Wrestling: Rivalries, milestones aplenty (HWS ranks)

The high school wrestling season seems to be speeding along as usual. We recently wrapped up the 15th Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament and now diehard fans can set their sights on what should prove to be some interesting duals in the coming weeks.

First up is Phillipsburg, which starts another of its tough stretches with Friday night's trip to Delaware Valley. The Stateliners (8-0), who own a 39-7 edge all-time against the Terriers (8-1) dating to 1975, rate about 15-20-point favorites -- depending on matchups -- going 5-1 in head-to-head county tournament matchups on Saturday. (Open Mike has P'burg winning, 41-18.)

P'burg won its 9th HWS team title on Saturday

Phillipsburg, ranked No. 10 in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Top 20, has a rare Saturday off before hosting No. 12 Rumson-Fair Haven on Monday in Lopatcong Township. Next weekend, the 'Liners square off against archrival Easton (Pa.) in the process of building toward a Group 4 title run next month.

"As long as we're seeing progress, week in and week out, we don't necessarily need to peak today," coach Tim Longacre said prior to Wednesday's 58-7 thrashing of Hillsborough in a key Skyland Conference Delaware Division matchup. 

"We can peak in another month from now. We're OK with that. Our goals are big, so as long we keep building, we'll peak at the right time."

Conversely, Del Val is also starting the toughest portion of its schedule as coach Andy Fitz's team heads to No. 16 Caldwell on Saturday to face the Chiefs for the first time since a 26-24 win on Feb. 13, 2010, which gave the Terriers a 4-0 lead in the series since 1983. Watchung Hills, Ridge and Cranford are next week's opponents for the Group 1 title favorites.

'Cats closing in on 800

High Point, fresh off its 56-14 rout of Kittatinny on Wednesday, is sitting on 798 wins as a program heading into Saturday morning's quad at DePaul. Round 1 vs. Ocean Township starts at 9 a.m., with matches against DePaul and North Hunterdon to follow.

Interestingly, three of the four head coaches for the Wildcats (8-3) who preceded Billy Smith were in attendance at Kittatinny -- Jeff Hull (288-104-4 in 27 seasons over two stints, 1970-93 and 1996-98), Jan Michaels (47-12 in three seasons from 1993-96) and John Gardner (406-122-2 in 25 seasons from 1998-2024).

Sweet win for South 

South Hunterdon picked up its first dual victory in 20-plus years as the Eagles scored a pulled off a 40-36 decision over Rutgers Prep in a Skyland Conference Mountain Division clash on Wednesday in West Amwell Township.

South won 7 bouts (5 pins) vs. Rutgers Prep

Senior Noah Cormier (4-5) sealed the deal with a pin in the final bout at 285 pounds for South (1-7), which is in its first varsity season since the early 2000s after spending the previous three on the junior varsity level. Eagles coach Leigh Hall is no stranger to the HWS area as the former Del Val standout heavyweight has made coaching stops at his alma mater, Voorhees and Hunterdon Central.

"I'm just happy for the program," Hall said via text message. "We had a big crowd, too."

Now, onto this week's team rankings:

1. Phillipsburg (8-0) -- Stateliners rolled to their ninth HWS team championship behind a tournament-best 11 placewinners, including senior Gavin Hawk (157) became the program's first four-time champ and just the fourth in the event's history. Fellow senior Luke Geleta (144) joined Hawk as the only 'Liners to win at least three. Hawk, who is 127-20 overall, is one win from tying Max Elling (128-37 from 2011-15) for second place on the school's all-time wins list.

Up next: at Delaware Valley on Friday; Rumson-Fair Haven at home on Monday. 

North picked up its 824th win on Wednesday

2. North Hunterdon (5-2) -- Lions, who finished third in the HWS team race behind six runners-up, entered the NJWWA Top 20 for the first time this season as coach Dave Bell's team checked in at No. 18. Sophomore Aidan Yarussi (15-3 at 132) scored a big 5-3 win over fellow returning state qualifier Mason Tettambel in North's 50-15 rout of Immaculata on Wednesday.

Up next: Rumson-Fair Haven at home on Friday; High Point, Ocean Township at DePaul quad on Saturday.  

3. Delaware Valley (8-1) -- Terriers finished fourth in the HWS team race as senior ace Jaden Perez (18-0) dusted the field at 126 pounds to claim his first county title, while senior Jackson Bush (16-2), who picked up his 90th career win in the semifinals, finished second at 150. Del Val's scheduled match at Hunterdon Central on Wednesday was postponed due to a boiling water advisory as coach Andy Fitz's team gears up to face a pair of state-ranked teams this weekend.

Up next: Phillipsburg at home on Friday; at Caldwell on Saturday.

4. High Point (8-3) -- Wildcats rolled to their fourth straight win with a 56-14 thumping of Kittatinny on Wednesday in the 49th meeting between Sussex County and NJAC Freedom Division rivals. Former state champion Billy Smith (4-0 against the Cougars as a wrestler) picked up his first win as head coach for the 'Cats, who have won three of the last four meetings and own a 33-15-1 series edge since 1976. Returning state qualifier Nick Clayton (11-3 at 150) is five wins shy of reaching the career century mark. 

Up next: North Hunterdon and Ocean Township at DePaul quad on Saturday.

5. Pope John (6-4) -- Lions were second in the HWS team standings as senior ace Carson Walsh (19-1 at 138) joined former state champions JoJo Aragona (2016-19) and Eddie Ventresca (2017-20) as the only PJ wrestlers to win four county titles. Walsh, a Pitt recruit, also earned the Outstanding Wrestler Award -- the school's second and first since Aragona (2019). Walsh and two-time HWS champ Dalton Weber (9-2 at 132) did not wrestle in the team's 55-6 loss to Delbarton on Wednesday.

Up next: Parsippany Hills and St. Augustine Prep at home on Saturday.

Piccione celebrates his milestone win

6. Warren Hills (2-4) -- Blue Streaks, who finished fifth in the HWS team race, came up short in a 41-34 loss to reigning Group 4 champion Ridge on Wednesday in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash. Three-time finalist Augie Szamreta (16-2 at 113) won his first county title, along with senior Charlie Piccione (16-2), who picked up his 100th career win in the finals.

Up next: Jack Welch Duals at Moorestown on Friday and Saturday.

7. Kittatinny (5-6) -- Cougars won just three bouts (including a forfeit to senior Ethan Dalling at 175) in a 56-14 loss to High Point on Wednesday as coach John Gill's team was seeking back-to-back wins in the series for the first time since 2016-17. With that forfeit, Dalling (114-23) moved past his father, Steve, and fellow two-time state champ Roman Fleszar for 12th on the program's career wins list. Former state runner-up Mike Weber (119-19 from 1998-2002) sits in the 11th spot.

Up next: Hackettstown at home on Friday.

8. Sparta (2-7) -- Spartans just haven't had their full lineup together at any point this season, but coach Dan Trappe's team did manage to tie High Point for sixth place in the HWS team race. Junior Ryan Hrenenko (18-3 at 132) placed third, while senior Logan Hrenenko (15-5 at 138) was a runner-up before becoming the 10th member of the program's 100-wins club in Wednesday's 51-20 loss to Morris Hills. Juniors Sean Brown (10-4 at 144) and Liam Hassloch (10-7 at 215) made their first county finals appearances.

Up next: Mendham, Verona at Hackettstown quad on Saturday.

9. Hunterdon Central (2-7) -- Red Devils, who entered just seven wrestlers, finished eighth in the HWS team standings as junior Rhett Washleski (19-2 at 150) won his second title after a runner-up finish in 2024. He'll look to become only the sixth four-time finalist next season. Junior Grant Thompson (16-5 at 157) made his first finals appearance.

Up next: Bridgewater-Raritan, Jefferson at Brick Memorial quad on Saturday.  

10. Hackettstown (6-4) -- Tigers produced their first HWS champ since 2018, as sophomore Joseph Rowinski (13-3) won at 106 pounds after last season's third-place finish. Sophomore Bryan Dougherty (12-4) was third at 120. Coach Jim Berringer's team is a handful down low and features only one senior and 10 sophomores in the starting lineup.

Up next: Sparta, Mendham and Verona at home on Saturday.

Wrestling: Which HWS teams grace NJWWA poll?

A major shakeup seemed inevitable when it comes to the turbulent world of state team rankings.

Predictably, North Hunterdon is the latest Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area representative following its big 34-33 win over Delaware Valley last Wednesday at Daniel Hutchins Memorial Gym. The Lions (4-2) entered the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20, released on Tuesday morning, for the first time this season at No. 18.

Phillipsburg (7-0) remained at No. 10 overall and the state's third-ranked public school after the host Stateliners won their county-record ninth team championship at the 15th HWS Tournament on Saturday in Lopatcong Township. 

The Warren County school produced a tourney-best 11 placewinners, including senior ace Gavin Hawk (157), who became just the fourth wrestler and first for the 'Liners to win four individual titles. Luke Geleta (144) won his third HWS championship, while junior Kevin Buonocore (215) captured his first county gold medal.

"Not bad at all," said P'burg coach Tim Longacre of his team's overall performance. "Kevin Buonocore put a smile on my face. To see where his confidence has grown and what you saw [in the tournament] is fantastic."

Hawk (16-1), a returning state finalist and 126-20 overall, is closing in on another milestone as he's just five wins shy of matching former state runner-up Brian Meyer (131-35 from 2014-18) atop the school's victories list. Hawk currently sits third behind Meyer and former state medalist Max Elling (128-37 from 2011-15).

P'burg is 39-7 all-time vs. DV since 1975

"He puts the time in and he deserves it," Longacre said of Hawk. "He's going to be sorely missed [next season]."

Phillipsburg rolled to a 52-15 win over Hanover Park, which is among the Group 1 title favorites, on Monday night at home as Hawk added to his program pins record with No. 82. The 'Liners will next host Hillsborough on Wednesday before a showdown at Delaware Valley on Friday in Alexandria Township.

Longacre, whose team scored a 39-22 win over Del Val last season, is looking for his 'Liners to keep taking that next step forward.

"I'm never satisfied. We need to be a lot more sharper, a lot more polished," he said on Saturday. "I think we're wrestling as expected. So we're still waiting for the wow factor. Who's going to wow us. Kevin [did that at HWS]. That was a good moment, so that's what we need to keep building on every day." 

All signs point North

North finished second at the Boresch Duals

North Hunterdon, which finished third in the HWS Tournament team race behind P'burg and Pope John, is reaping the rewards of a brutal early-season schedule. Coach Dave Bell's Lions matched PJ with nine placewinners, but went 0-for-6 in the championship round.

Sophomores Cayden Wadle (13-2 at 106) and Aidan Yarussi (14-3 at 132), junior Reid Buzby (12-5 at 126) and seniors Joseph Celentano (8-7 at 120), Josh Joubert (9-8 at 165) and Evan Kinney (14-2 at 175) were runners-up for North, which did not produce a county champ for only the third time in tourney history (2018 and '24 were the other years).

North's only losses are to the state's top two public schools -- No. 8 Southern (55-18 on Dec. 18) and No. 9 Delsea (65-11 on Jan. 4). The Lions are gearing up to host No. 12 Rumson-Fair Haven on Friday before facing High Point and Ocean Township in a quad at DePaul on Saturday.

Rank	School	Record	Votes	Previous
1	Delbarton (8)	(10-1)	160	1
2	St. Peter's Prep	(7-1)	150	2
3	St. John Vianney	(6-1)	144	3
4	Christian Brothers Academy	(5-3)	133	5
5	St. Joseph-Montvale	(6-2)	131	7
6	Bergen Catholic	(7-2)	116	4
7	Camden Catholic	(8-0)	114	6
8	Southern	(8-1)	112	8
9	Delsea	(8-0)	98	9
10	Phillipsburg	(7-0)	85	10
11	Mount Olive	(8-3)	76	12
12	Rumson-Fair Haven	(9-1)	74	11
13	St. Augustine Prep	(7-4)	68	13
14	Don Bosco Prep	(4-4)	60	14
15	St. Joseph-Metuchen	(8-2)	46	17
16	Caldwell	(8-0)	38	16
17	Paramus Catholic	(2-4)	28	15
18	North Hunterdon	(4-2)	16	NR
19	Middletown North	(11-0)	14	NR
20	Brick Memorial	(7-1)	9	NR

Also receiving votes: Delaware Valley (8-1) 7; Cranford (9-2) 5; Ridge (9-2) 5; Wayne Valley (10-0) 1. 

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: Pair of 4-peats highlight historic HWS

LOPATCONG TWP. -- Pope John ace Carson Walsh's eyes are on much bigger wrestling prizes, but the senior star at 138 pounds appreciated the magnitude of his historic accomplishment in the 15th Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

Walsh matched two others at his school to win four individual titles and was joined minutes later by Phillipsburg senior Gavin Hawk (157), who became the first Stateliner to four-peat and just the fourth in HWS history, as part of what proved to be a noteworthy championship round on Saturday at Phillipsburg High School. 

Walsh was among an HWS-best 4 winners for PJ

For the first time in tourney history, all 14 title matchups were bonus-point victories. Walsh (19-1), a state runner-up last season and three-time medalist, built a 13-3 lead before using a cradle to deck Sparta senior Logan Hrenenko in 3:58 and spoil his bid for 100 career wins to earn OW honors. Hawk, also a state finalist last season, stuck Hunterdon Central's Grant Thompson in 1:48.

"It's exciting. When I won as a freshman, it was always a goal to win three more," said Walsh, who joined former state champs JoJo Aragona (2016-19), now a PJ assistant coach and the school's only other county OW, and Eddie Ventresca (2017-20) as the only Lions to win four HWS titles. 

"My goals have been bigger since then and I haven't really achieved those yet. There are bigger things on my mind, but definitely a cool feeling. "He's a tough, strong kid ... hard to finish on. But I knew if I got to my shots, I can finish on anyone in the country."

Pope John finished second in the team race behind Phillipsburg, which claimed its ninth championship and first since 2023. Lions junior Dalton Weber (132) joined an elite group of just 39 wrestlers to win at least two titles, while juniors Cole Dunham (165) and David Thomson (190) joined the party as first-time champions. 

Walsh, a Pitt recruit, is focused on winning that elusive state title, but recognized the significance of winning four titles in what's widely considered as the toughest county tournament in New Jersey.

"It's never going to be a cakewalk," Walsh said. "Phillipsburg is one of the biggest wrestling powerhouses in the state. Warren Hills, there's plenty of teams here that are powerhouses, so you're always going to [face] one good guy every weight besides your own. 

"Since [an 8-4 loss to St. Joseph-Montvale state champ Adrian DeJesus in last year's state finals], I don't think I've ever had a practice where I wasn't going 100 percent all out. It stung a lot, but it made me better. So it was a good thing in that sense. Biggest thing is believing in myself."

Two for the Streaks

Warren Hills ended its two-year title drought when junior Augie Szamreta (113) and senior Charlie Piccione (120) went back-to-back for their first HWS championships.

Piccione (100-27 overall) is WH's 12th HWS champ

Piccione, a runner-up in 2024, celebrated his first title and a personal milestone by pinning North Hunterdon's Joseph Celentano in 1:58 to become just the 10th Blue Streak to amass 100 career wins.

"It feels amazing," said Piccione, a two-time state qualifier. "I can't help but to feel humble and grateful for the things I have in my life, like my family, my love for the sport and my ability to do it. It was a lot of pressure, especially because I was going to hit 100 wins in the finals. It was very nerve-wracking. I was so nervous."

Piccione is the first to reach the century mark at Warren Hills since two-time state medalist Tyler McCatharn (105-34 from 2018-22).

"It's an honor, to be honest," Piccione said. "It was always my dream to become part of my school's history." 

Szamreta, a three-time finalist and two-time runner-up, was particularly impressive in a 17-1 technical fall win over Phillipsburg's Anthony Pettinelli, who decked two-time champ Jake Holly of Pope John with a cradle in the semifinals. Holly, who placed eighth in the state at 106 last season, had ended Szamreta's title chase in the 2023 and '24 finals.

"I think it's definitely one of the best [bouts] I've wrestled at 113," said Szamreta (16-1), who ended the Streaks' 10-match skid in HWS finals since Jared Lee (144) and Stephen Malia (165) won in 2022. "I think I really pushed the pace well and made him wrestle to my speed. 

WH and DV are tied for 6th with 12 HWS champs

"Last week, I made the descension down [from 120] and was a little bit sluggish. Today, I felt really good at the weight. Obviously, I really wanted my get back against [Holly], but beating [Pettinelli] convincingly like that is the same thing. I'm happy I was able to make a statement in the finals."

Szamreta (71-22), junior Davey Rhinehart (71-19), a three-time HWS placer, and senior Tyler Redfield (82-31), who finished third at 132, are next in line to potentially join Piccione in the century club for wins.

"That was really cool. I'm really happy for [Piccione]," Szamreta said of watching his workout partner make history. "He worked hard to get that [milestone]."

It's a legacy thing

Kittatinny is having a pretty tough season so far teamwise, but senior Ethan Dalling put a smile on legendary coach John Gill's face by working North Hunterdon state qualifier Evan Kinney for a 20-2 technical fall victory in their 175-pound final.

Ethan Dalling is a 3-time HWS placer

Dalling (18-2), a runner-up the previous two seasons, became the Cougars' 14th county champ after Reece Smith won the 157-pound title in 2024. They're the only two winners for the Sussex County school since 2020. Perhaps most importantly, Dalling (113-23 overall) matched his father, Steve, and Roman Fleszar, both two-time state champs under Gill, for 12th place on the school's career wins list.

"He's just been huge. He's been my coach since when I started at 3 years old," Dalling said of his dad, a three-time state finalist and the wrestler who put Kittatinny on the map, according to Gill. "He was really pushing me all the time to get better. When I was younger, when I really didn't want to do it, he wasn't pushing me too hard, but once I got older and really into it, he was one of the key people who really pushed me to get better."

Dalling, whose older brother, Steven, was a runner-up in 2022, had plenty of motivation after his near-miss a year ago in the HWS finals against nemesis James Dacunto of North Warren, whom Dalling went 2-1 against the previous two seasons.

"It's really nice after losing a 1-0 match [in last year's finals] after I definitely thought I was going to get the win," Dalling said. "Lost two really tight matches [against Dacunto]. To get this really feels great."

Back points

North Hunterdon, which finished third in the team standings behind nine placewinners, went 0-6 in the championship round. Cayden Wadle (106), Celentano, Reid Buzby (126), Aidan Yarussi (132), Josh Joubert (165) and Kinney all made their first finals appearances for the Lions, who did not have a champ for just the third time in tourney history after missing for the first time since 2018 last year.

Phillipsburg junior Kevin Buonocore was the most unlikely champ as the No. 10 seed pinned Sparta's Liam Hassloch in their title bout at 215. Buonocore (10-6), who only weighs around 188 pounds, was all smiles during a postmatch interview and the catcher on the school's baseball team said he's glad to be back in the sport after a two-year hiatus between sixth and ninth grades.

P'burg celebrates its record 9th HWS team title

"I was confident in myself coming in. I looked at the seeding and didn't really think that meant anything," said the Stateliners' county-record 40th champion. "This is huge because it's my first big tournament win."

P'burg senior Luke Geleta (150), who was a bronze medalist in 2022, also won his third HWS title by pinning Sparta's Sean Brown in 2:34 as the 'Liners produced a tourney-best 11 placewinners.

Hackettstown sophomore Joseph Rowinski became the Tigers' sixth HWS champion as he dominated the field at 106 pounds. Alex Carida (145) and Joe Andes (285) were the school's previous winners in 2018. Carida is the Warren County school's lone two-time winner.

Delaware Valley star Jaden Perez (126) finally broke through after two straight finals losses, while senior Jackson Bush (150) was denied in his bid to become just the third two-time winner for the Terriers (Cody Barbiche 2010-11 and Mike Pongracz 2012-13).

Hunterdon Central junior Rhett Washleski (150) won his second title after a finals loss last season -- scoring a 10-2 major over Bush. Washleski, whose brother, Colton, was a runner-up in 2020, will look to join Anthony Rossi (2022-24) as the only three-time winners for the Red Devils next season.

High Point junior Gavin Mericle (285) scored a 10-0 major over Phillipsburg's Ben Ellis to become the Wildcats' 10th champion and first since Brian Soldano (2022). First-year head coach Billy Smith won a title at 215 in 2010, while assistant coach Billy Talmadge was the OW in his championship run at 138 pounds in 2020.

For more perspective on the finals blitz, from 2010-16, there were no fewer than eight victories by regular decisions, including a record 13 among 14 title bouts in 2012. Since 2017, only 2022 (11) and '23 (10) have been in double-digits, with a tourney-low six in '17, '18 and '24.   

Wrestling: HWS schedule for Jan. 13-18

Monday, Jan. 13

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Vernon at Parsippany

Independent

Howell at High Point
Hanover Park at Phillipsburg, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 14

Independent

Belvidere at Boonton, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 15

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

Hopatcong-Lenape Valley at Hackettstown
High Point at Kittatinny, 7 p.m.
Newton at North Warren
Delbarton at Pope John, 7 p.m.
Sparta at Morris Hills, 7 p.m.
Wallkill Valley at Vernon

Skyland Conference

Delaware Valley at Hunterdon Central, ppd (no makeup date announced)
North Hunterdon at Immaculata
Hillsborough at Phillipsburg, 7 p.m.
Bernards at Voorhees, 6:30 p.m.
Ridge at Warren Hills, 7 p.m.
Belvidere at Pingry
Rutgers Prep at South Hunterdon

Friday, Jan. 17

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at Kittatinny
North Warren at Vernon, 5 p.m.
Jefferson at Hopatcong-Lenape Valley
Dover at Wallkill Valley, 6 p.m.

Skyland Conference

Phillipsburg at Delaware Valley, 6:30 p.m.
Voorhees at Manville

Independent

Rumson-Fair Haven at North Hunterdon
Belvidere at Hanover Park
Newton, Warren Hills in Jack Welch Duals at Moorestown, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 18

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

Sparta, Verona, Mendham at Hackettstown
High Point, North Hunterdon, Ocean Township at DePaul
Hopatcong-Lenape Valley, Boonton at Dover
Newton, Warren Hills in Jack Welch Duals at Moorestown, 8 a.m.
North Warren, Newark East Side, Montgomery at Millburn
Parsippany Hills, St. Augustine at Pope John
Vernon, Kinnelon, West Milford at Butler
Hunterdon Central, Bridgewater-Raritan, Jefferson at Brick Memorial
Voorhees, Barringer, North Plainfield at Belvidere

Independent

Delaware Valley at Caldwell, 5 p.m.

Wrestling: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex results, stats

Team standings: 1. Phillipsburg (P) 223: 2. Pope John (PJ) 177; 3. North Hunterdon (NH) 157; 4. Delaware Valley (DV) 140; 5. Warren Hills (WH) 132 1/2; 6 (tie) High Point (HP) and Sparta (S) 109; 8. Hunterdon Central (HC) 79; 9. Hackettstown (Ha) 77 1/2; 10. Kittatinny (K) 75 1/2; 11. Belvidere (B) 60; 12. Voorhees (Vo) 46; 13. North Warren (NW) 42; 14. Vernon (Ve) 39; 15. Hopatcong-Lenape Valley (HLV) 29; 16. Newton (Ne) 25 1/2; 17. Wallkill Valley (WV) 7.

Placewinners by school

P'burg earned its 9th HWS team title and 1st since 2023

Phillipsburg 3+2+3+1+2+0=11; North Hunterdon 0+6+0+1+1+1=9; Pope John 4+0+1+1+1+2=9; Delaware Valley 1+1+2+0+3+1=8; Warren Hills 2+0+1+1+2+1=7; High Point 1+1+1+2+1+0=6; Sparta 0+3+1+0+2+0=6; Belvidere 0+0+2+0+0+2=4; Hackettstown 1+0+1+0+0+2=4; Voorhees 0+0+0+1+1+2=4; Hunterdon Central 1+1+0+1+0+0=3; Kittatinny 1+0+2+0+0+0=3; North Warren 0+0+0+2+1+0=3; Vernon 0+0+0+2+0+1=3; Hopatcong-Lenape Valley 0+0+0+2+0+0=2; Newton 0+0+0+0+0+1=1; Wallkill Valley 0+0+0+0+0+1=1.

Championships

106 -- 1-So. Joseph Rowinski (12-3), Ha, md. 2-So. Cayden Wadle (13-2), NH, 10-0.

113 -- 2-Jr. Augie Szamreta (16-1), WH, tf. 4-So. Anthony Pettinelli (13-5), P, 16-1, 3:26. 

120 -- 1-Sr. Charlie Piccione (15-2), WH, p. 2-Sr. Joseph Celentano (8-7), NH, 1:58.

126 -- 1-Sr. Jaden Perez (18-0), DV, tf. 2-Jr. Reid Buzby (12-5), NH, 18-3, 4:41.

132 -- 1-Jr. Dalton Weber (9-2), PJ, md. 2-So. Aidan Yarussi (14-3), NH, 18-5.

138 -- 1-Sr. Carson Walsh (19-1), PJ, p. 2-Sr. Logan Hrenenko (13-5), S, 3:58.

144 -- 1-Sr. Luke Geleta (16-1), P, p. 3-Jr. Sean Brown (8-4), S, 2:34.
150 -- 1-Jr. Rhett Washleski (19-2), HC, md. 2-Sr. Jackson Bush (16-2), DV, 10-2.

157 -- 1-Sr. Gavin Hawk (15-1), P, p. 3-Jr. Grant Thompson (16-5), HC, 1:48.
165 -- 4-Jr. Cole Dunham (16-2), PJ, tf. 2-Sr. Joshua Joubert (9-8), NH, 20-4, 5:46.

175 -- 1-Sr. Ethan Dalling (18-2), K, tf. 2-Sr. Evan Kinney (14-2), NH, 20-2, 2:56.

190 -- 2-Jr. David Thomson (14-4), PJ, md. 5-Jr. Jack Kithcart (8-9), HP, 11-2.

215 -- 10-Jr. Kevin Buonocore (10-5), P, p. 8-Jr. Liam Hassloch (9-7), S, 2:58. 

285 -- 1-Jr. Gavin Mericle (15-1), HP, md. 7-Jr. Ben Ellis (10-7), P, 10-0.
Outstanding Wrestler Award -- Carson Walsh, Pope John.

Third-place consolations

106 -- Fr. Zack Swingle (11-5), P, d. Fr. Logan Takach (7-7), HP, 3-0.
113 -- Sr. Jake Holly (9-4), PJ, tf. Jr. Conor Hallowich (9-7), NW, 16-0, 4:10.
120 -- So. Bryan Dougherty (11-4), Ha, d. So. Johnny D'Andrea (11-4), Vo, 3-2 SV.
126 -- Jr. Massimo Gonzalez (17-4), P, d. Jr. Davey Rhinehart (14-4), WH, 9-8.
132 -- Jr. Ryan Hrenenko (17-3), S, md. So. Owen Garriques (12-5), P, 11-2.
138 -- Sr. Tyler Redfield (15-3), WH, md. So. Cole Castles (14-5), NW, 14-4.
144 -- Sr. Jesse Huelbig (8-6), HP, p. Sr. Gage Graziano (14-3), HLV, 3:11.
150 -- Jr. Gavin Geleta (12-4), P, p. Sr. Jakob Bell (7-9), HLV, :43.
157 -- Sr. Luke Sinkewicz (15-2), DV, p. So. Braydan Lombreglia (8-4), PJ, 5:22.
165 -- Jr. Olivier Paul (15-3), DV, d. Jr. Jayden Ruplall (7-9), HP, 6-3.
175 -- Sr. Pedro Dos Santos (14-5), B, forfeit, Jr. True DiGiuseppe (9-2), Ve.

190 -- Sr. Kyle Blew (13-5), B, p. Jr. Owen Dandeo (8-7), NH, 2:24.
215 -- So. Trevor Greenwood (11-9), K, md. Sr. Alexander Savage (9-6), Ve, 14-2.
285 -- Sr. Bradley Kearney (9-5), K, d. Jr. Declan Joyce (12-6), HC, 1-0.

Fifth-place consolations

106 -- Fr. Cole Dahl (9-6), Vo, d. So. Nicholas Delcalzo (7-9), WV, 6-3.
113 -- Fr. Owen Fol (9-8), NH, p. So. Steven Vidal (13-5), Ha, 4:53.
120 -- Fr. Matthew Velez (6-9), P, d. Sr. Lucas Beyers (12-8), DV, 4-2. 
126 -- Fr. Chase Brodersen (10-7), S, d. So. Giovanni Gutierrez (14-5), Ha, 1-0.
132 -- So. Aidan Webb (13-6), WH, d. Jr. Christian Bollette (13-3), Vo, 8-5.
138 -- Jr. Michael Hasson (16-4), DV, d. So. Kieran Raley (10-10), NH, 4-3.
144 -- Jr. Sebastian Dobak (11-3), DV, d. So. Daniel Arroyo (7-7), PJ, 3-2.
150 -- So. Lukas Kastigiannis (12-7), PJ, p. Sr. Mason Bucci (9-3), Ne, 3:22.
157 -- Sr. Garrett VanHouten (7-11), S, d. Jr. Ryan Hisko (9-10), WH, 5-3.
165 -- Sr. Tyler O'Neill (12-8), WH, p. So. Charlie Cole (13-5), Vo, 2:26.
175 -- Sr. Logan Garriques (9-2), NW, tf. So. Matthew Sutton (6-7), PJ, 15-0.
190 -- Sr. Jesus Alfaro (10-9), P, d. Sr. Daniel Rendon (6-2), Ve, 7-3.
215 -- Sr. Donald Weiss (15-4), HP, p. Jr. Yandel Rodriguez-Castagnetto (11-5), B, 3:35.
285 -- Jr. Luken Alberdi (15-4), DV, p. Jr. Pedro Isaque Dos Santos (5-4), B, :44.

Semifinals

106 -- 1-Joseph Rowinski, Ha, d. 4-Zack Swingle, P, 8-3; 2-Cayden Wadle, NH, d. 6-Logan Takach, HP, 4-1.

113 -- 4-Anthony Pettinelli, P, p. 1-Jake Holly, PJ, 2:39; 2-Augie Szamreta, WH, p. 3-Conor Hallowich, NW, 3:42. 

120 -- 1-Charlie Piccione, WH, p. 4-Bryan Dougherty, Ha, 5:39; 2-Joseph Celentano, NH, d. 3-Johnny D'Andrea, Vo, 4-1 SV.

126 -- 1-Jaden Perez, DV, tf. 5-Davey Rhinehart, 17-0, 2:14, WH; 2-Reid Buzby, NH, md. 3-Massimo Gonzalez, P, 9-0.

132 -- 1-Dalton Weber, PJ, tf. 4-Ryan Hrenenko, S, 17-2, 2:39; 2-Aidan Yarussi, NH, md. 3-Owen Garriques, P, 13-2.

138 -- 1-Carson Walsh, PJ, tf. 4-Cole Castles, NW, 19-4, 1:40; 2-Logan Hrenenko, S, d. 3-Tyler Redfield, WH, 11-4.

144 -- 1-Luke Geleta, P, tf. 4-Jesse Huelbig, HP, 18-3, 4:10; 3-Sean Brown, S, d. 2-Gage Graziano, HLV, 12-5.
150 -- 1-Rhett Washleski, HC, tf. 5-Jakob Bell, HLV, 16-1, 2:14; 2-Jackson Bush, DV, d. 3-Gavin Geleta, P, 4-1.

157 -- 1-Gavin Hawk, P, tf. 4-Braydan Lombreglia, PJ, 18-2, 4:23; 3-Grant Thompson, HC, d. 2-Luke Sinkewicz, DV, 6-2.
165 -- 4-Cole Dunham, PJ, tf. 1-Olivier Paul, DV, 21-6, 3:38; 2-Joshua Joubert, NH, d. 3-Jayden Ruplall, HP, 4-0.

175 -- 1-Ethan Dalling, K, p. 5-Pedro Dos Santos, B, 1:01; 2-Evan Kinney, NH, p. 3-True DiGuiseppe, Ve, 5:08.

190 -- 5-Jack Kithcart, HP, d. 1-Kyle Blew, B, 10-7; 2-David Thomson, PJ, tf. 3-Owen Dandeo, NH, 18-3, 5:44.

215 -- 8-Liam Hassloch, S, d. 5-Trevor Greenwood, K, 5-4; 10-Kevin Buonocore, P, p. 3-Alexander Savage, Ve, 3:59.

285 -- 1-Gavin Mericle, HP, p. 5-Declan Joyce, HC, 1:20; 7-Ben Ellis, P, p. 6-Bradley Kearney, K, :40.

Quarterfinals

106 -- Joseph Rowinski, Ha, tf. Justin Tighe, K, 21-6, 1:19; Zack Swingle, P, p. Cole Dahl, Vo, 1:15; Logan Tackach, HP, p. Hunter Coppolella, HLV, 1:14; Cayden Wadle, NH, p. Nicholas Delcalzo, WV, 3:11.
113 -- Jake Holly, PJ, p. Steven Vidal, Ha, 1:45; Anthony Pettinelli, P, tf. Tristan Fawthrop, DV, 18-1, 2:31; Conor Hallowich, NW, tf. Kyle White, K, 15-0, 3:59; Augie Szamreta, WH, p. Tyler Ondovik, Vo, 1:59.
120 -- Charlie Piccione, WH, p. Kevin White, K, 1:20; Bryan Dougherty, Ha, d. Patrick Bruseo, S, 8-3; Johnny D'Andrea, Vo, p. Matthew Velez, P, 3:52; Joseph Celantano, NH, p. Joshua Buck, HC, 1:26.
126 -- Jaden Perez, DV, p. Jace Brownlie, HC, 1:01; Davey Rhinehart, WH, md. Giovanni Gutierrez, Ha, 17-7; Massimo Gonzalez, P, tf. Callum Trilling, K, 15-0, 5:29; Reid Buzby, NH, tf. Keegan Murtagh, Ne, 15-0, 4:55. 
132 -- Dalton Weber, PJ, tf. Tye Falkenstein, DV, 21-6, 3:57; Ryan Hrenenko, S, md. Aidan Webb, WH, 13-2; Owen Garriques, P, d. Christian Bollette, Vo, 12-5; Aidan Yarussi, NH, md. Sean Licata, HP, 12-1.
138 -- Carson Walsh, PJ, tf. Adrian Pinto, Ha, 19-2, 1:13; Cole Castles, NW, d. Marc Pavese, HLV, 10-5; Tyler Redfield, WH, d. Michael Tidona, HP, 5-1; Logan Hrenenko, S, tf. Kieran Raley, NH, 17-0, 4:38.
144 -- Luke Geleta, P, tf. Daniel Arroyo, PJ, 17-1, 2:14; Jesse Huelbig, HP, d. Ethan Drazek, WH, 12-5; Sean Brown, S, d. Sebastian Dobak, DV, 6-5; Gage Graziano, HLV, p. Antonio Nikolopoulos, B, :36.
150 -- Rhett Washleski, HC, md. Lukas Katsigiannis, PJ, 13-2; Jakob Bell, HLV, d. Aiden McClain, K, 11-8 SV; Gavin Geleta, P, p. Vincenzo Darrow, NH, 2:21; Jackson Bush, DV, p. Mason Bucci, Ne, 4:48.
157 -- Gavin Hawk, P, p. Garrett VanHouten, S, :15; Brayden Lombreglia, PJ, p. Tyler Morodan, Ne, :37; Grant Thompson, HC, tf. Dylan McGuinness, NH, 15-0, 1:59; Luke Sinkewicz, DV, tf. Ryan Hisko, WH, 17-0, 3:39.
165 -- Olivier Paul, DV, tf. Tyler O'Neill, WH, 18-3, 3:59; Cole Dunham, PJ, p. Gavin Pych, Ve, 1:36; Jayden Ruplall, HP, tf. Charlie Cole, Vo, 17-0, 3:15; Joshua Joubert, NH, md. Brad Kisselbach, P, 13-2.
175 -- Ethan Dalling, K, p. Logan Garriques, NW, 1:13; Pedro Dos Santos, B, p. Derek Stone, P, 3:56; True DiGiuseppe, Ve, p. Matthew Sutton, PJ, 3:31; Evan Kinney, NH, p. Nehemiah Bugasch, HC, 1:09.
190 -- Kyle Blew, B, md. Jesus Alfaro, P, 12-3; Jack Kithcart, HP, d. David Kocsor, WH, 8-2; Owen Dandeo, NH, d. Daniel Rendon, Ve, 6-1; David Thomson, PJ, tf. Zachary Calhoun, Ha, 21-5, 3:43.
215 -- Liam Hassloch, S. d. Donald Weiss, HP, 4-3; Trevor Greenwood, K, p. Dimos Maroulis, Vo, 4:27; Alexander Savage, Ve, p. Jackson Foehr, NW, 2:43; Kevin Buonocore, P, tf. Yandel Rodrigues-Castagnetto, B, 16-1, 5:28.
285 -- Gavin Mericle, HP, p. Samir Mrad, Ha, :48; Declan Joyce, HC, p. Zyon Taylor, Ve, 5:40; Bradley Kearney, K, d. Sean Brown, Ne, 3-2 TB; Ben Ellis, P, d. Luken Alberdi, DV, 2-1 SV.

Wrestling: HWS Tournament information, stats, picks

What: 15th Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

Where: Phillipsburg High School, Lopatcong Township.

When: Saturday's schedule (approximate times): Preliminaries and pre-quarterfinals (four mats), 9:30 a.m.; pre-quarterfinal losers and second wrestlebacks (four mats), 10:30 a.m.; quarterfinals and third wrestlebacks (four mats), 11:30 a.m.; championship semifinals and wrestleback semis (4 mats), 1 p.m.; third-place and fifth-place consolation finals (4 mats), 2:30 p.m.; championship finals (one mat) to follow

Teams (17): Belvidere, Delaware Valley, Hackettstown, High Point, Hopatcong-Lenape Valley, Hunterdon Central, Kittatinny, Newton, North Hunterdon, North Warren, Phillipsburg, Pope John, Sparta, Vernon, Voorhees, Wallkill Valley, Warren Hills.

Returning champions (6, this season's weights): Sr. Jake Holly, Pope John (first-2024, first-2023, 113); Jr. Dalton Weber, Pope John (first-2024, third-2023, 132); Sr. Carson Walsh, Pope John (first-2024, first-2023, first-2022, 138); Sr. Luke Geleta, Phillipsburg (first-2024, first-2023, third-2022, 144); Sr. Jackson Bush, Delaware Valley (first-2024, fifth-2023, 150); Sr. Gavin Hawk, Phillipsburg (first-2024, first-2023, first-2022, 157).

Previous champions (1): Jr. Rhett Washleski, Hunterdon Central (second-2024, first-2023, 150)

Returning placewinners (34, this season's weights): So. Joseph Rowinski, Hackettstown (third-2024, 106); Jr. Augie Szamreta, Warren Hills (second-2024, second-2023, 113); Jr. Conor Hallowich, North Warren (fourth-2024, 113); So. Anthony Pettinelli, Phillipsburg (fifth-2024, 113); Jr. Tristan Fawthrop, Delaware Valley (sixth-2024, 113); Sr. Charlie Piccione, Warren Hills (second-2024, third-2023, 120); Sr. Joseph Celentano, North Hunterdon (fourth-2024, fifth-2023, 120); So. Johnny D'Andrea, Voorhees (sixth-2024, 120); Sr. Jaden Perez, Delaware Valley (second-2024, second-2023, 126); Jr. Massimo Gonzalez, Phillipsburg (third-2024, 126); Jr. Davey Rhinehart, Warren Hills (fifth-2024, sixth-2023, 126); So. Aidan Yarussi, North Hunterdon (third-2024, 132); So. Aidan Webb, Warren Hills (second-2024, 132); Jr. Ryan Hrenenko, Sparta (third-2024, 132); So. Owen Garriques, Phillipsburg (fifth-2024, 132); Jr. Christian Bollette, Voorhees (sixth-2024, sixth-2023, 132); Sr. Logan Hrenenko, Sparta (third-2024, third-2023, fourth-2022, 138); So. Cole Castles, North Warren (sixth-2024, 138); Sr. Gage Graziano, Hopatcong-Lenape Valley (third-2024, 144); Jr. Sebastian Dobak, Delaware Valley (sixth-2024, 144); Jr. Gavin Geleta, Phillipsburg (fourth-2024, sixth-2023, 150); Sr. Aiden McClain, Kittatinny (fifth-2024, 150); Jr. Grant Thompson, Hunterdon Central (second-2024, 157); Jr. Tyler Morodan, Newton (sixth-2024, 157); Sr. Joshua Joubert, North Hunterdon (third-2024, 165); Jr. Jayden Ruplall, High Point (fourth-2024, 165); Sr. Ethan Dalling, Kittatinny (second-2024, second-2023, 175); Jr. True DiGiuseppe, Vernon (third-2024, fourth-2023, 175); Sr. Nehemiah Bugasch, Hunterdon Central (fifth-2024, 175); Sr. Derek Stone, Phillipsburg (fifth-2024, 175); Sr. Kyle Blew, Belvidere (third-2024, 190); Jr. Owen Dandeo, North Hunterdon (fourth-2024, 190); Sr. Luke Brown, Sparta (sixth-2024, 190); Jr. Gavin Mericle, High Point (fifth-2024, 285).

Previous placewinners (4, this season's weight): Sr. Tyler Redfield, Warren Hills (third-2023, 138); Sr. Marc Pavese, Hopatcong-Lenape Valley (sixth-2023, 138); Sr. Luke Sinkewicz, Delaware Valley (fourth-2023, 157); Sr. Aaron Stone, Newton (sixth-2023, 175)

Phillipsburg leads the field with eight team titles (2011-15, '19, '22, '23).

Notes: Pairings were not released on Friday evening as expected. There were several scratches, most notably High Point senior Nick Clayton (150), a three-time HWS placer. No word on when he'll be back in the lineup ... As of Friday, there were a total of 171 wrestlers in the field. Kittatinny and Phillipsburg are the only schools with 14 entries. Delaware Valley and Voorhees are next with 13 apiece. Hunterdon Central, which won its first team championship in 2024, only has seven wrestlers in the tournament. ... Walsh and Hawk are looking to join former Pope John state champs JoJo Aragona (2016-19) and Eddie Ventresca (2017-20) as the only wrestlers to win four HWS titles. Hawk (15-1) became the Stateliners' first three-time winner in 2024. Only 37 wrestlers have won two ore more titles in HWS history, while there have only been three wrestlers to make four championship finals appearances -- Hunterdon Central's Dylan Nace (2011-14), Aragona and Ventresca. The Lions have had at least one winner since 2016 (no finalists in '15). ... P'burg has produced a record 37 individual champions and at least one every year since missing in 2010, followed by Pope John (26), North Hunterdon (24) Hunterdon Central (21), Kittatinny (13), Delaware Valley (11) and Warren Hills (10), which had produced a finalist in all but one of the previous 14 tournaments (2011). No other school boasts double-digit winners. ... Newton has produced at least one finalist in 11 of the previous 14 tournaments, missing only in 2016, '23 and '24. There was no tournament in 2021 due to the pandemic, while there were no fifth-place consolations contested under a shortened format in '22. ... Blew aims to join Dylan Thorsen (2012), Jesse Thorsen (2013), J.B. Lawson (2013) and Quinn Melofchik (2019) as the only HWS champs for Belvidere. ... Two wrestlers are closing in on the century mark for wins -- Piccione (97) and Logan Hrenenko (96) -- as they bid for their first HWS titles.

Championship picks

106 -- Joseph Rowinski, Hackettstown
113 -- Augie Szamreta, Warren Hills
120 -- Charlie Piccione, Warren Hills
126 -- Jaden Perez, Delaware Valley
132 -- Dalton Weber, Pope John
138 -- Carson Walsh, Pope John
144 -- Luke Geleta, Phillipsburg 
150 -- Rhett Washleski, Hunterdon Central
157 -- Gavin Hawk, Phillipsburg
165 -- Cole Dunham, Pope John
175 -- Ethan Dalling, Kittatinny
190 -- Kyle Blew, Belvidere
215 -- Donald Weiss, High Point
285 -- Gavin Mericle, High Point

Team champion: Phillipsburg.

Wrestling: HWS Tournament breakdown by weight

The coveted four-peat has proven elusive for many a state medalist or title contender over the years in perhaps the most grueling of all county wrestling events. 

Two of New Jersey's biggest stars will look to add their names to an elite list as the 15th Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament commences at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at Phillipsburg High School. 

P'burg eyes its record 9th team championship

Pope John senior Carson Walsh (138) and P'burg ace Gavin Hawk (157) -- both state runners-up last season -- look to join former PJ state champions JoJo Aragona (2016-19) and Eddie Ventresca (2017-20) as the only wrestlers to win four HWS titles. Hawk (15-1) became the Stateliners' first three-time winner in 2024.

Four other returning HWS champions grace this year's field as Pope John senior Jake Holly (113) and P'burg senior Luke Geleta (150) look to become only the 11th and 12th to wrestlers to win three titles, while PJ junior Dalton Weber (132) and Delaware Valley senior Jackson Bush (150) look to go back-to-back. Hunterdon Central junior Rhett Washleski (150), a 2023 champion, is a returning runner-up.

Speaking of Del Val, senior star Jaden Perez (126), a two-time finalist and 2024 state fifth-place medalist, is on a mission to win his first HWS title.

"I've never won a title so it's up there [as a big goal]," Perez said after winning a third John Goles Invitational title on Dec. 28. "I've gotten a lot better from last year ... a lot better. I've definitely put in a lot of work. I'm chasing [state gold]."

We've ranked the top five in each projected weight class and noted some of the head-to-head results. Entries are subject to change as official seeds and pairings will not be released until Friday evening.

(Records through Thursday's matches)

106 pounds

1. So. Joseph Rowinski (9-3), Hackettstown
2. So. Cayden Wadle (11-1), North Hunterdon
3. Fr. Zack Swingle (9-4), Phillipsburg
4. Fr. Logan Takach (5-5), High Point
5. Fr. Hunter Coppolella (10-4), Hopatcong-Lenape Valley

Others to watch: Fr. Cole Dahl (7-4), Voorhees

Notes: Rowinski, who has competed exclusively at 113 this season, makes the drop and is the favorite after a third-place finish last season. ... Wadle was undersized as a freshman and is now a legit title contender here. His brother, Logan, now wrestling at Lehigh, was a 2020 champ at this weight. ... Watch out for Swingle, who is more than capable of spoiling someone's party.

113 pounds

Warren Hills has a total of 10 HWS champs

1. Sr. Jake Holly (7-3), Pope John
2. Jr. Augie Szamreta (12-1), Warren Hills
3. So. Anthony Pettinelli (11-4), Phillipsburg
4. Jr. Conor Hallowich (7-5), North Warren
5. Fr. Owen Fol (5-7), North Hunterdon

Others to watch: So. Steven Vidal (10-3), Hackettstown; Jr. Tristan Fawthrop (7-6), Delaware Valley; So. Tyler Ondovik (5-5), Voorhees; Fr. Kyle White (7-6), Kittatinny

Notes: Holly, an eighth-place state medalist who won back-to-back HWS titles at 106, looks to become the fifth at his school to win at least three. ... Szamreta, a returning state qualifier, looks like his team's most improved wrestler and is out to avenge consecutive finals losses to Holly (10-4 in 2023 and 9-2 in '24). ... Hallowich, a returning state qualifier, was fourth and Pettinelli fifth at 106 in '24 ... Fol, who hung tough in a 5-2 loss to Szamreta on Jan. 3, may win a few of these before he's done. 

120 pounds

1. Sr. Charlie Piccione (11-2), Warren Hills
2. So. Bryan Dougherty (9-3), Hackettstown
3. Sr. Joseph Celentano (6-6), North Hunterdon
4. Sr. Lucas Beyers (10-6), Delaware Valley
5. Jr. Patrick Bruseo (10-4), Sparta

Others to watch: So. Johnny D'Andrea (9-2), Voorhees

Notes: Piccione, a two-time medalist and runner-up last season, is four wins shy of 100 for his career. ... Drouin scored a 21-11 win over Celentano in the Robin Leff Tournament at Southern to open the season and handed Dougherty a 13-5 loss on Tuesday. ... Celentano was nearly decked by Beyers, but came off the deck to score a key 15-10 decision in North's 34-33 win over Del Val on Wednesday. High Point sophomore Carter Drouin (12-5), who would have been a finals contender, was a scratch.

126 pounds

Perez (left) was DV's OW in the NH match

1. Sr. Jaden Perez (15-0), Delaware Valley
2. Jr. Massimo Gonzalez (14-3), Phillipsburg
3. Jr. Davey Rhinehart (11-2), Warren Hills
4. Jr. Reid Buzby (10-4), North Hunterdon
5. So. Giovanni Gutierrez (11-3), Hackettstown

Others to watch: Fr. Chase Brodersen (6-6), Sparta; Sr. Keegan Murtagh (3-0), Newton

Notes: Perez is head-and-shoulders above here. He became the 14th member of his school's 100-wins club when he decked Buzby with a first-period cradle on Wednesday. ... Gonzalez is really coming into his own this season and looks to improve on a third-place finish a year ago ... Buzby scored an 11-10 win over Jaust in the Robin Leff Tournament.  

132 pounds

1. Jr. Dalton Weber (6-2), Pope John
2. So. Aidan Yarussi (12-2), North Hunterdon
3. Jr. Ryan Hrenenko (15-2), Sparta
4. So. Owen Garriques (11-3), Phillipsburg
5. Jr. Christian Bollette (9-1), Voorhees

Others to watch: So. Aidan Webb (8-5), Warren Hills; Jr. Tye Falkenstein (11-5), Delaware Valley; Jr. Nikolas Martinez (10-5), Kittatinny

Notes: This is a contender for deepest weight class. Weber will be a tough out as he seeks his second straight HWS title. The shame of it is that we won't see a fourth installment of his rivalry with Perez, who avenged a 16-9 loss in last year's county finals with a 10-9 victory in their Region 3 title matchup. That HWS final was one of the most entertaining in years! ... Yarussi and Hrenenko, a three-time top-four finisher, both placed third in 2024. Webb was a runner-up at 113 a year ago.

PJ (26) is 2nd behind P'burg (37) in HWS titles

138 pounds

1. Sr. Carson Walsh (16-1), Pope John
2. Sr. Logan Hrenenko (11-4), Sparta
3. Sr. Tyler Redfield (11-2), Warren Hills
4. Jr. Michael Hasson (12-3), Delaware Valley
5. So. Cole Castles (11-3), North Warren

Others to watch: Sr. Marc Pavese (9-4), Hopatcong-Lenape Valley; So. Kieran Raley (7-8), North Hunterdon

Notes: Walsh, a champion at the Sam Cali Invitational, looks to become only the fourth wrestler to make four finals appearances. The Pitt recruit is a three-time state medalist. ... Hrenenko, who placed fifth at Sam Cali, is sitting on 96 career wins. ... Redfield, a three-time district champ who recently dropped from 144, finished third in the county last season. His older brother, Shawn, was a runner-up in 2023. ... Hasson has made great strides as evidenced by a 7-4 sudden-victory-overtime loss to Redfield in the John Goles Invitational finals.   

144 pounds

1. Sr. Luke Geleta (13-1), Phillipsburg
2. Sr. Gage Graziano (12-1), Hopatcong-Lenape Valley
3. Jr. Sebastian Dobak (7-2), Delaware Valley
4. Sr. Jesse Huelbig (4-5), High Point
5. Jr. Sean Brown (6-3), Sparta 

Others to watch: Sr. Ethan Drazek (7-5), Warren Hills; So. Daniel Arroyo (4-5), Pope John

Notes: Pope John senior Donny Almeyda (2-0), a two-time fourth-place finisher in AC, recently entered the lineup after transferring from St. Joseph-Montvale but is not entered. ... Geleta, a fifth-place state finisher last season who's 115-26 overall, looks to join Hawk as the only Stateliners to win three HWS titles. He's tied with former state champ Marc DeFrancesco (115-24 from 1992-96) for 10th on the school's all-time wins list. Graziano is a returning third-place finisher.

150 pounds

Central has produced 21 HWS champs

1. Jr. Rhett Washleski (15-2), Hunterdon Central
2. Sr. Jackson Bush (14-1), Delaware Valley
3. Jr. Gavin Geleta (10-3), Phillipsburg
4. So. Lukas Katsigiannis (8-6), Pope John
5. Sr. Mason Bucci (5-1), Newton

Others to watch: Sr. Aiden McClain (10-5), Kittatinny; Fr. Landon Webb (4-2), Warren Hills

Notes: Washleski, who's 85-12 overall, looks to become only the seventh to win at least two titles for Central, which won its first team championship in 2024. His older brother, Colton, now wrestling at Rider, was a runner-up in 2020 and two-time state placewinner. ... Bush, who's also a returning state qualifier, looks to join Cody Barbiche (2010-11) and Mike Pongracz (2012-13) as two-time county winners for the Terriers. High Point senior Nick Clayton (9-3), a state qualifier, placed third in 2022 and fourth the previous two tournaments, but is not entered. Geleta was fourth in '24.

Hawk was the 3rd P'burg county OW in 2024

157 pounds

1. Sr. Gavin Hawk (12-1), Phillipsburg
2. Sr. Luke Sinkewicz (13-1), Delaware Valley
3. Jr. Grant Thompson (13-4), Hunterdon Central
4. So. Braydan Lombreglia (7-2), Pope John
5. Jr. Tyler Morodan (9-4), Newton

Notes: Hawk, who's primary goal is to end the Stateliners' state title drought and first champ since Brandon Hull (220 in 2012), owns the program's career pins mark with 79. He's also fifth on their victories list at 122-20 overall. ... Sinkewicz was fourth here last year, while Thompson is a returning runner-up. His father, Matt, was a Hunterdon-Warren champ at 171 pounds and fourth-place state medalist in 1992. Joubert took home a bronze medal in 2024.

165 pounds

1. Jr. Cole Dunham (13-2), Pope John
2. Jr. Olivier Paul (13-2), Delaware Valley
3. Jr. Jayden Ruplall (6-7), High Point
4. Sr. Joshua Joubert (7-7), North Hunterdon
5. Sr. Tyler O'Neill (7-7), Warren Hills

Others to watch:  Jr. Trevor Ekeland (7-7), Sparta; So. Charlie Cole (9-3), Voorhees; Jr. Brad Kisselbach (1-0), Phillipsburg

Notes: Someone here is going to win their first HWS title. Dunham may be Pope John's most improved wrestler, while Paul, who majored O'Neill in the John Goles Invitational semifinals, is enjoying a breakout season in his first varsity campaign. Ruplall is a returning fourth-place finisher.

Dalling is a two-time runner-up

175 pounds

1. Sr. Ethan Dalling (15-2), Kittatinny
2. Sr. Evan Kinney (12-1), North Hunterdon
3. Sr. Derek Stone (10-2), Phillipsburg
4. Jr. True DiGiuseppe (8-1), Vernon
5. Sr. Aaron Stone (7-2), Newton

Others to watch: Sr. Logan Garriques (4-1), North Warren; Sr. Pedro Dos Santos (11-3), Belvidere; Sr. Nehemiah Bugasch (7-4), Hunterdon Central

Notes: This looks to be the year in which Dalling finally breaks through to become Kittatinny's 14th county champion. The state qualifier (110-23) is three shy of matching two Cougar legends for 12th on the program's all-time wins list. His father, Steve, was a three-time state finalist, winning titles in 1990 and '91, while Roman Fleszar, who's a coach on the youth level, was also a three-time finalist and state gold winner in 1994 and '96.

190 pounds

1. Sr. Kyle Blew (10-4), Belvidere
2. Jr. Owen Dandeo (7-5), North Hunterdon
3. Jr. David Thomson (11-4), Pope John
4. Jr. Jack Kithcart (6-8), High Point
5. Sr. Luke Brown (6-6), Sparta

Others to watch: Sr. David Kocsor (7-6), Warren Hills; Jr. Kevin Buonocore (6-5), Phillipsburg; Sr. Zachary Calhoun (7-6), Hackettstown

Notes: Blew, a returning state qualifier, was third last season and looks to join Dylan Thorsen (2012), Jesse Thorsen (2013), J.B. Lawson (2013) and Quinn Melofchik (2019) as the only HWS champs for the County Seaters. ... Dandeo is a returning fourth-place medalist.

215 pounds

1. Sr. Donald Weiss (12-3), High Point
2. Jr. Shawn Baumann (6-5), Pope John
3. Jr. Yandel Rodriguez-Castagnetto (8-4), Belvidere
4. So. Trevor Greenwood (9-8), Kittatinny
5. Sr. Oren Nahum (5-6), Delaware Valley

Others to watch: Jr. Dimos Maroulis (6-4), Voorhees

Notes: This is one wide-open weight class with no returning medalists. Weiss has led a group of much improved High Point upper weights, who have the 'Cats seeking a North 1, Group 2 sectional title.

285 pounds

1. Jr. Gavin Mericle (12-1), High Point
2. Jr. Luken Alberdi (12-3), Delaware Valley
3. Jr. Declan Joyce (9-4), Hunterdon Central
4. Jr. Ben Ellis (7-6), Phillipsburg
5. Sr. Bradley Kearney (6-4), Kittatinny

Others to watch: Jr. Zyon Taylor (8-3), Vernon; So. Sean Brown (5-6), Newton; Sr. James Turner (4-7), North Hunterdon; So. Hayden Hines (2-4), Wallkill Valley

Notes: Mericle rates a solid favorite here after a fifth-place finish last season.