Wrestling: New Jersey Writers Association Top 20

Hunterdon Central remains the highest ranked team among the five Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area representatives in the sixth and next-to-last New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20 poll.

The Red Devils (20-1), who hold steady in the No. 4 spot, took their first loss of the season on Thursday -- 51-16 to No. 2 Paulsboro. Central, the top seed in Central Jersey, Group 5, opened the sectional tournaments with a 66-12 thumping of New Brunswick on Monday night as coach Jon Cantagallo-Rohm's team seeks the program's 22nd title and third in the last four seasons.

Phillipsburg (15-2), which is the top seed in North 2, Group 4, holds at No. 9 this week as the Stateliners cruised to a 66-9 win over Linden in the opening round on Monday night -- victory No. 972 for the Warren County school.

Pope John (12-2), the No. 10 team again this week, is the top seed as it seeks back-to-back Non-Public North B titles. Coach Mark Piotrowsky's Lions were idle on Monday and will host Pingry in the sectional semifinals on Wednesday night.

High Point (13-2), the NJAC Freedom Division champion and the top seed in North 1, Group 2, opened the postseason with a 60-10 victory over Ramsey as the program seeks its Sussex County-best 27th sectional title and back-to-back Group 2 championships. Senior Devin Flannery (23-6 at 120), who missed last season's title run with a left elbow injury, picked up his 92nd win overall on Monday.

North Hunterdon (19-2), which is the No. 2 seed in North 2, Group 4, extended its win streak to nine in a row since a 30-24 loss to Phillipsburg with a 62-9 waxing of Middletown South in first-round sectional action. Coach Chris Hrunka's team, which sits in the No. 12 spot in the Top 20, will next face Middletown North in the semifinals.

Bergen Catholic (11-2), the seven-time defending Non-Public A champion, is the consensus No 1 for a sixth straight week. The Crusaders scored an impressive 41-15 win over Paulsboro on Saturday at The Palestra in Philadelphia.

Note: Records are through Monday's matches.

Rank	School	Record	Previous
1	Bergen Catholic (12)	(11-2)	1
2	Paulsboro	(19-1)	2
3	Howell	(23-0)	3
4	Hunterdon Central	(20-1)	4
5	South Plainfield	(21-2)	5
6	Delbarton	(13-2)	6
7	Camden Catholic	(18-2)	7
8	Southern	(16-4)	8
9	Phillipsburg	(15-2)	9
10	Pope John	(12-2)	10
11	High Point	(13-2)	11
12	North Hunterdon	(19-2)	12
13	St. Joseph-Montvale	(12-3)	14
14	St. Augustine Prep	(14-4)	15
15	St. Peter's Prep	(18-4)	16
16	Jackson Memorial	(14-4)	17
17	Seton Hall Prep	(14-4)	18
18	Watchung Hills	(13-1)	NR
19	Kingsway	(13-8)	20
20	Don Bosco Prep	(7-4)	NR

Also receiving votes: DePaul (10-4); Mendham (14-3); West Morris (10-6).

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).