Wrestling: New Jersey Writers Association Top 20

North Hunterdon for the second straight week is the biggest mover among five Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area teams in the third New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20 poll.

The Lions (10-2), in their only action last week, jumped up three spots to No. 10 following a 30-24 loss to No. 7 Phillipsburg on Wednesday in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division match that came down to the final bout. Coach Chris Hrunka's team also has wins over No. 19 West Morris (39-24 on Dec. 29) and No. 15 Hanover Park (36-29 on Jan. 10).

Hunterdon Central (13-0), remains the highest ranked team from the Open Mike area at No. 4. The Red Devils will travel to Phillipsburg on Thursday for one of the season's most anticipated duals.

P'burg (10-0), which is seeking a sixth straight Group 4 state title, moves up a spot after knocking off three ranked teams last week, including a 30-27 win over No. 8 High Point on Friday. The Stateliners also defeated Hanover Park (37-31) in addition to the win over North Hunterdon.

High Point (7-1) jumped up one spot as coach John Gardner's team rebounded with a 39-33 win over No. 16 Toms River North on Saturday. The 'Cats clinched the NJAC Freedom Division title with a 39-27 win over county-rival Newton on Tuesday night.

Pope John (8-2) drops six spots to No. 13 following a 45-20 loss to West Morris on Wednesday. Coach Mark Piotrowsky's Lions, who had resided in the top 10 since last season, bounced back with a 52-12 win over Don Bosco Prep on Saturday, as senior Robbie Garcia, who placed fourth in the state tournament in 2017, returned to the lineup at 152 pounds.

Bergen Catholic (7-1), the seven-time defending Non-Public A champion, is the consensus No 1 for a third straight week, followed by No. 2 Paulsboro (13-0) and No. 3 Howell (18-0) and No. 5 South Plainfield (15-2) rounding out the top five.

Note: Records are through Monday's matches.

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

Also receiving votes: DePaul (7-3); Don Bosco Prep (6-2); St. Joseph-Montvale (6-2).

NJWWA voting members listed in alphabetical order: Donald J. Brower (gardenstatehswrestling.com); Frank D’Esposito (theshoreconference.com; Steven Falk (Asbury Park Press and APP.com); Sean Farrell (The Record of Hackensack and NorthJersey.com); Jane Havsy (Daily Record and DailyRecord.com); “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).