (3-4), West Windsor South, 1-0.
182 -- 3-Sr. Noah Kreutter (5-3), West Windsor South, p. 7-So. Tyler Gapas (3-3), North Hunterdon, 1:26.
195 -- 1-Sr. Danny VanBrunt (4-1), Scotch Plains, p. 6-Fr. Taylor Parkinson-Gee (3-3), West Morris, 2:34.
220 -- 1-Jr. Carlos Botero (3-1), Edison, p. 3-Sr. Brian Baehr (2-2), Delaware Valley, 2:50.
285 -- 4-Sr. Gordon Thompson (5-2), South Brunswick, p. 3-Jr. Keith Serio (4-2), Edison, 1:34.

Outstanding Wrestler Award -- Billy Povalac, Edison.
Ryan Storm Memorial Award (most falls least total time by a champion) -- Gus Protogeropoulos, Newton (two pins in 2:24).
Alonzo Widenor Award (fastest fall) -- Andrew Pacheco, Warren Hills (:27)
Most team points -- Steve Cleaver, Warren Hills (25).

Wrestling: John Goles Invitational team champions

1958 – Somerville

1959 – Washington

1960 – Plainfield

1961 – Northampton (Pa.)

1962 – Washington

1963 – Northampton (Pa.)

1964 – Washington/West Morris

1965 – Washington

1966 – Notre Dame (Pa.)

1967 – Newton

1968 – Warren Hills

1969 – Warren Hills

1970 – Warren Hills

1971 – Warren Hills

1972 – Belvidere

1973 – Warren Hills

1974 – Warren Hills

1975 – Warren Hills

1976 – Warren Hills

1977 – Newton

1978 – Edison

1979 – Madison/Stroudsburg (Pa.)

1980 – Madison

1981 – Warren Hills

1982 – Edison

1983 – Newton

1984 – Newton

1985 – Stroudsburg (Pa.)

1986 – Warren Hills

1987 – Stroudsburg (Pa.)

1988 – Warren Hills

1989 – Warren Hills

1990 – Warren Hills

1991 – Stroudsburg (Pa.)

1992 – Stroudsburg (Pa.)

1993 – Stroudsburg (Pa.)

1994 – Warren Hills

1995 – North Hunterdon

1996 – Warren Hills

1997 – Warren Hills

1998 – Delaware Valley

1999 – Delaware Valley

2000 – Delaware Valley

2001 – Delaware Valley

2002 – Delaware Valley

2003 – Delaware Valley

2004 – Delaware Valley

2005 – Delaware Valley

2006 – Edison

2007 – Newton

2008 – Newton

2009 – Delaware Valley

2010 – North Hunterdon

2011 – Delaware Valley
2012 – Warren Hills
2013 – Warren Hills

Wrestling: John Goles Invitational finals (LIVE)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year wrestling fans and welcome to the 56th John Goles Invitational Wrestling championship finals.

Final team standings:

1. Warren Hills 182; 2. North Hunterdon 174; 3. Delaware Valley 148; 4. Edison 138; 5. West Morris 115; 6. Scotch Plains 96; 7. Newton 55; 8. West Windsor South 46; 9. South Brunswick 36; 10. Millburn 16.

Championship finals

106 pounds

1-Jr. Paul Robinson (4-1), North Hunterdon, md. 3-Fr. Robert Cleary (5-1), Edison, 10-2.

1st -- Robinson with the quick takedown 14 seconds in for a 2-0 lead. Escape for Cleary makes it 2-1 with 1:09 to go in the period. Robinson with the takedown at the buzzer, leads 4-1 after one period.

2nd -- Cleary down to start the second period. Cleary escapes 25 seconds in, trails, 4-2. Robinson with his third takedown near the edge for a 6-2 lead with 50 seconds left in the period. Robinson sticks in the boots for three backs in the closing seconds, leads 9-2 after two periods.

3rd -- Robinson down to start the final period. Escape makes it 10-2 with 1:30 to go.

113 pounds

5-Fr. Matt Valli (4-2), Warren Hills, d. 2-Sr. Fernando Encarnacion (5-1), Edison, 9-3.

1st -- Valli converts the double-leg takedown with 26 seconds left, leads 2-0 after one period.

2nd -- Encarnacion down to start the second period. He escapes, trails, 2-1 with 1:34 to go. Valli secures his second takedown with 38 seconds left, leads 4-1.

3rd -- Valli on bottom to start the third period. He escapes nine seconds in and converts his third takedown at the edge for a 7-1 lead with 1:40 left. Encarnacion escapes to make it 7-2 with 1:25 left. Nice single leg shot with 50 seconds left gives Valli his fourth takedown and a 9-2 lead. Escape with nine seconds left. First of what may be many titles for the impressive freshman.

120 pounds

3-Jr. John Fluck (4-2), Warren Hills, p. 8-Sr. Tyler Smith (3-3), Delaware Valley, 1:23. 

1st -- Takedown and cradle for the fall in 1:23!

126 pounds

1-Jr. Ryan Pomrinca (6-0), North Hunterdon, md. 2-Jr. Dylan Luciano (4-1), West Morris, 13-4.

1st -- Pomrinca looking to become only the 33rd wrestler to win three Goles titles in the tourney's 56-year history. He gets the opening takedown for a 2-0 lead.

2nd -- Pomrinca down to start the second period. He's out in a flash and converts a takedown for a 5-0 lead over the two-time District 1 third-place finisher. Luciano gets out, trails, 5-1, but Pomrinca gets another takedown for a 7-1 lead. Luciano out seconds later, 7-2, with one minute left. Pomrinca with a takedown at the buzzer, leads 9-2.

3rd -- Luciano down to start the third period. He's out in a few seconds to make it 9-3. Another takedown for Pomrinca makes it 11-3 -- total mismatch on their feet. Luciano escapes, 11-4 with 1:08 to go. Pomrinca with his sixth takedown -- 13-4 with 40 seconds left.

132 pounds

5-Jr. Ryan Erwin (5-2), Delaware Valley, d. 3-Sr. Ryan Moshman (5-2), West Windsor South, 9-4.

1st -- Erwin with the nice ankle pick for a takedown and a 2-0 lead with 55 seconds left. Moshman escapes to make it 2-1. That's how it ends after one period.

2nd -- Erwin down to start the second period. He's out quickly for a 3-1 lead. Another takedown for Erwin makes it 5-1 with 40 seconds on the clock. Escape for Moshman, he trails 5-2 after two periods.

3rd -- Moshman down to start the third period. Escape makes it a two-point deficit. Erwin converts a takedown for a 7-3 lead with 50 seconds to go. Moshman escapes, 7-4. Another takedown for Erwin seals it with 10 seconds left.

138 pounds

2-Jr. Billy Povalac (6-0), Edison, d. 1-Jr. Max Nauta (5-1), Warren Hills, 7-1. 

1st -- Nauta looking to join Pomrinca as a three-time winner. Opened his day with a first-period pin followed by a dominating 3-0 win over North Hunterdon's Derek Ciavarro, who was third at this weight. Povalac stuns the crowd with a takedown and a 2-0 lead with 24 seconds left. That's how the opening period ends.

2nd -- Nauta takes down to start the second period. He escapes with 1:18 left to make it 2-1. Povalac has the strength advantage -- Nauta is up from 113 last season.

3rd -- Povalac takes down, interesting choice. Puts Nauta on top where he's strong. Stall warning on Povalac with 59 seconds left. Nauta working with the boots in. Povalac catches Nauta on the stand up for a reversal and three backs -- wins it in a stunner.

145 pounds

2-Jr. Brian Lapham (4-0), Scotch Plains, d. 1-Jr. David Migliaccio (2-1), West Morris, 3-1 SV. 

1st -- Some blood time in a scoreless bout with 52 seconds left. Migliaccio was a runner-up in 2011, while Lapham was fourth last year. End of one, no score.

2nd -- Migliaccio down to start the second period. Stall warning on Lapham with 38 seconds to go. Escape with 26 seconds left gives Migliaccio a 1-0 lead.

3rd -- Lapham escapes to start the final period to tie it.

OT -- Lapham with a takedown at the edge with 29 seconds left to win it.

152 pounds

1-Sr. Mike Ciavarro (6-0), North Hunterdon, md. 2-Sr. Dom Natale (3-1), Scotch Plains, 12-4.

1st -- Ciavarro, a four-time Goles finalist, eyeing his second title gets the quick takedown for a 2-0 lead. Natale escapes to make it 2-1. Takedown for Ciavarro near the end of the period, he leads, 4-1.

2nd -- Ciavarro down to start the second period. Reversal makes it 6-1 with 1:20 left. Escape for Natale, he trails, 6-2 with 55 seconds left. Ciavarro with his second takedown to make it 8-2 after two periods.

3rd -- Natale down to start the third period. Two-point nearfall gives Ciavarro a 10-2 advantage. Escape for Natale and takedown for Ciavarro makes it 12-3 before Natale gets another escape.

160 pounds

1-Jr. Mike Sicola (5-2), North Hunterdon, d. 2-Sr. Dino Gagula (4-1), Edison, 5-1.

1st -- Takedown for Sicola with 40 seconds left, 2-0.

2nd -- Sicola down to start the second period. Quick escape makes it 3-0. Takedown for Sicola with 45 seconds left, he's in command, 5-0.

3rd -- Gagula down to start and is out quickly, 5-1.

170 pounds

2-Sr. Joe Guzzo (6-1), North Hunterdon, d. 1-Sr. Ryan Ostir (3-3), Warren Hills, 8-4. 

1st -- Big matchup here for the team race. Guzzo with the quick opening takedown for a 2-0 lead. Blue Streaks holding a six-point advantage coming into this one. Ostir escapes to make it 2-1.

2nd -- Guzzo down to start the second period. Ostir working a bar for over a minute to no avail.

3rd -- Ostir down to start the third, trailing, 2-1. Guzzo cuts him loose 13 seconds in to tie it. Guzzo with the nice duck under for the go-ahead takedown with 1:22 left. Ostir out to make it 4-3, but Guzzo gets another takedown at the edge to make it 6-3. Streaks coach Jarrett Hosbach questions the call. Ostir is out 55 seconds left, trailing, 6-4. Stall warning on Guzzo with 25 seconds and he responds with a takedown to ice the win. Lions go 5-for-5 in the finals.

182 pounds

2-Sr. Steve Cleaver (5-1), Warren Hills, p. 1-Sr. Matt Ridge (3-1), Scotch Plains, 2:38. 

1st -- Couple of boys who like to muscle here. No score after two minutes.

2nd -- Ridge down to start the second period. Cleaver with the claw for three back points. Cradle for the FALL in 2:38.

195 pounds

 2-Jr. Gus Protogeropoulos (5-1), Newton, d. 4-Sr. Kevin Karvaski (4-2), Edison, 3-0.

1st -- Protogeropoulos gets the first takedown and a 2-0 lead. Braves went without a champion for only the second time since 2000 last year and without a finalist for the first time in coach Eric Bollette's tenure.

2nd -- Protogeropoulos on bottom to start the second period and is out quickly for a 3-0 lead.

220 pounds

2-Sr. Jesse Windt (5-0), West Morris, d. 4-Sr. Ryan Witner (5-1), Warren Hills, 7-1. 

1st -- Windt with the opening takedown. He beat Witner twice last season.

2nd -- Witner on bottom to start, but no points in the second period.

3rd -- Windt on bottom to start the period. Escape and two takedowns seals it.

285 pounds

2-Sr. Marek Tomanek (7-0), Delaware Valley, d. 1-Jr. Andrew Pacheco (5-1), Warren Hills, 3-2. 

1st -- No score after one period.

2nd -- Pacheco down to start the second period. Reversal gives the Blue Streak a 2-0 lead. Tomanek is out with 1:10 left, making it 2-1.

3rd -- Tomanek down to start the final period. He gets a reversal with 56 seconds to go to take a 3-2 lead. Pacheco can't break free and there's another upset win!

Third-place consolations

106 -- 5-Fr. Shane Metzler (4-2), West Morris, d. 2-So. Vito Intili (2-3), Delaware Valley, 1-0.
113 -- 3-Fr. Matt Kolonia (6-1), Delaware Valley, d. 4-Fr. Kade Loughney (4-2), West Morris, 4-0.
120 -- 1-Sr. John Schade (3-1), West Morris, d. 4-Jr. Trevor Morales (4-2), Newton, 4-3.
126 -- 4-So. Austin Pidoto (5-2), Warren Hills, d. 5-Jr. JT Beirne (3-2), Scotch Plains, 12-5.
132 -- 2-Sr. Eric Martin (6-2), North Hunterdon, md. 1-Jr. Tommy Cunningham (3-2), Scotch Plains, 12-0.
138 -- 4-So. Derek Ciavarro (6-2), North Hunterdon, d. 3-So. John Serruto (3-3), Millburn.
145 -- 4-So. Brian Smolinsky (6-2), North Hunterdon, md. 9-So. Anthony Roessner (3-5), Warren Hills, 12-4.
152 -- 3-Jr. Cory Lightner (7-1), Delaware Valley, md. 7-Jr. Eric Nolan (4-3), Edison, 16-4.
160 -- 4-So. Kyle Schlittler (6-2), Delaware Valley, injury default over 5-So. Shane Deemer (3-4), Warren Hills, 2:48.
170 -- 6-Sr. Nour Mays (7-1), Delaware Valley, d. 3-Jr. Ben Schulman (3-4), West Windsor South, 1-0.
182 -- 3-Sr. Noah Kreutter (5-3), West Windsor South, p. 7-So. Tyler Gapas (3-3), North Hunterdon, 1:26.
195 -- 1-Sr. Danny VanBrunt (4-1), Scotch Plains, p. 6-Fr. Taylor Parkinson-Gee (3-3), West Morris, 2:34.
220 -- 1-Jr. Carlos Botero (3-1), Edison, p. 3-Sr. Brian Baehr (2-2), Delaware Valley, 2:50.
285 -- 4-Sr. Gordon Thompson (5-2), South Brunswick, p. 3-Jr. Keith Serio (4-2), Edison, 1:34.

Most team points -- Steve Cleaver, Warren Hills (25).
Ryan Storm Memorial Award (most falls least total time by a champion) -- Gus Protogeropoulos, Newton (two pins in 2:24).
Alonzo Widenor Award (fastest fall) -- Andrew Pacheco, Warren Hills (:27)
Outstanding Wrestler Award -- Billy Povalac, Edison.

Wrestling: Vikes, Streaks get education in first quad

WASHINGTON TWP. -- Both the Voorhees and Warren Hills wrestling teams learned quite a bit about their respective squads in the season opener on Saturday.

For the Vikings, coach Eric Hall's team finished 2-1 -- capping the day with a 35-25 win over the Blue Streaks -- and came away feeling pretty good knowing they went toe-to-toe with two of New Jersey's Top 20 teams, dropping a 32-25 decision to Clearview after opening the day with a 44-20 win over Palisades (Pa.).

"I think as a coaching staff and team, we needed ourselves to be tested," said Hall, who has nine starters back from the 2012-13 squad that won the North 2, Group 2 sectional title. "We knew on paper that Warren Hills and Clearview were tough. I'm real proud of our kids."

Voorhees' win over Warren Hills was tempered due to a knee injury sustained by senior heavyweight Alex Fischetti, a District 17 champion last season, against state title hopeful Andrew Pacheco. Just 36 seconds into the bout, Pacheco attempted to roll Fischetti, whose right knee buckled under him. Needless to say, the loss of Fischetti would be tough for a team that's already thin up top.

"It doesn't look good," Hall said of his 285-pounder, who left the gym on crutches and his knee immobilized.

Warren Hills (1-2) opened with a 42-30 loss to Clearview before rebounding with a 58-18 win over Palisades in the middle session. Coincidentally, the Streaks also lost a wrestler to right knee injury as senior 132-pounder Tai Adetula was forced to default against Clearview's Mike VanBrill just 34 seconds into their bout.

It was a long and frustrating day for the hosts, who came in ranked No. 15 in the initial New Jersey Wrestling Writers Top 20. The loss of Adetula is the latest for a squad that's already without seniors Justin Pidoto at 145-152 (personal) and Evan Butka at 160 (out for the season with a shoulder injury).

"We're not going to make excuses," said veteran coach Jarrett Hosbach, when asked about being short-handed in the losses. "That's part of the sport. We've got to get better at certain spots. We have to find a way to adapt and overcome these things."

Voorhees held a slim 28-25 lead on Warren Hills with two bouts left before junior Devon Thomas, a junior varsity member last season, sealed the win with a 13-4 major of Shane Deemer at 160. Thomas, who was 4-6 as a sophomore fill-in, built an 8-3 with a four-point move in the second period and converted two takedowns in the third to secure the major.

Senior Jordan Juliano capped it with a somewhat-surprising 3-2 win over senior Ryan Ostir at 170. Juliano converted a takedown with 29 seconds left in the third period for the victory. Voorhees won the takedown battle overall, 20-7.

After Steve Cleaver's 8-4 win in the first bout at 182 gave Warren Hills a 3-0 lead, sophomore Derek Howerth got the Vikes rolling by decking Will Turner, who rated as a slight favorite, in 2:52 at 195.

Pacheco's win by injury default gave the Streaks a 15-6 advantage before Harley Sacks' pin of Ryan Mosher triggered a run of three straight wins to give Voorhees a 18-15 lead through seven bouts. Included was Kyle DiNapoli's 7-3 win over promising freshman Matt Valli at 113 and Cody Ihling's 3-1 decision over John Fluck at 120.

Warren Hills sophomore Austin Pidoto temporarily stopped the bleeding with an 8-0 win at 126 -- giving the Streaks a 19-18 lead -- but Thomas Beishke's 9-0 major of Carsen Johnson at 132 made it 22-19 in favor of Voorhees.

Max Nauta's pin at 138 gave Warren Hills its final lead -- 25-22 -- as Voorhees swept the last four bouts.

Against Clearview, Voorhees led 25-19 with three bouts to go after Dale Hull's pin at 138.

Pioneers senior John VanBrill, a district and region champion last season, earned an impressive 12-3 win over Region 5 qualifier Christian Okulicz to help Clearview sweep the final three bouts.

Voorhees junior Tommy Riley was hanging in against Region 8 runner-up Edward Lenkowski -- trailing 11-4 -- before giving up the pin with 12 seconds left in the second period. Clearview sophomore Henry Eisenhart closed it out with a tight 9-8 win over Will Gonsiewski at 160.

In the opening bout, Thomas dropped a close 7-5 decision to Kyle McMahon, a region fourth-place finisher two seasons ago.

"A couple breaks here and there," Hall said of his team's upset bid, as the Vikes were without the services of senior 138-pounder Mike Muscatello (hip injury). "I was happy with our kids. We saw both sides of the fence -- a tough defeat and a rewarding win."

For Hosbach's Streaks, this should serve as a major wakeup call.

"Hopefully this is something that refocuses us," he said. "It's tough not to be focused the first week of the season."

Wrestling: Warren Hills quad results

(Round 1)

CLEARVIEW 42, WARREN HILLS 30 

160 -- Edward Lenkowski, C, tf. Shane Deemer, 16-1, 5:59.
170 -- Kyle McMahon, C, p. Ryan Ostir, :35.
182 -- Joe Sindoni, C, d. Steve Cleaver, 4-3.
195 -- Will Turner, WH, d. John Bonner, 2-1.
220 -- Ryan Witner, WH, p. Zackery Stecher, 2:19.
285 -- Andrew Pacheco, WH, forfeit.
106 -- John Seybold, C, md. Ryan Mosher, 10-2.
113 -- Matt Valli, WH, p. Victor Wirtz, 3:09.
120 -- Zack Firestone, C, p. John Fluck, 4:48.
126 -- Austin Pidoto, WH, d. Ronald Mestichelli, 4-2 OT3.
132 -- Mike VanBrill, C, injury default over Tai Adetula, :34.
138 -- Max Nauta, WH, p. George Kerasinis, 2:50.
145 -- John VanBrill, C, p. Tyler Annunziata, 1:32.
152 -- Henry Eisenhart, C, p. Anthony Roessner, WH, 5:11.

Records -- Clearview 1-0; Warren Hills 0-1.

VOORHEES 44, PALISADES (Pa.) 20

160 -- Devon Thomas, V, forfeit.
170 -- James Donnelly, P, d. Jordan Juliano, 2-1 UTB.
182 -- Joe Rossi, P, d. Cody Kubinak, 5-1.
195 -- Nick Bord, P, d. Merrit Francis, 11-5.
220 -- Matt Hughes, P, d. Derek Howarth, 4-1.
285 -- Alex Fischetti, V, forfeit.
106 -- Harley Sacks, V, forfeit.
113 -- Jacob Wasser, P, d. Kyle DiNapoli, 3-2.
120 -- Cody Ihling, V, p. Jake Johnson, 3:16.
126 -- Tyler Marsh, P, md. Jack Blunk, 10-1.
132 -- Thomas Beishke, V, p. Nick Vinciguerra, 3:04.
138 -- Dale Hull, V, md. Tighe Cashman, 10-2.
145 -- Christian Okulicz, V, md. Liam Kelleher, 9-1.
152 -- William Gonsiewski, V, forfeit.

Records -- Voorhees 1-0; Palisades 6-4.

(Round 2)

WARREN HILLS 58, PALISADES (Pa.) 18

170 -- Ryan Ostir, WH, p. James Donnelly, 1:39.
182 -- Steve Cleaver, WH, md. Joe Rossi, 9-1.
195 -- Nick Bord, P, p. Will Turner, 4:24.
220 -- Ryan Witner, WH, p. Matt Hughes, 1:10.
285 -- Andrew Pacheco, WH, forfeit.
106 -- Ryan Mosher, WH, forfeit.
113 -- Jacob Wasser, P, d. Matt Valli, 4-0.
120 -- John Fluck, WH, p. Jake Johnson, 5:02.
126 -- Tyler Marsh, P, d. Austin Pidoto, 8-4.
132 -- Carsen Johnson, WH, p. Nick Vinciguerra, 4:09.
138 -- Max Nauta, WH, p. Tighe Cashman, 1:16.
145 -- Liam Kelleher, P, p. Anthony Roessner, 5:03.
152 -- Tyler Annunziata, WH, forfeit.
160 -- Shane Deemer, WH, forfeit.

Records -- Warren Hills 1-1; Palisades 6-5.

CLEARVIEW 32, VOORHEES 25 

170 -- Kyle McMahon, C, d. Devon Thomas, 7-5.
182 -- Joe Sindoni, C, d. Jordan Juliano, 2-1 UTB.
195 -- Cody Kubinak, V, p. John Bonner, 3:35.
220 -- Derek Howerth, V, d. Zackery Stecher, 3-2.
285 -- Alex Fischetti, V, forfeit.
106 -- John Seybold, C, d. Harley Sacks, 2-0.
113 -- Kyle DiNapoli, V, md. Victor Wirtz, 13-4.
120 -- Zack Firestone, C, d. Cody Ihling, 6-0.
126 -- Ronald Mestichelli, C, md. Jack Blunk, 10-2.
132 -- Mike VanBrill, C, d. Thomas Beishke, 3-1.
138 -- Dale Hull, V, p. George Kerasinis, 3:33.
145 -- John VanBrill, C, md. Christian Okulicz, 12-3.
152 -- Edward Lenkowski, C, p. Tommy Riley, 3:48.
160 -- Henry Eisenhart, C, d. William Gonsiewski, 9-8.

Records -- Voorhees 1-1; Clearview 2-0.

(Round 3)

VOORHEES 35, WARREN HILLS 25 

182 -- Steve Cleaver, WH, d. Cody Kubinak, 8-4.
195 -- Derek Howerth, V, p. Will Turner, 2:52.
220 -- Ryan Witner, WH, p. Merrit Francis, 1:05.
285 -- Andrew Pacheco, WH, injury default over Alex Fischetti, :36.
106 -- Harley Sacks, V, p. Ryan Mosher, 5:14.
113 -- Kyle DiNapoli, V, d. Matt Valli, 7-3.
120 -- Cody Ihling, V, d. John Fluck, 3-1.
126 -- Austin Pidoto, WH, md. Jack Blunk, 8-0.
132 -- Thomas Beishke, V, md. Carsen Johnson, 9-0.
138 -- Max Nauta, WH, p. Dale Hull, 1:42.
145 -- Christian Okulicz, V, d. Anthony Roessner, 9-3.
152 -- William Gonsiewski, V, d. Tyler Annunziata, 6-0.
160 -- Devon Thomas, V, md. Shane Deemer, 13-4.
170 -- Jordan Juliano, V, d. Ryan Ostir, 3-2.

Records -- Warren Hills 1-2; Voorhees 2-1.

CLEARVIEW 55, PALISADES (Pa.) 13

182 -- Joe Sindoni, C, d. Joe Rossi, 2-1.
195 -- Nick Bord, P, md. Zackery Stecher, 13-5.
220 -- Matt Hughes, P, John Bonner, 1:35.
285 -- Jackson Love ,C, forfeit.
106 -- John Seybold, C, forfeit.
113 -- Victor Wirtz, C, forfeit.
120 -- Zack Firestone, C, d. Jacob Wasser, 2-0.
126 -- Tyler Marsh, P, d. Ronald Mestichelli, 4-0.
132 -- Mike VanBrill, C, p. Nick Vinciguerra, 4:35.
138 -- George Kerasinis, C, d. Tighe Cashman, 8-4.
145 -- John VanBrill, C, p. Liam Kelleher, 1:59.
152 -- Henry Eisenhart, C, forfeit.
160 -- Edward Lenkowski, C, forfeit.
170 -- Kyle McMahon, C, md. James Donnelly, 10-0.

Records -- Clearview 3-0; Palisades (Pa.) 6-6.

Wrestling: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex schedule

(Through Dec. 31)

Saturday, Dec. 21

Phillipsburg at Reno Tournament of Champions

Kittatinny, Hackettstown, Hunterdon Central at Caldwell Tournament

High Point at Christian Brothers Colt Classic

Lenape Valley, North Warren at Dover Tournament

Newton at Mount Olive Tournament

Belvidere, Pope John, Sparta at Hopatcong Tournament

North Hunterdon at Neptune Classic

Independent

Palisades (Pa.), Clearview and Voorhees at Warren Hills, 10 a.m.

Delaware Valley at Raritan Duals, 9 a.m.

Monday, Dec. 23

Independent

Kittatinny at West Milford quad, 10 a.m.

Skyland Conference

Ridge at Hunterdon Central, 10:30 a.m.

Friday, Dec. 27

Delaware Valley, Newton, North Hunterdon in John Goles Invitational at Warren Hills, 10 a.m.

Hackettstown at Hunterdon Central Tournament, 9:30 a.m.

Belvidere, North Warren in Linn Crawn Classic at Kittatinny, 9 a.m.

Lenape Valley Tournament, 9 a.m.

Pope John at Parsippany Tournament, 9 a.m.

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Vernon at Hopatcong, 10 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 28

Phillipsburg in Bethlehem Holiday Classic at Liberty (Pa.)

High Point in Mustang Classic at Brick Memorial

Independent

Spotswood at Voorhees, 10 a.m.

Belvidere, Lakeland at Sparta, 10 a.m.

Sunday, Dec. 29

Phillipsburg in Bethlehem Holiday Classic at Liberty (Pa.)

Monday, Dec. 30

Voorhees at Middletown South Tournament

Hopatcong, Sparta at Mountain Lakes Tournament

Independent

Delaware Valley, South Plainfield, Middletown North at Franklin, 10 a.m.

Vernon at Butler, 10 a.m.

Skyland Conference

North Hunterdon at Somerville, 9 a.m.

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Newton at Jefferson, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

Independent

North Hunterdon at West Morris, noon