Monday, January 14, 2019

Wrestling: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

They say it's lonely at the top.

That was never truer for Pope John senior JoJo Aragona and Voorhees ace Lewis Fernandes -- both head-and-shoulders above at their respective weight classes in the 10th annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Saturday.

Aragona (23-0), a three-time state medal winner and a finalist as a sophomore, made easy work of the field at 138 pounds by recording three technical falls to become the first to win four HWS titles. That milestone wasn't lost on the Rutgers University recruit, who obviously has more lofty goals this season.

"It's definitely special," said Aragona, now 136-6 overall and the Lions' all-time wins leader.

Fernandes (23-0), a returning state champion, steamrolled his way to a second straight HWS title, including a 15-second pin in the finals at 285. The Cornell recruit spent a combined 2 minutes, 4 seconds on the mat in his three falls -- giving him 18 (14 in a minute or less) on the season and 90 overall to go with five forfeits.

One wonders if it's not getting a little boring being so dominant and an overwhelming favorite to become his school's first two-time state champ. But Fernandes keeps it all in the proper perspective, well aware that opponents are looking to make their mark at his expense.

"A lot of guys want to knock me off," said Fernandes, who is 129-22 overall -- recently passing Kyle DiNapoli for second place on the school's all-time list -- and seven wins shy of becoming the Vikes' career leader. "You can't be scared. You just have to be yourself and go for it."

As for the tournament overall, there were some super weight classes, especially down low, in what's annually the premiere county event, even with match limits and injuries weakening the field in spots. With 16 seniors in the finals this season and currently two underclassmen with a state medal on their resumes, you wonder about the depth for next year's tournament. Some weights this year were extremely thin.

But the main question: Why is this once again becoming a speed race to the finish? The finals, which were expected to start around 4 p.m., got rolling at about 2:40, just shortly after the semis were done. The poor table workers didn't even get at least a 15-minute break and had to throw away their food. You barely had enough time to get to the rest rooms before the first finals whistle.

There were such high hopes that this event would be properly showcased when Phillipsburg High School took over last year as for now the permanent site. It's a great venue and the staff couldn't be more accommodating. They do a great job with the setup, but it's not incumbent on the school to run the tournament. It's on the athletic directors who are designated for each of the HWS events.

It's understood that coaches and fans want to keep things moving along, but no introductions and not breaking down to three mats with the finals front and center on one is doing an injustice to the sport. We have such high-caliber talent on display, let's take 15 minutes to recognize these wrestlers who work hard to get to this level. Holding up the semifinals until a weight class is complete would be another nice touch. Instead, one mat was at 145, while another was on 182. And no podium to recognize the placewinners so their parents and friends could take photos like in previous years. Again, the optics are bad all over.
Also, Aragona makes history as the first four-timer and wrestling is not held up for a few moments to recognize that accomplishment? It was only when Pope John coach Mark Piotrowsky came over to alert the head table that it was it even announced Aragona had won four titles. That's just inexcusable.

Phillipsburg has run many tournaments over the years and knows how to do it right. ADs, please, get out of the way and let them take the controls if we want to showcase this event, which hasn't been the case since former Hopatcong AD Tom Vara retired several years ago. Unfortunately, those last few hours on Saturday once again left a sour taste in peoples' mouths.

Now, onto this week's rankings:

1. Hunterdon Central (10-0) -- Red Devils rolled to a 41-24 win over Bridgewater-Raritan on Wednesday and finished second in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Saturday as sophomore Brett Ungar won his second straight title at 106 pounds, while Jack Bauer (126), Anthony Romaniello (138) and Vincent Romaniello (145) all finished second. Coach Jon Cantagallo-Rohm is hoping senior Pasquale Vizzoni (145) can return to the lineup this week.

Up next: at Newton on Tuesday; at Watchung Hills on Wednesday; Central Regional, Cranford, Emerson-Park Ridge at home on Saturday.

2. Pope John (7-1) -- Lions rolled to wins over Sparta (56-15 on Tuesday) and Roxbury (35-21 on Thursday) in NJAC American Division tilts, but they were denied in their bid for a three-peat with a fourth-place finish in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament despite matching first-place P'burg with three champions -- juniors Eddie Ventresca (120) and Kaya Sement (132) and Aragona (138). Ventresca, who is sitting on 97 career wins, became the sixth wrestler in tournament history to win at least three and can be the second to win four in 2020.

Up next: at West Morris on Wednesday; Notre Dame-Green Pond (Pa.) at home on Saturday.

P'burg has a big week on tap in dual meet action.
3. Phillipsburg (7-0) -- Stateliners cruised to a 78-0 win over Montgomery on Wednesday -- giving the program two shutouts in a season for the first time since 1996 -- in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash before a 44-12 victory over Kittatinny in a return to The Pit on Thursday. Coach Dave Post's team capped the week by winning its first Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament team title since 2015 behind three first-time champions -- Kyle Tino (145), Cody Harrison (152) and Austin Roth (195).

Up next: Hanover Park at home on Tuesday; at North Hunterdon on Wednesday; at High Point on Friday.

4. High Point (4-0) -- 'Cats roared to a 57-12 win over Hackettstown in an NJAC Freedom Division matchup on Thursday, while finishing 13th in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Saturday as coach John Gardner had to unfortunately sit several starters due to match limits or injuries. Junior Devon Liebl (113) and senior Jonathan Morris (182), who placed fourth, were the team's highest finishers.

Up next: at Jefferson on Wednesday; Phillipsburg at home on Friday; Delsea and South Plainfield at Toms River North on Saturday.

5. North Hunterdon (10-1) -- Lions stayed hot on the dual meet scene with wins over Delaware Valley (43-15 on Wednesday) and Hanover Park (36-29 on Thursday) before finishing third in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Saturday as senior Michael Wilson (160) and junior Nathaniel Fossett (170) won their first titles, while junior Ian Gaburo (195) was a runner-up.

Up next: Phillipsburg at home on Wednesday; Woodstown at Watchung Hills on Saturday.

6. Newton (5-3) -- Braves took a big step in their quest for an NJAC Freedom Division title with a 37-28 win at Kittatinny on Tuesday -- No. 798 for the program. Senior Luke Fischer (17-0 at 220) became the school's fifth Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament champion -- joining Jake Connelly (2012), Josh Sibblies (2013), Gus Protogeropoulos (2014) and Jonathon Borgognoni (2018), while senior Wyatt McCarthy (152) finished second for a third straight season.

Up next: Hunterdon Central at home on Tuesday; Jack Welch Duals at Moorestown on Friday and Saturday.

7. Warren Hills (10-1) -- Blue Streaks rolled to a 42-25 win over Somerville on Wednesday and finished 10th in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Saturday. Senior Nick Galka (17-3) was a runner-up at 220 pounds, while senior Duro Ajayi (19-2) finished third at 285 and senior Chris Ostir (15-6) took fourth at 145. On Sunday, the Streaks JV team captured the team title at Morris Hills.

Up next: at Bernards on Wednesday; Jack Welch Duals at Moorestown on Friday and Saturday.
8. Kittatinny (7-6) -- Cougars were dealt a 37-28 loss to Newton on Tuesday and dropped a 44-12 decision to Phillipsburg on Thursday before a seventh-place finish at the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Saturday. Senior Zach Mafaro (19-1) won at 182 to became just the third wrestler at the Sussex County school, which has produced at least one champ in every tournament but 2012 and '13, to win at least two titles -- joining Nick Klinger (2014-16), a three-time champ, and two-time winner Austin Scrivani (2015-16).

Up next: Morris Hills at home on Tuesday; at Hackettstown on Thursday; Glen Rock at home on Friday; Delaware Valley and Westfield at West Morris on Saturday.

9. Delaware Valley (4-4) -- Terriers opened last week with a 48-21 win over Robbinsville on Tuesday and dropped a 43-15 decision to North Hunterdon on Wednesday before finishing ninth in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Saturday. Senior Shawne Ramsby was a runner-up at 170, while senior A.J. DeRosa (132) and sophomore Anthony DeRosa (145) took thirds.

Up next: at Voorhees on Wednesday; Kittatinny and Westfield at West Morris on Saturday.

10. Voorhees (10-4) -- Vikings rolled to a 57-15 win over Bernards on Wednesday before a 43-26 loss to West Morris on Friday in their only dual meets of the week. Senior Lewis Fernandes (285) won his second title as coach Eric Hall's team recorded its first top-five finish since 2013 in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Saturday. Seniors Matt Brandner (170) and Charlie Eberle (195) took thirds.

Up next: Delaware Valley (Salute to Service Night) at home on Wednesday; Franklin and New Brunswick at Ridge on Saturday.
Posted by Mike Weilamann at 7:20 PM

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