Wrestling: HWS career victories leaders by school

Wrestler	School	Record		Years
Nick Francavilla	High Point	156-12		2007-11
Ryan Callahan	Wallkill Valley	154-12		2006-10
Kevin Churchill	Newton	151-18		2006-10
Tom Spellman	Kittatinny	149-13		2003-07
Mike Pongracz	Delaware Valley	148-16		2009-13
Dan Haines	Hopatcong	142-21		2007-11
Pat Strizki	Hunterdon Central	137-18		2003-07
Jadaen Bernstein	Voorhees	135-19		2009-13
Dylan Thorsen	Belvidere	131-15		2008-12
Ricky Frondorf	North Hunterdon	124-6		1999-03
Dave Richmond	Warren Hills	124-17		2002-06
Kevin Brown	North Warren	124-33		2006-10
Cory Vernon	Hackettstown	122-19		2003-07
D.J. Russo	Lenape Valley	122-31		2002-06
Luke Grassi	Phillipsburg	120-32		2004-08
Matt Stoppay	Sparta	115-25		1999-03
Brian Hoyt	Vernon	114-31		2003-07
Brian Unkert	Pope John	109-8-1		1986-90

Wrestling: HWS active career victories leaders

   (Minimum 50 wins)

Wrestler	School	Record	Year
Gary Dinmore	Hunterdon Central	95-12	Senior
Kieran Gerrity	Kittatinny	91-28	Senior
Dylan Nace	Hunterdon Central	89-24	Senior
Nick Romyns	Kittatinny	82-30	Senior
Ryan Pomrinca	North Hunterdon	76-10	Junior
Matt Ritchie	North Warren	74-28	Senior
Mike Ciavarro	North Hunterdon	71-28	Senior
Kyle Stoll	High Point	68-19	Senior
Jason Gaccione	High Point	67-12	Junior
Christian Okulicz	Voorhees	66-37	Senior
Austin Sisco	Pope John	65-39	Senior
Jimmy Schuitema	Phillipsburg	64-17	Junior
Kody Eichlin	Delaware Valley	63-30	Senior
Max Nauta	Warren Hills	62-13	Junior
Glenn Haines	Lenape Valley	60-18	Junior
Garrett Armstrong	Kittatinny	59-19	Senior
Dylan Wunder	Kittatinny	58-19	Senior
Ian Burke	Sparta	55-14	Junior
Tom Murphy	Pope John	55-22	Junior
Noa Merritt	Pope John	52-33	Senior
Max Elling	Phillipsburg	51-27	Junior
Luke Zehnbauer	Delaware Valley	51-29	Senior
Mike Derin	High Point	50-12	Junior
Dom Gallo	High Point	50-14	Junior
Jake Kocsis	Phillipsburg	50-25	Senior
Tai Adetula	Warren Hills	50-35	Senior

Wrestling: Kittatinny-Newton alumni match big success

Just weeks away from the start of another high school wrestling season, some old veterans took the mat for a worthy cause and a chance to relive their glory days. And surprisingly, these "old-timers" still had the stuff.

Former New Jersey state champions Will Livingston and Steve Dalling of Kittatinny, and Andy Iliff of Newton were among the winners in the annual alumni match between Sussex County rival schools on Friday night at Henry Boresch Memorial Gymnasium.

In all, 16 bouts were contested as Newton prevailed, 34-29, with the teams wrestling to an even seven-seven split with two draws that ended scoreless after one 30-second overtime. Periods were 30 seconds, 1 minute, 1 minute. The night was complete with a host of alumni in attendance who did not compete, along with Art Sibblies delighting the crowd with a spectacular rendition of the national anthem.

Legendary Kittatinny coach John Gill was on hand and shouting instructions as if his former wrestlers were actually in a real dual meet, while former Newton coach Rick Petersen was on the Braves' bench.

Livingston, a four-time district, three-time region and state champ in 2006, started the proceedings with a workmanlike 10-0 major decision over former Region 1 qualifier Jon Risk.

In one of the most entertaining bouts, Kittatinny's Clarke Moynihan earned a 5-0 decision over T.J. Cuff in a battlker of former state placewinners. Cuff, a two-time district champ who trailed 2-0 in the second period, nearly had two back points to tie it, but Moynihan later got three backs off a tilt to ice the win.

Two-time district champion Mike Gummerson, now an assistant coach at Lenape Valley, gave Kittatinny a 12-6 lead with a 4-2 win over former Newton state placewinner Trevor Braxton in the evening's fifth matchup. Tyler Branham, a three-time district champ and one-time region champ, followed with a 6-3 decision over Dennis Jones.

After Brendan Ryan's impressive 9-0 major of Kittatinny's Bryant Wanamaker, a 2003 Region 1 champ, the crowd came to life when current Newton coach Eric Bollette, a Kittatinny grad, took the mat against Rich Molfetto.

Bollette, a seventh-eighth finisher in the state tournament, did not disappoint as he converted three takedowns in a 6-1 victory. In the second period, referee Bob Melillo warned Bollette for stalling and true to form, Gill entertained the crowd by protesting the call in jovial fashion.

Former two-time region champ Ed Mattice got the Braves going with a 5-0 win over Mike Grace. Iliff, Newton's last state champ with back-to-back titles in 1986-87,  built a 12-0 lead after two periods before his opponent became ill and could not continue.

Former state placewinner Austin Alpaugh also won for Newton, while Risk, wrestling for a second time, slapped on a cradle for three backs with less than 10 seconds left to beat Derek Conrad, 5-2.

Kittatinny's Eric Schuffenhauer, a 1994 district champ, also wrestled twice -- a 0-0 draw with Kenny Burke and a 2-0 win over Ryan Caffrey. In the final bout, two-time state champion and Kittatinny legend Dalling closed the show by decking Kenny Smith in 2:14.

All in all it was a great night of wrestling that raised a nice sum of money for the Newton wrestling program. My thanks to Bill Cuff and the rest of the Newton staff for inviting me to be the announcer. I'm already looking forward to next year's match, which according to sources, will feature a match between Bollette and former Newton state runner-up Ted Sibblies. That should be a good one!

NEWTON 34, KITTATINNY 29

Will Livingston, K, md. Jon Risk, 10-0.

Eric Schuffenhauer, K, and Kenny Burke, drew 0-0.

Anthony Kieling, N, p. Dan Sylvester, 2:58 OT.

Clarke Moynihan, K, d. T.J. Cuff, 5-0.

Mike Gummerson, K, d. Trevor Braxton, 4-2.

Tyler Branham, K, d. Dennis Jones, 6-3.

Brendan Ryan, N, md. Bryant Wanamaker, 9-0.

Eric Bollette, K, d. Rich Molfetto, 6-1.

Ed Mattice, N, d. Mike Grace, 5-0.

Matt Washer, N, p. Hobie Wanamaker, 2:22.

Andy Iliff, N, injury default over Connor VanDerMaas, 1:30.

Robert Yetter, K, and David Sylvester, K, drew 0-0.

Jon Risk, N, d. Derek Conrad, 5-2.

Eric Schuffenhauer, K, d. Ryan Caffrey, 2-0.

Austin Alpaugh, N, md. Dan Sylvester, 8-0.

Steve Dalling, K, p. Kenny Smith, 2:14.

Officials -- Frank Leitner and Bob Melillo.

Field hockey: Final Hunterdon Warren-Sussex rankings

With another field hockey season in the books, here are the final rankings for the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area. Hunterdon Central (North 2, Group 4) and Warren Hills (North 2, Group 3) represented the area well by claiming sectional championships -- the 13th and 11th, respectively, in those schools' history.

Thanks to all coaches and players for making this season a great one and to the many faithful readers of this blog, which hit record viewership numbers. See you all next fall.

1. Warren Hills (22-4-1) -- Blue Streaks came up short in the Group 3 final for the second straight year against Ocean City, dropping a 1-0 decision in double overtime to snap a 19-game win streak. With the loss of only three senior starters, expect coach Laurie Kerr's 2014 squad to challenge once again for that elusive state title. Junior forward Sydney Muntone totaled 19 goals for the second straight year and ranks tied for fourth place on the Streaks' all-time list with 48. Lindsey Schott set the record with 72 from 2008-11. Junior midfielder Nikki Profita led the team with 20 goals to go with 13 assists. Muntone led with 17 assists. Program sits at 578 wins overall in 49 seasons.

2. Voorhees (16-5) -- Vikings, who shared the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title with rival Warren Hills, ran into a very good Parsippany squad in the North 1, Group 2 semifinals -- falling, 4-2, to cap a 16-win season. The Hunterdon County school has had only three losing seasons in its history since the school opened in 1975. Sophomore forward Kathryn Roncoroni scored both goals in the loss to give her 33 -- second in the HWS area -- to match Colleen Boyce (2010) for the school's single-season record. Coach Taylor Webb returns a strong core in 2014, including goalie Lauren Pianucci, and will once again be a force at the county and state level.

3. Hunterdon Central (18-7) -- Red Devils claimed their 13th sectional title with a 1-0 win over Montgomery, the second time in three seasons that Central defeated the Cougars in the North 2, Group 4 final. Junior forward Kendall Nickel scored the winning goal and added two more in a 4-2 loss to nemesis Bridgewater in the Group 4 semifinals -- bringing her team-leading total to 17. Junior forward Taylor Barrett posted 15 goals and 10 assists for coach Jenn Sponzo, who won her seventh sectional title in 15 seasons. Senior forward Sarah Pulkowski was next on the list with 13 for Central, which dropped two of three meetings with Bridgewater, beating the Panthers (2-1 on Sept. 10) for the first time since 2007.

4. South Hunterdon (16-5) -- Eagles capped a fine bounce-back season with a 2-1 loss in overtime to Skyland Conference Valley Division rival Bernards in the North 2, Group 1 quarterfinals. The teams split a pair of regular-season meetings and shared the division title. Senior forward Kaycee Zelkovsky led the tri-county area with 36 goals and 83 points. South, which has won an HWS record 14 sectional titles and its last in 2002, loses eight seniors to graduation, but does return sophomore forward Ashley Eick (14 goals) in 2014.

5. Hackettstown (12-8) -- Tigers closed out the season with tough losses in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final (1-0 to Warren Hills) and the North 1, Group 2 playoffs (2-0 to Voorhees). Senior forward Kalie Thies led the offense with 13 goals and 12 assists, while senior forwards Sierramarie Fitzgerald (10 goals, 11 assists) and Michelle Carlson (11 goals) were key contributors all season. Several junior starters, along with sophomore goalie Rose Bishop, who was big in that run to the HWS final that included two thrilling overtime wins along with way, will be counted on next season by coach Stephen Speirs.

6. High Point (16-2-3) -- Wildcats' bid for a fourth straight sectional finals appearance ended with an 8-0 loss to North 1, Group 2 champion West Essex in the semifinals. Junior forward Alexis Ambrosino, who scored a goal in the team's 2-0 win over Ramsey to open the playoffs, finished with a team-high 21 goals to go with nine assists. Senior forward Carly Satter led the 'Cats and the tri-county area with 20 assists. Forward Brittany DeLima, one of five senior starters, totaled 16 goals. Junior goalie Autumn Smith (14 shutouts) will among the key returnees next fall as coach Bev Keur's program bids for a fourth straight NJAC American Division title (54-game division unbeaten streak).

7. Lenape Valley (15-6-1) -- Patriots were the surprise team in Sussex County this season coming off a two-win campaign. Coach Kate Rothman's squad won a postseason game -- 1-0 over Boonton -- before being eliminated with a 1-0 loss to champion Mountain Lakes in the North 1, Group 1 semifinals. Lenape was bidding for its first title since 1990. Junior midfielder and captain Sally Olson was the catalyst with seven goals and 10 assists. Junior fowards Alyssa Falleni (eight goals, nine assists) and leading scorer Kassidy Forik (15 goals) enjoyed breakout seasons on offense. Keep an eye on this group in 2014.

8. Sparta (11-8-1) -- Talk about your turnarounds, how about a program that went winless in 2011 and scored a total of two goals. Second-year coach Kristin Savasta and her staff have done remarkable job in a short time, as the Spartans won a county game -- 2-1 over Phillipsburg -- and went 9-4-1 in the NJAC American Division. The season ended with a 2-0 loss to Wayne Valley in the North 1, Group 3 playoffs. Sophomore forward Rhett Curran led the offense with 16 goals, including one in a 1-1 tie at home against High Point on Oct. 21. Senior goalie Julia Keenan and back Liz Anderson will be huge losses.

9. Kittatinny (8-8-3) -- Cougars had rough ending to a solid season, dropping three of their last five, including a 2-0 loss to finalist Whippany Park in the North 1, Group 1 quarterfinals. First-year coach Emily Murray brought the program to respectability this season, as evidenced by a 0-0 tie at High Point on Oct. 11. Sophomore forward Maureen Douglas led the offense with four goals, as the Sussex County school scored only a total of 14 in 19 games. The defensive-minded team also defeated Newton twice for the first time in recent memory in NJAC Freedom Division matchups.

10. Delaware Valley (9-10-1) -- Terriers, who went 6-2 in one-goal contests this season, came on strong late with wins in four of their last five contests, including a 2-1 win in overtime against county rival Hunterdon Central on Oct. 24. Coach Stephanie Cirino's team followed with 2-1 wins over Hillsborough and Somerville, the latter in the opening round of the North 2, Group 2 playoffs. Junior back Brianna Skripko scored a goal in the playoff victory. Skripko and senior forward Robyn Case shared the team lead with five goals.

Field hockey: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex leaders

   (Final)

Player	School	Goals	Assists	Points
Kaycee Zelkovsky	South Hunterdon	36	11	83
Kathryn Roncoroni	Voorhees	33	6	72
Sydney Muntone	Warren Hills	19	17	55
Nikki Profita	Warren Hills	20	13	53
Alexis Ambrosino	High Point	21	9	51
Kendall Nickel	Hunterdon Central	17	12	46
Amber Dey	South Hunterdon	14	16	44
Dani Profita	Warren Hills	15	10	40
Taylor Barrett	Hunterdon Central	15	10	40
Kalie Thies	Hackettstown	13	12	38
Carly Satter	High Point	9	20	38
Rhett Curran	Sparta	16	6	38
Katherine Kellenberger	Newton	13	8	34
Brittany DeLima	High Point	16	0	32
Sierramarie Fitzgerald	Hackettstown	10	11	31
Kassidy Forik	Lenape Valley	15	1	31
Casey Pustelniak	Wallkill Valley	14	3	31
Ashley Eick	South Hunterdon	14	3	31
Sarah Pulkowski	Hunterdon Central	13	2	28
Jessica Nissen	Warren Hills	13	2	28
Nikki Schott	Warren Hills	9	9	27
Ashley Kerekgyarto	Voorhees	10	5	25
Michelle Carlson	Hackettstown	11	3	25
Alyssa Falleni	Lenape Valley	8	9	25
Gretchen Bowie	Sparta	9	6	24
Sally Olson	Lenape Valley	7	10	24
Jane Higley	Hunterdon Central	9	4	22
Maddie Smith	High Point	5	11	21
Jessica Towey	North Warren	9	2	20
Erin Sassaman	Belvidere	6	8	20
Melissa Bencivenga	Newton	3	14	20
Amanda Crampton	Warren Hills	5	10	20
Kelly Healy	Hackettstown	8	3	19
Shannon Zignoli	Warren Hills	7	5	19
Lauren Miano	North Warren	6	6	18
Brett Lelie	South Hunterdon	5	7	17
Hannah Koch	Belvidere	7	3	17
Julie Cacace	Vernon	7	3	17
Rachel Orr	High Point	5	7	17
Emma Garcia	Voorhees	6	4	16
Julie Hammerton	Vernon	7	2	16
Emily Garofalo	Vernon	7	2	16
Ally Baligian	Hunterdon Central	3	10	16
Tori Crans	Voorhees	2	11	15
Kailey Dalgauer	Hunterdon Central	5	5	15
Barbara Hannan	Wallkill Valley	4	6	14
Alaina Benson	North Warren	5	3	13
Megan Stevens	North Warren	5	2	12
Abby Flagler	Voorhees	4	4	12
Hollis Smith	Lenape Valley	3	6	12
Robyn Case	Delaware Valley	5	2	12
Nicole Andes	Hackettstown	4	3	11
Samantha Strathern	Hackettstown	5	1	11
Liz Dalrymple	Belvidere	5	1	11
Brianna Skripko	Delaware Valley	5	1	11
Regina Incarnato	Vernon	4	3	11
Sarah Parks	Newton	4	3	11
Megan Laubach	Belvidere	5	0	10