Wrestling: NH set for dual action at Boresch, Patriot

The high school season just ended three weeks ago, but North Hunterdon is already gearing up for 2019-20.

Newton will host the Boresch Duals on Jan. 4, 2020.

Coach Chris Hrunka has been busy crafting next season's schedule and the Lions, who should again be among New Jersey's top teams, are slated to compete in the rugged Boresch Duals at Newton on Jan. 4, 2020 and they'll appear in the return of the Patriot Duals at North Warren on Jan. 25.

North Hunterdon (20-3), which finished second to Phillipsburg in the Skyland Conference Raritan Division and the North 2, Group 4 sectional final, will return 10 starters, including state qualifiers Frank Diesso (34-8 at 113), Nathaniel Fossett (27-5 at 170) and Ian Gaburo (25-12 at 195), along with Connor Quinn (20-13 at 120-126), Drew Doscher (21-12 at 132), Evan Klimas (27-11 at 138) and James Holder (22-10 at 170-182).

Hrunka also confirmed that next season's schedule will include a dual on Dec. 30 against Brick Memorial, which returns four state qualifiers, including third-place finisher Vincent Santaniello (113), along with the usual staples -- Phillipsburg (Jan. 15), Delaware Valley (Jan. 28), Hunterdon Central (Jan. 31) and Voorhees.

Newton coach Eric Bollette said his Boresch Duals had one opening when Cranford opted out of next year's eight-team event, which has become the state's premiere dual tournament. Three of the five public school state champions competed last season in two-time defending Boresch Duals champ Paulsboro (Group 1), Kingsway (Group 4) and South Plainfield (Group 2). All three teams have agreed to return in 2020, along with Hanover Park, Toms River North and Caldwell.

North Hunterdon was looking to keep a dual meet against Newton, which pulled out of a quad at North Warren that included the Lions and Westfield last season. That quad has morphed into the Patriot Duals for next season, but the Braves declined an invitation with the addition of High Point since both compete against one another in the NJAC Freedom Division and in North 1, Group 2.

Patriot Duals

North Warren showed marked improvement as 2018-19 went on under rookie coach Kellen Bradley, who is looking to take that next step in his second season -- starting with beefing up the schedule.

Bradley immediately began to bring back the once popular Patriot Duals, which were started under former coach Jim Lehman in the mid-1990s, and abruptly ended following the 2015-16 season. After a three-year hiatus, the tournament is back in full force with High Point, North Hunterdon and Warren Hills in the mix, along with Group 3 champion West Essex, Westfield, Bound Brook and Morris Hills, which is coached by former Kittatinny standout Brian Bollette.

High Point and NH should be the top seeds at the Patriot Duals.

"Over the years it's been pretty good," Bradley said. "When it started, North Warren won it a few years, then it started to be pretty competitive. We're looking to make wrestling more of an event at North Warren. We're trying to do that in different ways."

A dual tournament featuring some of the top teams in the state and Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area is a good place to start. Bradley also dislikes the idea of non-competitive quads, and it seems more of the area coaches are starting to get on board with having more single duals or high-profile events.

"It will be fan friendly," Bradley said of the duals schedule. "My plan is to move it along, maybe stick to set times for the first two rounds. Once things get rolling, to be fair to the teams [that have long commutes], keep it moving. There are six rounds to get in so it's a pretty long day."

North Warren is looking to recapture some of the success it enjoyed under current assistant Chris Jones' tenure as head coach, when the program won its only sectional titles back-to-back in 2006-07. The Patriots took a good first step this past season, finishing 12-11 and reaching the North 1, Group 1 semifinals -- dropping a respectable 45-27 decision to Group 1 runner-up Kittatinny.

"Overall, I was left with a pretty good feeling," said Bradley, who lauded former North Warren wrestlers Nick Barzano and Matt Ritchie for their work as youth coaches and getting the numbers up down below with over 50 kids in the K-6 program. "We expected to be at or right around .500. I'm happy with the way the kids responded. They improved in a lot of areas throughout the year. Our schedule was much tougher than the year before, so maybe the kids didn't notice the improvement as much, but it doesn't go unnoticed by [the coaches]."

The Patriots return 10 starters next season, including junior Ben Lilly (15-13 at 138), who finished fourth in the district but gained entry to the Region 1 Tournament via an injury, and HWS runner-up Rob Fletcher (22-12 at 160).

Back points

Jewel Gonzalez is presented with the OW Award in AC.

There was lots of talk before, during and after the inaugural girls state championships, and some changes may be in the works for next season's tournament, which will be held on March 5-7 at Boardwalk Hall in 2020.

It's already been agreed that the boys semifinals need to run side-by-side on the center two mats with the girls semis to be held during a separate session. Crisscrossing the boys semis this past season was not a popular choice, while having both awards presentations at the same time made the boys finals drag on and the girls having to wait for hours to get their medals. Having separate sessions for the girls and doing their awards earlier is the way to go.

Phillipsburg junior Jewel Gonzalez, who won Warren County's first title at 161 pounds and earned the Outstanding Wrestler Award, was recently honored for her milestone victory by the town, which gave her an escort back into P'burg on the night she won.

Another new addition for next season is a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament for the girls to be held on Dec. 29 at High Point Regional High School. The 11th annual boys event is set for Jan. 11 at Phillipsburg.

Some changes on the boys side were recently discussed during a meeting of the region presidents, including implementing the college four-point nearfall and wrestlebacks for the district tournaments, which was nixed. I'm not a big fan of either, but wrestlebacks for districts is totally unnecessary. It's hard to believe that there are a lot of No. 6 seeds who could come back for third. Plus, adding those extra rounds to two-mat venues would most likely necessitate a two-day tournament, something that coaches who want one-day events, especially with the travel involved under this moronic realignment, would not be happy about.

The need for wrestlebacks at the region level is understandable, though I can do without that fifth-place bout and those endless consolation rounds in holiday tournaments that constrain match limits so much that wrestlers are forced to sit out the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

Wrestling: Streaks out, Terriers in for Pin Cancer

The premiere high school wrestling event of the summer in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area will have a new look in 2019.

Washington (Warren Hills), which competed against Phillipsburg in the previous seven Pin Cancer matches, has withdrawn from the event, and Delaware Valley has stepped in to face P'burg in the eighth annual version on July 25 at Maloney Stadium.

The Pin Cancer match annually draws good crowds.

"We're happy to have the opportunity to get in a fairly visible event," Terriers coach Andy Fitz said on Tuesday. "It fits perfectly into our summer program. It's a local rivalry for a great cause. It was a no-brainer [to enter]."

Blue Streaks coach Dave Sbriscia, who just completed his first season in charge of his alma mater, declined to cite specific reasons for why his team will no longer compete in the Pin Cancer rivalry match.

"It's a decision we made for the program. We thought it was time to move on," Sbriscia said. "We didn't make that decision without speaking to a number of people in the community beforehand. There will be some other charity things that we'll be doing."

P'burg coach Dave Post, who recently reached out to Fitz to come aboard, is looking forward to starting a new chapter in the charity event.

"We're excited. [Del Val] is very similar to us with what we do [in summer wrestling]," said Post, who started the event along with former Blue Streaks coach and P'burg alum Jarrett Hosbach in 2012. "We started the tradition and we want to keep it rolling. The kids look forward to having the match."

Delaware Valley, which will likely go by Frenchtown for the Pin Cancer matchup since it's against NJSIAA rules to use school names and uniforms, will host the 2020 event at Tap Webb Memorial Field -- a grass surface. Maloney Stadium is in the process of being converted from grass to turf.

"They have a good following. We see them at the 1,000 Island Duals [summer tournament] and they have just as many people following them as we do," Post said. "When we wrestle them in dual action [during the season] it's always packed. Andy and his staff put the time and I'm sure they'll make it a special event when it's at their place."

Phillipsburg owns a 37-6 edge in the high school series against Delaware Valley dating to 1975, including a 36-16 victory on the road this past season on Feb. 1 at Hutchins Memorial Gym. Fitz's team also participated in the first "Return to The Pit" match two seasons ago, dropping a 64-6 decision to the Stateliners.

P'burg won the first four Pin Cancer matches before Washington ended that run with a 28-24 in 2016 at Warren Hills' auxiliary gym. The event was moved indoors for the first time due to rain, as was the case again for the 2017 event at Phillipsburg -- a 54-10 win for the Stateliners -- before the match returned outdoors last season -- a 48-6 rout for the 'Liners at Warren Hills School District Stadium.

(2018 Pin Cancer results)

PHILLIPSBURG 48, WASHINGTON 6
107 -- Fr. James Day, P, d. Fr. Jared Lee, 5-0.
113 -- So. Logan Maczko, P, d. Fr. Noah DiNapoli, 6-0.
120 -- Fr. Joey Innamorato, P, p. Fr. Max Pagano, :40.
125 -- So. Jason Tino, P, d. Jr. Greg Slivka, 8-6.
130 -- Sr. Bryce Parenti, P, p. Fr. Stephen Malia, 1:53.
135 -- Sr. Travis Jones, P, p. Jr. Logan Nauta, 3:47.
140 -- Jr. Nick Gorab, W, d. Sr. Luke Hardin, 2-1 OT (rideout).
145 -- Sr. Kyle Tino, P, md. Jr. Geir Nemeth, 13-1.
155 -- Sr. Thomas Abode, P, d. Sr. Chris Ostir, 4-3.
167 -- Sr. Cody Harrison, P, md. Jr. Nick Hildebrant, 10-0.
180 -- Jr. Jacob Wicks, P, d. Fr. Tyler McCatharn, 7-0.
200 -- Sr. Austin Roth, P, md. So. Logan Polcari, 8-0.
215 -- Sr. Nick Galka, W, d. So. Gage Horvath, 7-1.
285 -- Jr. Cody Cruts, P, d. Sr. Duro Ajayi, 7-5.
Officials -- Chip Castner, Frank Leitner and Joe Benvenuto.

Wrestling: Easton Lions Club Classic matchups, info

The 39th annual Easton Lions Club All-Star Wrestling Classic will be held on Wednesday at Easton Area High School's 25th Street Gymnasium.

The match pits seniors from New Jersey against their counterparts from Pennsylvania's rugged District 11. The high school event, slated for 8 p.m., is preceded by a youth event at 6.

Cody Harrison (3rd from left) is among 4 NJ placewinners.

New Jersey won last year's event, 32-17, to snap a five-match skid against Pennsylvania, which owns a 22-16 edge in the overall series dating to 1981.

Bouts will be three periods of 2 minutes, 1 1/2  and 1 1/2 minutes in length.

Tickets, available at the door, are $6 for adults, $4 for seniors (65 and older) and $3 for students.

Tentative high school matchups (New Jersey listed first):

113 -- Quinn Melofchik (39-3, 147-19, D1, R1, S5), Belvidere, vs. Nick Onea (38-14, 145-44, D4, R4), Pottsville.

120 -- Connor Robinson (32-10, 98-46, D1, R3), North Hunterdon, vs. Sean Pierson (40-3, 144-24, D3, R1, S1), Nazareth.

126 -- Jack Bauer (33-8, 119-37, D1, R2), Hunterdon Central, vs. Matt Maloney (37-6, 137-30, D2, R3), Liberty.

132 -- Travis Jones (37-7, 107-28, D2, R2), Phillipsburg, vs. Travis Brown (31-14, 103-48, D4, R4), Liberty.

138 -- Kyle Tino (33-12, 85-60, D1, R1), Phillipsburg, vs. Marckis Branford (41-6, 113-36, D2, R1, S4), Wilson.

145 -- Pasquale Vizzoni (28-5, 70-22, D1, R2), Hunterdon Central, vs. Ryan Anderson (39-1, 126-13, D1, R1, S1), Bethlehem Catholic.

152 -- Cody Harrison (40-3, 125-24, D1, R1, S3), Phillipsburg, vs. Logan Pagotto (30-9, 66-49, D2, R3), Lehighton.

160 -- Michael Wilson (39-6, 85-34, D2, R1, S7), North Hunterdon, vs. Luca Frinzi (38-10, 103-38, D2, R2, S4), Bethlehem Catholic.

170 -- Shawne Ramsby (31-11, 72-42, D1, R3), Delaware Valley, vs. Gaven Krazer (28-14, 66-43, D3, R4), Easton.

182 -- Zach Mafaro (42-5, 137-30, D1, R3, S5), Kittatinny, vs. Joe Schrader (26-6, 70-24, D4), Bangor.

195 -- Austin Roth (36-7, 69-47, D1, R1), Phillipsburg, vs. Damien Moyer (38-6, 133-39, D2, R1, S6), Liberty.

220 -- Nick Galka (37-6, 109-39, D1, R3), Warren Hills, vs. Nick Nittoli (33-7, 73-41, D1, R2, S6), Bangor.

285 -- Duro Ajayi (36-6, 57-21, D1, R1), Warren Hills, vs. Sami Khamis (34-8, 84-38, D3, R1), Stroudsburg.

Tentative youth matchups (New Jersey listed first):

50 -- Thomas Wade, North Hunterdon, vs. Tanner Milburn, Easton.

55 -- Zach Swingle, Phillipsburg, vs. Nico Emili, Easton.

60 -- Michael Young, Steele Hill, vs. Elijah Heimbach, Liberty.

65 -- Kieran Raley, North Hunterdon, vs. Tyler Mintz, Bangor.

70 -- Charlie Piccione, Washington, vs. Tanner Berkenstock, Easton.

75 -- Owen Kucharski, Delaware Valley, vs. Cooper Feltmann, Notre Dame.

80 -- Tyler Redfield, Washington, vs. Chris Kelly, Easton.

85 -- Josh Lee, Washington, vs. Jesse Scott, Emmaus.

90 -- Gavin Hawk, Phillipsburg, vs. Jack Evans, Liberty.

95 -- Logan Wadle, North Hunterdon, vs. Nolan Krazer, Easton.

100 -- Patrick Day, Phillipsburg, vs. Jayvon Simms, Easton.

108 -- Shawn Redfield, Washington, vs. Cam Simms, Easton.

112 -- Roman Citro, High Point, vs. Oliver Fairchild, Easton.

116 -- Dan Delusant, North Hunterdon, vs. Bryson Vaughn, Easton.

125 -- Caleb Rivera, Phillipsburg, vs. Joey LaPenna, Bangor.

130 -- Holden Garcia, Phillipsburg, vs. Carson Pascoe, Parkland.

135 -- Hunter Cleaver, Washington, vs. Dylan Reed, Easton.

HWT -- Alexander Uryniak, North Hunterdon, vs. Anthony Embardino, Easton.

Wrestling: What's on tap for HWS in 2019-20?

It was a banner 2018-19 season for the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area, which featured six sectional championship teams, as well as five individual state champions for the first time since 1990.

But it's never too early to look ahead to 2019-20. With that in mind, here are a few things to keep an eye on and some important dates for next season.

Lions team to beat?

With 10 starters returning next season, North Hunterdon, which lost twice to Phillipsburg, including a 28-19 decision in the North 2, Group 4 final, looks to be the early favorite for the Skyland Conference Raritan Division and sectional titles in 2019-20.

North Hunterdon should again be among Jersey's top teams.

Among the returnees for coach Chris Hrunka's team will be state qualifiers Frank Diesso (34-8 at 113), Nathaniel Fossett (27-5 at 170) and Ian Gaburo (25-12 at 195), along with Connor Quinn (20-13 at 120-126), Drew Doscher (21-12 at 132), Evan Klimas (27-11 at 138) and James Holder (22-10 at 170-182).

Some newcomers with familiar last names will join the mix next season as Logan Wadle (106) and Alexander Uryniak (170-182), both New Jersey Grade School champions, and Jack Van Doren (106-113), who finished third, should make an impact as rookies. Wadle's father, Rudy, was a three-time district and a region champ, who finished fifth-sixth in the state in 1992 and '93, while Jack's father, Mike, was among the best to ever don a North singlet -- going 108-12-1 from 1984-88, while winning two district and three region titles, as well as a state championship as a senior in '88.

P'burg, which has won 17 straight meetings since last losing to North in 2007, will be young with a lineup of mostly freshmen and sophomores. One of those newcomers will be blue-chipper Holden Garcia, a New Jersey Grade School League champion at 130 pounds and whose father, Jason, was a three-time state medal winner for the 'Liners.

Logan Maczko (33-11 at 106-113) will be the only returning state qualifier for coach Dave Post's team, while the Region 4 champ, who is 51-26 overall, will be the lone varsity starter with more than 30 career wins. Most of the upper weights return, including District 13 champions Jacob Wicks (24-16 at 182) and Gage Horvath (19-19 at 220).

Whether it's North or P'burg in North 2, Group 4, the sectional champion will face a tall order in Toms River as defending Group 4 champion Kingsway is primed for another title run.

'Cats will be back

High Point loses several starters, including Devin Flannery, third in the state at 120, and former placewinner Brandon LaRue, but don't sleep on the Wildcats. This team that will be better than people think and rates as the very early favorite in Group 2 next season.

Coach John Gardner will have plenty of returning talent, including Billy Talmadge (42-6 at 138), who placed fifth in the state, and qualifiers Clayton Utter (34-12 at 106), Devon Liebl (32-11 at 113), Josh Gervey (28-11 at 132), Brian Soldano (41-4 at 160), a Region 1 champion.

Keep an eye on incoming freshmen Roman Citro and Shane Woolf, who were New Jersey Grade School champions at 112 and 124 pounds. Citro's father, Marc, was a two-time region qualifier for West Milford in 1990 and '91, while his uncle, Brian, was third in Region 1 at 114 pounds in '95 for the Highlanders.

Other incoming freshmen with notable last names are Newton's Thaylor Sibblies (fourth in the New Jersey Grade School League at 124 pounds) and Delaware Valley's Garrett Tettemer (second at 150). Sibblies' father, Teddy, is an assistant coach for the Braves and their last state finalist in 1989, while Tettemer's father, Scott, was a two-time district and a region champ for the Terriers in '85.

Dates to remember

Opening Day -- Dec. 20.

Boresch Duals at Newton on Jan. 4 -- Paulsboro, the Group 1 champ and No. 2 in the New Jersey Writers Top 20, will look to win a third straight title in what is now one of the state's premiere dual events. Last year's field also included Kingsway and South Plainfield, the Group 4 and 2 champs, as well as North 2, Group 2 sectional winner Hanover Park and No. 20 Toms River North.

Pope John at Delbarton on Jan. 7 -- This one should decide the NJAC American Division title. Pope John, which is coming off the program's best state tournament performance, returns champion Eddie Ventresca (40-1 at 120), along with placewinners Shane Percelay (26-7 at 106) and Kaya Sement (35-9 at 132). Delbarton should be one of  New Jersey's best teams with six returning state medal winners -- Nicholas Nardone (33-10, sixth at 113), two-time champion and 2019 runner-up Anthony Clark (36-4 at 120), Dante Stefanelli (25-6, fourth at 152), Kieran Calvetti (32-10, sixth at 182), Luke Chakonis (31-6, fourth at 195) and P.J. Casale (33-10, fifth at 220) -- and two other qualifiers.

High Point at Kittatinny on Jan. 9 -- Another early-season affair that should decide a title as High Point eyes another NJAC Freedom championship. Kittatinny, which won the North 1, Group 1 title, loses seven starters, including two-time state placewinner Zach Mafaro, but coach John Gill's team will be solid up top with Jackson Crawn (35-9 at 195-220), a state qualifier, and Jacob Mafaro (25-5 at 285), as well as Robert Bruce (20-10 at 182-195) and Brycen Mafaro (11-6).

HWS Tournament on Jan. 11 -- Phillipsburg is a fine host for this annual event and the 11th edition should be outstanding, provided we get a full complement from each team. I know, wishful thinking, but for those opposed to this tournament, consider the area had five state champions (two will return in Ventresca and Hunterdon Central's Brett Ungar) and 16 medal winners in Atlantic City. There's a wealth of talent around here, let's hope we get to see it all in one gym next year.

High Point at Phillipsburg on Jan. 18 -- Good to see this rivalry back on the schedule for another season after the Stateliners pulled off a 30-27 win in the last meeting in Wantage for an 18-1 lead in the all-time series. The only win for the 'Cats was 30-22 at The Pit on Jan. 31, 2009.

NJAC schedules (tentative) -- Freedom: Jan. 9 -- High Point at Kittatinny; Newton at Hackettstown; Jan. 15 -- High Point at Hackettstown; Newton at Jefferson; Jan. 23 -- Kittatinny at Newton; Hackettstown at Jefferson; Jan. 28 -- Jefferson at High Point; Hackettstown at Kittatinny; Feb. 5 -- High Point at Newton; Jefferson at Kittatinny. Colonial: Jan. 9 -- North Warren at Lenape Valley; Wallkill Valley at Vernon; Jan. 15 -- Lenape Valley at Vernon; Wallkill Valley at Hopatcong; Jan. 23 -- North Warren at Wallkill Valley; Vernon at Hopatcong; Jan. 28 -- Hopatcong at Lenape Valley; Vernon at North Warren; Feb. 5 -- Lenape Valley at Wallkill Valley; Hopatcong at North Warren. American: Jan. 7 -- Pope John at Delbarton; West Morris at Montville; Mendham at Sparta; Jan. 9 -- West Morris at Delbarton; Sparta at Pope John; Mendham at Roxbury; Jan. 15 -- Sparta at Delbarton; Roxbury at Pope John; Montville at Mendham; Jan. 23 -- Delbarton at Roxbury; West Morris at Pope John; Montville at Sparta; Jan. 28 -- Pope John at Montville; Roxbury at Sparta; Mendham at West Morris; Feb. 5 -- Delbarton at Mendham; Montville at Roxbury; Sparta at West Morris.

Sectional tournaments -- Feb. 10, 12 and 14.

Group championships -- Sunday, Feb. 16 at Toms River North.

District Tournaments -- Saturday, Feb. 22.

Region Tournaments -- Feb. 26, 28 and 29.

87th State Championships -- March 5, 6 and 7 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Wrestling: HWS state roundup by the numbers

As we pull the curtain down on another high school wrestling season, let's crunch some numbers and point out some interesting statistics from the 86th State Championships at Boardwalk Hall -- boys and girls edition.

HWS crowned 5 champs for the first time since 1990.

5 -- Pope John's Eddie Ventresca (120), JoJo Aragona (138) and Robbie Garcia (152), as well as Hunterdon Central sophomore Brett Ungar (106) all won their first state titles, while Voorhees ace Lewis Fernandes (285) won his second straight at heavyweight to become the first two-time winner for the Vikings. It's the most champs for the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area since crowning five in 1990. The area has had five winners on six occasions since 1963, including '66, '68 and '71. The record, which will likely stand for eternity, is champions in all 10 weight classes in 1947.

2 -- Ungar and Fernandes gave Hunterdon County two champions in a season for the first time since 1993, when Brent Conly (119) and Ricky Krieger (189) won for Delaware Valley. The county hasn't had three in one tournament since 1988 (John Pasterkiewicz and Jamie Wicks of Del Val and Mike Van Doren of North Hunterdon). This season was also just the second with Central and Voorhees each having a champion, along with Tom Gibble and Glenn Hall in 1981.

117 -- Pope John carried the title flag three times for Sussex County, which has 117 champs overall, including Newton's state record of 82, and ranks behind only Bergen and Union (129). The Lions, whose three champs were the most for Sussex since High Point's incredible run of four in 2011, also matched Kittatinny with eight winners in their programs' history. Garcia's win in the opening bout of the finals was the Sparta-based school's first champ since Brian Unkert won at 145 in 1990. Garcia's run through the bracket, which included four pins and a 13-5 major of Southern's Nicholas O'Connell in the title bout, had my vote for the OW Award and was a ton of fun to watch. Fernandes' dominance at 285 wasn't too shabby either.

Jewel Gonzalez earns the first OW Award for the girls.

33 -- Phillipsburg, which has 33 state champions overall in its illustrious history, did not have a boys winner for the seventh straight season, but the Stateliners enjoyed getting their first on the girls side as junior Jewel Gonzalez dominated in winning at 161 pounds and earning the Outstanding Wrestler Award in the inaugural female tournament. Gonzalez is Warren County's first female champ, while Hunterdon Central junior Stephanie Andrade became the first from HWS by winning the title at 127 pounds. Cody Harrison capped his fine career with a third-place finish at 152 for P'burg, which had a total of five on the boys side in AC.

85 -- It's been awhile for the other schools in Warren County, which has produced 85 champions in the 86-year history of the State Championships. Washington-Warren Hills has 46 of those, which is second only to Newton statewide, but none since Justin Colaluce won back-to-back titles in 1997-98. The Blue Streaks have not had a placewinner since Andrew Pacheco finished sixth at 285 pounds in 2014. Senior Nick Galka, who joined the school's 100 wins club this season, was a round away from earning a medal at 220.

40 -- Ungar, who will look to join Gibble as the only two-time champs for Central next season, and Fernandes were Nos. 39 and 40 for Hunterdon County, which has now had at least one champion in three straight tournaments -- Fernandes won his first in 2018 and Del Val's Kyle Lightner won at 195 pounds in '17 -- for the first time since producing at least one in five straight tournaments from 1981-85. It's starting to feel like the good old glory days in these parts. North Hunterdon, which has 12 champions, now has now gone the longest without a winner (Ricky Frondorf in 2003).

16 -- Belvidere senior Quinn Melofchik (113), who became Warren County's all-time wins leader this season, and Newton senior Wyatt McCarthy (145) earned their second state medals in helping the area collect 16 overall (we had nine pegged before the tournament began), including a second for Kittatinny senior Zach Mafaro at 182. Harrison became only the 12th to earn three medals for Phillipsburg, while High Point had a pair of placers in Devin Flannery (120), who went 7-1 to take third, and junior Billy Talmadge, who was fifth at 138 and should be a title contender in 2020. North Hunterdon senior Michael Wilson (seventh at 160) was another good story as he didn't even make it out of Region 4 last season. Sophomore Spencer Stewart (eighth at 120) gave Sparta placewinners in consecutive years for the first time since 2001-03. Newton senior Luke Fischer (seventh at 220) came a long way since going 10-15 as a freshman to help the Braves collect two medals for the first time since 1987.

324 -- Fernandes spent a grand total of 324 seconds on the mats over his five victories at Boardwalk Hall or 5 minutes and 24 seconds, including a 46-second pin in the finals. The only opponent to make it out of the first period was Mount Olive senior Jayvon Davidson, who placed fifth, before getting decked in 2:36 in their semifinal matchup. That one included a bizarre scene as Davidson, who did a good job of hanging from the neutral position before giving up a late takedown, had his choice to start the second period and opted to defer. Smart money there would have been to take neutral, but instead, Fernandes took top, put the boots in, and cranked Davidson over with a half. Party over.

Melofchik is Mr. Belvidere; Talmadge golden in '20?

ATLANTIC CITY -- Quinn Melofchik has pretty much been the toast of Belvidere for the better part of his high school wrestling career.

And why not? Though the team has endure its share of struggles overall, Melofchik is one of those wrestlers you can't help but root for in an age of all-star teams. When a talent like Melofchik opts to attend his hometown school, it gives plenty of people a reason to cheer.

"I'm happy to end on a win," said Melofchik, who became the fourth to win at least two state medals for County Seaters with a fifth-place finish at 113 pounds in the 86th State Wrestling Championships on Saturday at Boardwalk Hall.

"I would have liked to have been a state champion. To do that, you have to wrestle your best. I didn't do that. I'm happy with the way I performed and came back."

Billy Talmadge (second from left) gets his first state medal.

Melofchik was among 16 wrestlers to earn medals, Phillipsburg senior Cody Harrison (152) and High Point senior Devin Flannery (120), who finished third. Newton senior Wyatt McCarthy (145) was fourth, while Pope John junior Kaya Sement (132), High Point junior Billy Talmadge (138) and Kittatinny senior Zach Mafaro (182) were fifth. Pope John sophomore Shane Percelay (106), North Hunterdon senior Michael Wilson (160) and Newton senior Luke Fischer (220) finished seventh and Sparta sophomore Spencer Stewart (120) was eighth. The HWS area also had five state champions -- Eddie Ventresca (120), JoJo Aragona (138) and Robbie Garcia (152) of Pope John, along with Hunterdon Central sophomore Brett Ungar (106) and Voorhees senior Lewis Fernandes (285) -- for the first time since 1990.

Melofchik (39-3), who finished seventh at 106 as a junior, also ended his career as Warren County's all-time wins leader at 147-19.

"It's really special. Warren County is small, there aren't too many schools," Melofchik said. "There are great competitors and programs."

Perhaps more importantly, he was able to settle a score once and for all against Delbarton sophomore Nicholas Nardone, who ended Melofchik's state title hopes in the quarterfinals the last two seasons, including a 4-3 win on Friday afternoon, with a 5-3 victory in the fifth-place bout in AC.

Region 3 is where Melofchik had the upper hand on Nardone, winning their semifinal meeting in 2018 and 4-3 in sudden victory in last weekend's finals to earn the Outstanding Wrestler Award.

"He's a great competitor," Melofchik said. "We've wrestled five times in two years. I would've liked to have gotten the one before [in the quarterfinals]. I had to regroup because he was someone I wanted to beat in the rubber match."

Melofchik, a two-time district and a region champion, the school's 20th overall, joins Josh Cowley (seventh-eighth in 1994 and third in '95), Matt Tresslar (second in 1994, first in '95 and third in '96) and Tyler Smith (second in 2007 and third in '08) as the only multiple state placewinners at Belvidere.

"I couldn't be happier with my career and season," said Melofchik, the first fifth-place finisher for the Seaters. "I'm looking forward to the next step in life and attending the [Air Force Academy]."

Braves get a pair

McCarthy and Fischer were Newton's 1-2 punch all season so it seems only fitting that both capped their careers with state medals -- McCarthy earning his second after a seventh-place finish in 2018. Both were looking to end the school's long state title drought.

Region 1 champions Wyatt McCarthy and Luke Fischer.

It's the first time since 1987, when Andy Iliff won his second state title and the Braves' last at 159 and Robert Coward took sixth at heavyweight, that the Braves had two placewinners in one tournament.

"It's definitely great representing Newton, we have the most state champs [82]," said Fischer, who ended his season by decking Jajuan Hayes of Bordentown-Florence in their seventh-place bout. "I was glad I could finish seventh. I didn't want to finish seventh, but it happens."

Fischer rebounded from a tough 3-2 loss in the quarters to Nicolos Colucci of St. Peter's Prep as he surrendered a crucial first takedown -- only the second one Fischer allowed all season and the first since a 7-2 win over Kittatinny's Jacob Mafaro in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament semifinals on Jan. 12.

"I put in a lot of hard work. I couldn't have done it without my family," said Fischer, who passed Gus Protogeropoulos for sixth place on the school's career wins list with that final victory to finish 107-35. "I'm a little disappointed, but it was a good season."

One to watch in 2020

Talmadge has been rock-solid in High Point's lineup for the past two seasons, icing the program's Group 2 title win over Raritan as a sophomore and capping a strong junior campaign with a fifth-place finish -- scoring an 8-5 win after nearly decking Bergen Catholic's Alex Strashinsky for his 100th career victory.

"It's a cool feeling to wrestle all the way back," said Talmadge (42-6), a two-time state qualifier who will enter his senior season at 100-26 overall. "I worked hard for it."

High Point had four other qualifiers in addition to Talmadge and Flannery, as freshman Clayton Utter (106), junior Devon Liebl (113), sophomore Josh Gervey (132) and super freshman Brian Soldano (160) made their first AC appearances. Utter was a round shy of placing, dropping the rubber match against Percelay, 6-4, while Soldano, who coach John Gardner, a state champion in 1990 and New Jersey's career wins leader upon graduation at 131-8-1, says is better than he was at this stage in high school, also fell a win short of a medal.

"I was very surprised [Soldano didn't medal]," Talmadge said. "He has a lot of success in front of him."

Talmadge does as well. High Point hasn't had a state champion since that incredible season with four in the 2011 tournament -- Nick Francavilla, Drew Wagenhoffer, Ethan Orr and Billy Smith -- but Talmadge will be a strong contender next season, most likely at 145.

"I'm going to for [the title] next year," said Talmadge, who was right there with runner-up Jacob Perez-Eli of Paulsboro in a 3-2 loss in the quarters.

He also has an additional goal with that many wins as a junior.

"I might be able to beat [assistant] coach Smith [who is tied for third on the school's list at 138-20], now," Talmadge said with a chuckle.

Wrestling: Harrison, Flannery end careers in style

ATLANTIC CITY -- Phillipsburg senior Cody Harrison wanted nothing more than to go out on top.

Though it wasn't the way he wanted his high school career to end, he gained a measure of satisfaction with a third-place finish at 152 pounds in the 86th State Wrestling Championships on Saturday at Boardwalk Hall.

Cody Harrison (third from left) on the podium at 152.

"I always said I wanted to win my last high school match," said Harrison, who scored a 5-2 victory over Delbarton junior Dante Stefanelli in their third-place matchup. "Obviously, I wanted to win [a state title], who doesn't? It feels good to at least win my last match. I'm said and happy, and a little angry. I got a higher place than last year [fourth at 138]. It just stinks I couldn't win it."

Harrison was among 16 wrestlers to earn medals, including High Point senior Devin Flannery, who also finished third at 120 pounds. Newton senior Wyatt McCarthy (145) was fourth, while Belvidere senior Quinn Melofchik (113), Pope John junior Kaya Sement (132), High Point junior Billy Talmadge (138) and Kittatinny senior Zach Mafaro (182) were fifth. Pope John sophomore Shane Percelay (106), North Hunterdon senior Michael Wilson (160) and Newton senior Luke Fischer (220) finished seventh and Sparta sophomore Spencer Stewart (120) was eighth. The area also had five state champions -- Eddie Ventresca (120), JoJo Aragona (138) and Robbie Garcia (152) of Pope John, along with Hunterdon Central sophomore Brett Ungar (106) and Voorhees senior Lewis Fernandes (285).

The road back through the wrestlebacks following a loss that ends a wrestler's state title hopes is a tough one, but Harrison, who dropped a 4-3 decision to Southern senior and eventual runner-up Nicholas O'Connell in the semifinals, rebounded to close out an excellent career in style.

"You can't let a match dictate your whole life," said Harrison, who is just the 12th Stateliner to earn three state medals and the third in the last four years as Brandon Paetzell (2013, '14 and '16) and Robert Melise (2015-17) preceded him.

Prior to those three, you'd have to back 22 years when John Garriques finished second at 171 pounds in 1997 to earn his third medal. How does Harrison, a four-time state qualifier who also finished eighth as a sophomore, feel to put his name alongside some of the storied program's greats?

"It's a huge accomplishment. I'm honored to be a part of Phillipsburg wrestling," said Harrison, who ranks sixth on Warren County's all-time wins list at 125-14. "It's sincerely been one of the great parts of my life."

Flannery cements his place

It was tough to sit and watch a year ago after sustaining a season-ending left elbow injury, but Flannery was all smiles after pinning Kingsway junior McKenzie Bell in their third-place matchup.

Devin Flannery (third from left) with his first medal in AC.

Flannery (40-9) used a cement job, a move he had never hit in a match previously, to get the fall in 1:12.

"It feels great. One of my goals all year was to be on the podium," said Flannery, who, along with Talmadge, helped the Wildcats earn at least one state medal in 12 of the last 16 tournaments since 2004. "I tried to climb as high as I could. I'll take it."

Flannery dropped a tough 2-1 decision in the ultimate tiebreaker to Jackson Memorial's Vincent Scollo in the pre-quarterfinals and then proceeded to win six straight matches to take third -- going 7-1 overall in the tournament. Along the way, Flannery knocked off Anthony White of South Plainfield, 7-1, and Stewart, 5-4, before avenging two previous losses this season to St. Joseph-Montvale's Justin Bierdumpfel, 3-2, in the consolation semifinals. Bierdumpfel had won their matchups in the District 1 finals and Region 1 semifinals -- 9-3 and 5-1.

The only other in-state losses for Flannery were to a pair of state champions -- 11-5 to St. John Vianney's Dean Peterson in the Mustang Classic finals in December and 8-6 to Ventresca on Jan. 24.

Prior to Atlantic City, Flannery got his 100th victory in the Region 1 quarterfinals.

"It's awesome. It was one of my main goals coming in," said Flannery, who finished 109-27.