Coach: Dan McIntyre (97-71, ninth season; 283-204 overall in 28 seasons, including a stint at Pleasant Valley (Pa.).
2018-19 record: 8-12, 3-1 Skyland Conference Mountain Division (second).
Returning starters (8): Jr. Hunter Lensi (26-12, D2, R5) 106-113; Jr. Marquise Panetta (5-16) 120; So. Deven Pagach (6-10) 132; Jr. Jacob Gross (0-14) 160-170; Jr. Shane Exley (24-11, D1) 182; So. Michael Gordon (4-17) 170-182; Sr. Liam Tipton (11-16) 195; Jr. Carson Grogan (21-14, D3, R5) 220-285.
Key losses: Quinn Melofchik (39-3, D1, R1, S5) 113; Gage Gares (15-15) 138; Hunter Webb (15-12) 182.
Key returnees: So. Patrick Horvath (6-13) 106-113; Jr. Ty Tiedemann 106; Jr. Liam Chapman 138; Sr. Anthony Appleby (0-2) 160-170; Jr. Jacob Cregar (0-1) 152; Jr. Dylan Richardson (0-3) 170.
Promising newcomers: Elijah Caskey 126; Nick Ciufo 145; Hunter Kain 160; Russell Pantuso 285.
Outlook: County Seaters, who have finished at or near the top of their division in recent seasons, took a bit of step back last season, dropping from 13 wins to eight, yet this group should once again battle for the Mountain Division title. The program lost its all-time wins leader in Melofchik (now at the United States Air Force Aademy), but they return most of its starting lineup. Lensi is coming off a breakout campaign, while Exley and Grogan (one round from AC in his first year of wrestling) will help anchor the upper weights. The schedule is challenging and expect this group to struggle in dual meets. But look for several wrestlers to do well in the postseason.
Delaware Valley Terriers
Coach: Andy Fitz (203-76, 13th season).
2018-19 record: 13-7, 3-1 Skyland Conference Valley Division (T-1st), North 2, Group 1 champion.
Returning starters (8): Sr. Derek Schepens (12-15, D4) 106; Jr. Cooper Gill (12-15) 120; Sr. Gage Crater (23-9, D2) 126; Sr. Chase Christie (13-14) 132; Jr. Corey Crater (6-9, D3-2018) 138; Jr. Ben Brown (9-18) 145; Sr. Nick Moose (18-14, D4) 220; Sr. Ryan Sutter (23-12, D2) 285.
Key returnees: So. Robert Groogan (5-8) 113; So. Noah Sheeley 132; Fr. Brayden Schneider 145; Sr. Shane Reynolds 145-152; Jr. Tyler Lagun 160; Sr. Andrew Larsen 160-170; Sr. Matt Zdepski (1-1) 182; Sr. Zach Zukowski (2-3) 195; So. Matt Schneider 195.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Chris Colasurdo 126; Fr. Garrett Tettemer 152.
Outlook: Terriers bounced back as expected last season and captured the program's fourth sectional title in the past five seasons in their North 2, Group 1 debut. There are plenty of new faces in the starting lineup, including Tettemer, a blue-chip freshman whose father, Scott, was a 1985 region champion for Del Val. This is most definitely a dual-meet team with no superstars. Schepens and Gage Crater, a two-time district runner-up, will lead the lower weights, while the strength is a solid group of upper weights that will cause matchup problems for opponents. Look for some of the other returning starters get above the .500 mark this season as this group sets its sights on another sectional championship.
Hackettstown Tigers
Coach: Frank Rodgers (242-253-4, 17th season of second stint, 23rd overall).
2018-19 record: 8-15, 0-4 NJAC Freedom Division (fifth).
Returning starters (12): So. Austin Zellars (8-16) 106; Sr. Michael Sullivan (9-23, D4) 120; Jr. Matthew Day (5-21) 132; Sr. Christian Bremner (9-19) 145; Sr. Garrett Meyer (12-15) 152; Sr. Alejandro Castro (23-11, D1) 160; Sr. Zebulon Burke (27-10, D2, R5) 170; So. Jack Gordon (6-12) 195; Jr. Matthew Bremner (23-13, D2) 195; Sr. Cody Motto (10-21, D4) 285.
Key losses: Zachery Yanoff (19-12, D2) 145; Dan Olson (21-12, D3) 220.
Key returnees: So. Matthew Finer (7-7) 113; Jr. Kamren Shurack (3-3) 113; Jr. Sam Castner (7-7, D4-2018) 138; Jr. Philip Faust (1-5) 145; Sr. Aaron Perez (0-3) 152; Sr. Madlyn Rothfuss 152; Jr. Tyler Yanoff (2-2) 182.
Promising newcomers: So. Luca Amato 120; Fr. Joey Bencivengo 132; Jr. Anthony Funes 145; Sr. Bruno Dougherty 170.
Outlook: With 12 returning starters, including six seniors, the Tigers appear poised for a bounce-back campaign and could be a surprise contender in a wide-open North 2, Group 2 sectional race. Burke and Castro, both two-time region qualifiers, will lead this group. The strength is from 152 pounds on up, so the lower weights will need to improve in order for this team to improve on last season's fifth-place finish in a tough Freedom Division, which includes sectional champions High Point and Kittatinny. There isn't much depth, so staying healthy will be a major key.
Hunterdon Central Red Devils
Coach: Jon Cantagallo-Rohm (105-18, sixth season).
2018-19 record: 23-2, 4-0 Skyland Conference Delaware Division (first), Central Jersey, Group 5 champion, Group 5 runner-up.
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| Central celebrates the program's 22nd sectional title in 2019. |
Key losses: Jr. Brett Ungar (42-0, D1, R1, S1, transferred to Notre Dame-Green Pond (Pa.) 113; Jack Bauer (27-9, D1, R2) 126; Pasquale Vizzoni (25-8, D1, R2) 145; Vincent Romaniello (30-8, D2, R1) 152; Dan Furmato (9-13, D4) 170; Kyle Barrett (22-12, D3) 182; Ryan Joyce (28-11, D1, R3) 285.
Key returnees: So. Aidan Portnoy (9-5) 113-120; Jr. Curtis Wheatley (3-2) 132; Sr. Jack Rieche (5-4) 160; Sr. Chase Nehila (4-4) 170-182; So. Vincent Brito (8-8) 170-182.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Henry Wilkinson 106; Fr. Pete Plesh 106; Fr. Damian Scouloukas 120-126; Jr. Angus Ruscher 182-195; Fr. Bennett Cayero 182-195; Jr. Tim Suk 285.
Outlook: Despite heavy graduation losses and the transfer of a state champion, the Red Devils have enough returning talent to once again challenge for sectional and Group 5 state titles. Of course the big offseason news was the loss of Ungar, but the lower weights should still be in good shape with Portnoy, who was a good fill-in last season, and Canonica. The middle of the lineup is strong with Washleski, a two-time state qualifier, and Peake, who was a win shy of reaching AC in a real good freshman campaign. The upper weights will be the biggest question, at least early on, so Cella and Donoghue will be counted on to anchor that group. The Red Devils' schedule is loaded with duals against High Point, North Hunterdon, Phillipsburg and Paulsboro, as well as a season-opening trip to the Beast of the East in Delaware. Central also is closing in on a major milestone as it needs 16 wins to become just the fourth program in the nation (third in New Jersey along with Paulsboro and Roselle Park) to reach 1,000.
North Hunterdon Lions
Coach: Chris Hrunka (36-8, third season).
2018-19 record: 20-3, 3-1 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (second), North 2, Group 4 runner-up.
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| North Hunterdon won the John Goles Invitational in 2018. |
Key losses: Connor Robinson (32-10, D1, R3) 120; Luke Hanlon (25-15, D3, R6) 145; Michael Wilson (39-6, D2, R1, S7) 160; Lorenzo Becerril (25-9, D1, R5) 220.
Key returnees: So. Aaron Wysocki (1-3) 138; So. Luke Yager (1-5) 152-160; So. Billy Cole (2-5) 160; Jr. Andrew Franklin (2-1) 220; So. Liam Akers (6-9) 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Logan Wadle 106; Fr. Danny Delusant 132; Jr. Connor McGeary 132; Fr. Brendan Raley 152; Fr. Alex Uryniak 195.
Outlook: Lions have benefited from a strong feeder system, and with 10 starters back, this could be the team to beat in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area. On paper, North is clearly the most balanced team in the area with no glaring holes. DiEsso, a two-time state qualifier, is one to watch down low, while the middle weights feature plenty of experience. Up top is where the team can do the most damage in dual meets with two state qualifiers in Fossett and Gaburo. Throw in a pair of blue-chip freshmen in Wadle and Uryniak -- both New Jersey Grade School League champs -- and it's tough to find a weakness in this lineup. The road to division and section titles will always go through P'burg, but the Lions have the goods to win both and end their drought against the 'Liners. North's first big test will come at the Boresch Duals (featuring Group 1 champion Paulsboro, Group 4 champion Kingsway and Group 2 champion South Plainfield) on Jan. 4.
North Warren Patriots
Coach: Kellen Bradley (12-11, second season).
2018-19 record: 12-11, 3-1 NJAC Colonial Division (second).
Returning starters (10): Jr. Tanner Thatcher (8-8) 106; Jr. Alex Davila (14-9) 120; So. Sean Bodine (13-13) 126; Sr. Justin Gerkhardt (19-15, D4) 126; Jr. Devin Collett (10-14, D3) 132; Sr. Ben Lilly (15-13, D4) 145; Sr. Brandon Casey (14-8, D4) 152; Jr. Austin Collett (14-10) 160; Sr. Rob Fletcher (22-12, D4) 170; Jr. Dylan Lobycz (8-16) 220.
Key losses: Joseph Voitek (16-17) 170; Matthew Luque (22-11, D3) 285.
Key returnees: So. Michael Castles (3-7) 138; Jr. Luke Van Horn (2-0) 195.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Thomas Dugan 113; Fr. Jack Moritz 195.
Outlook: Patriots seemed to have turned the corner a bit -- coming off back-to-back winning seasons after the program went 34-44 the previous four campaigns -- as they reached the sectional semifinals in North 1, Group 1. This year's lineup doesn't have a lot of star power, but there are eight wrestlers who posted double-digit wins last season. After a year off, Lilly won a match in Region 1 in his return, while Fletcher placed third in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament. North has some questions up top, but there is enough balance to do well in dual meets. Expect this group to approach last year's wins total and improve by season's end. The Patriot Duals is once again a big-time event with High Point and North Hunterdon slated to attend, as well as Warren Hills.
Phillipsburg Stateliners
Coach: Dave Post (147-23, 10th season).
2018-19 record: 18-3, 4-0 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (first), Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament and North 2, Group 4 champion, Group 4 runner-up.
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| Phillipsburg teams are 38-2 all-time in sectional finals. |
Key returnees: So. Sean Stasiulaitis (3-0) 106; So. Hakeem Ransdell 120-126; Jr. Jason Tino (3-2) 132-138; Sr. Jared Kukor (4-3) 138-145; So. Jay Palitto 138-145; So. Nate Zastowny 152-160; So. Matt D'Onofrio 152-160.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Hunter Cleaver 145-152; Sr. Denny Perez 160-170.
Outlook: Stateliners should be plenty hungry after coming up short in their quest for a sixth straight Group 4 title with a loss to Kingsway last season after claiming the North 2, Group 4 championship. Despite heavy graduation losses, you can expect this team to once again be in the hunt for division, sectional and state titles. This one of Phillipsburg's youngest lineups, with no returning state medal winners for the first time since 2013, while Maczko (51) is the only wrestler with more than 30 career wins. The lower weighs are in good shape, but the middle of the lineup is relatively inexperienced, though Kukor looked very good in a limited role last season. Zastowny, who missed all of last season due to injury, and D'Onofrio were both New Jersey Grade School League runners-up as eighth-graders, so they have talent. But the upper weights -- led by district champs Wicks and Horvath -- will need to carry this group if the 'Liners are to challenge for another state title come February.
Voorhees Vikings
Coach: Eric Hall (182-62, 10th season).
2018-19 record: 24-6, 3-1 Skyland Conference Valley Division (T-first).
Returning starters (7): Jr. Josh Rich (28-17, D2, R4) 120; So. Hunter Cryan (8-27) 113; Sr. Joe Swiston (14-18, D4-2018) 138; Sr. Joe Delusant (24-11, D3) 138; So. Mike Mosier (13-10, D4) 152; Sr. Garrett Loescher (17-21, D4) 160; Sr. Zach Tong (17-18) 195.
Key losses: Aidan Taylor (32-12, D2, R6) 120; Hunter Rinehart (34-10, D2, R6) 126; Matt Brandner (32-9, D2, R6) 170; Charlie Eberle (21-16) 195; Sam Huff (34-9, D1, R5) 220; Lewis Fernandes (47-0, D1, R1, S1) 285.
Key returnees: So. Logan Bush (2-2) 106; Jr. Dominick Venito (0-3) 126; So. Evan Schimanski (1-4) 132; So. Jack Eskind (0-1) 132; Sr. Kyle Bryan (1-4) 138; Jr. Billy Peterson 145; Jr. Owen Cooley (0-2) 170; So. Anthony DeStefano (3-0) 220.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Matt Levy 106; Jr. Chad Joyce (transfer from Warren Hills) 182; Fr. Jack Mosier 285.
Outlook: Vikings captured sectional championships in two of the previous five seasons, but with heavy graduation losses, including Fernandes, the program's first two-time state champion and all-time wins leader, this figures to be a rebuilding year. Rich, one of seven returning starters, is a state qualifier, while there is some talent in the middle weights. Up top, where the Vikes made a living in dual meets in recent seasons, is void of varsity experience for the most part. Delaware Valley and Warren Hills figure to battle for the division title, so the goals for the Vikes are to improve as the season goes on and possibly get a couple wrestlers to Atlantic City at the end.
Warren Hills Blue Streaks
Coach: Dave Sbriscia (16-4, second season).
2018-19 record: 16-4, 3-1 Skyland Conference Valley Division (T-first).
Returning starters (9): So. Jared Lee (26-11, D3) 113-120; Sr. Greg Slivka (26-12, D2, R5) 113-120; Sr. Geir Nemeth (15-12, D4) 132-138; Sr. Logan Nauta (23-12, D2) 132-138; So. Stephen Malia (15-14, D2) 145; Sr. Nick Hildebrant (24-12, D3) 160; So. Michael Galka (3-10) 182-195; Jr. Logan Polcari (7-12) 195-220; So. Tyler McCatharn (17-17, D3) 220-285.
Key losses: Chris Ostir (31-12, D2, R4) 145; Nick Galka (37-6, D1, R3) 220; Duro Ajayi (36-6, D1, R1) 285.
Key returnees: So. Max Pagano (0-5) 126; So. Owen Frizzell (2-5) 145; So. Caden Crawford (3-11) 145; Jr. Reese Manfredi (1-0) 145-152; So. Ryan Galka (0-1) 160; Jr. Cameron Rothstein (1-5) 160; Sr. Jake Smith (1-8) 182.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Shawn Redfield 106-113; So. Kevin Riedinger 106; Fr. Michael Drazek 120-126; Fr. Cody Miller 138-145; Jr. Brandon Riggs 160; Fr. Jarett Pantuso 170; So. Jack Carmen 195.
Outlook: Blue Streaks bounced back from a seven-win campaign two seasons ago and claimed a share of the division title in Sbriscia's first year as head coach. Lee and Slivka lead a solid group of lower weights, while Nauta, Nemeth and Hildebrant are veterans in the middle. There are some questions up top, but with nine returning starters and some talented freshmen (Miller and Pantuso were New Jersey Grade School League runners-up and Redfield was third) joining the ranks, this team should be in the hunt for Valley Division and North 2, Group 3 titles.
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