Coach: Dan McIntyre (89-59, eighth season).
2017-18 record: 13-9, 4-1 Skyland Conference Valley Division (T-first).
Returning starters (6): So. Hunter Lensi (17-11, D4) 106-113; Sr. Quinn Melofchik (40-5, D2, R2, S7) 113-120; Sr. Gage Gares (6-22) 138; Sr. Patrick Gulics (6-23) 152; Sr. Hunter Webb (12-17) 160; So. Shane Exley (24-11, D2) 170.
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| Quinn Melofchik (far left) on the 106-pound podium in AC. |
Key losses: Ryan Lensi (21-13, D3) 120; Kristian Panetta (18-17, D3) 126; Zachary Vought (18-12, D2) 182; Ryan Kokawski (26-9, D4) 195; Hunter Smith (17-12, D4) 285.
Key returnees: So. Ty Tiedemann 106; So. Marquise Panetta (4-2) 120-126; Jr. Issak Super 132; Sr. Vasilios Nikolopoulos 152; Jr. Anthony Appleby 152; Sr. Ed Lora 182.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Patrick Horvath 106-113; Fr. Deven Pagach 126; Fr. Michael Gordon 195-220; Jr. Liam Tipton 195-220; So. Carson Grogan 285.
Outlook: County Seaters, who have been the class of their division in recent seasons, will battle for the Mountain Division title (same teams that were in the former Valley Division) as the conference has expanded to four divisions. The program sustained some heavy graduation losses, but Melofchik, a returning state placewinner who will attend the United States Air Force Academy and needs 24 wins to become the school's all-time leader, will anchor what should be a solid group lower weights. Exley had a fine freshman campaign, but there are no returning wrestlers from 182 through 285, so expect some growing pains. In addition, sophomore Justin Kane (15-18, D4) 138 decided not to wrestle this season.
Delaware Valley Terriers
Coach: Andy Fitz (190-69, 12th season).
2017-18 record: 10-13, 2-4 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (fifth).
Returning starters (8): Jr. Derek Schepens (8-17) 106; Jr. Gage Crater (27-12, D2) 132; Sr. A.J. DeRosa (37-4, D1, R1) 132-138; So. Corey Crater (10-20, D3) 138-145; Sr. Tommy Schlittler (12-15, D3) 138-145; So. Anthony DeRosa (14-23, D4) 152; Sr. Shawne Ramsby (18-7, D2, R3) 170; Sr. Kyle Carney (12-15, D2) 182-195.
Key returnees: Jr. Chase Christie (2-4) 126; Jr. Shane Reynolds (4-3) 138-145; Sr. TJ Horn (2-7) 145-152; Jr. Andrew Larsen (1-4) 152; Sr. Sam de los Santos (0-6) Sr. Mike Coppola 160; Sr. Liam Miller (0-8) 160; Sr. Brandon Helper (9-17) 170-182; Sr. Anthony DiPaolo 195; Jr. Nick Moose 220; Jr. Ryan Sutter (1-7) 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Robert Groogan 106-113; So. Cooper Gill 113-120; So. Ben Brown 120.
Outlook: Terriers, as expected, took a step back last season coming off the program's first Group 2 championship since 1999 under Paul Petro, who is back on the staff as an assistant. Now in North 2, Group 1, the Hunterdon County program will look to get back into the title mix. There are several key returnees, including A.J. DeRosa, who has 98 career wins and was a state qualifier last season, along with Ramsby. Inexperience was a factor last season, so Fitz is hoping a year under their belts and a good offseason will equal more wins this season. Keep an eye on Schepens, Christie and Anthony DeRosa, who all could be primed for breakthrough seasons. This team will compete in the new Valley Division, which includes Bernards, Somerville, Voorhees and Warren Hills.
Hackettstown Tigers
Coach: Frank Rodgers (234-238-4, 16th season of second stint, 22nd overall).
2017-18 record: 13-15, 1-3 NJAC Freedom Division (fourth).
Returning starters (8): Jr. Michael Sullivan (16-19, D4) 120; So. Sam Castner (14-14, D4) 126; Jr. Christian Bremner (6-16) 138; Sr. Zachery Yanoff (14-22, D4) 145; Jr. Garrett Meyer (8-10) 152; Jr. Zebulon Burke (23-15, D3) 160; Jr. Alejandro Castro (15-12, D3) 182; Sr. Dan Olson (19-19, D3) 220.
Key losses: Alex Carida (46-2, D1, R1, S3) 145; Shawn Burke (23-16, D3) 170; Sr. Matt Castro (25-10, D4) 195; Joe Andes (40-3, D1, R1) 285.
Key returnees: So. Matt Bremner (1-2) 195; Jr. Cody Moto (1-1) 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Austin Zellars 106; Fr. Matt Finer 106; So. Matt Day 132; Fr. Jack Gordon 170.
Outlook: Tigers lost four key wrestlers to graduation, but there is enough returning to approach the .500 mark again this season. The loss of Matt Castro, who decided not to come out for his senior year, up top hurts what is expected to be a pretty solid group of upper weights, which usually gives teams a chance for success. Burke, Alejandro Castro and Olson were Region 3 qualifiers last season, so they'll be counted on heavily as well.
Hunterdon Central Red Devils
Coach: Jon Cantagallo-Rohm (82-16, fifth season).
2017-18 record: 22-2, 6-0 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (first).
Returning starters (11): So. Brett Ungar (41-2, D1, R1, S6) 106-113; So. Colton Washleski (27-15, D2, R4) 120; Sr. Jack Bauer (27-9, D1, R2) 126; Jr. Anthony Romaniello (22-13, D2) 138; Sr. Pasquale Vizzoni (25-8, D1, R3) 145; Sr. Vincent Romaniello (30-8, D2, R2) 152; So. Norman Cella (16-13, D4) 160; Sr. Dan Furmato (26-12, D2) 170-182; Jr. Kyle Barrett (14-15) 182-195; Jr. Lukas Bakerian (24-10, D4) 220; Sr. Ryan Joyce (16-14, D4) 285.
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| Brett Ungar (second from right) on the 106-pound podium in AC. |
Key losses: Hunter Graf (38-6, D1, R2) 132; Kevin Ciresa (29-10, D2, R5) 152; Angelo Crespo (25-7, D1, R6) 220.
Key returnees: Sr. Nate Schlosser (2-2) 106; Jr. Justin Miller (6-2) 126-132; Jr. Grant Bloch (5-4) 126-132; Sr. Alex Kiledjian 138; Sr. Elidio Perez 145; Sr. Nick Brunetti 160.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Aidan Portnoy 106; Fr. Nick Canonica 113; Fr. Tanner Peake 132; Jr. Brandon Donoghue 195.
Outlook: Red Devils have been riding quite a wave of success and the journey will continue this season. With 11 returning starters and some talented freshmen, expect this group to challenge for section and Group 5 titles. The big offseason news on this front is nemesis Howell, which has won the last two Group 5 championships, returning to the South Jersey section, making Central a heavy favorite to come out of Central Jersey. Ungar, who is returning at 106, will be a state title contender, while Washleski, Bauer, Vizzoni and Vincent Romaniello were qualifiers last season. The upper weights are also a proven contingent. Peake, a New Jersey Grade School League champion, will make an impact as a rookie. This is perhaps the most balanced team in the area and among the top public schools statewide. Will battle Bound Brook for the new-look Delaware Division title.
North Hunterdon Lions
Coach: Chris Hrunka (16-5, second season).
2017-18 record: 16-5, 4-2 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (third).
Returning starters (9): So. Frank Diesso (23-13, D2, R4) 113; Sr. Connor Robinson (29-8, D2, R6) 120; Jr. Drew Doscher (17-12, D3) 132; Jr. Evan Klimas (16-18, D3, R6) 138; Jr. Kyle Anderson (14-15, D4) 152; Sr. Michael Wilson (29-6, D1) 160; Jr. Nate Fossett (24-11, D3) 170; Sr. Lorenzo Becerril (13-10) 220; Sr. Francis Vitelli (9-15, D4) 285
Key losses: Andrew Gapas (37-5, D1, R3, S6) 138; Tucker Kirchberger (33-9, D1, R3) 152; William Hughes (26-7, D1, R3) 160.
Key returnees: So. Connor Quinn (7-2) 126; Sr. Luke Hanlon (5-5) 145; So. James Holder (1-2) 170-182; Sr. Adam Abbas (1-3) 170-182; Jr. Ian Gaburo (4-6) 195.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Nick DeLorenzo 106; Fr. Aaron Wysocki 132; So. Billy Cole 132; So. Kyle Schultz 182.
Outlook: Lions have been benefiting from a strong feeder system, and with nine starters back, this should be another successful campaign. Diesso and Robinson lead a strong group down low, while Fossett anchors an experienced group up top, as this team should have balance with Wilson, a district champ in the middle of the lineup. Hunterdon Central is clearly the team to beat in the county, but North is a solid No. 2. The road to division and section titles will once again go through P'burg, but this should be a fun team to watch. In addition to the Stateliners, the new-look Raritan Division includes Hillsborough, Montgomery and Ridge.
North Warren Patriots
Coach: Kellen Bradley (first season).
2017-18 record: 13-6, 2-1 NJAC Colonial Division (second).
Returning starters (10): So. Tanner Thatcher (7-5) 106; So. Alex Davila (14-11) 113; Jr. Justin Gerkhardt (19-12, D4) 120; So. Devin Collett (11-14) 126; So. Austin Collett (12-12) 138; Sr. Kevin Shaffer (9-5) 145; Jr. Brandon Casey (13-16) 152; Jr. Rob Fletcher (10-15) 160; Sr. Joseph Voitek (11-16) 170; So. Luke Van Horn (8-4) 195.
Key loss: Joey Sprague (27-10, D2, R6) 285.
Key returnees: So. Luke Scarmack (3-2) 132; Jr. Ben Lilly (17-6 in 2016-17) 138; Sr. Jason Zilberfarb (4-2) 182.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Sean Bodine 113; Fr. Michael Castles 152; Jr. Jacob Smith 220; So. Dylan Lobycz 220; Sr. Matthew Luque 285.
Outlook: There is a sense of optimism in Blairstown surrounding the Patriots, who are coming off one of their most successful seasons in quite some time. Bradley, who is regarded as one of the top young coaches in the area, was brought in as an assistant last season and made an immediate impact. He takes over a program that went 34-44 the previous four seasons. The return of Lilly is a plus after he sat out last season following a promising freshman campaign, but senior Ryan Walsh (16-9 at 160) opted to not wrestle this season. This lineup doesn't have a lot of star power, but there are seven wrestlers who posted double-digit wins last season. Expect this group to improve by season's end.
Phillipsburg Stateliners
Coach: Dave Post (129-20, ninth season).
2017-18 record: 17-2, 5-1 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (second), North 2, Group 4 and Group 4 champion.
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| Phillipsburg is eyeing its sixth straight Group 4 championship. |
Key returnees: So. Jason Tino (3-0) 126; Sr. Bryce Parenti (2-1) 126-132; Sr. Luke Hardin (2-6) 132-138; Sr. TJ Abode (3-6) 160; Jr. Jacob Wicks 170-182; So. Gage Horvath 220.
Promising newcomers: Fr. James Day 106; Fr. Joey Innamorato 120; Fr. Nate Zastowny 145; Fr. Matt Donofrio 152; Fr. David Pierson 160-170.
Outlook: Stateliners are coming off another banner season with conference, sectional and state championships. Despite heavy graduation losses, this team will be in the hunt for all three again, while Jones and Harrison are among the state's best at their respective weight classes. The lineup is strong from 106 through 152, but most of the upper weights are relatively inexperienced, though they certainly put in the time this offseason. All of the incoming freshmen made their marks in the youth ranks, with Day, Innamorato and Pierson all winning New Jersey Grade School League titles, while Zastowny and Donofrio were runners-up. The next wave of youth wrestlers will be equally as impressive as the Warren County school looks to continue its dominance in Group 4.
Voorhees Vikings
Coach: Eric Hall (158-56, ninth season).
2017-18 record: 22-9, 2-4 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (T-fourth).
Returning starters (10): So. Josh Rich (18-21, D1) 106; Sr. Aidan Taylor (29-15, D2, R4) 126; Sr. Hunter Rinehart (24-11, D3) 132; Jr. Joe Swiston (12-15, D4) 138; Jr. Garrett Loescher (10-26, D4) 152; Sr. Jacob Baytoff (12-21) 160; Sr. Matt Brandner (21-17, D3) 170; Sr. Charlie Eberle (9-19, D4) 195; Sr. Sam Huff (34-9, D1, R3) 220; Sr. Lewis Fernandes (43-0, D1, R1, S1) 285.
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| Voorhees looks to repeat as North 2, Group 3 sectional champion. |
Key losses: Colby Koshinski (28-14, D2, R5) 113; Scott Fernandes (37-6, D1, R2) 195.
Key returnees: Jr. Joe Delusant 138; Jr. Ben Hemberger (2-9) 145; Jr. Zach Tong (2-4) 182; So. Anthony DiStefano (3-0) 182.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Hunter Cryan 113; So. Dominick Venito 120; Fr. Mike Mosier 145.
Outlook: Vikings surprised a bit last season by capturing the North 2, Group 3 sectional title (the program's 17th championship overall), and with 10 returning starters, including Fernandes, a state champion, this could be another strong campaign. The upper weights are a strength as Huff joined Fernandes in Atlantic City last season, while Brandner was a region qualifier. Fernandes, who has committed to Cornell and needs 30 wins to become the school's all-time leader, looks to become the program's first two-time champion.
Warren Hills Blue Streaks
Coach: Dave Sbriscia (first season).
2017-18 record: 7-13, 1-5 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (T-sixth).
Returning starters (8): Jr. Greg Slivka (15-16, D2) 113; Jr. Logan Nauta (15-12, D4) 138; Sr. Chris Ostir (18-15, D2) 145; Jr. Geir Nemeth (15-17, D4) 145; Jr. Nick Hildebrant (14-17, D2) 160; So. Logan Polcari (4-17) 195; Sr. Nick Galka (25-6, D1, R2) 220; Sr. Duro Ajayi (21-15, D2, R5) 285.
Key losses: Codey O'Rourke (26-10, D2, R4) 126; Kyle Wulff (23-11, D3) 132; Jarod Ostir (28-4, D1, R2) 182.
Key returnees: Jr. Nickolas Gorab (0-4) 132; So. Chad Joyce (0-6) 160; Sr. Merlyn Garcia (1-9) 170.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Jared Lee 106; Fr. Noah DiNapoli 106; Fr. Max Pagano 120; Fr. Stephen Malia 126; So. Beck Nemeth 132; Fr. Owen Frizzell 138; Fr. Caden Crawford 145; Fr. Ryan Galka 145; Fr. Michael Galka 160; So. Cameron Rothstein 160; Sr. Markus Merkl 170; Fr. Tyler McCatharn 182; Jr. Jake Smith 182; Sr. Anthony Rosillo 195.
Outlook: Blue Streaks have a new head coach as Sbriscia takes over for Jarrett Hosbach, who guided the program to a 165-135 mark over the previous 13 seasons. With a high number of freshmen, this could be a team to watch in the future, and it will be interesting to see how they come along, as this lineup does have several veterans, including Nick Galka, a returning state qualifier, who will look to place this season in Atlantic City. Ajayi was a nice surprise as a junior, and he will look to finish up in AC. This team has the potential to make the Valley Division one interesting race with Delaware Valley and Voorhees, as well as competing with the Vikes in a wide open North 2, Group 3 section.
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