Coach: John Gardner (268-73-2, 16th season).
2012-13 record: 20-4, 7-0 NJAC American Division, North 1, Group 2 and Group 2 champions.
Returning starters (10): Jr. Dom Gallo (34-5, D1, R4) 120; So. Jared Kobis (36-3, D1) 126; Jr. Mike Derin (18-6, D1, R1, S8) 132; Jr. Jason Gaccione (41-6, D2, R1, S4) 145; Sr. Chris Auer (17-12, D3) 152; Sr. Tommy Hooker (23-12, D3) 160; Sr. Antonio Porraspita (23-12, D2) 182; Sr. Kyle Stoll (35-8, D1, R1, S6) 195; Sr. Drew Bye (9-9) 220; Sr. Bobby McDonnell (32-10, D2, R2) 220; Sr. Gunther Wassong (21-13, D2) 285.
Key losses: Connor McHugh (27-12, D3) 126; Collin Grimm (9-15) 138; Moses Yasin (14-22, D1) 160.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Chase Babus 106; So. Justin Liebl 106; Fr. Aric Wingle 113; Sr. Mike Garrity 113; Fr. Antonio Fancera 132-138.
Outlook: Wildcats are gearing up for another run at the Group 2 title -- beating nemesis Long Branch, 33-30, in last year's final -- with 10 returning starters, including state placewinners Derin, Gaccione and Stoll. Kobis was enjoying a great freshman campaign until an injury derailed his season in the Region 1 Tournament, while McDonnell emerged as a force in the upper weights. Babus is a good-looking rookie at 106 and if Wingle gets to 113, there really isn't a weak spot in this lineup, which is bad news for the rest of Sussex County and Group 2. Avenging a 35-18 loss at Kittatinny -- snapping High Point's seven-match win streak in the series -- is another priority. As usual, the dual schedule is loaded with the likes of Bergen Catholic, Bound Brook and Phillipsburg. 'Cats also attend the rugged Cheesehead (Wisc.) Invitational and Mustang Classic.
Hopatcong Chiefs
Coach: Eric Fajerman (114-189-3, 14th season).
2012-13 record: 4-19, 1-6 NJAC Freedom Division (seventh).
Returning starters (7): Jr. Joe Aumann (27-10, D3) 113; Jr. Joey Ioffredo (17-12, D4) 126; Sr. Tommy Donnelly (3-19) 170; Sr. Troy Bongiovanni (15-13) 182.
Key losses: Joey Spaziani (32-9, D3) 120; Eric Hughes (14-11, D4) 138; Victor Burgos (29-11, D1, R4) 285.
Key returnees: So. Magdi Aref 138; So. Robert Guerra 152; So. Christian Burgos (7-14) 220.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Jake Wilkerson 145; So. Mike Madelunna 195; So. Brandon Marazzo 195; So. John Ariza 195.
Outlook: Chiefs have struggled with numbers in recent seasons and will again this winter as they may forfeit as many as four weight classes. Aumann is the lone Region 1 qualifier, while Ioffredo and Bongiovanni are coming off solid seasons. It's also a bonus to have an incoming freshman and four sophomores, but spotting teams 24 points will make winning dual meets extremely difficult.
Kittatinny Cougars
Coach: John Gill (486-149-5, 34th season).
2012-13 record: 21-3, 7-0 NJAC Freedom Division, North 1, Group 1 champion.
Returning starters (10): So. Jake Vanwingerden (23-13, D3) 113-120; So. Nick Klinger (15-20, D3) 120; So. Austin Scrivani (26-12, D1) 126-132; Sr. Christian Silva (28-11, D2) 126-132; Sr. Nick West (9-21) 138; Sr. Nick Romyns (30-8, D1, R2) 152; Sr. Kieran Gerrity (35-6, D1, R2) 170; Sr. Dylan Wunder (30-10, D2, R4) 170-182; Sr. Garrett Armstrong (33-5, D1) 195; Sr. Tom Smith (19-15, D3) 220-285.
Key losses: Jr. Tom Murphy (34-5, D1, R4, transferred to Pope John) 145; Connor Zandarski (15-15, D4) 152; Dave Popek (15-15, D2) 160; Jake Brook (33-5, D1) 182.
Key returnees: So. Taylor Molfetto 106-113; Jr. Brandon Olsen (7-6) 145; Sr. Will Donkersloot 145; Sr. Tyler Parkyn 160; So. Nick Simpson (1-1) 160; Sr. Andrew Simpson (3-0) 220; Sr. Liam Hinkes (3-2) 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Kasey Hotz 106; Jr. Trevor Schutte 138; Jr. Christian Blanton 138-145; Fr. Josh Klimek 160.
Outlook: Cougars are eager to erase the memory of a disappointing 31-30 loss to Hanover Park in the Group 1 semifinals after claiming the program's 18th North 1 sectional championship. With 10 starters back, expect this group to make another run at the division and sectional titles, despite the loss of Murphy, who surprisingly transferred to Pope John. The lower weights are a bit of a question if Vanwingerden can't get down to 113. Olsen was a starter two seasons ago and Romyns, a district champ who recently gave a verbal to Roger Williams University, is among the area's top wrestlers. Gerrity (91 career wins), Wunder and Armstrong form a solid core up top. Gill, one of New Jersey's legendary coaches, is closing in on 500 wins.
Lenape Valley Patriots
Coach: Doug Vetter (156-129-1, 13th season).
2012-13 record: 8-15, 4-3 NJAC Freedom Division (fourth).
Returning starters (7): So. Zach Merkey (8-24, D4) 113; So. Aaron Merkey (12-10) 120; So. Aaron Arzon (11-22) 132; Jr. Glenn Haines (27-11, D1) 138-145; Sr. Dominic LaBell (14-7, D3) 152-160; Jr. Joe LaBell (21-17, D3) 160-170; Jr. D.J. Barrett (24-16, D2) 170-182.
Key losses: Jr. Peter Lipari (31-10, D1, R2, S7, transferred to Bergen Catholic) 126; Matt Benvenuto (35-8, D1, R1) 138; Kristian Barrett (26-13, D3) 195; Dante James (14-12, D2) 220; Bobby Sperling (10-11, D2) 285.
Key returnees: Jr. Anthony Mulford (2-6) 132; Sr. Adam Chavarria 132-138; So. Mike Katz 145; So. Nick Seck 152; So. Scott Prior 160-170; So. Dylon Frazier (3-9) 170-182; So. Sam Palumbo (7-11) 195-220; So. Ralph Hall (1-2) 195-220.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Jacob Falleni 106; Fr. Brandon Olmstead 106; Fr. Anthony Smaha 106-113; Fr. Ray Smaha 106-113; Fr. Nicholas Palumbo 120-126; So. David Ottoson 182-195; So. Richie Fritzky 220-285.
Outlook: Patriots, who reached the North 1, Group 1 final last season, are looking to bounce back coming off a tough campaign. The loss of Lipari hurts, but Haines is a season removed from advancing to the Region 1 finals and the LaBells are solid wrestlers, along with Barrett. That's a good nucleus to build on as the Merkeys and Arzon gained valuable experience as freshmen last winter. The upper weights, after Barrett, are a big question mark, so this team will have to maximize bonus points and avoid them up top to be among the top-third of the division.
Newton Braves
Coach: Eric Bollette (162-128-1, 13th season).
2012-13 record: 9-16, 3-4 NJAC Freedom Division (fifth).
Returning starters (6): Jr. Trevor Morales (21-11, D4) 120; Jr. Eddie Medina (14-21, D4) 126; Sr. Michael Larsen (21-14, D4) 138; Jr. Benjamin Sibblies (11-21) 170; Jr. Gus Protogeropoulos (28-8, D3) 195; So. Ethan Reczka (10-13) 220.
Key losses: Josh Sibblies (37-6, D2, R1, S5) 182.
Key returnees: Sr. Vincenzo Sebastiano 126; Jr. Ryan Brigante 132; Sr. Anthony Brown (7-22 in 2011-12) 132; So. Robert Borgognoni 138; Sr. Niko Grello (0-0 injured in 2012-13; 20-19, D3-2012); Sr. Jeremie Lerch 152; Sr. Eddie Taylor 152; So. Nick Zaremski 220.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Mateo Valentine 106; Fr. Dylan Gompertz 106; Fr. Nick Giordano 113; Fr. Russ Cilurso 113; Fr. Jake DeLuca 145; Jr. Ryan Qasem 160; So. Ryan Lazar 160; So. Jose Urena 182; Jr. Walter Rice 182; So. Koty Wilkenson 195; So. Tyler Pittenger (2-4) 285.
Outlook: Braves are coming off back-to-back losing campaigns, but Bollette is expecting a turnaround season. The return of Grello, a Region 1 qualifier who missed all of last season with a knee injury, is a big addition, while Protogeropoulos had a breakout season as a sophomore. Morales, Medina and Larsen all just missed a trip to regions. The lighter weights and some spots in the middle are a little green, so the proven guys in the lineup will need to come through with bonus points where they can. Expect a major improvement on last season's record.
Pope John Lions
Coach: Mark Piotrowsky (first season).
2012-13 record: 7-16, 0-7 NJAC American Division (eighth).
Returning starters (9): Jr. Dominic Koert (19-3) 106-113; Sr. Austin Sisco (25-9, D2) 113-120; Sr. Zeke Lewie-Cepero (10-8, D3) 120-126; So. Caleb Lewie-Cepero (10-14) 120-126; Jr. Rich Peterson (9-18) 160; So. Michael Anderson (5-16) 182-195; Jr. Conner Lenehan 170-182; Jr. Deriam Guridy (6-2) 182-195; Sr. Noa Merritt (33-6, D1, R3) 285.
Key losses: Tyler Mastrogiovanni (12-6, D4) 138; Anthony Gignatelli (19-13, D3) 145; Isaiah Bryant (13-4, D4) 220.
Key returnees: Jr. Anthony Azzaritti (6-5) 132-138; Jr. Liam Sax (3-15 in 2011-12) 132-138; Jr. Nick Esposito (3-12) 132-138; So. Billy Koenig (3-4) 152; Jr. Hunter Guzzo (10-1) 170.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Christian Dehan 106; Fr. Mark Digeronimo 106; Fr. Ryan Luchs 106; Fr. Travis Healy 113; Jr. Mike Guido 132-138; Jr. Tom Murphy (34-5, D1, R4, transfer from Kittatinny) 138-145; So. Joe Frumolt (12-11, transfer from North Warren) 195; Jr. Morino Priori 195; So. Colin Myles 195-220; Jr. Scott Black 285; Jr. Jake Borchers 285; Fr. Mike Card 285; Fr. Dalyn Wade-Perry 285.
Outlook: Lions made some big offseason news with the hiring of Piotrowsky, a former star at Jefferson, as head coach and with the arrival of Murphy, a two-year starter and Region 1 qualifier at Kittatinny. There's an air of excitement as a result, with nine returning starters. Filling out the lineup has been an issue in recent years, but it looks as if all the weights are covered this season. Sisco is a three-time District 3 medal winner and bumped Koert, who was having a fine season, out of the lineup by dropping to 106 for the postseason. Merritt is among the top heavyweights in the area and Region 1.
Sparta Spartans
Coach: Frank Battaglia (23-26, third season).
2012-13 record: 15-9, 3-4 NJAC American Division (fifth).
Returning starters (8): So. Garrett Gerndt (20-13) 106-113; Jr. Sierra Blasone (11-11) 106-113; Jr. Ian Burke (30-6, D2) 138; Jr. Walker Schmitzer (13-10) 152; So. Al Falco (16-17, D3) 170-182; Jr. Connor Lore (18-15, D4) 170-182; Jr. Gavin Lally (22-10, D4) 195-220; Sr. Nick Martinez (8-15) 220.
Key losses: Jack Velella (20-9) 120; Ryan May (19-15, D4) 182; Carlos Goncalves (11-11) 285.
Key returnees: So. Grant Gerndt 106-113; So. Andrew Legge 120; So. Ryan Pyper 138.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Paddy Finnegan 120-126; Fr. Sean McHugh 126-132; Fr. Zach Herbert 160; Jr. Nathan Sowers 160.
Outlook: Spartans were the feel-good story last season with 15 victories after the program pretty had much hit rock bottom. Now, with very good numbers in the practice room, according to Battaglia, it appears the resurgence may continue this winter. For the first time in a while, there are seven returning starters -- all coming off double-digit win totals. Burke, a two-time Region 1 qualifier, is one of the top wrestlers in the county, while Falco made the trip to Wallkill Valley as a freshman with his third-place district finish. Look for this team to continue where it left off and make a push to finish in the top third of the division standings.
Vernon Vikings
Coach: Bill Panfile (first season).
2012-13 record: 6-15, 1-6 NJAC American Division (seventh).
Returning starters (5): Jr. Sultan Destani (8-14) 120; Sr. Jerrian Arroyo (9-9) 160; So. Tim VanLenten (17-9, D3) 152; Sr. Pat Thompson (6-11) 182; Sr. Bobby Chavez (12-8, D4) 285.
Key losses: Jake Levy (12-7) 145; Ryan Ward (25-5, D2) 152.
Key returnees: Sr. Kevin Pitts (1-3) 132; So. Cole Nagle (4-3) 138; Sr. Eric Weber (5-9) 170; Sr. Jesse Cornwell (17-8 in 2011-12) 195.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Andrew Van Dyke 138; Fr. Mike Alvarez 220.
Outlook: Panfile, a former High Point wrestler, takes over the reins from longtime coach Bill Cooper, who resigned following last season in a second stint as head coach. The Vikings also took a hit in the coaching ranks with the loss of former Kittatinny star Tyler Branham, now an assistant at Hanover Park. VanLenten enjoyed a fine freshman season and is the lone returning District 3 medalist. Chavez is the only other wrestler with double-digit wins, so it will be a challenge for this group to improve on its six wins from last season.
Wallkill Valley Rangers
Coach: Adam Vazquez (12-39, third season).
2012-13 record: 11-16, 0-7 NJAC Freedom Division (eighth).
Returning starters (5): Jr. Sean Siek (16-12) 138; Sr. Andrew Reed (15-15, D4) 152; Jr. Patrick Endrikat (9-15) 170; Sr. Tylar Creeden (14-13) 182; Jr. Dan Tomzick (12-12) 220.
Key losses: Joe Hocking (25-7, D2) 132; Jim Lodema (21-7, D2) 138; Steve Siek (21-9, D4) 145; Alex Reiman (15-11, D3) 182.
Key returnees: Jr. Joe Tizzano (0-4) 152; So. Eric Ganz (2-8) 195; Jr. Ian McDonald (1-5) 195; Sr. Dimitrios Kochka-Thomas 195; Jr. Collin McConville 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Mark Teevan 106; Fr. Trevor Kish 119; Fr. Dillion Whitley 126; Sr. Jonathan Gomez 126.
Outlook: Rangers took a big step forward last season with 11 victories following a one-win campaign in 2011-12. Matching last season's win total is a lofty goal, considering the graduation losses of three region qualifiers and another top-four finisher in District 3. Looks like this team will be able to cover most of the weights, which has been a major hurdle for the program in recent years. But there's plenty of inexperience throughout the lineup, which doesn't bode well for life in a solid division.
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