The first night of the 79th New Jersey State Wrestling Championships just wrapped up a Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. With eight mats going non-stop, it's all a blur now. The second round of pre-quarterfinals ended around 9:30 p.m.
Here's a little recap of what took place. I filed a story for The Trentonian on the Bethea brothers -- Mazaaiah at 132 pounds and Raamiah at 152 -- who are very talented and extremely gracious young men. Keep an eye on them as we continue on here in AC.
The tournament resumes at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the quarterfinals and first round of wrestlebacks. Semifinals and the second round of wrestlebacks are slated for 5 p.m., with the third round of wrestlebacks to follow at 7 p.m.
Towing the 'Liner
Senior Brandon Hull (35-3) kept Phillipsburg's state title hopes alive with a quick pin over Rumson-Fair Haven's Taylor Avino in 1:08. Hull, now 92-26 overall, is seeking to become the Stateliners' first state champ since 1996 and their 33rd overall.
Teammate Anthony Pare made a little noise of his own, rallying from 6-1 down in his opener to pin Cinnaminson's Sam Ekwonike, an absolute giant, at 285. Pare followed that up with a 2-1 decision over Don Bosco's Kevin Wilkins to reach the quarters. Freshman Jimmy Schuitema joined them in the quarters with a 15-10 win over Jackson Memorial' Brad Royle at 132.
Tough Terriers
Mike Pongracz and Will VanDoren were among the 10 wrestlers from the Open Mike area to reach the quarterfinal round. Pongracz, who got a nice draw in my opinion, earned a 10-3 win over 2011 placewinner John Van Brill of Clearview in the 126-pound pre-quarters. VanDoren, a Region 5 champ, earned his first state win -- 6-3 over Absegami's Alex Gong at 170.
Pongracz (36-2), who finished eighth at 119 last year, won twice on the opening night after finishing third in Region 5. His nemesis, Gary Dinmore of Hunterdon Central, moved into the quarters with a 4-2 win over Wayne Valley's Sam Tareky.
How 'bout them Lions?
North Hunterdon freshman Ryan Pomrinca and junior Liam Korbul reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their careers at 113 and 182, respectively.
Pomrinca (37-3) won a tough first-round match, 3-2, on the strength of the lone takedown in the bout, against Kittatinny senior James Elphick, before a 5-2 win over Collingswood's Tony Giancola in the pre-quarters.
Korbul (36-3) kept it rolling with a 7-3 win over Hightstown's Joey DeCristofaro in the pre-quarters.
Where is Sussex?
It's hard to miss the absence of Sussex County wrestlers after what High Point did here last year -- crowning four state champions and earning two other medals. We all knew it was a down year for District 3, but only Kittatinny's Clarke Moynihan remained standing in the winners' bracket after two rounds.
Moynihan (33-3) scored a 3-1 decision over Roselle Park's Brian Merkel to move on to the quarterfinals at a very tough 152-pound class. Up next is Don Bosco's Sal Mastriani, who placed fourth last year at 145.
Speaking of High Point, freshman Mike Derin was stunning the crowd for a bit with a 3-1 lead on Ocean Township freshman Zach Hertling in the 120-pound pre-quarters. But it didn't last, as Hertling rallied for a 6-3 win.
Newton senior Jake Connelly (40-1) suffered his first loss of the season, 6-0, to Delsea's Bryan Dobzanski.
Still dancing
Voorhees' Jadaen Bernstein and Belvidere's J.B. Lawson also reached the quarterfinals at 160 and 220, respectively.
Bernstein (37-1), second last year at 160, earned a 3-1 win over Mendham's Kevin Button -- his second win over Button this season.
Region numbers
Regions 3 and 4 advanced the most wrestlers to the quarterfinals with 16 apiece. Regions 1 and 6 followed with 15 each. Region 2 has 14, Regions 5 and 7 each have 13 and Region 8 is last with 10.
A unique occurrence at 160, where there is one wrestler from each of the eight regions in the quarters. Region 1 has all three left at 285, as does Region 3 at 145 and Region 2 at 195.
Lawson (35-6), who has is enjoying a nice postseason overall, won twice to reach the quarters for the first time. He beat River Dell's Lenny Smith, 5-3, in the prelims before decking Scotch Plains-Fanwood's Andrew Jacobs in 3:15. Jacobs' only other loss this season was by pin to Warren Hills' Dan Smith, who beat Lawson two out of three meetings this season. Smith did not advance out of Region 1, while Lawson took third.
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