Wrestling: Local greats to attend Newton camp

The third annual Newton High School Wrestling Camp will be held July 13-17 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each session.

Chris Skretkowicz instructing at last year's clinic. (Courtesy of Eric Bollette)

Former New Jersey state champions Chris Skretkowicz and Dan Vallimont will be among the guest clinicians, along with two-time runner-up and Division III national champion Kodie Silvestri.

Former state runner-up and current Braves assistant coach Ted Sibblies, and West Morris head coach Ken Rossi, a four-time state placewinner, round out the stellar group.

"We've been fortunate to have great groups every year," Newton coach Eric Bollette said. "We have had D1 and D3 national champs, All-Americans, as well as great coaches."

Up first on July 13 is Skretkowicz, the former Wallkill Valley standout and two-time state finalist. Skretkowicz, who compiled a career mark of 124-13 from 1997-2001, went on to become a two-time NCAA All-American at Hoftsra under coach Tom Ryan, who guided Ohio State to its first national championship this past season. Skretkowicz is now the head coach at Virginia Military Institute.

Vallimont, who will appear on July 14, was a two-time state champion at Jefferson Township High School and a two-time All-American at Penn State, where he qualified four times for the NCAA Tournament and placed second in 2010. He's now an assistant coach at Hofstra.

Rossi also was a star at Jefferson in the early 1990s and a member of the 1992-93 team that won the Group 2 title and was ranked No. 1 in the country by USA Today. He will appear at the camp on July 15, with Sibblies slated for July 16.

Rounding out the five-day event will be Silvestri, a former star at Wallkill Valley (145-18 career mark from 2005-09) who went onto a successful collegiate career at Wartburg, where he also was a national runner-up.

The camp is open to grades 4-12 and registration fee is $200 per family. Walk-ins are welcome. For information, or to register, contact Bollette via e-mail at ebollette@newtonnj.org.

Goles fills out lineup

The 58th annual John Goles Invitational, slated for Monday, Dec. 28 at Warren Hills, will have two new additions this season.

Pope John is back in the tournament after a two-year absence. The Lions, coached by Mark Piotrowsky, were Goles members for 10 straight years from 2002-11, before joining the Mountain Lakes Holiday Tournament.

Warren Hills coach Jarrett Hosbach on Monday confirmed that Palisades (Pa.) will round out the 10-team field.

In addition to Pope John, Palisades and Warren Hills, the 2015 field includes Delaware Valley, Newton and North Hunterdon, along with Edison, Millburn, Scotch Plains-Fanwood and West Morris.

Tournament time

Pending construction at the high school, the 24th annual Kittatinny Tournament is tentatively set for Saturday, July 18. It's a round-robin format and the pre-registration entry fee is $20 (postmarked by July 10). There is a $25 walk-in fee. For information, contact Michele Molfetto at 862-354-4009 or e-mail at tdc3@ptd.net.

The 29th annual Warren County Farmers' Fair Tournament is slated for Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Fair Grounds in Harmony Township. There are youth and high school divisions. High school weights are 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 171, 182, 195, 220 and HWT. Weigh-ins will be conducted using the Madison system. Fee is $27 (pre-registered by July 30). No walk-ins.

First session (8-under, 10-under, 12-under) begins at 9 a.m., followed by the 14-and-under and high school divisions at 2 p.m. A $500 college scholarship will be awarded to the outstanding senior wrestler. For information, contact Ron Nauta at 908-684-8853 or send an e-mail to warrenhillswrestlingclub@yahoo.com.

The Red Devil Classic will be held Saturday, July 25 at Hunterdon Central Regional High School. There are youth and high school divisions. Weigh-ins will be conducted using the Madison system and weight classes will be determined after. Fee is $25 (pre-registered or postmarked by July 18) and $30 at the door. You can register online at flemingtonwrestling.com. For information, email flemingtonelkswrestling@gmail.com.