As we usher in a New Year, let's recap the past week and look ahead to what should prove to be some entertaining matches and events this week around the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area.
On Wednesday, North Hunterdon travels to Voorhees in the renewal of their annual rivalry. The Lions, who rate as solid favorites in this Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash, got stronger through the middle of their lineup with the return of senior William Hughes (160), a returning district champion, on Saturday.
Coach Eric Hall's Vikings are strong up top with Scott Fernandes (11-1 at 195) -- who became the program's all-time pins leader by notching his 64th on Saturday, surpassing Ronnie Honickel (63 from 2009-12) -- Lewis Fernandes (12-0 at 220) and Sam Huff (11-0 at 285).
On Thursday, Phillipsburg will face a stiff test when Raritan comes calling for an independent matchup with state ranking implications. The Stateliners scored a 38-22 win against coach Rob Nucci's Rockets last season.
Raritan (6-1), which dropped a 33-23 decision to Seton Hall Prep on Dec. 23, presents some matchup problems for P'burg with some solid middle and upper weights, senior Russell Benson (8-1 at 132), a Region 5 champion, senior AJ Erven (11-0 at 138), junior Anthony Aquilano (8-2 at 170), junior George Burdick (8-1 at 182), junior Justin Acevedo (8-2 at 195) and senior Ethan Woolf (8-0 at 220).
And on Saturday, three of New Jersey's top teams will be featured at Newton in the annual Henry Boresch Duals. Paulsboro, making its first trip to Sussex County, joins Hanover Park and South Plainfield in this year's event.
Now, onto this week's rankings:
1. Phillipsburg (2-0) -- Stateliners finished third in the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic at Liberty High School in Pennsylvania. Senior Brian Meyer (second at 152), who became the 24th P'burg wrestler to reach the 100-win club, was the lone finalist, while Cullen Day (sixth at 113), Travis Jones (third at 120), Kyle Tino (eighth at 132), Cody Harrison (third at 138), Jayson Zinsmeister (sixth at 145) and Lance Wissing (third at 170) also earned medals.
Up next: at Bound Brook on Wednesday; Raritan at home on Thursday; Cranford at home on Saturday.
2. Pope John (2-1) -- Lions crowned five champions -- Eddie Ventresca (113), Jake Rotunda (132), Joe Aragona (138), Robbie Garcia (145) and Reece Muldoon (182) -- at the 61st annual Hunterdon Central Invitational on Wednesday. Kia Sement (120) was a runner-up, while Shane Percelay (106) and Mathew Garcia (126) finished third. Rotunda, who enters the week with 102 career wins, is just the sixth at his school to reach 100 -- hitting the century mark in the quarters.
Up next: at Morris Hills on Thursday.
3. Hunterdon Central (7-0) -- Red Devils had two champions -- freshman Brett Ungar (106) and senior Angelo Crespo (220) -- along with five runners-up -- Hunter Graf (132), Vincent Romaniello (145), Kevin Ciresa (160), Kyle Barrett (182) and Lukas Bakerian (195) in their annual holiday tournament on Thursday. Coach Jon Cantagallo-Rohm's team has a big week on tap, but will not wrestle Howell on Saturday since both are in the same section this season -- Central, Jersey Group 5.
Up next: Warren Hills at home on Wednesday; Kittatinny, West Deptford at Howell on Saturday.
4. High Point (6-0) -- Wildcats competed at the always tough Mustang Classic on Thursday, and had two champions in Brandon LaRue (113) and Shane Kobis (138), as both remained unbeaten. Billy Talmadge (132) was a runner-up, while Maverick Liebl (126) and Thomas Hubmaster (285) finished third. Coach John Gardner's team closed the week with a 45-16 thumping of Roxbury.
Up next: Lenape Valley at home on Thursday; Zephyr Duals at Whitehall (Pa.) on Saturday.
5. Kittatinny (4-1) -- Cougars finished third in their Linn Crawn Classic on Wednesday. Sophomore Jacob Mafaro (220) was the lone champion, while Shane Smith (160), Josh Hiler (170) and Zach Mafaro (182) finished second. Mike Nelson (120) and Mike Callahan (138) were third-place finishers. Coach John Gill's team will have nine days' rest before the big quad at Howell this weekend.
Up next: Hunterdon Central, West Deptford at Howell on Saturday.
6. Newton (2-1) -- Braves continued to impress by edging North Hunterdon for the team title at the 60th annual John Goles Invitational on Wednesday. Individual champions Wyatt McCarthy (152), voted the Outstanding Wrestler, and Jonathon Borgognoni (160) provided the winning two-point margin with pins in the finals. Nathan Fitt (106), Luke Fischer (195) and Matt Somers (285) were runners-up, while Danny Cleary (113), Matthew Rosa (126) and Joseph DeLuca (182) finished third.
Up next: at Vernon on Thursday; Boresch Duals at home on Saturday.
7. North Hunterdon (3-1) -- Lions finished second at the John Goles Invitational -- going 4-for-4 in the championship round as Connor Robinson (106), Connor Quinn (113), Andrew Gapas (138) and Michael Wilson (145) won titles. Coach Chris Hrunka's team wrapped up the week with independent wins over Sayreville (58-10) and South Brunswick (65-18).
Up next: at Voorhees on Wednesday; Ridge at home on Thursday; Raritan, West Essex at Wayne Valley on Saturday.
8. Delaware Valley (2-3) -- Terriers finished fifth in the John Goles Invitational on Wednesday as junior A.J. DeRosa (132) was the lone finalist -- winning his second straight championship. Derek Schepens (106), Gage Crater (138) and Joseph Desapio (160) finished third. Coach Andy Fitz's team posted a 53-24 win over Pingry and dropped a 56-14 decision to South Plainfield on Saturday. Interesting matchup on Wednesday as Nick LaFevre, a 2008 graduate and one of only two wrestlers to win four district titles for Del Val, returns as the head coach of Emmaus. Former district champ Lance Thatcher and head coach Paul Petro, who led the Terriers to a Group 2 title in 1999, are assistants on LaFevre's staff.
Up next: Emmaus (Pa.) at home on Wednesday; Voorhees at home on Friday.
9. Warren Hills (1-1) -- Blue Streaks finished fourth in the team standings in their John Goles Invitational as senior Jarod Ostir (182) won his second title, while senior Codey O'Rourke (126) and junior Nick Galka (220) earned their first championships. Junior Chris Ostir (145) was a runner-up, while junior Duro Ajayi (285) finished third.
Up next: at Hunterdon Central on Wednesday; at Hackettstown on Thursday; Bensalem, William Tennent and Truman in Matsplosion Duals at Lancaster, Pa., on Sunday.
10. Sparta (3-2) -- Spartans, who entered just nine wrestlers, finished sixth in the John Goles Invitational -- senior Robbie Gennat (195), who is sitting on 96 career wins, was the lone champion while Spencer Stewart (120), Garrett Stewart (138), Carter Sheridan (145) and Mason Minetti (170) finished second -- and coach Frank Battaglia's team ended the week a 40-33 victory over Voorhees on Saturday as part of a quad.
Up next: Mount Olive at home on Thursday; DePaul at Hackettstown on Saturday.
On the bubble: Voorhees (7-3).
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