Coach: John Gardner (346-100-2, 21st season).
2017-18 record: 24-1, 4-0 NJAC Freedom Division (first), North 1, Group 2 and Group 2 champion.
Returning starters (7): Jr. Devon Liebl (29-8, D2, R6) 113; Sr. Devin Flannery (14-2, injured; D3, R2 in 2017) 120; Sr. Brandon LaRue (40-7, D1, R4, S6) 126; Jr. Billy Talmadge (36-8, D1, R3) 132; Sr. Jonathan Morris (8-16) 182; Sr. Grayson Sabo (25-12, D3) 195; Sr. Andrew Lewis (19-13, D3) 220.
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| High Point will be in the hunt for another Group 2 title in 2019. |
Key returnees: So. Josh Gervey (8-9) 120; So. Nick Douma (3-4) 120; Sr. Griffin Sandberg 126; Sr. Ben Intili (3-1) 138; Sr. Nick Auer (2-2) 145; So. Alex Buchwald 152; Sr. Evan Poust 152; Sr. Jacob Carter 152; Sr. Luke Ottens 160; Jr. PJ Soldano (1-3) 170; Jr. Sean Lewis 170; So. Justin Klass 220; So. Chris Hendershot 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Clayton Utter 106; Fr. Noah Ripley 138; Fr. Brian Soldano 152.
Outlook: 'Cats are coming off one of the program's finest seasons that culminated with a thrilling 30-25 win over Raritan in the Group 2 title match. With a solid core returning, look for this group to make another deep postseason run. LaRue is the team's lone returning state placewinner and will anchor a strong contingent of lower weights, along with Flannery (missed most of last season with an elbow injury) and Talmadge, who iced the state championship victory. Utter and Brian Soldano, a New Jersey Grade School League champion, are blue-chip rookies, while Sabo leads an experienced group of upper weights. This will be the team to beat in Sussex County and one to watch statewide, though repeating in Group 2 became tougher with South Plainfield, which won the Group 3 title last season, now in the mix. The teams will meet in the regular season on Jan. 19, as part of High Point's brutal schedule that also includes dual meets against Phillipsburg, Pope John, Delsea, Southern, Kittatinny and Newton.
Hopatcong Chiefs
Coach: Eric Fajerman (125-300-3, 19th season).
2017-18 record: 4-19, 0-3 NJAC Colonial Division (fourth).
Returning starters (7): Jr. Freddie Gonzalez (9-9) 120; So. Frank Mastroeni (25-14, D1, R6) 126; So. Andrew Costa (19-12) 138; Jr. Sean Cranmer (14-19) 145; Jr. Alex Feinberg (12-15, D4) 195; Jr. Jack Certo (6-20) 220; Jr. John Sanchez (5-16) 285.
Key loss: Anthony Mastroeni (43-4, D1, R3) 126.
Key returnee: Sr. Nick DiLeo (1-7) 285.
Outlook: Chiefs have enjoyed some dual-meet success the past two seasons, despite low numbers, which continues to be an issue for several area schools. The program has produced just 18 wins over the past seven campaigns, but the good news is there is some flexibility to cover most of the weight classes. Fajerman, who is the program's longest tenured coach, has a nice amount of freshmen to work with, while Frank Mastroeni made some noise in the postseason as a rookie.
Kittatinny Cougars
Coach: John Gill (564-180-5, 39th season).
2017-18 record: 12-11, 3-0 NJAC Colonial Division (first).
Returning starters (7): Sr. Mike Nelson (15-18, D3) 120; So. Patrick Franco (15-21, D3) 126; Sr. Nile Mattar (12-16, D4) 132; Sr. Derek Molfetto (3-3, injured, D2 in 2017) 138; Sr. Brian Hanna (12-19) 145; Sr. Zach Mafaro (35-8, D1, R2, S6) 182; So. Jackson Crawn (18-17, D4) 195-220.
Key losses: Mike Callahan (24-14, D2) 138; Perry Maio (27-14, D2, R6) 145; Calvin Brook (30-10, D1, R2) 152; Shane Smith (21-8, D4) 160; Josh Hiler (26-12, D3) 170.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Shane Nelson 106; Fr. Steve Dalling 132; Jr. Kyle Raposo 152-160; Fr. Evan Raposo 170; Jr. Robert Bruce 195; Fr. Brycen Mafaro 220.
Outlook: Cougars -- four wins shy of 600 as a program -- are annually one of the top teams in the county and in Group 1 or 2, but they willl start the season with no wrestlers at 113 and 285, while junior 220-pounder Jacob Mafaro (31-5, D1) has not committed to wrestling this season. That leaves another huge hole up top, in addition to a lack of varsity experience at several weights. Shane Nelson is a talented freshman, while Steve Dalling, whose father, Steve, was a two-time state champion under Gill, is a New Jersey Grade School League runner-up. The freshman will also look to crack the lineup, while Zach Mafaro (95 career wins) is among the state's best at 182. Now in the Freedom Division with High Point and Newton, winning conference and North 1, Group 1 sectional titles will be a huge challenge.
Lenape Valley Patriots
Coach: Gary Mikolay (4-16, second season).
2017-18 record: 4-16, 2-2 NJAC Freedom Division (third).
Returning starters (7): Sr. Marcus Bitetto (13-5, D1) 113; Jr. Zach Miller (11-18, D4) 126; Sr. Dominic Falleni (20-13, D2) 132; Jr. Eric Falleni (27-9, D3) 138; Sr. James Haws (17-16, D2) 145; Sr. Matthew Cestone (2-23) 152; Sr. Kalvin Green (10-17) 170-182.
Key losses: Jake Hickey (21-9, D4) 145; Jordan Costanza (12-17, D4) 160; Jr. Ryan Hall (23-12, D3, out for the season with a knee injury) 220; Gabe Jimenez (18-15, D3) 285.
Key returnees: So. Andres Villanueva-Cruz (2-0) 120; So. Tristen Martinelli (1-4) 160; Jr. Kyle Luba 170-182.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Daniel Haws 106; Fr. TJ Morten 106.
Outlook: Patriots, who are also struggling numbers-wise, were dealt a blow with the loss of Hall, who was injured during the football season. Dominic and Eric Falleni, along with James Haws, are a nice trio in the middle, while the lower weights should be in good shape with Bitetto and rookies Daniel Haws and Morten, who were champions in the New Jersey Grade School League. But the upper weights are a huge question mark, and there will likely be some open weights at 195, 220 and 285. This team needs to stay healthy in order to improve on last season's win total.
Newton Braves
Coach: Eric Bollette (224-180-1, 18th season).
2017-18 record: 16-6, 3-1 NJAC Freedom Division (second).
Returning starters (10): So. Nathan Fitt (20-12, D4) 106; So. Danny Cleary (13-15) 113; So. JoJo Lotruglio (22-15, D2) 120; Sr. Matthew Rosa (25-13, D3) 132; Sr. Michael Freda (25-14, D3, R5) 138; Sr. Wyatt McCarthy (39-4, D1, R1, S7) 145; Jr. Trevor Aughenbaugh (10-15) 152; Sr. Nick Brigante (19-15, D4) 170; Sr. Luke Fischer (35-7, D2, R2) 220; Sr. Jimmy Harding (12-7) 220-285.
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| Newton won the John Goles Invitational team title last season. |
Key returnees: Jr. Mason Leen 106; So. Nick Costa (1-1) 120; Jr. Ryan Sosa 132; Jr. Aidan Bartsch 145; Jr. Julian Sibblies (3-11) 152; Jr. Nick Chavarria 160; Jr. Ryan Kaiser (1-3) 195; Sr. Matt Somers (5-8) 182; So. Jake Tonking 285.
Promising newcomers: Jr. Valerio Sanchez 106; Fr. Dominic Megna 106; So. Aden Sathuthiti 113; Fr. Takeo Sibblies 126; Fr. Colton Lawrence 126; So. Robert Zaremski 132; Fr. Aidan Murtagh 132; Fr. Melkart Abou-Jaoude 138; So. Ryan Pappas 138; Jr. Damian Gummerson (0-2, transfer from Kittatinny) 138; Fr. Jack Young 145; So. Chris McConnell 145; Sr. Alejandro Villegas-Rodriguez 170; Fr. Kevin Rojas 195; Fr. Larry Pittenger 220; Jr. John Ays 285.
Outlook: With 10 returning starters and several others who saw significant varsity time last season, the Braves -- seven wins shy of 800 as a program -- should be among the teams to watch. This group is solid from 106 through 145, including McCarthy, a state placewinner who is sitting on 99 career wins, while the upper weights have plenty of experience. There are a few questions at 152 and 160, as well as some injuries coming off football, but anything short of challenging High Point for conference and North 1, Group 2 sectional titles would be a disappointment.
Pope John Lions
Coach: Mark Piotrowsky (69-27, sixth season).
2017-18 record: 17-2, 4-0 NJAC American Division (first); Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex, Non-Public North B and Non-Public B champion.
Returning starters (6): So. Shane Percelay (28-8, D1, R5) 106-113; Jr. Eddie Ventresca (41-4, D1, R3, S3) 120-126; Jr. Kaya Sement (36-7, D1, R1) 132-138; Jr. Mathew Garcia (25-11, D2) 138-145; Sr. JoJo Aragona (42-2, D1, R1, S3) 138-145; Sr. Robert Garcia (36-7, D1, R2, S4 in 2017) 152-160.
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| Pope John will be a heavy favorite to repeat in Non-Public B. |
Key returnees: So. Michel Ritacco (4-2) 126-132; Jr. Cosmo Esposito (3-5) 145; Sr. Anthony Rispoli 160; Jr. Connor Fritsch (9-10) 160-170; Sr. Chase Nugnes 160-170; Jr. Quinn Muldoon 170; Sr. Chris Jhong (9-10) 195; Jr. Cole Zydel (6-8) 220; Sr. Louis "Max" Montana 285; Sr. Nicholas DeSenzo 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Kyle Miller 106; Fr. Zachary Hentschel 106; Fr. Angelo Dangelis 113; Fr. Collin Neal 120-126; Fr. Mason Eagan 138; Fr. Jack Stoll 160-170; Fr. Peter Deleportis 182; Sr. Bryan Vargas 195; Fr. Jake Rubin 220.
Outlook: Lions, who return four state qualifiers, including three placewinners, are primed for another run at sectional and state titles after winning their first championships in both since 1994 last season. Aragona, a state finalist two seasons ago and a three-time medal winner, will be a contender for the school's first individual championship since Brian Unkert won at 145 pounds in 1990. Aragona also needs 41 wins to become the county's all-time leader. This group took a hit with graduation, so it will be interesting to see how some of the returnees and newcomers fare this season. The upper weights are also a bit of a question mark, so they will need to come along in order to be successful against some of the top teams on a rugged schedule.
Sparta Spartans
Coach: Frank Battaglia (105-61, eighth season).
2017-18 record: 16-7, 2-2 NJAC American Division (third).
Returning starters (7): Jr. Cooper Stewart (30-6, D3) 113; So. Spencer Stewart (33-7, D2, R5) 113; Sr. Chris Hwang (20-9, D1, R6 in 2017) 132; Jr. Garrett Stewart (34-10, D2, R4) 132; Sr. Carter Sheridan (32-8, D1, R5) 138-145; Sr. Rocco Gignatelli (14-12) 138-145; Sr. Ty Costlow (1-17) 152-160.
Key losses: Kevin Berlin (18-17, D3) 160; Mason Minetti (15-15, D3) 170; Robbie Gennat (40-5, D1, R2, S4) 195.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Nick Yanuzzelli 106; So. Pedro Colon 120; Fr. Nick Hwang 120; Fr. Dennis Libman 120; Fr. Chase Geer 126; Fr. Parker Williamson 145; So. Cameron Minetti 170-182; Fr. Paul Gennat 195; So. Jack Pryce 195; Fr. Aidan Belasco 195; Fr. AJ Frantzeskakis 195; Jr. Jeffrey Schweitzer 195; Fr. Peter Cofrancesco 220; Jr. Joey Liotta 220; Fr. Billy Quinn 220.
Outlook: Spartans, now two years removed from the program's first sectional title since 2000, enjoyed another winning campaign last season before falling to eventual North 1, Group 3 champion Pascack Valley. There is enough returning talent in this lineup to make another push in what appears to be a wide open section, but what was once a strength of this group is now a huge question mark with inexperienced upper weights. If the new guys up top come along, this team could again be on the winning end, but it would seem double-digit wins may be a lot to ask.
Vernon Vikings
Coach: Todd Piontkowski (25-71, fourth season overall; second season of second stint).
2017-18 record: 1-20, 0-4 NJAC Freedom Division (fifth).
Returning starters (6): So. Alexander Rifflard (5-3) 120; So. Sage DiGiuseppe (2-18) 138; So. Cooper Pleva (5-13) 145; Jr. Jon Alvarez (12-12) 160; So. Noah Prevliglian (4-7) 160; Sr. Jeremy Kayhart (8-15) 285.
Promising newcomers: So. Ryan Flaherty 113; Fr. Skye Ivancich 113; Jr. Josh Buccieri 138; So. Patrick Schmidt 145; So. Dylan Harris 160; Jr. Joe Martinez 160; Jr. Luke Negrin 182; So. Pedro Rodriguez 220; Sr. J.T. Zimmerman 220; Fr. Shane Saulnier; Fr. Jake Hutchins-Booker.
Outlook: Vikings continue to struggle with low numbers -- 17 total on the roster -- and inexperience, so wins and losses aren't the measuring stick here as the program attempts to stay afloat. The good news is that the middle school has produced some wrestlers and that will be huge if the numbers are to increase in the coming seasons. Alvarez was the team's most successful wrestler as a sophomore, so keep an eye on him.
Wallkill Valley Rangers
Coach: Jeff Churchill (21-67, fourth season; 159-89-3 in 15 seasons from 1989-2003 at Morris Knolls).
2017-18 record: 8-18, 1-2 NJAC Colonial Division (third).
Returning starters (8): Jr. Samantha Larsen (15-11) 120; Jr. Erik Ross (14-12) 126; Jr. Zac Creeden (30-5, D3) 132; Jr. Devin Watson (1-12) 145; So. Gian Accardi (10-13) 152; Sr. Shane Simon (15-16) 170; Jr. Derrick Rotger (4-17) 182; Sr. Zachery Dora (17-15, D4) 285.
Key losses: Zaine Sugar (16-17, D4) 152; Brodie McDonald (15-17, D4) 182.
Key returnee: Jr. Tyler Sanchez (4-0) 120.
Promising newcomer: So. Nick Bongo 126.
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