Wrestling: Regions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 by the numbers

We're approaching the final leg of the high school season, but before we start focusing on the 85th State Championships in Atlantic City, let's take a look at some of the highlights from the five region tournaments that house teams from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area.

48 -- We have that many wrestlers from Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex moving on to this weekend's state tournament (up one from last year and plus-17 from pre-realignment in 2016), including an area-high seven from Pope John. In all, 18 (up two from last year) advanced out of Region 1, while Region 3 produced 12 (plus one from last year). Over in Region 5, Hunterdon Central and Delaware Valley combined for nine qualifiers (same as last year), while Region 4 had eight (up one) between North Hunterdon and Voorhees, leaving one wrestler (down three) to come out of Region 2 in Hopatcong senior Anthony Mastroeni, the school's all-time wins leader who finished third at 126.

Region 1 champions (Courtesy of Doreen McCarthy)

13 -- Newton junior Wyatt McCarthy is among the 13 region champions from the area -- winning his first title and receiving the Outstanding Wrestler Award with an impressive 15-7 major decision over Pope John state placewinner Robert Garcia at 145 pounds in Region 1 at West Milford. McCarthy (35-2) is the Braves' 38th champ overall and first since Josh Sibblies, who also earned OW honors in 2013. Hackettstown senior Alex Carida, who win his second title, shared the OW Award in Region 3 at West Orange.

7 -- Pope John led the way at Region 1, crowning four champions and advancing an area-best seven wrestlers to AC. Senior Jake Rotunda (132) won his second title in a row, while sophomore Kaya Sement (120) and senior Jake Brown (195) claimed their first titles. Junior JoJo Aragona (138), who ended the program's 11-year drought in 2016, is just the second in Lions history to win at least three and will look to join the legendary Mike Frick as the Sparta-based school's only four-time champs next season. Sophomore Eddie Ventresca (113), a champ in 2017, finished third, while junior Robert Garcia (145), a runner-up, and senior Reece Muldoon (182), who finished fourth, also qualified for states.

Brian Meyer atop the podium at R3. (Courtesy of Ray Patt)

123 -- Speaking of champions, Phillipsburg now has 123 overall after juniors Travis Jones (120) and Cody Harrison (138) and senior Brian Meyer (152), who won his third title, were among six Stateliners to advance in Region 3. Meyer is just the fifth at the Warren County school to win consecutive titles since 2000 -- joining current coach Dave Post (2002-03), Jon Gregory (2005-06), Brandon Paetzell (2013-14) and Robert Melise (2016-17). Matt Lane won two non-consecutive titles in 2009 and '11, while Paetzell got his third in '16. And speaking of three-peats, Meyer is also just the sixth 'Liner to win three titles -- joining Rick Thompson (1970-71, '73), John Rutledge (1977, 79-80), John Barna (1980-82), Marc DeFrancesco (1994-96) and Paetzell (2013-14, '16).

16 -- Hackettstown senior Joe Andes, who dominated the field in winning the title at 285 pounds in Region 3 joined Carida in the winner's circle to give the Tigers their 15th and 16th champions. Carida (40-1) heads to Atlantic City for a third straight season with the goal of becoming the Warren County school's second state champion and first since two-time winner Doug Blake (1967-68). Andes (39-1), whose only loss this season is by injury default, made history in becoming the school's first heavyweight champ.

98 -- Hunterdon Central has had some tough luck in the championship round at Region 5, especially, the last two seasons, but freshman Brett Ungar (106) earned the first of what could be several titles for him in becoming the program's 98th champion overall. Jack Bauer (120), Hunter Graf (132), a champion in 2016, and Vincent Romaniello (145) all finished second, while Pasquale Vizzoni (138) and Colton Washleski (113) placed third and fourth, respectively, to give the Red Devils six state qualifiers.

Lewis Fernandes gets a trophy for his 100th win from Eric Hall.

36 -- Voorhees junior Lewis Fernandes (38-0), the area's lone unbeaten wrestler who won his first title in Region 4 title on Saturday at 285 pounds, is among four Vikings moving on to the state tournament, along with junior Aidan Taylor (fourth at 120), senior Scott Fernandes (second at 195) and junior Sam Huff (third at 220). Lewis picked up his 100th career victory  -- the 12th in program history to reach the century mark, joining older brothers Michael and Scott in that club-- with a 10-0 major of Irvington's Carl Napoleon in the semifinals. Lewis, now 101-22 overall and the program's 36th champ, is the first heavyweight to win for the Hunterdon County school in 34 years and just the third overall -- joining Lee Getz (1982) and Thor Beveridge ('84).

70 -- North Hunterdon was denied for a third straight year in a bid for its 71st champion overall, but seniors Andrew Gapas (138), Tucker Kirchberger (152) and William Hughes (160) all finished third, while freshman Frank Diesso (113) finished fourth for the Lions to advance out of Region 4 at Union High School. Gapas (34-2), one of the area's best chances for a state medal this weekend after placing eighth as a junior, dropped a 9-7 decision in the semis to Aaron Coleman of JFK-Iselin -- snapping his 15-match win streak. Gapas' only other loss is to Aragona, who won by fall in their Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament title bout on Jan. 13.

46 -- For only the fourth time since 2005, High Point did not have a champion in Region 1, but the 'Cats are sending four to Atlantic City as junior Brandon LaRue (fourth at 113) and senior Shane Kobis (third at 138) will make their second trips to states, while sophomore Billy Talmadge (third at 132) and senior Trey Osborn (fourth at 152) will make their first appearances at states. Head coach John Gardner (1987-90) and assistant Billy Smith (2010-11) combined to win six regions titles at the Sussex County school, which has 46 champs in its proud history, including Kevin Lewis who won its last title in 2016 at 285 pounds.

3 -- Warren Hills and Delaware Valley are sending three wrestlers apiece to Atlantic City. Junior AJ DeRosa (126), a runner-up as a freshman, won his first title for the Terriers (No. 44 overall), while junior Shawne Ramsby (170) finished third and senior Eli Kalfaian (195) fourth in Region 5 at Hunterdon Central. For the Blue Streaks, senior Codey O'Rourke (126) finished fourth, while senior Jarod Ostir (182) and junior Nick Galka (220) were runners-up in Region 3.

19 -- Sussex County advanced a total of 19 wrestlers to Atlantic City, the most of the three local counties. Kittatinny senior Calvin Brook (152) and junior Zach Mafaro (182) were runners-up in Region 1, while Sparta sophomore Garrett Stewart (126) and seniors Robert Gennat (195) also advanced with top-four finishes at West Milford. Gennat (36-3), a runner-up, made Spartans history with a pin in his opening bout to become their all-time wins leader at 122-30 overall.