Wrestling: Ten best medal shots (HWS), title picks

Here is a look at the 10 male wrestlers from the Open Mike area with the best chances at capturing a medal -- it could be a nice haul for the locals -- this weekend in the 86th New Jersey State Wrestling Championships at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

In all, there are 50 qualifiers (up two from last year and 19 more than pre-realignment in 2016) among Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex schools.

Lewis Fernandes looks to return to the top of the podium.

Lewis Fernandes (42-0), Voorhees -- The biggest favorite in any of the 14 weight classes, Fernandes, one of eight returning champions, enters AC with 32 pins and one technical fall to go with nine forfeits at 285 pounds. He has amassed a grand total of 2,001 seconds in his contested bouts or 33 minutes, 21 seconds, and he has pinned his way to Boardwalk Hall this postseason -- five in a total time of 3:50. Fernandes, who is riding an 85-match win streak dating to last season, is looking to become the first two-time state champ for the Vikings.

Career mark: 148-22.

Previous state appearances: 3-2, fourth wrestlebacks at 195 pounds in 2017; 5-0, first place at 285 pounds in '18.

First-round opponent: Trenton Central senior Caleb Spaulding (24-13, R6-4).

Cody Harrison (25-2), Phillipsburg -- Fourth trip hopes to be the charm for Harrison, who has placed in previous two appearances with the Stateliners. The No. 3 seed at 152, which is one of the deepest weights this season, will look to avenge an 11-3 loss to Southern senior and No. 2 seed Nicholas O'Connell on Jan. 26. Harrison, who is tough on his feet and has racked up plenty of takedowns off his blast double, has won 14 in a row since that defeat. Harrison, whose only two losses in Atlantic City last season were to Aragona, looks to become the Warren County school's second three-time placewinner in four years -- joining Brandon Paetzell (2013, '14 and '16).

Career mark: 120-23.

Previous state appearances: 0-2 at 106 pounds in 2016; 3-3, eighth place at 126 in '17; 5-2, fourth place at 138 in '18.

First-round opponent: Randolph senior Janny Lopez-Valley (31-11, R3-4).

Newton's 1-2 punch of Wyatt McCarthy and Luke Fischer.

Wyatt McCarthy (34-2), Newton -- Following a seventh-place finish at 145 pounds last season, McCarthy returns at this weight class as the No. 4 seed. The two-time Region 1 champion -- the Braves' 10th two-time winner -- is looking to unseat current assistant coach and Andy Iliff, who captured back-to-back titles in 1986-87 (Nos. 81 and 82) as the last state champion for the Sussex County school. "Hopefully, I'll be No. 83," McCarthy said on Saturday. "I think [Iliff] has had his time on top." A potential quarterfinal meeting with South Plainfield senior Joe Sacco (34-3), the No. 5 seed, could be a good one, while McCarthy battled top seed Ricky Cabanillas of DePaul, a two-time finalist and champ in 2018, tooth-and-nail two years ago here before getting pinned in OT.

Career mark: 133-22.

Previous appearances: 2-2 at 145 pounds in 2017; 4-2, seventh place at 145 in '18.

First-round opponent: Warren Hills senior Chris Ostir (30-10, R3-4).

Luke Fischer (36-0), Newton -- Making his second straight appearance at 220 pounds, Fischer is among 18 unbeaten wrestlers in the field. He's been a horse all season, as the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex and Region 1 champion has logged 20 pins, a technical fall and one major decision, to go along with two decisions against Warren Hills senior Nick Galka -- 1-0 and 7-0, who is the No. 11 seed at this weight. Fischer also wants his name on the school's wall above Iliff. "He's my best competition in the [practice] room," Fischer said on Saturday. "He's unbelievably strong."

Career record: 103-33.

Previous appearances: 2-2, third round of wrestlebacks at 220 in 2018.

First-round opponent: West Deptford senior Hayden Holmes (30-10, R7-4).

Brett Ungar (37-0), Hunterdon Central -- The sophomore, who is the No. 1 seed at 106 pounds, placed sixth as a freshman and has been dominant all season -- winning his second Hunterdon-Warren, district and region championships. Ungar, who has a non-stop motor and has 14 pins and 13 technical falls this season, was injured here last season in the consolation rounds, dropping a tough 3-1 decision in overtime to Westfield ace CJ Composto in the quarters. Middletown North junior Tyler Klinsky (39-0), the No. 2 seed, looms in the bottom bracket.

Career record: 78-2.

Previous appearances: 4-1, sixth place at 106 pounds in 2018.

First-round opponent: Voorhees junior Josh Rich (28-15, R4-4).

JoJo Aragona (second from top left) owns 3 state medals.

JoJo Aragona (37-0), Pope John -- One of the best pound-for-pound wrestlers in the tournament, Aragona, the No. 1 seed at 138 pounds seeks that elusive gold medal after two third-place finishes, including last season at this weight, and a runner-up finish as a sophomore. He's turning it on at the right time, with 13 pins, five technical falls and one major, to go with a 9-2 decision over St. Joseph-Montvale senior Craig Manno in the Region 1 finals, since Jan. 8. In beating Manno, Aragona, who needs four wins to become Sussex County's all-time leader, joined former great Mike Frick, a three-time state champ, as the only Lions to win four region titles.

Career record: 153-6.

Previous appearances: 4-1, third place at 106 pounds in 2016; 4-1, second place at 120 in '17; 5-1, third place at 138 in '18.

First-round opponent: Don Bosco Prep sophomore Nick Franco (18-11, R1-4).

Brian Soldano (38-2), High Point -- Don't make that trip to the overpriced concession stand when this talented freshman is on the mat. With a penchant to put opponents on their backs, while also going to his own to do so on occasion, Soldano (27 pins) could ruin someone's weekend in the 160-pound draw, where he is the No. 10 seed. He decked five wrestlers at this weight class -- John DeVito of West Morris, A.J. Bencivenga of Cranford, Connor Fritsch of Pope John, Justin Leonard of Ramapo and Jack Bernik of Old Tappan -- and majored Roxbury's Evan Vazquez, 10-2, on Dec. 22. Soldano, whose lone in-state loss is to No. 8 seed Salvatore Manera of St. Augustine, 13-7, at the Mustang Classic, also pinned Delsea state runner-up Nick Bennett, the top seed at 152.

Career record: 38-2.

First-round opponent: Old Tappan junior Jack Bernik (37-6, R1-3).

Eddie Ventresca (35-1), Pope John -- The two-time state placewinner is the total package and dominant in the neutral position, which will serve him well in a tough 120-pound weight class. Ventresca has 12 pins and nine technical falls on the season, while the No. 2 seed and three-time district champion, could be heading for a semifinal date with No. 3 seed Dylan Cedeno of Bergen Catholic, who dropped a 5-4 decision to Ventresca in last year's consolation round, while top seed Anthony Clark of Delbarton eyes a third straight state championship.

Career record: 112-12.

Previous appearances: 3-1, sixth place at 113 pounds in 2017; 6-1, third place at 113 in '18.

First-round opponent: Rahway junior Chris Dalmau (29-5, R4-4).

Quinn Melofchik (far left) eyes a second state medal.

Quinn Melofchik (34-1), Belvidere -- A returning state placewinner, finishing seventh at 106 last year, Melofchik is looking to become just the fourth multiple medal winner at his school and the program's first since the late Tyler Smith (2007-08), the County Seaters' fifth and last state finalist. Melofchik turned heads this past weekend by earning the Outstanding Wrestler Award in Region 3 with a 4-3 win in overtime in the finals against Delbarton state placewinner Nicholas Nardone, who placed third and beat Melofchik in last year's state quarterfinals. Those two could be headed for a second straight quarterfinal matchup in AC the 5-4 seeds -- with Nardone scoring a 3-2 win in 2018.

Career record: 142-17.

Previous appearances: 1-2, at 106 pounds in 2017; 4-2, seventh place at 106 in '18.

First-round opponent: Boonton freshman Joe Fongaro (33-7, R2-4).

Robbie Garcia (18-1), Pope John -- The senior and former state placewinner has seemingly returned to form after an injury at the Beast of the East in December interrupted his season. Garcia, the No. 4 seed at 152 and an Oregon State recruit, looked good and is plenty motivated after rolling to the Region 1 title on Saturday. "I'm focused and having fun," he said following a 9-7 win over Pascack Valley's Matt Beyer, the No. 13 seed at this weight. Those two could meet again in the pre-quarters, while the winner will likely see tough Paulsboro senior George Worthy in the quarters.

Career record: 121-23.

Previous appearances: 0-2, at 126 pounds in 2016; 4-2, fourth place at 132 in '17; 2-2, at 145 in '18.

First-round opponent: Jackson Memorial senior Cartsen Digiantomasso (30-9, R7-4).

Other area qualifiers (40):

Delaware Valley -- AJ DeRosa (132), Anthony DeRosa (152), Shawne Ramsby (170)
High Point -- Clayton Utter (106), Devon Liebl (113), Devin Flannery (120), Josh Gervey (132), Billy Talmadge (138)
Hunterdon Central -- Colton Washleski (120), Jack Bauer (126), Pasquale Vizzoni (145), Vincent Romaniello (152), Norman Cella (160), Ryan Joyce (285)
Lenape Valley -- Daniel Haws (106), James Haws (145)
Kittatinny -- Zach Mafaro (182), Jackson Crawn (195)
Newton -- Nick Brigante (170)
North Hunterdon -- Frank Diesso (113), Connor Robinson (120), Michael Wilson (160), Nathaniel Fossett (170), Ian Gaburo (195)
Phillipsburg -- Logan Maczko (106), Travis Jones (132), Kyle Tino (138), Austin Roth (195)
Pope John -- Shane Percelay (106), Kaya Sement (132), Matthew Garcia (145), Connor Fritsch (160)
Sparta -- Cooper Stewart (113), Spencer Stewart (120), Garrett Stewart (126)
Voorhees -- Josh Rich (106)
Wallkill Valley -- Zachery Dora (285)
Warren Hills -- Chris Ostir (145), Nick Galka (220), Duro Ajayi (285)

Open Mike state championship picks

106 -- Brett Ungar, Hunterdon Central
113 -- Dean Peterson, St. John Vianney
120 -- Anthony Clark, Delbarton
126 -- Robert Howard, Bergen Catholic
132 -- Nick Raimo, Hanover Park
138 -- JoJo Aragona, Pope John
145 -- Lucas Revano, Camden Catholic
152 -- George Worthy, Paulsboro
160 -- Robert Kanniard, Wall
170 -- Shane Reitsma, Howell
182 -- Christopher Foca, Bergen Catholic
195 -- Jacob Cardenas, Bergen Catholic
220 -- Zach Lewis, Emerson-Park Ridge
285 -- Lewis Fernandes, Voorhees