Wrestling: John Goles Invitational preview, info

What: John Goles Invitational Tournament (61st annual).

When: Thursday.

Where: Warren Hills Regional High School, Washington Township.

Participating teams (10): Columbia; Delaware Valley; Edison; Hopewell Valley; Newton; North Hunterdon; Sparta; Verona; Warren Hills; West Morris.

Schedule (approximate): Pigtails and quarterfinals, 9:30 a.m.; Championships, 4 p.m.

Returning champions (2018 weights): Connor Quinn, North Hunterdon (120); Connor Robinson, North Hunterdon (126); A.J. DeRosa, Delaware Valley (138); Michael O'Brien, Edison (138); Wyatt McCarthy, Newton (152); Michael Wilson, North Hunterdon (160); Nick Galka, Warren Hills (220).

Newton won its first team title since 2008 last season.

Others to watch: Frank Diesso, North Hunterdon (113, District 15 second, Region 4 fourth); Robert Bohr, West Morris (120, District 11 third, Region 3 fourth); Spencer Stewart, Sparta (120, District 3 second, Region 1 fifth); Garrett Stewart, Sparta (126, District 3 second, Region 1 fourth); Chris Lanciano, Hopewell Valley (126, District 18 first, Region 5 second); Gage Crater, Delaware Valley (132, District 19 second); Michael Freda, Newton (138, District 1 third, Region 1 fifth); Devin Rocha, Columbia (145, District 10 second, Region 3 sixth); Justin Venezia, Hopewell Valley (152, District 18 first, Region 5 fifth); Justin LeMay, West Morris (152, District 11 first, Region 3 fourth); John DeVito, West Morris (160, District 11 second, Region 3 fourth); Shawne Ramsby, Delaware Valley (170, District 19 second, Region 5 third); Nick Riggio, Verona (170, District 10 third, Region 3 sixth); Dean Escobar, Edison (195, District 19 third); Luke Fischer, Newton (220, District 1 second, Region 1 second).

Notes: Robinson and DeRosa are looking to join only 38 other wrestlers in tournament history to win at least three titles. Ryan Pomrinca (2011-14), who is now at Lehigh, is the only North Hunterdon wrestler to win at least three three titles as he is one of just seven in tournament history to win four. Terriers have six who have won three or more titles -- Dan Kelly (2003-05), Kris Sigafoos (2003-05), Dan Hutchins (1998-2001), Mike Pongracz (2010-12), Lance Thatcher (1999-2001) and Bob Brunner (1994-97). ... The team championship race should be quite entertaining as Newton, West Morris (which shared its only title with Washington in 1964) and North Hunterdon should all be in the hunt. Braves, who amassed a record 254 points in winning the 2008 championship, feature McCarthy (a two-time Goles placewinner and the OW Award winner in '17, and a seventh-place finisher in the state last season at 145), along with the team's lone unbeaten wrestler in Fischer (5-0), who is seeking his first title after finishing second at 195 in '17. ... Warren Hills has crowned a tournament-best 183 champions overall. The Blue Streaks haven't gone without at least one gold medal since getting shut out in 2002, while they've won or shared 22 team championships since the tournament's inception in 1958, including its last title in 2013. Delaware Valley has won 11 of the last 19 team titles, including its last in 2016. ... Newton has produced at least one champ in all but three tournaments since 2000. Speaking of which, assistant coaches Andy Iliff (1985-86) and Ted Sibblies (1987-88) were two-time winners for the Braves. Warren Hills head coach Dave Sbriscia was a two-time champion in 2004 and '05, while Del Val assistant Gregg Wiseburn (1999-2000) and North Hunterdon head coach Chris Hrunka (2006) were also champs for the Blue Streaks. Del Val assistant coach Chris Cancelliere (2009-10) was a two-time champion for North Hunterdon.

Championship picks: Nathan Fitt, Newton (106); Frank Diesso, North Hunterdon (113); Connor Quinn, North Hunterdon (120); Garrett Stewart, Sparta (126); Gage Crater, Delaware Valley (132); A.J. DeRosa, Delaware Valley (138); Colin Loughney, West Morris (145); Wyatt McCarthy, Newton (152); John DeVito, West Morris (160); Shawne Ramsby, Delaware Valley (170); Luke Stefanelli, West Morris (182); Dean Escobar, Edison (195); Luke Fischer, Newton (220); Duro Ajayi, Warren Hills (285).

Team champion: North Hunterdon.