Wrestling: Groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 lineups, picks

Here's Open Mike's take on the Groups involving area teams today at Pine Belt Arena on the campus of Toms River North High School.

The semifinal round begins at 9 a.m. with Groups 2 and 3, followed by Groups 1 and 5 at 11:30 a.m. The championships in Groups 2, 3 and the Group 4 semifinals are at 2 p.m., with the title matches in Groups 1 and 5 and Non-Public A at 5 p.m. The Group 4 and Non-Public B championships will be at 7 p.m.

Group 5

Titles: Hunterdon Central 1 (Group 4) — 1989. Howell 0 (Group 5 runner-up 2016).

Hunterdon Central Red Devils (23-2)

Fr. Anthony Romaniello (18-7)/Fr. Grant Bloch (5-5), 106; So. Jack Bauer (22-7, D1, R2), 113; Jr. Hunter Graf (30-1, D1, R1, S8), 120; Sr. Peter Nace (22-4, D1)/So. Pasquale Vizzoni (9-4), 126; So. Vincent Romaniello (27-5, D2), 132; Sr. Bryce Hall (25-8), 138; Sr. Mark Dellavalle (5-7), 145; Jr. Kevin Ciresa (22-4, D1, R3)/Sr. Chris Taylor (11-13), 152; So. Dan Furmato (15-14), 160; Fr. Julian Heiligtag (9-13), 170; Sr. Michael Iodice (27-5, D1, R2), 182; Fr. Lukas Bakerian (9-16), 195; Sr. Victor Lacombe (29-1, D1, R1, S5), 220; Jr. Angelo Crespo (17-12), 285.

Passaic Tech Bulldogs (17-2)

Fr. Dylan Toy (16-3), 106; Jr. Loui Hamdeh (23-5, D4), 113; Fr. Jayden Hunt (1-4), 120; So. Christian Vertedor (20-1), 126; Jr. Hamzeh Sheika (22-4, D4) 132; Sr. Demetrius Pagan (22-6, D3), 138; Jr. Cameron Bruffy (21-6, D3), 145; Sr. Ryack Sanchez (14-6, D4), 152; Jr. Raaed Jass (6-9)/So. Alex Casiano (7-4)/Sr. Ricardo Vargas (4-3)/Sr. Henry Fernandez (10-8), 160; Sr. Nicholas Lepold (17-9), 170; Jr. Joshua Acevedo (6-7), 182; Sr. Marcellis Crespo (9-8), 195; Jr. Tyler Markham (16-2), 220; Jr. John Iglesias (13-11), 285.

Piscataway Chiefs (16-5)

Fr. Joseph Dulog (12-7)/Fr. Daniel Mikita (4-6), 106; Fr. Maximus Parra (22-7), 113; Jr. Erick Valentin (9-18, D4), 120; Sr. Robert McEvoy (8-15, D2), 126; Fr. Marcus Petite (11-10)/Sr. Chris Aikens (0-7), 132; So. Gabriel Rodrigues (19-8), 145; So. Joseph Hatcher (27-0, D1, R3), 152; Jr. Michael Petite (27-1, D2, R2, S8), 160; So. Nick Recine (22-6, D4), 170; Jr. Paris Foster (17-8), 182; Jr. Elijah Pitt-Goodson (13-3); Sr. Samuel Rogers (20-8, D3), 220; So. David Greene (11-7), 285.

Howell Rebels (28-1)

Jr. Jesse Liptzin (21-8), 106; Fr. Luke Rada (23-6), 113; So. Darby Diedrich (29-2, D1, R3)/Jr. Eli Orford (12-10), 120; Jr. Kyle Slendorn (30-1, D1, R2), 126; Jr. Daniel Esposito (28-3, D3), 132; So. Evan Richard (21-7), 138; Sr. Nick Sulkowski (15-13), 145; So. Xavier Kelly (23-5), 152; So. Christian Murphy (28-3), 160; Fr. Shane Reitsma (30-0), 170; So. Joe Sardina (9-12)/Jr. Chris DeMarco (7-11), 182; Sr. Danny Schick (13-12), 195; Sr. Eric Keosseian (29-2, D1, R1, S8), 220; Sr. Jacob Nash (24-5), 285.

Breakdown: This could be the best final of the day should Hunterdon Central and Howell get through the semifinals as expected. Central scored a 30-29 win when the teams met in the regular season on Jan. 7. Passaic Tech claimed its first sectional title since 1994 and has the unenviable task of facing Central in the semis, while Piscataway won its first sectional championship. The semis don't appear close on paper, so let's focus on the title match. After a 7-7 split the first time, the winner in the rematch may need eight. The tossups are 106, 195 and 285, and the Rebels won two of those in January. The Red Devils are favored at 113, 120, 145, 152, 182 and 220. Look for coach Jon-Cantagallo Rohm to bump at 132 to try and get V. Romaniello away from Slendorn, while moving Ciresa to 160, for a solid chance to pick up two more wins than last time. I think they do and end the Hunterdon County school's 28-year title drought. In fact, no Hunterdon County team has won a state title since North Hunterdon in 2002.

Prediction: Hunterdon Central over Howell, 31-22, in final. (Hunterdon Central over Passaic Tech, 46-13, and Howell over Piscataway, 42-18, in semis).

Group 4

Titles: Phillipsburg 20 (Group 3) — 1983, '89, '91, '92, '95, '96, 2003, '04, '09. (Group 4) — 1986, '87, '88, '97, '98, '99, 2000, '12, '14, '15, '16. Jackson Memorial 4 — 2006, '07, '10, '11. Kingsway 3 — 1997, '98, 2007.

Phillipsburg Stateliners (14-1)

Jr. Cullen Day (25-5), 106; So. Travis Jones (21-7), 113; Sr. Tyris Manley (10-8), 120; So. Cody Harrison (15-4, D1, R3), 126; So. Kyle Tino (11-13), 132; Jr. Josh Ramos (5-5)/Jr. Lance Wissing (3-5), 138; Jr. Brian Meyer (25-7, D1, R1)/So. Jayson Zinsmeister (10-12), 145-152; Jr. Shamyr Brodders (5-13), 160; Sr. Dan Fisher (12-10, D3)/So. Austin Roth (4-14), 170-182; Sr. Drew Horun (28-4, D1, R4), 195; Sr. Robert Melise (25-2, D1, R1, S2), 220; Sr. Justen Caraballo (7-14), 285.

Kingsway Dragons (15-11)

Fr. McKenzie Bell (25-8), 106; Fr. Cheney Kinner (25-8), 113; Jr. Matthew Klaiss (8-17)/So. Ryan Crane (10-3)/Fr. John Sambogna (6-13), 120-126; Sr. Atlee Cullison (19-10), 132; Jr. Quinn Kinner (31-2, D1, R1, S3)/Sr. Trace Kinner (29-4, D1, R2, S6-2015)/Jr. Dalvin Johns (3-7), 138-152; Sr. Morgan Bell (12-5), 160; Jr. Colin Wexler (15-6, D4), 170; Fr. Noah Falabella (8-10), 182; Jr. Jaylen Shanklin (8-17), 195; Jr. Myles Payne (3-12), 220; Sr. Briheen White (4-15)/Jr. Gavin Watson (3-7), 285.

Jackson Memorial Jaguars (14-8)

So. Vincent Scollo (26-2)/So. Chris McDonald (14-12), 106-113; Sr. Jeremiah Nash (17-8), 120; So. Carsten DiGiantomasso (14-6)/Fr. Justin Burkert (1-2), 126-132; Jr. Ryan Bohringer (9-9), 138; Sr. Matt McGowen (26-2, D2, R1)/Jr. Nicholas Tomasiello (12-12), 145; Sr. Tim Hamann (17-7), D2, R4-2015), 152; Fr. Kyle Epperly (11-7), 160; So. Leo Shimonovich (4-10)/Sr. Dan Bergeron (24-6), 170-182; Sr. Freddy Michel (3-18)/Sr. Frank Fowler-Umana (2-12), 195; Jr. David Lemay (27-3), 220; Jr. Naj'Zir Humbert (5-12), 285.

Mendham Minutemen (21-3)

Fr. Tristan Navarino (17-10)/So. Dom DiGena (27-4, D2), 106-113; So. Peter Tringali (23-9, D3), 120; Sr. Thomas Masucci (18-9, D3, injured)/Jr. Alex Schlegel (18-13, D3-2015), 126; Sr. Tristan Lombardo (4-4), 132; So. Alex Winant (24-8), 138; Sr. Connor McClellan (15-15), 145; Fr. Gage Armijo (18-13), 152; Sr. Troy Navarino (30-1, D1, R4-2015), 160; Sr. Liam Meckes (16-16), 170; Sr. Michael Servais (14-8, D4)/Sr. Brent Bartzak (11-10, D2), 182-195; Jr. Giuseppe Canino (21-9, D4)/Sr. Robert Longo (6-7), 195-220; Sr. Blake Barrigan (9-14), 285.

Breakdown: Stateliners shooting for their 21st championship -- 12th in Group 4 -- and its first 4-peat since winning five in a row from 1996-00. The '96 championship was in Group 3. P'burg rates as the big-time favorite here. Man, how good would Group 4 be if there were no Group 5? Against Kingsway, the marquee bout of the day would be Meyer against either Quinn or Trace Kinner, while 106 and 113 could be entertaining as well. It's the first matchup between these schools since the 2004 Group 3 final -- a 41-21 victory for the 'Liners. Mendham is enjoying one of its finest seasons, winning its first sectional title on Friday. Coach Steve Baig's team can't afford to look past Jackson in the semis, as that has the potential to be a tight one. The 'Liners will have too much for Mendham, which will be favored only at 120, 132, 138, 160 and 182, in the final -- winning nine bouts and collecting a ton of bonus points along the way. Just in case, P'burg is 3-1 all-time against Jackson, including a 46-19 win in last year's semifinals.

Prediction: Phillipsburg over Mendham, 43-19, in final. (Mendham over Jackson, 33-31, and P'burg over Kingsway, 49-18, in semis). 

Group 3

Titles: South Plainfield 9 (Group 3) — 2001, '05, '06, '10, '12, '13, '16. (Group 2) — 2000, '07. Sparta 1 — 1983 (Group 2), Delsea 2 (Group 3)  — 2015. (Group 2) — 1991. Cranford 0 — (Group 3 runner-up in 1985, '86).

South Plainfield Tigers (28-1)

So. Thomas Fierro (14-3), 106; So. Alex Amato (20-13), 113; Jr. Joe Heilmann (32-0, D1, R1, S5), 120; Sr. Jake Giordano (31-2, D1, R3), 126; Sr. Jacob Painton (14-19, D4), 132; So. Joe Sacco (30-3, D3), 138; Sr. Kyle Blythell (28-5, D1, R1), 145; Sr. Jake Hoffman (11-8)/Mike Marrero (10-13), 152; Sr. Ben Lundy (24-9), 160; So. Brenden Hedden (9-15), 170; Sr. Ryan Marston (24-9, D2, R4), 182; So. Luke Niemeyer (29-2)/Jr. Joseph Nardacci (4-6), 195-220; So. Zach DelVecchio (32-1, D1, R1, S7), 220-285; Sr. Julio Gonzalez (6-8, D4). 

Sparta Spartans (19-8)

Fr. Cooper Stewart (14-2), 106; So. Chris Hwang (13-1, D4)/So. Marcus Bitetto (15-10, D4), 113; So. Rocco Gignatelli (12-17), 120; Fr. Cassius Battaglia (3-13), 126; Fr. Garrett Stewart (24-6), 132; So. Carter Sheridan (17-12), 138; Jr. Kevin Berlin (8-10), 145; Sr. Sean McHugh (18-12, D3), 152; Sr. Sean Finnegan (18-13, D4-2015), 160; Sr. Paddy Finnegan (18-12, D4), 170; Sr. Mike Freeman (9-21), 182; Jr. Robert Gennat (25-6, D2), 195; Sr. William Loewen (19-3, D1), 220; Sr. Zach Herbert (22-2, D2), 285.

Cranford Cougars (20-0)

Fr. Patrick Kalnins (18-10), 106; Sr. Anthony Capece (20-2, D1, R2)/Fr. Evan Kanterman (9-14), 113; So. Dean Smith (4-6), 120; So. Conor Halpin (17-12, D3), 126; Sr. Chris Scorese (26-1, D1, R2), 132; Sr. Tom DiGiovanni (29-2, D1, R3), 138; So. AJ Bencivenga (18-12)/Sr. Mike Nigro (18-13, D2, R3), 145-152; Sr. Brian McGovern (26-2, D1), 160; Sr. Vince Concina (27-1, D1, R2), 170; Sr. Josh DeChillo (11-7), 182; Jr. Dylan Budnik (20-9, D3), 195; Sr. Anthony Ramierez (15-13), 220; Sr. Alex Esposito (22-0, D1, R2), 285.

Delsea Crusaders (23-4)

Fr. Justin Dougherty (13-20), 106; Fr. Travis Griffith (11-10)/Jr. Chris Recinto (5-7, D1), 113; So. John Patterson (24-9, D3), 120; Jr. Edison Echevarria (28-5, D2, R1), 126; Fr. Tim Spatola (25-8)/Jr. Phillip Pierson (4-13), 132; Jr. Nick Bennett (23-9, D4), 138; So. Vito Genna (9-12), 145; Sr. Seth Summers (25-8), 152; Jr. Mason Maxwell (25-8, D3, R4), 160; Jr. Bill Janzer (31-2, D1, R1, S3), 170; Sr. Vince DeGeorge (28-5, D2, R4), 182; Jr. Tommy Maxwell (31-2), 195; Sr. Bradley Dobzanski (3-0, D2, R2)/Sr. Malcom Henry (16-10), 220; Sr. Jake Hallowell (2-0, D2)/Sr. Justin Moore (19-9), 285.

Breakdown: How about Sparta? Wasn't that long ago when this program was in real danger of folding. Credit coach Frank Battaglia and his staff for the hard work of bringing it back -- winning the school's first sectional title in 17 years on Friday. The task here is great as they'll get South Plainfield right out of the chute. Everyone has expected a South Plainfield-Cranford final for some time, ranked No. 3 and 4, respectively, in the state by the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association. But Cranford, which just won its first sectional title in 31 years, will need to be at its best against a Delsea team that has been here before, and suddenly has its A-lineup with the return of some solid upper weights. That semifinal should be a good one, but the Tigers get their fifth title in eight years.

Prediction: South Plainfield over Cranford, 31-26, in the final. (South Plainfield over Sparta, 43-24, and Cranford over Delsea, 37-27, in semis).

Group 2

Titles: Delaware Valley 7 — 1984, '85, '87, '88, '89, '90, '99. High Point 4 -- (Group 2) 2013, '14. (Group 3) 2008, '11. Hanover Park 1 -- 2015. Collingswood 0 — (Group 1 runner-up in 2008).

Delaware Valley Terriers (21-3)

Sr. Dylan Uderman (14-7), 106; So. Tommy Schlittler (10-11), 113; So. AJ DeRosa (27-6, D2, R2), 120; Fr. Gage Crater (23-10), 126; Sr. Connor Mills (23-10, D2, R2), 132; Sr. Matt Kolonia (32-1, D1, R3), 138; Sr. Rhys Zigich (28-4, D3), 145; Sr. Tanner McLaughlin (15-13), 152; Sr. Chase Bauberger (20-8, D3), 160; Sr. Sean Lessig (15-5, D3), 170; So. Shawne Ramsby (15-8), 182; Jr. Kyle Lightner (29-2, D1, R2)/Jr. Eli Kalfaian (15-9), 195-220; Sr. Josh LaDuca (14-13), 285.

Collingswood Panthers (25-5)

Fr. Andrew Clark (28-5)/Fr. Eddie Bernardo (7-11)/Fr. Matt Havens (4-10), 106; Fr. Brian Cole (8-14), 113; Sr. Joe Tenuto (16-9), 120; Jr. Joe Downing (13-10, D1), 126; Sr. Will West (22-10, D1)/So. Marquis Hayes (9-15)/Fr. Gabe Onorato (14-5), 132-138; Jr. Riley Onorato (16-13, D2), 145; Jr. Billy Plianthos (17-12), 152; Sr. Sean Miles (24-9), 160; Jr. Aaron Carter (28-5, D2), 170; Sr. Michael Taulane (29-2, D1, R1), 182; Sr. Nick Barnes (28-5, D1), 195; Sr. Kingsley Ayeni (13-14, D4), 220; Jr. Matt Meloni (16-17), 285.

Hanover Park Hornets (16-4)

Fr. Jake Bursese (21-11), 106; So. Domenic Difrancescantonio (25-8, D1, R2), 113; Jr. Michael Rubin (21-8), 120; So. Nick Raimo (23-1, D1, R1, S2), 126; Sr. Lou Raimo (25-7, D3, R3, S8), 132; Jr. Sean Conley (21-5, D2, R3), 138; Sr. Marco Zecca (12-9, D3), 145; So. Nick Zarra (16-14), 152; Jr. Matthew Liberato (15-7, D2)/Jr. Sebastian Bassolino (13-16), 160-170; Jr. Stephen Conley (5-4), 170; Sr. Rory DeLuca (23-6, D2), 182; So. Pasquale Dimaiolo (3-18)/Fr. Gianluca Birnbaum (6-3), 195; Jr. Daniel Jimenez (12-14, D4), 220; Sr. Giancarlo Dellanno (9-13), 285.

High Point Wildcats (16-5)

So. Brandon LaRue (26-2)/Fr. Devon Liebl (7-1), 106; So. Devin Flannery (21-2, D2), 113; Jr. Maverick Liebl (16-7, D3), 120; Fr. Billy Talmadge (17-9), 126; Jr. RJ Brevot (4-9), 132; Jr. Shane Kobis (18-7, D3), 138; Jr. Trey Osborn (16-9), 145; Sr. Aric Wingle (21-7, D3)/Sr. Trevor Kocher (6-9)/Jr. Sawyer Fenlon (4-5, D2-2015), 152-160; So. Grayson Sabo (7-11), 170; Sr. Matt McDonnell (9-12), 182; Jr. Hunter Flores (12-5)/So. Andrew Lewis (4-6), 195; Sr. Cliff Rutter (15-6, D2-2015), 220; Jr. Thomas Hubmaster (15-8), 285.

Breakdown: The four teams still standing are no stranger to Toms River. Delaware Valley came within a point last year of winning its first title since 1999, knocking off Collingswood, 33-24, in what was a closer-than-expected semifinal. High Point, which is making its return after a two-year absence, shocked the house three years ago by pinning in the last four weights to wrestle the title away from Hanover Park in arguably the greatest match ever produced here. That should be an entertaining semifinal right out of the gate at 9. The Hornets look like they a little too much down low where the 'Cats count on getting big points, but up top is where High Point could make some major gains. Look for coach John Gardner to bump from 113 to try and get two of the four from 106-126, and they need a split at 138 and 145. Wingle was down to 152 on Friday, and Liberato has not wrestled since Jan. 21. If he's out, that works in the 'Cats' favor as well, as they'd have a real shot at winning eight bouts. It's a tough one to call. A Del Val-Hanover Park final would be another good one. Can the Terriers hang in there down low and take advantage up top where the Hornets struggle? I'm going with an upset special in the semis, but Del Val ends its title drought, a little bigger if it's High Point, which doesn't seem to match up well on paper.

Prediction: Delaware Valley over High Point, 33-17, or Hanover Park, 33-25, in final. (Delaware Valley over Collingswood, 38-22, and High Point over Hanover Park, 29-27, in semis).

Group 1

Titles: Kittatinny 8 (Group 2) — 1996, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06. (Group 1) — '08. Paulsboro 30 — (1982, '83, '84, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, '00, '01, '02, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '09, '10, '11, '16). Point Pleasant Beach 0 (won its first sectional title in '16). Cedar Grove 0 (won its first sectional title in '16).

Kittatinny Cougars (18-4) 

So. Derek Molfetto (16-14), 106; So. Mike Nelson (12-12), 113; Sr. Mark DiGeronimo (20-4, D1), 120; So. Nile Mattar (8-16)/Jr. Dan Doherty (2-6), 126; Jr. Perry Maio (16-12, D3-2015), 120; Jr. Mike Callahan (19-13), 138; Jr. Calvin Brook (21-9, D4), 145; Sr. Kasey Hotz (20-7), 152; Jr. Shane Smith (26-6), 160; Jr. Josh Hiler (25-6), 170; Sr. Josh Klimek (27-4, D2), 182; Fr. Jacob Mafaro (18-7)/So. Zach Mafaro (26-5, D2), 195-220; Jr. Chris Litterio (11-11), 285.

Point Pleasant Beach Garnet Gulls (22-1)

Jr. Will Jarvis (23-5, D4-2015), 106; Jr. Mike Duffy (7-5)/Sr. Dominick Waldman (6-4), 113; Fr. Jesse Bowers (17-10), 120; Jr. Jude Lovgren (23-4, D4)/Jr. Noah Storch (2-6), 126; Sr. Rodman Rupp (26-2, D3), 132; Jr. Jared Hoeler (7-5, D4)/Jr. Danny Savage (8-5), 138; Fr. Jason Sherlock (21-4), 145; Jr. Jimmy Sherlock (28-2), 152; Sr. Jason Bowers (22-4), 160; Jr. Sean Gould (15-6)/Jr. Vincent Storino (4-4, D4-14), 170; Sr. Jack Baker (27-1, D3, R4), 182; Sr. Cody Liguori (15-10), 195; So. Nick Kenmure (19-6), 220; Sr. Cade Watkins (23-5, D4), 285.

Cedar Grove Panthers (10-10)

So. Anthony Fabrazzo (14-17, D4)/Fr. Dominic Tafuri (18-9), 106-113; So. Will Dye (8-17), 120; Jr. Anthony Clarizio (28-2, D1, R2), 126; Sr. Shawn Rooney (23-7, D3), 132; Sr. John Schultz (19-11, D2), 138; Jr. Matthew Lay (9-14)/Jr. Dominic Bryant (0-6), 145-152; Sr. Vasili Cook (24-5, D2), 160; Jr. Joseph McCarthy (28-3, D1, R4), 170; Sr. Daniel Diprenda (23-6, D3)/So. Brian Greatorex (1-15), 182-195; Sr. John Nardiello (12-10, D4), 220; Fr. Sebastiano Locasio (1-15)/Sr. Eric Kreigsman (4-2), 285.

Paulsboro Red Raiders (21-0)

Fr. Georgio Mazzeo (21-6), 106; So. Geno Duca (21-5, D3), 113; Fr. Jacob Perez (21-7)/Jr. Rick Eli (16-4, D4), 120; Sr. Anthony Duca (28-2, D1, R2-2015), 126; Sr. Joey Perez (26-4, D2), 132; Sr. Sam Giordano (23-7, D4), 138; So. George Worthy (18-6, D2, R3), 145; Fr. Brandon Green (26-3), 152; So. Santino Morina (27-4, D2, R4), 160; So. Anthony Morina (18-6, D3), 170; Jr. Dimetrius Day (12-5)/So. George Taylor (7-8), 182; Sr. Josh Bailey (13-10, D4), 195; Jr. Miles Moore (12-12)/Sr. Frank Mooney (17-9), 220-285.

Breakdown: Coach John Gill has led Kittatinny to eight championships, with the lone title in Group 1 coming in 2008. After three straight losses in the Group 1 semifinals -- Hanover Park (31-30) in 2013 and Bound Brook in (34-32) '12 and (49-12) in '14 -- the Sussex County School missed its first sectional final since '99 in '15 before getting back here a year ago and dropping a heartbreaker in the final to Paulsboro -- 28-27 -- in match that went down to the wire. Gill (551-168-5 in 37 seasons) and Paulsboro's Paul Morina (654-42-4 in 31 seasons) are two of New Jersey's all-time winningest coaches and have combined for 1,205 wins and 38 Group titles. Paulsboro, one of the most storied programs in the nation, is 1,131-88-12 in 74 seasons. Cedar Grove has been quite a story of its own, having knocked Bound Brook out of the postseason for the second straight year and winning the school's first two sectional titles. Panthers coach Derrick Goduto has Sussex County roots as a two-time state placewinner for Lenape Valley. Kittatinny and Paulsboro should be an interesting final. The Cougars needs to minimize bonus points down low and get them up top. With the Raiders favored in all but one from 106-138, the middle weights (145-170) should decide the championship.

Prediction: Paulsboro over Kittatinny, 32-24, in the final. (Kittatinny over Point Pleasant Beach, 39-22, and Paulsboro over Cedar Grove, 40-21, in semis.