Wrestling: District recap for HWS by the numbers

Let's review what happened in the nine districts that house teams from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area. There are 98 local wrestlers still competing, down one from last season.

P'burg advanced a Warren County-best 9 from D3 (photo/Ray Patt)

Overall, here are the area qualifiers by season since realignment (which now changes every year) was introduced in 2017 -- 118 in '17 and '18; 125 in '19; 113 in '20 (no district tournaments in '21 due to the pandemic); 122 in '22, 107 in '23 and '24; 99 in '25. The nine-year average is 112.

The top three at each weight class advanced to the region tournaments on Friday and Saturday. Region 1 is at West Milford, Region 2 at Mount Olive, Region 3 at West Orange, Region 4 at Union and Region 5 at Franklin are those involving HWS wrestlers.

Here's the team-by team breakdown of qualifiers:

Delaware Valley (13); North Hunterdon (12); Pope John (11); Phillipsburg (9); Hackettstown and High Point (7); Newton (7); Sparta and Warren Hills (6); Newton (5); Hunterdon Central, Kittatinny and Voorhees (4); Belvidere (3), Hopatcong-Lenape Valley and North Warren (2); Vernon (1).

We had four schools win team championships: Phillipsburg (D3), North Hunterdon (D14), Pope John (D15), Delaware Valley (D20).

Here's a closer look by the numbers:

North had 6+ champs for the 5th time since 2017 (NH Facebook)

21 -- North Hunterdon, which has gone just one season without a district winner (2008), added six for the second straight year as senior Reid Buzby (26-8 at 126 pounds) became just the 21st Lion to win at least three titles, while juniors Cayden Wadle (29-3 at 106), Aidan Yarussi (29-2 at 132) repeated as champs and were joined by first-time winners Owen Fol (29-2 at 113), a sophomore, and Kieran Raley (27-7 at 138) and Matthew Esposito (23-9 at 144), also juniors. Buzby (93) and Yarussi (97) are also eyeing 100 career wins. North, which has produced 246 champs in its 69-season history, advanced 12 wrestlers to Region 4. Wadle earned the eighth championship for his family as older brother, Logan (2020, '22 and '23), and their father, Rudy (1991-93), all won three for the Lions. Raley's brother, Brendan, was a two-time district champion (2022 and '23). 

33 -- In all, 33 wrestlers from Hunterdon County schools will compete at the region level. Hunterdon Central produced four finalists in District 19, including two champs in freshman James Fearon (28-9 at 126) and junior Joshua Buck (27-10 at 144), while Voorhees did not have a winner for the first time since 2020, as senior Christian Bollette (31-5 at 144) was denied in his bid to become the Vikings' first three-time winner since Sam Huff (2017-19) and 14th overall to win at least three, when he was upended by Esposito, 11-2, in their finals matchup. South Hunterdon, which is in just its second varsity season since the program was resurrected by former Delaware Valley district champ Leigh Hall, went 2-6 in District 19 as the Eagles, who went 10-13 in the dual season, entered six wrestlers. Junior Milo Dopp (18-10 at 165) was one of two to win a preliminary bout. 

Gavin and Luke Geleta have combined for 244 wins and 6 district golds

396 -- Phillipsburg blitzed the field in District 3, as the host crowned five champions, including senior Gavin Geleta (28-4 at 175) and junior Owen Garriques (31-3 at 150) who are the 44th and 45th wrestlers to win at least three titles for the Stateliners. Garriques, whose father, John, won three district golds (one at Hackettstown in 1994 and two for P'burg in '96 and '97), will look to become only the 10th to win four for the 'Liners next season. Geleta also became the 31st at his school to join the century club for victories with his win in the quarters -- joining his brother, Luke, now a freshman at Binghamton University, who also is a three-time district champion and ranks second on the P'burg wins list (142-28 from 2021-25). Gavin stands at 102-38 heading into Region 1 at West Milford. Sophomore Zack Swingle (24-8 at 106) and seniors Massimo Gonzalez (27-4 at 138) and Ben Ellis (26-7 at 285) all won their second titles. Ellis' father, Stephen, won back-to-back titles at heavyweight in 1973 and '74, for the 'Liners. P'burg, which advanced nine to R1, saw its streak of producing at least seven winners snapped at seven straight tournaments and now has 396 winners overall in its illustrious 78-season history.

Szamreta seeks his 2nd region title (Hackettstown Facebook)

125 -- Warren Hills moved six through the field in District 12 at Randolph, including senior star Augie Szamreta (33-6 at 126), who became the 21st overall, including the former Washington High (14th for Hills), to win at least three district titles for the Blue Streaks, while eclipsing the school mark for career wins in doing so at 125-34 overall -- surpassing four-time champion Dave Richmond (124-17 from 2002-06). Szamreta, who was third in the district as a freshman in 2023 and finished eighth in last season's state tournament at 113 pounds, was joined in the winner's circle by senior Davey Rhinehart (30-6 at 132), who won his second title and holds the program's career mark for pins with 82, along with being tied for fourth on the school's wins list at 119-29 overall. Rhinehart's uncle, Rick, was a three-time champ (1967, '68 and '70) uncle, Rob, won a district gold at 158 pounds in 1976. Davey's grandfather, John, a state runner-up, won his only title at 178 pounds that season in 1969, and father, David, was a third-place finisher in then District 1 at 171 pounds in 1998.

28 -- Delaware Valley advanced a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area-best in moving all 13 of their entries in District 20 through to Region 5, while also outpointing Middletown North (249 1/2 to 231 1/2) for the team championship at Matawan. The Terriers produced four champions -- senior Tye Falkenstein (26-10 at 138), sophomore Hunter Taffera (25-8 at 157) and juniors Marcus Gary (29-5 at 165) and Matthew Sencher (24-8 at 190), all first-time winners. Seniors Michael Hasson (36-2 at 144), Sebastian Dobak (30-3 at 150), both thirds, and Olivier Paul (32-4 at 175), a runner-up, were denied in their repeat bids. Group 1 champion Del Val, which logged its first unbeaten season with a program-record 24 wins, has produced at least one winner in 28 straight tournaments since missing in 1997. Andy Fitz, who has coached 61 of the school's 143 champs, won a district title for the Terriers at 160 pounds in 1990.

8 -- Pope John extended its streak with at least five champions to eight straight tournaments by matching a program-record seven in easily winning the District 15 team title at Watchung Hills. Senior Dalton Weber, a two-time state medal winner, became only the seventh at his school to win four titles -- joining Mike Frick (1969-72), Hugh Albora (1972-75), Brian Unkert (1987-90), Jake Rotunda (2015-18), Eddie Ventresca (2017-20) and former teammate Carson Walsh (2022-25). Juniors Braydan Lombreglia (9-3 at 157) and Lukas Katsigiannis (29-2 at 165), along with senior Cole Dunham (23-6 at 175) each picked up their seconds championships, while sophomore Jacob Campbell (20-5 at 113), junior Daniel Arroyo (19-7 at 150) and senior Nick Mignone (12-5 at 215) each picked up their first. Lombreglia's father, Dan, won a district title at 171 pounds in 1998 for the Lions.

Hackettstown finished 2nd in the D12 team race

7 -- Hackettstown snapped its two-year title drought as juniors Steven Vidal (34-7 at 106) and Joseph Rowinski (38-3 at 120) captured their first titles as the Tigers (69 champs overall) sent seven to Region 3 at West Orange. Rowinski, a three-time finalist, sits at 99-24 overall as he looks to become only the 12th at his school to reach the century mark and first since all-time leader Alex Carida (142-28) capped his stellar career in 2018. Junior Giovanni Gutierrez (33-9 at 126) was a runners-up for a third consecutive year, while juniors Diego Penaloza (27-10 at 132), Adrian Pinto (30-9 at 138) and Bryan Dougherty (31-7 at 150) also reached the District 12 finals at Randolph. In all, 27 wrestlers from Warren County moved on to the region level. First-year Hackettstown coach Tyler Kozimor was a two-time champ (2010-11), while assistant coach Joe Renne also won two golds (2014 and '16) for the Tigers. Kozimor, whose brother, Corey, is the program's only four-time champion (2007-10), was also named the District 12 Coach of the Year.

3 -- Sparta sent three to the championship round at District 2 and came away with three gold medals for the third straight season as senior Ryan Hrenenko (38-2 at 144) became only the third in the program's 65-season history to win at least three titles -- joining four-timer Todd Sheaffer (1978-81) and Mark Preston (1972, '74, '75). Ryan, who is 129-26 overall, also moved past Robbie Gennat (126-32 from 2014-18) for second place on the school's all-time wins list at 129-26. Hrenenko's brother, Logan, won a district title in 2024. The Spartans have logged 26 district winners since 2014 after being shut out from 2008-13 and in '22, including freshmen Kellen Shearer (30-10 at 106) and Finn McGurrin (24-14 at 120). 

Newton's Eric Bollette is the D2 Coach of the Year

38 -- Number of wrestlers from Sussex County who advanced to the region level, as High Point ran its streak with at least one winner to 22 straight tournaments since missing in 2003 behind three first-time winners in sophomore Thomas Jaust (22-11 at 106), junior Carter Drouin (23-8 at 120) and senior Gavin Mericle (27-1 at 285). Newton snapped its two-year drought as freshman Jake McNamara (26-10 at 132) and senior Sean Brown (28-8 at 285) won their first titles. Amazingly, Kittatinny's run of champs ended for the first time since missing in 1993, as the Cougars sent just four wrestlers to Region 1, including junior Michael Witowski (24-14 at 175), who was their lone finalist. Wallkill Valley produced its first champ in 16 years as third-seeded junior Scottie Weiss (26-5 at 165), who earned the Outstanding Wrestler Award after knocking off the top two seeds, became the Rangers' first winner since Ryan Callahan won at 171 pounds to kick off his state title run in 2010. Vernon ace True DiGiuseppe (30-1 at 195) took his first loss in the District 2 finals as he was bidding to become the Vikings' first winner since David Tlatelpa and Jon Gemeinhardt took home golds in 2012. DiGiuseppe (95-17) is looking to join Brian Hoyt (114-31 from 2003-07) in the school's century club for victories.

Wrestling: HWS schedule for Feb. 16-22

Monday, Feb. 16

(All matches 4 p.m., unless noted)

NJSIAA sectional quarterfinals

North 1, Group 4

Phillipsburg vs. Northern Highlands at Ridge

North 2, Group 4

North Hunterdon vs. Watchung Hills at Middletown North, noon

North 2, Group 3

Warren Hills at Cranford

North 1, Group 2

Glen Rock at High Point, 5 p.m.

North 2, Group 2

Hackettstown vs. Parsippany Hills at Caldwell

North 1, Group 1

Pequannock vs. Kittatinny at Pompton Lakes, 10 a.m.
Newton vs. Kinnelon at Emerson-Park Ridge, 1 p.m.

Central Jersey, Group 1

Highland Park at Delaware Valley, noon

Independent

Belvidere at Wallkill Valley, noon

Tuesday, Feb. 17

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

NJSIAA 

Non-Public B quarterfinals

St. Thomas Aquinas at Pope John

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Whippany Park at Hackettstown
Dover at Sparta

Independent

North Warren, Red Bank Regional at Central Jersey College Prep, 5 p.m.
Boonton at Belvidere, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

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

NJSIAA sectional finals

North 1, Group 4

Phillipsburg at Mount Olive

North 2, Group 4

North Hunterdon at Middletown South

North 1, Group 2

Pascack Valley at High Point

Central Jersey, Group 1

Manville at Delaware Valley

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hopatcong-Lenape Valley at Whippany Park, 7 p.m.
Vernon at Parsippany Hills

Skyland Conference

Hunterdon Central at Voorhees, 7 p.m.

Independent

Cliffside Park at Wallkill Valley, 6:30 p.m.
Ewing at South Hunterdon

Thursday, Feb. 19

NJSIAA Non-Public B semifinals

Pope John at Red Bank Catholic, 6 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 20

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

NJSIAA state semifinals

Group 4

North Hunterdon at Mount Olive

Group 1

Hanover Park at Delaware Valley

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Boonton at North Warren

Independent

Pompton Lakes at Wallkill Valley
Jefferson at Warren Hills

Saturday, Feb. 21

(All events 10 a.m., unless noted)

Tris and quads

Montville, Roxbury, West Deptford at Hackettstown
Vernon, Wallkill Valley, Somerville at Waldwick-Midland Park
Voorhees, Hillsborough, St. Thomas Aquinas at Hopewell Valley, 9 a.m.
Belvidere, Rutherford, Union at Bloomfield
Newton, Butler, Parsippany at River Dell
Warren Hills, Allentown, Toms River North at Monroe

Sunday, Feb. 22

(All matches 10 a.m., unless noted)

NJSIAA state finals at Rutgers

Group 5

Southern vs. Old Bridge 

Group 1

Delaware Valley vs. Emerson-Park Ridge

Non-Public B

Pope John vs. Camden Catholic

Group 4

Mount Olive vs. Toms River East, 12:30 p.m.

Group 3

Delsea vs. Brick Memorial, 12:30 p.m.

Group 2

Rumson-Fair Haven vs. Lower Cape May, 12:30 p.m.

Non-Public A

Delbarton vs. Christian Brothers Academy, 12:30 p.m.

Wrestling: HWS schedule for Feb. 9-14

Monday, Feb. 9

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hopatcong-Lenape Valley at Newton, 7 p.m.
Mendham at North Warren

Independent

Kittatinny at Phillipsburg, 6:30 p.m.
North Brunswick at Delaware Valley

Tuesday, Feb. 10

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

Independent

Hunterdon Central at Emerson-Park Ridge
North Warren at South Hunterdon, 5

Wednesday, Feb. 11

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Kittatinny at Sparta

Skyland Conference

Watchung Hills at Delaware Valley, 6 p.m.
Warren Hills at Voorhees, 6:30 p.m.
Somerville at Belvidere

Independent

Hackettstown at West Essex
Wallkill Valley at Lakeland, 6:30 p.m.
Hopatcong-Lenape Valley at Wayne Valley, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 12

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Morris Hills at Newton

Skyland Conference

Manville at Voorhees, 6:30 p.m.

Independent

Hunterdon Central at Montville
Warren Hills at Liberty (Pa.)

Friday, Feb. 13

(All matches 6 p.m.)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Wallkill Valley at Parsippany

Independent

North Warren at Waldwick-Midland Park
Belvidere at Mendham

Saturday, Feb. 14

(All events 9 a.m.)

Tris and quads

Hackettstown, Becton, Morristown at Randolph
Hopatcong-Lenape Valley, Northern Highlands, Wayne Hills at Kinnelon
Warren Hills, Parsippany Hills, Wayne Valley at Sparta
South Hunterdon, Cherry Hill East, South River at West Windsor North

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference 

Wallkill Valley at Newton 

Wrestling: HWS area schedule for Feb. 2-7

Monday, Feb. 2

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Newton at Hackettstown, 6 p.m.
Roxbury at Hopatcong-Lenape Valley
Mountain Lakes at Vernon, 5 p.m.

Skyland Conference

South Hunterdon at Voorhees, 6:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, Feb. 4

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hopatcong-Lenape Valley at Jefferson, 6 p.m.
Hanover Park at Pope John
Pequannock at Wallkill Valley, 6 p.m.

Skyland Conference

Delaware Valley at Hillsborough
Hunterdon Central at Ridge, 6 p.m.
Watchung Hills at North Hunterdon
Phillipsburg at Immaculata
Manville at South Hunterdon, 6 p.m.
Belvidere at Bound Brook

Independent

Hackettstown at Wayne Valley, 6:30 p.m.
North Warren at Lakeland, 6:30 p.m.
Clifton at Sparta

Thursday, Feb. 5

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Sparta at High Point
Dover at Newton, 6 p.m.

Skyland Conference

Warren Hills at Ridge

Independent

Belvidere at Pen Argyl (Pa.), 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 6

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Wallkill Valley at Hopatcong-Lenape Valley

Skyland Conference

Voorhees at North Hunterdon, 6 p.m.

Independent

Hackettstown at Warren Hills
Newton at New Milford, 5:30 p.m.
North Warren at Hoboken, 6 p.m.
Delaware Valley at Hopewell Valley, 6 p.m.
Phillipsburg at Don Bosco Prep, 6 p.m.
Belvidere at Wilson (Pa.)

Saturday, Feb. 7

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

Tris and quads

Kittatinny, Montclair, Nutley at Rutherford
Wallkill Valley, Teaneck at Cresskill
Hunterdon Central, Montgomery, Steinert at Bridgewater-Raritan, 10 a.m.

South Hunterdon, Carteret, West Windsor-South at Willingboro

Wrestling: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

(Through Saturday's matches)

Skyland Conference
Delaware Division
		Overall	Division
Phillipsburg		(6-4)	(2-0)
Immaculata		(10-3)	(1-0)
w-North Hunterdon		(8-7)	(1-1)
Bridgewater-Raritan		(11-6)	(1-2)
Watchung Hills		(6-6)	(0-2)
Raritan Division
		Overall	Division
Delaware Valley		(14-0)	(2-0)
Warren Hills		(6-7)	(2-0)
Ridge		(13-5)	(1-1)
Hillsborough		(5-10)	(0-2)
Hunterdon Central		(2-10)	(0-2)
Valley Division
		Overall	Division
Montgomery		(10-5)	(3-0)
Somerville		(4-3)	(2-1)
Bernards		(3-6)	(1-1)
Franklin		(8-8)	(1-2)
Voorhees		(1-12)	(0-3)
Mountain Division
		Overall	Division
Manville		(17-0)	(3-0)
Bound Brook		(3-7)	(2-1)
South Hunterdon		(5-7)	(2-1)
Belvidere		(3-8)	(1-2)
Pingry		(1-6)	(1-2)
Rutgers Prep		(2-11)	(0-3)
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Freedom Division
		Overall	Division
x-High Point		(9-10)	(4-0)
Hackettstown		(13-2)	(2-1)
Kittatinny		(5-8)	(2-2)
Newton		(5-7)	(0-2)
Hopatcong-Lenape V		(3-6)	(0-3)
American Division
		Overall	Division
Pope John		(7-2)	(4-0)
w-Mount Olive		(8-2)	(3-1)
West Morris		(10-4)	(2-1)
Morris Hills		(7-5)	(1-2)
Morris Knolls		(7-8)	(1-2)
Sparta		(5-9)	(0-5)
Colonial Division
		Overall	Division
x-Jefferson		(5-9)	(4-0)
Dover		(8-5)	(3-1)
Wallkill Valley		(2-6)	(2-2)
North Warren		(1-12)	(0-3)
Vernon		(0-12)	(0-3)
w-county champion
x-division champion

Wrestling: HWS schedule for Jan. 26-31

Tuesday, Jan. 27

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Newton at Sparta
North Warren at Vernon, 6 p.m.

Independent

Mount Olive at Warren Hills

Wednesday, Jan. 28

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Pope John at West Morris, 7 p.m.
Sparta at Jefferson
Hopatcong-Lenape Valley at Morris Hills, 7 p.m.

Skyland Conference

Watchung Hills at Delaware Valley
Hillsborough at Hunterdon Central, 6:30 p.m.
North Hunterdon at Immaculata, 7 p.m.
Phillipsburg at Bridgewater-Raritan
South Hunterdon at Rutgers Prep
Voorhees at Bernards, 7 p.m.
Pingry at Belvidere

Independent

Hackettstown at Somerville
Ridge at Kittatinny

Thursday, Jan. 29

Independent

Belvidere at Parsippany, 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 30

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

North Warren at Hackettstown
Morris Hills at Kittatinny
Hopatcong-Lenape Valley at Mountain Lakes, 5:30 p.m.
Jefferson at Newton, 7 p.m.
Butler at Wallkill Valley

Skyland Conference

Phillipsburg at Warren Hills, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 31 

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

Tris and quads

High Point, West Deptford at Point Pleasant Boro, 10 a.m.
North Warren, DePaul at West Milford
Sparta, Pompton Lakes at Kearny
Hunterdon Central, Mendham, West Essex at Bernards
North Hunterdon, Ocean City, Paramus Catholic at St. Augustine Prep, 10 a.m.
Cranford, Watchung Hills at Voorhees
Belvidere, Morristown at Dover

Independent duals

Pope John at Pingry, 7 p.m.
Delaware Valley at Warren Hills, 7 p.m.

Wrestling: HWS schedule for Jan. 19-24

Monday, Jan. 19

Independent

Phillipsburg at Rumson-Fair Haven, 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 20

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at High Point
Newton at Kittatinny
Pope John at Sparta, 7 p.m.
Vernon at Wallkill Valley

Wednesday, Jan. 21

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

Skyland Conference

Ridge at Delaware Valley, 6:30 p.m.
Hunterdon Central at Phillipsburg, 6:30 p.m.
Bridgewater-Raritan at North Hunterdon
Pingry at South Hunterdon, 4:30 p.m.
Montgomery at Voorhees, 6 p.m.
Belvidere at Manville

Thursday, Jan. 22

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

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at Wallkill Valley
Sparta at Hopatcong-Lenape Valley, 7 p.m.

Independent

Warren Hills at High Point

Friday, Jan. 23

(All matches 7 p.m.)

Skyland Conference

North Hunterdon at Warren Hills

Independent

Hackettstown at Belvidere
Kittatinny at Manville

Saturday, Jan. 24

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

High Point, Delsea, Lower Cape May, Peddie, Red Bank Catholic, St. Peter's Prep, Washington Township at Shawnee Duals
Newton, Garfield, Hackensack at Tenafly
Voorhees, Westwood at Sparta
Hunterdon Central, Governor Livingston, Ramapo at Dumont
Caldwell, Ramsey at North Warren, 10 a.m.

Independent duals

Cranford at Delaware Valley, 4 p.m.
Easton (Pa.) at Phillipsburg, 6:30 p.m.
New Hope-Solebury (Pa.) at South Hunterdon, 11 a.m.