Wrestling: Fernandes, Ungar lead Hunterdon charge

ATLANTIC CITY -- Hunterdon Central sophomore Brett Ungar and Voorhees senior Lewis Fernandes are making it look easy as they continue their state title quests.

They were among five wrestlers from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area to win their semifinal matchups in the 86th State Wrestling Championships on Friday night at Boardwalk Hall. The tournament concludes on Saturday with consolation semifinals at 10 a.m., followed by the medal rounds for third, fifth and seventh places and girls consolation semifinals with medal rounds and championships to follow. The boys championship finals for all 14 weight classes will be approximately 3:30 p.m.

Ungar kept rolling along with a dominating performance in the semifinals -- 10-2 over St. Joseph-Montvale freshman Joe Manno -- to become Hunterdon Central's 41st finalist and first since three-time runner-up Gary Dinsmore (2012-14). Ungar (41-0), who placed sixth at 106 last season, will square off against Middletown North junior Tyler Klinsky in the finals.

Lewis Fernandes (top left) eyes a second straight title.

"It feels great. I knew I could do it," said Ungar, who is looking to become the school's 13th champ and first since Alex Shaffer (2010). "But I'm not done yet, I still have one match [on Saturday]."

Fernandes continued his impressive run toward school history as he decked Mount Olive senior Jayvon Davidson with a half nelson in 2:36 to reach his second straight final at 285. Fernandes (46-0), who had a 55-second fall in the quarters, is looking to become Voorhees' first two-time state champ.

"I feel like I'm 10 times better [than last season]," said Fernandes, who is just the third Viking to appear in two state finals -- joining Glenn Hall (1981-82) and Jadaen Bernstein (2011 and '13).

"I put a lot of offseason work in. Everything is a lot smoother and I'm stronger and it's easier controlling the bigger guys. I was like 215 [pounds] last year and I'm 240 now."

In all, 16 area wrestlers will take home medals, including Newton senior Wyatt McCarthy (145) and Phillipsburg senior Cody Harrison (152), who lost their semifinal matchups. Region 2 led the way with 14 in the semifinals and 10 in the finals, with Region 7 having nine in the semis and four in the championship round, along with Region 1.

All the right moves

Ungar broke things open against Manno with three back points off a tilt in the second period, just as he did in a 5-1 win in the Friday morning quarters over Toms River North senior Louis Gagliardo.

"That was huge," said Ungar, who is 82-2 overall. "I was able to turn [Manno] with that roll-through tilt which always gets points for me. I feel great. I'll be ready to go [for the finals]."

Fernandes, who entered as the biggest title favorite in the tournament, said he isn't feeling any pressure to repeat.

"I'm really not worried about it. If any of these kids put more work in than I did this summer, they deserve to be a higher status," said Fernandes, who improved to 152-22 overall and moved past Delaware Valley's Mike Pongracz (148-16 from 2009-13) for second place on the county's all-time wins list on Thursday. North Hunterdon's Ryan Pomrinca (155-13 from 2011-15) is the leader.

Girl power

Phillipsburg junior Jewel Gonzalez made history of her own as the Warren County school's first female state finalist in the inaugural Girls State Wrestling Chamipionships. Gonzalez, who is the top seed at 161 pounds, decked High Point senior Bri Simsic in 1:02.

High Point junior Randi Miley, the No. 1 seed at 105, became her school's first finalist by pinning Trenton Central's Johnae Drumright in 3:09, while Kittatinny's Kiera Hubmaster, the title favorite at 235, made it three area girls finalists by pinning Pennsauken's Sarah Mireles in 3:02.

 

GIRLS SEMIFINALS

100: Sydney Petzinger (Parsippany) p. Anmarie Lebron (Pennsauken), 2:57; Jasmine Aizley (Allentown) d. Alisa Safforld (Belleville), 8-7.

105: Randi Miley (High Point) p. Johnae Drumright (Trenton Central), 3:09; Chloë Ayres (Princeton) md. Isabel Saire (Rahway), 14-6.

111: Daniela Tacuri (West Orange) d. Najee Cuevas (Elizabeth), 19-13; Bella Serrano (Manasquan) md. Katy Ayala (New Brunswick), 15-5.

118: Cristine Gavasheli (Raritan) p. Devon Kueny (Ewing), 1:52; Angelina Romero (Notre Dame) p. Sheridan Torres (Red Bank Regional), 2:36.

127: Stephanie Andrade (Hunterdon Central) d. Angelina Vitola (Manalapan), 7-1; Kayla Gregory (Jackson Memorial) p. Madison Trotman (Rancocas Valley), 4:23.

136: Jaala Williams (Montclair) p. Veronica Whitacre (Monroe Township), 5:13; Jesse Johnson (Manalapan) p. America Garay (Manasquan), 2:18.

147: Amanda Pace (North Bergen) p. Olivia Heyer (Kingsway), 3:30; Gabby Miller (Monroe Township) md. Paige Colucci (Williamstown), 13-3.

161: Jewel Gonzalez (Phillipsburg) p. Bri Simic (High Point), 1:02; Diane Johnson (Millville) md, Katherine Bott (Kingsway), 12-3.

185: Erin Emery (Teaneck) p. Maria Taseva (Elmwood Park), 2:37; Mia Lazaurs (Raritan) d. Kerly Borbor (New Brunswick), 7-1.

235: Kiera Hubmaster (Kittatinny) p. Sarah Mireles (Pennsauken), 3:02; Kaila Mungo (Rancocas Valley) p. Joelle Klein (Lower Cape May), 7:00.

GIRLS QUARTERFINALS

100: Anmarie Lebron (Pennsauken) p. Breanna Cervantes (Secaucus), 3:06; Alisa Safforld (Belleville) p. Quanizja Legagneur (Asbury Park), 2:44.

105: Johnae Drumright (Trenton Central) p. Shannon Gulick (Hackettstown), 2:27; Isabel Saire (Rahway) p. Julia Manolas (Manalapan), 3:56.

111: Najee Cuevas (Elizabeth) p. Mia Bruno (Kingsway), 1:49; Katy Ayala (New Brunswick) p. Rebecca Brown (Kingsway), 2:56.

118: Devon Kueny (Ewing) p.  Casandra Auletta (Raritan), 2:36; Sheridan Torres (Red Bank Regional) p. Alexandra Johnson (Toms River South), 0:55.

127: Angelina Vitola (Manalapan) d. Natalie Vega (Elmwood Park), 7-5; Madison Trotman (Rancocas Valley) d. Melanie Sancho (Hunterdon Central), 2-1.

136: Jaala Williams (Montclair) d.  Emma Matera (Delran), 5-3, sudden victory; Jesse Johnson (Manalapan) d. Hailey Budney (Parsippany), 2-0.

147:  Olivia Heyer (Kingsway) d. Sarah Ilori (Union), 7-1, tiebreaker; Gabby Miller (Monroe Township) d. Brandi Rado (Jackson Memorial), 5-1.

161: Bri Simic (High Point) p. Madison Pesavage (Jackson Memorial), 2:32; Katherine Bott (Kingsway) d. Donna Walker (New Brunswick), 5-4, tiebreaker.

185: Maria Taseva (Elmwood Park) p. Jordyn Katz (Jackson Memorial), 1:11; Kerly Borbor (New Brunswick) d. Sandra Guerrero (West Orange), 3-2, ultimate tiebreaker.

235:  Sarah Mireles (Pennsauken) p. Elin Santos (Bergenfield), 2:22; Kaila Mungo (Rancocas Valley) md. Elise Harrison (Dwight Morrow), 10-2.

BOYS FIFTH-ROUND WRESTLEBACKS

106:  Kelly Dunnigan (Don Bosco) d. Louie Gagliardo (Toms River North), 6-3; Joseph Cangro (Bergen Catholic) d. Shane Percelay (Pope John XXIII), 7-4.

113:  Quinn Melofchik (Belvidere) d. Brandon Spellman (Pingry), 4-3;  Nick Kayal (Bergen Catholic) d. Alex Almeyda (Fort Lee), 1-0.

120: McKenzie Bell (Kingsway) md. Vincent Scollo (Jackson Memorial), 8-0; Devin Flannery (High Point) d. Spencer Stewart (Sparta), 5-4.

126: Nicky Cabanillas (DePaul) d. Dom DiGena (West Morris Mendham), 6-3; Eddie Hummel (Roselle Park) d. Gianni Manginelli (Dumont), 5-1.

132: Cooper Pontelandolfo (Cherokee) d. Christian Vertedor (Passaic County Tech), 3-1; Kaya Sement (Pope John XXIII) p. William Grater (Don Bosco), 3:46.

138: Dylan Weaver (Lyndhurst/No. Arlington) p. Anthony Croce (Camden Catholic), 2:43; Billy Talmadge (High Point) d. Tim Spatola (Delsea), 4-3.

145: Joe Sacco (South Plainfield) d. Nick Boggiano (Toms River North), 5-2; Matt Sacco (Bridgewater/Raritan) d. Rhise Royster (Rahway), 3-2.

152: Nick Bennett (Delsea) d. George Worthy (Paulsboro), 2-1; Dante Stefanelli (Delbarton) d. Justin LeMay (West Morris Central), 11-5.

160:  Tony Asatrian (Paramus) md. Colin Morgan (West Orange), 8-0;  Corey Fischer (West Deptford) d. Michael Wilson (North Hunterdon), 5-2.

170: James Cruz (St. Peter`s Prep) d. Garrett Bilgrav (Robbinsville), 10-3;  Ethan Craft (Rancocas Valley) d. Reid Colella (Wayne Valley), 6-1.

182: Zach Mafaro (Kittatinny) p. Mike Misita (St. Augustine Prep), 3:51; Kieran Calvetti (Delbarton) d. Christian Murphy (Howell), 6-3.

195: Luke Chakonis (Delbarton) d. Anthony Franden (Eastern), 3-2; Drew Bowker (Rancocas Valley) d. Kyle Epperly (Jackson Memorial), 7-6.

220: Gage Armijo (West Morris Mendham) d. Luke Fischer (Newton), 6-0;  Benny Dahdah (Westwood) d. Jajuan Hayes (Bordentown/Florence), 7-2.

285: Dean Setticase (Saddle Brook) p. Deshon Alexander (Overbrook), 2:24;  Jervey Sistrunk (Bound Brook) d. Paul Liseno (St. John Vianney), 13-6.

BOYS FOURTH-ROUND WRESTLEBACKS

106: Kelly Dunnigan (Don Bosco) p. Ryan Defoney (St. Augustine Prep), 1:26; Louie Gagliardo (Toms River North) d. Nico Calello (Watchung Hills), 8-2; Joseph Cangro (Bergen Catholic)  p. Nicholas Diaz (St. John Vianney), 1:28; Shane Percelay (Pope John XXIII) d. Clayton Utter (High Point), 6-4.

113: Quinn Melofchik (Belvidere) d. Cooper Stewart (Sparta), 5-0; Brandon Spellman (Pingry) p. Thomas O`Keefe (Middletown North), 4:13; Alex Almeyda (Fort Lee) md. Ryan Rosenthal (Toms River North), 16-4; Nick Kayal (Bergen Catholic) d. Joey Lamparelli (Allentown), 4-2, sudden victory.

120: McKenzie Bell (Kingsway) d. Luke Hoerle (Westfield), 5-2; Vincent Scollo (Jackson Memorial) d. Nicholas Digiacomo (Timber Creek), 5-4; Spencer Stewart (Sparta) d. Nico Messina (Freehold Boro), 7-6; Devin Flannery (High Point) d. Anthony White (South Plainfield), 7-1.

126: Nicky Cabanillas (DePaul) 34-7 md. Dakota Morris (Kingsway), 12-4; Dom DiGena (West Morris Mendham) d. Sean Rendeiro (St. Peter`s Prep), 3-2; Gianni Manginelli (Dumont) d. Geno Duca (Paulsboro), 8-3; Eddie Hummel (Roselle Park) d. Hunter Gandy (Woodstown), 3-2.

132: Christian Vertedor (Passaic County Tech) d. Travis Jones (Phillipsburg), 7-5, sudden victory; Cooper Pontelandolfo (Cherokee) d. Michael O`Brien (Edison), 7-0; Kaya Sement (Pope John XXIII) d. Hunter Gutierrez (Lacey), 3-2; William Grater (Don Bosco) 28-9 d. Bryan Miraglia (Delran), 6-0.

138: Anthony Croce (Camden Catholic) d. Andrew Troczynski (Delbarton), 1-0; Dylan Weaver (Lyndhurst/No. Arlington) p. Max Brignola (Rumson-Fair Haven), 4:00; Tim Spatola (Delsea) d. Darby Diedrich (Howell), 5-3, sudden victory; Billy Talmadge (High Point) d. Craig Manno (St. Joe-Montvale), 3-2, tiebreaker.

145: Joe Sacco (South Plainfield) p. Alex Winant (West Morris Mendham), 3:40; Nick Boggiano (Toms River North) d. Gabe Onorato (Paulsboro), 3-0; Rhise Royster (Rahway) d. Stefano Sgambellone (St. Joe-Montvale), 3-1, sudden victory; Matt Sacco (Bridgewater/Raritan) d. Nicholas Pepe (Southern Regional), 3-2.

152: George Worthy (Paulsboro) d. Connor Kraus (St. Augustine Prep), 7-6; Nick Bennett (Delsea) d. AJ Bencivenga (Cranford), 9-6; Justin LeMay (West Morris Central) d. Matt Beyer (Pascack Valley), 11-8; Dante Stefanelli (Delbarton) tf. Paul Santomarco (Manalapan), 15-0, 4:28.

160: Colin Morgan (West Orange) md. Brian Soldano (High Point), 17-8; Tony Asatrian (Paramus) p. Evan Vazquez (Roxbury), 0:53; Corey Fischer (West Deptford) d. Justin Leonard (Ramapo), 9-2; Michael Wilson (North Hunterdon) d. Salvatore Manera (St. Augustine Prep), 7-4.

170: James Cruz (St. Peter`s Prep) d. George Burdick (Raritan), 12-6; Garrett Bilgrav (Robbinsville) md. Anthony Giampietro (Northern Burlington), 15-4; Reid Colella (Wayne Valley) d. Shawne Ramsby (Delaware Valley), 7-3; Ethan Craft (Rancocas Valley) d. John Stout (Southern Regional), 4-3.

182: Zach Mafaro (Kittatinny) p. Tommy Chiellini (Pascack Valley), 3:30; Mike Misita (St. Augustine Prep) d. David Szuba (Brick Memorial), 8-6; Kieran Calvetti (Delbarton) p. Tim Miller (Westfield), 3:54; Christian Murphy (Howell) d. Alex Garcia (Montville), 5-3.

195: Luke Chakonis (Delbarton) tf. Zane Coles (Pitman), 15-0, 5:11; Anthony Franden (Eastern) md. Austin Paris (Livingston), 10-1; Drew Bowker (Rancocas Valley) d. Austin Roth (Phillipsburg), 4-1; Kyle Epperly (Jackson Memorial) d. Joe Daddario (Montville), 6-3.

220: Luke Fischer (Newton) d. Nick Trani (Wayne Valley), 1-0; Gage Armijo (West Morris Mendham) p. Nicolas Galka (Warren Hills), 1:49; Benny Dahdah (Westwood) p. Tyreke Brown (Penns Grove), 4:54; Jajuan Hayes (Bordentown/Florence) d. Steven Cmielewski (Red Bank Catholic), 3-2.

285: Dean Setticase (Saddle Brook) p. Kevin Cerruti (Long Branch), 3:30; Deshon Alexander (Overbrook) p. Joseph Teresi (Ocean Twp.), 4:30; Jervey Sistrunk (Bound Brook) d. Max Sullivan (Cherry Hill West), 3-2; Paul Liseno (St. John Vianney) p. Jonathan Alvarado (Don Bosco), 2:00.