Wrestling: New Jersey Writers Association Top 20

North Hunterdon is among five teams from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area to headline the second New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20 poll for 2018-19.

The Lions (10-1) are one of the biggest movers this week, jumping up six spots to No. 13 after debuting in the 19th spot last week. Coach Chris Hrunka's team scored big wins against Delaware Valley (43-15 on Wednesday) and No. 15 Hanover Park (36-29 on Thursday). North Hunterdon will host No. 8 Phillipsburg on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a crucial Skyland Conference Raritan Division matchup in the Lions' Den.

Hunterdon Central (10-0), remains the highest ranked team from the Open Mike area at No. 4, while Pope John is now three spots behind Central at No. 7. The Red Devils, who are also gearing up for a big week of duals, finished second at the HWS Tournament on Saturday, while the Lions (7-1) saw their two-year reign as team champs end with a fourth-place finish.

Phillipsburg (7-0), which is seeking a sixth straight Group 4 state title, holds steady at No. 8. The Stateliners, who won their first HWS Tournament team championship since 2015 on Saturday, will face No. 15 Hanover Park (tonight), No. 13 North Hunterdon (Wednesday) and No. 9 High Point (Friday) this week.

High Point (4-0) remains in the No. 9 spot as coach John Gardner's Wildcats will host P'burg on Friday to kick off a brutal seven-day stretch that includes dual matchups against No. 6 South Plainfield and No. 16 Toms River North on Saturday, followed by meetings with Pope John and Newton the following week.

Bergen Catholic (6-1), the seven-time defending Non-Public A champion, is the consensus No 1 for a second straight week, followed by No. 2 Paulsboro (12-0) and No. 3 Howell (11-0) and No. 5 Delbarton (11-1) rounding out the top five.

Note: Records are through Monday's matches.

Rank	School	Record	Previous
1	Bergen Catholic (11)	(6-1)	1
2	Paulsboro	(12-0)	2
3	Howell	(11-0)	3
4	Hunterdon Central	(10-0)	4
5	Delbarton	(11-1)	5
6	South Plainfield	(15-1)	7
7	Pope John	(7-1)	6
8	Phillipsburg	(7-0)	8
9	High Point	(4-0)	9
10	St. Augustine Prep	(7-3)	11
11	Camden Catholic	(4-2)	12
12	St. Peter's Prep	(11-0)	20
13	North Hunterdon	(10-1)	19
14	Seton Hall Prep	(9-2)	13
15	Hanover Park	(6-3)	14
16	Toms River North	(10-1)	15
17	Jackson Memorial	(5-3)	16
18	Southern	(9-2)	17
19	Don Bosco Prep	(5-1)	NR
20	Kingsway	(7-6)	18

Also receiving votes: DePaul (6-2); St. Joseph-Montvale (5-2); Raritan (9-4).

NJWWA voting members listed in alphabetical order: Donald J. Brower (morriscountyhswrestling.com); Frank D’Esposito (theshoreconference.com; Steven Falk (Asbury Park Press and APP.com); Sean Farrell (The Record of Hackensack); “Screwy” Louie Lazzari (New Jersey wrestling historian); John Lewis (Burlington County Times and phillyburbs.com); Ron Mazzola (NJWWA president and Region V ranking chairman); Tom McGurk (Courier Post of Cherry Hill); Andy Mendlowitz (Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com); Greg Tufaro (Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com); Michael Weilamann (Open Mike)