Wrestling: What's on tap for HWS in 2020-21?

There were plenty of great storylines in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area this season, including North Hunterdon's first unbeaten season and High Point sophomore Brian Soldano capturing the 160-pound state title in Atlantic City.

But it's never too early to look ahead to 2020-21. Here are a few things to keep an eye on and some important dates for next season.

North Hunterdon back on top?

The Lions enjoyed a season for the ages -- going 23-0 while capturing the North 2, Group 4 sectional title and the program's first state championship since 2002 with a second win over 2019 champion Kingsway in the Group 4 final. One of the big keys this season was the lineup staying in tact and avoiding major injuries.

Coach Chris Hrunka will welcome back nine starters next season, including state qualifiers Frank DiEsso (32-8 at 120), Connor Quinn (30-9 at 132), James Holder (30-12 at 170) -- who will all be seniors -- and Liam Akers (38-6 at 285), a seventh-place finisher in AC. Alex Uryniak (29-7 at 182-195), a Region 5 qualifier, and Kyle Schultz (7-3 at 195-220), a starter two seasons ago who was a backup this season, will once again give North a formidable set of upper weights. Logan Wadle (30-6), a District 20 and HWS Tournament champion, will help anchor the lower weights.

Phillipsburg, which lost twice to North in a season for the first time, including a 37-12 setback in the sectional final, should definitely have something to say about North making another postseason run as the Stateliners will return 11 starters, including James Day (32-10 at 113), Nate Zastowny (35-9 at 160) and Gage Horvath (27-14 at 220), who were all state qualifiers. Logan Maczko (24-10 at 120), a Region 4 champion in 2019, and Joey Innamorato (29-8 at 126), a two-time district champion, are also back next season.

Coach Dave Post will also be receiving some help from the youth program with incoming freshmen Gavin Hawk (106) and Caleb Rivera (150), both New Jersey Grade School League champions, along with placewinners Patrick Day (fifth at 118) and Liam Packer (second at 130).

We may not get a rematch in the sectional tournament next season. The early word has Phillipsburg shifting to North 1 when the sections are redrawn and released shortly before the 2020-21 season.

High Point, Warren Hills eye titles

After three straight Group 2 finals appearances and winning championships in 2018 and '20, High Point, despite the loss of three key seniors -- Devon Liebl (40-7 at 126), two-time state placewinner Billy Talmadge (42-5 at 138) and PJ Soldano (24-13 at 182) -- could be even better next season.

High Point celebrates its sixth state championship.

Coach John Gardner's program simply reloads, and with 11 starters coming back, including Clayton Utter (32-7 at 113), a two-time state qualifier and Josh Gervey (37-9 at 132), a sixth-place finisher in AC, as well as Brian Soldano, this team should once again be the Group 2 frontrunner. Don't forget the 'Cats lost talented freshman Shane Woolf (6-5 at 138-145) for the season with a knee injury

"We had a core group of kids on the team this year that really had to do large things for the team to be successful," Gardner said. "The guys who have an opportunity to get back, they're going back to work shortly and hopefully be even better next year."

High Point (15-4) should also be better in the upper weights as Alex Buchwald (11-4 at 160-170) will help anchor that group, along with Sean Van Wingerden (16-13 at 195) and Justin Klass (16-17 at 220). Keep an eye on incoming freshmen and NJGSWL placewinners Carson Citro (third at 80 pounds), Ty Woods (third at 112) and Eli Nosal (runner-up at 118).

Warren Hills (20-7) set a program record for wins, but came up short in a bid to win the school's first sectional title since 2007, with a 34-31 loss to eventual Group 3 runner-up West Essex in the North 2, Group 3 final.

The Blue Streaks look like the section favorites next season as they were another young team with just four, but reliable starting seniors -- Greg Slivka (30-11 at 113), Logan Nauta (30-10 at 132), Geir Nemeth (25-13 at 138) and Nick Hildebrant (24-11 at 170).

Shawn Redfield (24-17 at 106-113), Jared Lee (27-12 at 120-126), Stephen Malia (33-9 at 152), Owen Frizzell (31-9 at 160), Jarett Pantuso (9-3 at 182) and Tyler McCatharn (37-6 at 220-285) will be some of the key returnees for coach Dave Sbriscia, who will also welcome Josh Lee into the fold, a talented incoming freshman who placed third at 95 pounds in the NJGSWL tournament.

Hunterdon Central, which had a pair of state placewinners in Colton Washleski (sixth at 145) and Norman Cella (eighth at 160), should also be improved next season.

Washleski (42-7), who stands at 104-29 overall, needs 40 wins to surpass Hunter Graf (143-29 from 2014-18) as the school's all-time leader and may have an outside shot at the county record of 155 set by North Hunterdon's Ryan Pomrinca, an NCAA Division I qualifier for Lehigh at 141 pounds, along with former P'burg ace Brandon Paetzell (No. 7 seed at 125).

Realignment on tap

Both the Northwest Jersey Athletic and Skyland conferences are in the process of reshaping division alignments for 2020-21 and 2021-22. Unfortunately, the NJAC Freedom Division will contain only four schools for wrestling -- High Point, Jefferson, Kittatinny and Newton -- meaning that three wins gets you a title. Ridiculous to say the least and it's not sitting well with those coaches. High Point already has trouble getting public schools on the schedule and this certainly won't help.

In other NJAC changes, Hackettstown moves from the Freedom Division to the Colonial, while Sparta shifts from the American to the National Division. The league slate for the four divisions housing Sussex County teams is below.

Needless to say there's already been plenty of discussion and rumors being floated regarding the realignment for districts and regions, as well as sectionals and Groups. According to a source, the district and region realignments could look more in line with the old formats prior to 2017, while Rutgers is in the mix to replace Toms River North as host site for the Group championships.

One scenario has two sectional rounds being contested on Monday with the finals on Wednesday and the Group semifinals at the higher seeds on Friday. Let's hope the elimination of Group 5 is a real possibility as well.

Here is the state medal count for the four years since realignment (you'll note that it's still not exactly balanced):

Region	2020	2019	2018	2017	Total
1	18	20	16	10	64
2	18	21	19	20	78
3	13	16	14	14	57
4	6	10	9	15	40
5	15	13	14	17	59
6	12	5	14	8	39
7	18	21	12	10	61
8	12	6	14	18	50

Dates to remember

Opening Day -- Dec. 17.

Boresch Duals at Newton on Jan. 2 -- North Hunterdon, the Group 4 champion and ranked No. 3 in the New Jersey Writers Top 20, will look to repeat after knocking off No. 13 Paulsboro, the Group 1 champ and two-time Boresch Duals champion, and Group 4 runner-up Kingsway. This premiere dual event in the state featured four teams ranked in the New Jersey Writers Top 20. South Plainfield, the Central Jersey, Group 2 sectional champion, and Caldwell, the North 2, Group 2 champion, as well as No. 11 Toms River North, are also returning next season.

High Point at Kittatinny on Jan. 6 -- The Freedom Division title could very well be decided at the turn of 2021, when these archrivals meet in Hampton. High Point will once again rate as a heavy favorite coming off a 48-24 win this season in Wantage as the 'Cats hold a 29-14-1 edge in the series dating to 1976. The Cougars are set to return 12 starters, including a pair of state qualifiers in Brycen Mafaro (30-8 at 182) and Jackson Crawn (35-4 at 220). Bryce Coesfeld, an NJGSWL champion at 118 pounds, runner-up Reece Smith (112) and Jacob Savage (fourth at 130) will be incoming freshmen who could make an immediate impact.

HWS Tournament on Jan. 9 -- Phillipsburg will once again host the 12th edition. You can't beat the venue, but please take some time and not speed through it. How about holding up the weight classes for the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship-consolation finals so we can at least attempt to showcase this event? And proper introductions with the wrestlers' credentials and not speeding through those to where it's held up halfway through because the public address announcer lost his place on the sheet. Athletic directors need to step aside and let the capable folks at P'burg run the show.

NJAC schedules -- Freedom: Jan. 6 -- Kittatinny at High Point; Jan. 13 -- Jefferson at Newton; Jan. 20 -- Newton at Kittatinny; Jan. 26 -- High Point at Jefferson; Feb. 3 -- Newton at High Point; Kittatinny at Jefferson. Colonial: Jan. 6 -- Lenape Valley at North Warren; Vernon-Wallkill Valley at Hackettstown; Jan. 13 -- Vernon-Wallkill Valley at Lenape Valley; Hopatcong at Hackettstown; Jan. 20 -- Hackettstown at North Warren; Hopatcong at Vernon-Wallkill Valley; Jan. 26 -- Lenape Valley at Hopatcong; North Warren at Vernon-Wallkill Valley; Feb. 3 -- Hackettstown at Lenape Valley; North Warren at Hopatcong. American: Dec. 22 -- Delbarton at Pope John; Montville at Mendham; Jan. 6 -- Mendham at Pope John; West Morris at Mount Olive; Jan. 13 -- Delbarton at West Morris; Pope John at Montville; Mount Olive at Mendham; Jan. 20 -- Delbarton at Montville; Pope John at Mount Olive; Jan. 22 -- Mount Olive at Delbarton; Pope John at West Morris; Jan. 26 -- West Morris at Mendham; Montville at Mount Olive; Feb. 3 -- Mendham at Delbarton; West Morris at Montville. National: Dec. 22 -- Roxbury at Morris Knolls; Sparta at Morris Hills; Parsippany Hills at Morristown; Jan. 6 -- Sparta at Roxbury; Morristown at Morris Knolls; Morris Hills at Randolph; Jan. 13 -- Roxbury at Morris Hills; Morris Knolls at Parsippany Hills; Randolph at Morristown; Jan. 20 -- Roxbury at Parsippany Hills; Morris Knolls at Randolph; Morristown at Sparta; Jan. 22 -- Randolph at Roxbury; Morris Knolls at Morris Hills; Parsippany Hills at Sparta; Jan. 26 -- Sparta at Morris Knolls; Parsippany Hills at Randolph; Morris Hills at Morristown; Feb. 3 -- Morristown at Roxbury; Randolph at Sparta; Morris Hills at Parsippany Hills.

Sectional tournaments -- Feb. 8, 10 and 12.

Group championships -- Sunday, Feb. 14.

District Tournaments -- Saturday, Feb. 20.

Region Tournaments -- Feb. 24, 26 and 27.

88th State Championships -- March 4, 5 and 6 at Boardwalk Arena in Atlantic City.

Wrestling: Easton Lions Club Classic cancelled

The 40th annual Easton Lions Club All-Star Wrestling Classic, which was set to be held on Thursday at Easton Area High School's 25th Street Gymnasium, has been cancelled due to concerns over potential coronavirus outbreaks. According to Lions Club official Mike Moore, Easton Superintendent of Schools David Piperato has cancelled all outside events at district sites, .

The match, which had been held continuously since 1981, pits seniors from New Jersey against their counterparts from Pennsylvania's rugged District 11.

Pennsylvania owns a 23-16 edge in the overall series dating to 1981, including a 37-12 victory in 2019. New Jersey last prevailed, 32-17, to snap a five-match skid in '18.

Tentative high school matchups (New Jersey listed first):

113 -- Greg Slivka (30-11, 80-60, D2, R5), Warren Hills, vs. Gunnar Wagner (26-14, 36-25, D5), Northampton.

North Hunterdon had 3 wrestlers on the NJ squad.

120 -- Seven Rich (20-12, 66-58, D2), Voorhees, vs. Andrew Smith (22-5, 106-39, D1, R1, S5), Nazareth.

126 -- Gage Crater (32-8, 106-40, D1), Delaware Valley, vs. Luis Vargas (40-7, 115-37, D3, R3), Freedom.

132 -- Logan Nauta (30-10, 82-47, D2, R5), Warren Hills, vs. Patrick Noonan (34-6, 131-27, D2, R1, S2), Stroudsburg.

138 -- Drew Doscher (20-14, 59-38, D2, R6), North Hunterdon, vs. Steven Storm (40-5, 134-21, D3, R3, S7), Pocono Mountain East.

145 -- Evan Klimas (29-7, 89-50, D1, R5), North Hunterdon, vs. Jason Rezac (38-8, 88-31, D3, R4), Liberty.

152 -- Anthony Romaniello (39-6, 103-45, D1, R3), Hunterdon Central, vs. Colby Judd (25-11, 25-13, D5, R5), Northampton.

160 -- Elijah Lugo (37-6, 117-32, D2, R3), Wayne Valley, vs. Anthony Micci (36-12, 115-48, D2, R3), Wilson.

170 -- Nick Hildebrant (24-11, 67-51, D2, R5), Warren Hills, vs. Kevin Hennessy (35-10, 95-32, D4, R5), Liberty.

182 -- Nate Fossett (33-5, 86-28, D1, R2), North Hunterdon, vs. Caden Wright (36-9, 119-31, D3, R3, S8), Emmaus.

195 -- Jacob Wicks (30-12, 54-28, D1, R3), Phillipsburg, vs. Isaac Kassis (31-6, 71-33, D3, R4), Dieruff.

220 -- Michael Nakano (35-7, 90-32, D3, R4), Toms River North, vs. Kolby Flank (43-2, 142-32, D1, R1, S2), Wilson.

285 -- Cody Cruts (28-12, 54-53, D1, R2), Phillipsburg, vs. Karam Chakif (29-3, 55-21, D1, R1), Dieruff.

Medal count: Stewart legacy; Akers, Gervey eye '21

To say that Sparta wrestling will miss senior twin brothers -- Cooper and Garrett Stewart -- may be the understatement of the 2019-20 season. But their lasting mark on the program, along with their younger brother, Stewart, a junior, will be felt for years to come.

Cooper Stewart erased the disappointment of falling in the Blood Round last season -- a 5-0 loss to Belvidere ace Quinn Melofchik -- with his fifth-place finish at 113 pounds in the 87th New Jersey Wrestling State Championships on Saturday at Boardwalk Hall.

"[My] work ethic went through the roof," said Stewart, who joined his brothers by winning his first district title, while finishing 40-5 this season and 124-22 overall to rank third on the Spartans' all-time wins list. "I trained hard in the [practice] room with my brothers just trying to get to that next level. I think I accomplished a little more."

In all, we had 10 wrestlers from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area take home medals, including 160-pound state champion Brian Soldano of High Point. Pope John's Shane Percelay (120) and Kaya Sement (145), both two-time placewinners, were the next highest finishers with thirds, while teammate Eddie Ventresca, a state champion in 2019, earned his fourth medal (fifth at 126).

High Point's Josh Gervey (sixth at 132) and Billy Talmadge (eighth at 138) round out the Sussex County contingent, while Hunterdon Central's Colton Washleski (sixth at 145) and Norman Cella (eighth at 160) and North Hunterdon's Liam Akers (seventh at 285) were the only placewinners from Hunterdon County. Warren County, which did not have a wrestler reach the quarterfinals, did not earn a medal for the first time since 1961.

Sticking with it

Let's just say that High Point junior Josh Gervey didn't exactly have what you'd call a memorable youth career. Admittedly, it wasn't pretty. But he should get major kudos for hanging in there and carving a name for himself the past three seasons.

Josh Gervey (second from left) on the podium at 132.

"I never thought I [could place in states]," Gervey said on Saturday. "All through middle school and my elementary career, I wasn't any good. They didn't even want to [send] me out. I was terrible.

"I'd have family come out from Long Island to watch and I'd get pinned and lose. It was upsetting. It's a tough sport. My parents would tell me to keep staying with it, and then I started realizing that if I put in some hard work, I could win some matches. It feels good to win."

Gervey was the unlikeliest of heroes two seasons ago when High Point made its run to the Group 2 title against Raritan. After Devin Flannery went down with an elbow injury Gervey was thrust into the varsity lineup, where he went 8-9, including a wild 9-7 decision -- thanks to a four-pointer on a headlock in the third period -- over Mike Lonnay at 120 pounds. That win sparked the 'Cats to a 30-25 victory over the Rockets.

"It was definitely a big turning point when I got that opportunity to hit the varsity lineup because [Devin] Flannery had gotten injured," Gervey said. "I was getting some varsity time, but more or less just jumping in here and there. Then, I got a real shot to prove what I could do. [Group] finals is really a place to do it. I went out there and tried to do the best I can, and it ended up awesome."

"For Josh to come in and place sixth at 132, it's a credit to him, 'Cats coach John Gardner said.

Gervey (37-9), a two-time Region 1 and state qualifier, will enter his senior season at 73-29, and he will be a key figure in a lineup that could be even better next season despite the loss of three seniors, including Talmadge, who is heading to Lock Haven, and Devon Liebl, who went 101-26 the last three seasons after a 7-1 campaign as a freshman and finished a win shy of a state medal at 126.

"Every year, I look forward to next year because I realize I have a whole summer to work hard and get better," said Gervey, who went 1-2 in his first state tournament appearance last season. "I'm always excited to see what I can do next year. Next year, I think I can do really well. One last shot."

Gardner is also eager to see how his team stacks up in 2020-21.

"We had a core group of kids on the team this year that really had to do large things for the team to be successful," Gardner said. "I think we saw [in Atlantic City] what those kids were capable of -- to get on the medal stand and to get to [the Blood Round]. Obviously, those who lost, they're disappointed. The guys who have an opportunity to get back, they're going back to work shortly and hopefully be even better next year."

Mat legacy

The Stewarts continued an individual resurgence of Sparta's wrestling program, which was in danger of folding prior to coach Frank Battaglia taking the reins in 2011-12, in fine fashion.

The trio combined to win six district championships and earn two state medals, with Spencer Stewart finishing eighth at 120 in 2019. All three won Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament titles -- Cooper and Spencer joined Garrett, a two-time finalist who won in 2019, by winning this season as the first set of brothers to capture titles in the same year.

"That district title is what I think put me in a great position in the state tournament to get where I am now," said Cooper, who knocked off eventual state runner-up Kelly Dunnigan of Don Bosco Prep, 3-2, in the District 4 finals before losing decisions of 5-0 and 7-3 when they met in the Region 1 finals and state semifinals. "It just proves that all of those wins you have during the season do pay off eventually in the long run."

Garrett Stewart (42-4), a three-time district champion and two-time Region 1 third-place finisher who will continue his academic and wrestling careers at Davidson College in North Carolina, is Sparta's all-time wins leader at 147-27. Spencer (42-3), who lost a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to Jefferson's Austin Jack on a late reversal in the Blood Round at 132, will have a shot to surpass his brother next season, when he will enter at 115-19 overall. As for Cooper, whose college choices include George Mason and American University, he said that this may be it for his wrestling career.

"It's going to be cool because our names are going to be up there for a long time," said Cooper, who beat Toms River North's Ryan Rosenthal twice -- 4-3 in the quarters and 5-2 in the fifth-place bout in AC. "I was glad to do it for the coaches. The coaching staff is great, I love all of them. The whole team is like a family to me so it's great to be the one to set that legacy for them.

"[Spencer] came up short this year, but I feel like he needed it so it will make him focus a little more and get ready for next year, and hopefully be on the top [of the podium]."

Green Akers no more

North Hunterdon sophomore Liam Akers even surprised himself with a seventh-place finish at 285 pounds. The Lions enjoyed tremendous team success this season -- going unbeaten for the first time in program history at 23-0, while capturing Group 4 and District 20 team championships, as well as winning the Boresch Duals at Newton and Patriot Duals at North Warren. But even Akers would not have believed he'd be the only member to earn a state medal.

Liam Akers (far left) is 44-15 overall. (Photo/Chris Hrunka)

"To be honest, not really," Akers said. "Last year, I was a backup. If you told me a year ago or two years ago that I'm going to be here and place as a sophomore, I wouldn't believe you. What we did as a team was amazing. I wouldn't trade that for anything, but right after team states, I had to get my mind right for the postseason. It really helped me lot."

Akers (38-6), who won his first Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament title in January, was 6-9 as a freshman in a limited role. How did he make that big leap this season?

"My coaches, awesome drill partners and just having the mindset that I'm going to accomplish my goals one day," said Akers, who scored a 2-0 win over Barnegat's Griffin Jackstadt with an early third-period reversal in the seventh-place bout. "It feels great. My goal next year is to see if I can place higher. That's what I hope I can do. If I train the same way I did last year, I think I can do it."

With 20 seniors in the 32-man heavyweight bracket, including six of the other seven medal winners, as St. Joseph-Montvale freshman Jim Mullen won the title, Akers should be one of the 285-pounders to beat in 2021.

"It's great that I [was] a state medalist this year," Akers said. "I'm happy with my accomplishment and I just can't wait until next year to see where I'm going to be on the podium."

Wrestling: Soldano on par with 'Cats all-time greats

Even before his state championship run, Brian Soldano was already being compared to the elites in High Point history. With the 160-pound title in hand, the big question moving forward will be if the sophomore sits atop that list when his already accomplished career is complete.

"Hopefully, I can be one of them. I just have to wrestle two more times for it," Soldano said after an impressive 9-0 major of Delbarton's Dante Stefanelli in the 87th New Jersey State Wrestling Championships on Saturday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Brian Soldano en route to his semifinals win.

Only three-time champion Nick Francavilla (2009-11) and two-timer Ethan Orr (2010-11), who was the last to win before Soldano, have won multiple state titles. Soldano, a two-time district and region champ, has the chance to join Francavilla, who now runs Iron Horse in Sparta, as the only 'Cats to win four championships in both tournaments, as well as three state titles. At 79-5 overall in two seasons, Soldano, the 11th state champ in program history and its 13th finalist, is on pace to eclipse Francavilla's team wins record of 156. Pope John's JoJo Aragona (158) has the Sussex County record.

Francavilla has said that Soldano is more talented at this point in their careers, while assistant coach and former Rutgers standout Billy Smith, who started High Point's incredible run of four state titles in 2011, said there is no doubt about it. Those four champs in 2011 -- Francavilla, Smith, Orr and Drew Wagenhoffer -- combined for 561 wins, along with 13 district, 11 region and seven state titles, as well as 10 state medals overall.

"He's better than all of us [who won in 2011]. It's not even close," Smith said following the championship finals on Saturday.

That is extremely high praise for a wrestler who still has two seasons to go. At High Point, those compliments aren't given without good cause. The 'Cats like to play it close to the vest regarding these matters, but Soldano had those closest around him, and most of us on press row, in awe of his talents this past weekend and over these past two seasons.

"Brian never for a minute showed he was nervous," said Smith, a three-time district and two-time region champ under head coach John Gardner. "He envisioned it, talked about it. He's a tough kid and has a great future ahead of him. Most importantly, he has great parents [Pete and Cheryl], great community people, and he's home grown, which a lot of these teams can't say."

No High Point wrestler has accomplished more than Gardner when you factor in his coaching career as well. He became the school's second state champion in winning the 189-pound title and was New Jersey's all-time winningest  wrestler with a mark of 131-8-1 when he graduated in 1990, while he and Francavilla are the only four-time region champs. As the head coach of his alma mater, Gardner's teams are 377-107-2 overall and have captured 16 of the program's 28 sectional titles and all six of its state championships, including the Group 2 title this season.

Brian Soldano atop the podium at 160 pounds.

Gardner has been just as impressed as his former wrestlers. So who better to ask where Soldano, who has never won a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex title only because he didn't enter the last two tournaments, ranks among the best of the 'Cats?

"He's definitely [one of those] guys. This is what he does for fun," said Gardner, who also coached 2005 state champion Dave Zabriskie, the first three-time NCAA All-American at heavyweight for Iowa State and the only High Point wrestler to win a Division I title (2010). "He's been surrounded by a great group and that's helped him, but he's got a lot of potential. For as good as he is now, he can still be better."

Using a move he calls "scissor-me-timbers," Soldano turned Stefanelli for two back points and got a one-count with it as well to break the title bout open in the second period.

"That's probably a move he started up [wrestling] with his brother [PJ, a senior and a Region 1 participant at 182 pounds]," said Gardner, who has coached every High Point state champ, besides himself, obviously, other than its first -- Fred Swanson (1971). "It's not a place you want to be. Kids are almost too afraid to do things. Brian doesn't wrestle like that."

With a punishing style on top, Soldano went 5-0 in AC, with two pins, one technical fall and one major to go with a 4-1 semifinal win over Manalapan senior Matt Benedetti, who was only the fourth wrestler to go the full six minutes against Soldano in 39 bouts this season. His only loss was 11-8 to Lower Dauphin senior Clayton Ulrey, a two-time PIAA Class AAA runner-up and a Virginia Tech recruit, in the Sam Cali Tournament finals on Jan. 4. Soldano recorded 29 pins (57 career), including seven in 11 postseason bouts.

Soldano, who recognized that he needed to be a more complete wrestler by improving in the neutral position, hit the freestyle scene hard and placed in the Cadet Nationals at Fargo, N.D., last summer. It won't be long before he gets right back to work.

"I'll probably take a week off just to heal my wounds and bruises," said Soldano, who will take a 27-match win streak into next season. "After three weeks or so, I have NHSCA nationals and then I'll be rolling into freestyle. I always want to keep active."

Wrestling: Soldano makes title statement in AC

ATLANTIC CITY -- As far as impressive first state finals appearances go, High Point sophomore Brian Soldano has to rank right up there with some of the best.

Soldano left no doubt as to who was the best at 160 pounds and took what many felt was his rightful place atop the podium with a blistering 9-0 major of Delbarton senior Dante Stefanelli in their title bout in the 87th New Jersey State Championships on Saturday afternoon at Boardwalk Arena.

Brian Soldano is the second HP sophomore to win a title. 

"I've trained all year for this," said Soldano, who is the 11th state champion in High Point history and first since Nick Francavilla, Drew Wagenhoffer, Ethan Orr and current assistant coach Billy Smith all won titles here in 2011. "The last few weeks, I wrote in my headgear [on pieces of tape] where I'm going to be. I'm going to be a state champ. Every single day, I saw that and I always repeated it to myself. This year was my year. That's what I came here for."

In what was a tough tournament as far as medals go for the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area, Sussex led the way with seven of the 10 placewinners -- including 'Cats junior Josh Gervey (sixth at 132) and senior Billy Talmadge (eighth at 138), who earned his second medal. Pope John junior Shane Percelay (120) and senior Kaya Sement were the next highest finishers after Soldano with third-place medals.

"Brian has so much potential and he works really hard to get better at what he does," said coach John Gardner, who has coached all nine of the 'Cats state champs since becoming the second in program history with his title run at 189 pounds in 1990. "He makes a lot of it look easy, but he's got a lot of ability. When you have kids with a lot of ability who work as hard as he does usually good things are going to happen. I think tonight is just the beginning of that. He has a unique style, no question, but he's confident in his abilities and he's not afraid to let things fly."

Smith, who sat in the corner with Gardner, was happy to see Soldano end the 'Cats title drought.

"I think I was more nervous for this one," said Smith, who led off that incredible championship run by he and his teammates that had this arena buzzing nine years ago. "I can control it when I'm on the mat. He's always confident, always poised and calm. He was ready for this match."

Seizing control

Soldano (38-1), a two-time district and region champion who finished one win shy of a medal here as a freshman, took it right to Stefanelli, fourth at this weight last season, from the opening whistle. He kept pressing the action and converted the first of three takedowns with 46 seconds left in the first period. In the second period, Soldano escaped and got another takedown where he went to work on top -- turning Stefanelli for two back points and a commanding 7-0 lead by using a move that has a rather unusual name.

Brian Soldano (back 2nd from left) with all the champs. 

"We call it "scissors me timbers," Soldano said of his move on top where he pulls the opponent back into him to get a turn and near-fall points. "Once you get him to his back, you kind of squeeze into their hips."

Stefanelli (36-9) took neutral -- his only option at that point in the bout -- to start the third period and even that didn't go well as Soldano got his third takedown off a deep double-leg attack just 10 seconds into the period to get back on top. He rode out Stefanelli the rest of the way.

"My goal was to get a takedown and be able to ride him for the whole match," said Soldano, who got in real deep on the takedown attempts and one other that he didn't convert early on. "I think I was able to do that.

"He was reaching real heavy and I was watching him warm up, too, he was real heavy on his feet so every time he'd reach, I'd see an opening and I just went for it."

Eyes on the prize

Soldano watched the clock tick off the final seconds, and when it was over, he raised his arms briefly to acknowledge the many High Point fans in attendance. That's about as big as it gets as far as showing any kind of emotion for the mild-mannered and classy young man.

"My dad always told me to act like you've been there. It's a business trip," Soldano said. "Don't be a showboater. Don't get cocky over anything. Anybody can win any given day."

Soldano, who will enter his junior season with a career mark of 79-5, said his freestyle training in the offseason -- he was a placewinner at the Cadet National Championships in Fargo, N.D. -- made him a more complete wrestler. Soldano went 11-0 this postseason with seven pins, one technical fall and one major decision, as well as a victory by injury default, while going all six minutes just twice, including a 4-1 win over Manalapan senior Matt Bendetti in the state semifinals.

"Last year, I would have never imagined to [take shots] in the finals," he said. "Now, I'm shooting left and right so it's helped me a lot in my neutral [position]. It's made me tougher."

The goal for Soldano now is to join Francavilla, the school's all-time wins leader with 156, as the program's only three-time champions. Gardner, who has reached legendary status for the 'Cats as a wrestler and an accomplished coach, said this could be just a taste of what is to come.

"He had a great performance out there," Gardner said. "First time [in the finals] was very special -- something he will remember. He's got a lot of potential. For as good as he is, he can still be better. We're kind of scratching the surface."

CHAMPIONSHIPS 

182: John Poznanski (Colonia) p.  Luke Rada (Colts Neck), 3:31.

195: Martin Cosgrove (Camden Catholic) d. David Szuba (Brick Memorial), 9-7.

220: P.J. Casale (Delbarton) d. Kyle Jacob (Paramus), 4-2.

285: Jim Mullen (St. Joe Montvale) d. JT Cornelius (Southern Regional), 7-3.

106: Evan Mougalian (Kinnelon) d. Anthony Santaniello (Brick Memorial), 3-1.

113: Tyler Klinsky (Middletown North) d. Kelly Dunnigan (Don Bosco), 6-3.

120: Dean Peterson (St. John Vianney) d.   Vincent Santaniello (Brick Memorial), 1-0.

126: Robert Howard (Bergen Catholic) d. McKenzie Bell (Kingsway), 12-7.

132: Joey Olivieri (Hanover Park) d. Dylan Cedeno (Bergen Catholic), 1-0.

138: Anthony Clark (Delbarton) d. William Grater (Bergen Catholic), 4-0.

145: Andrew Clark (Collingswood) d. Andrew Troczynski (Delbarton), 8-5. 

152: Nick Boggiano (Toms River North) d.  Aaron Ayzerov (Paramus), 7-3.

160: Brian Soldano (High Point) md. Dante Stefanelli (Delbarton), 9-0.

170: Connor O`Neill (DePaul) d. Shane Reitsma (Howell), 3-1.

Outstanding Wrestler Award -- John Poznanski, Colonia.

THIRD-PLACE MATCHES

106: Tyler Vazquez (Delbarton) d. Evan Tallmadge (Brick Twp.), 5-2.

113: Joseph Cangro (Bergen Catholic) d. Ty Whalen (Clearview), 3-2.

120: Shane Percelay (Pope John XXIII) d. Ethan Fernandez (Westwood), 5-4.

126: Nicholas Nardone (Delbarton) md. Alex Almeyda (St. Joe Montvale), 14-3.

132: Simon Ruiz (Delbarton) d. Anthony White (South Plainfield), 2-1, UTB.

138: Eddie Hummel (Southern Regional) d. Ryan Zimmerman (Long Branch), 4-2.

145: Kaya Sement (Pope John XXIII) d. Michael Dellagatta (St. Joe Montvale), 4-1.

152: Brandon Mooney (Camden Catholic) p. Dylan Weaver (Lyndhurst/North Arlington), 0:34.

160: Robert Woodcock (Southern Regional) d. Matt Benedetti (Manalapan), 6-4.

170: Jacob Vega (Carteret) d. Noah Fox (Montville), 6-2.

182: Blake Clayton (St. John Vianney) d. Joe Colon (Brick Memorial), 5-1.

195: Mike Misita (St. Augustine Prep) d. Luke Chakonis (Delbarton), 4-0.

220: Zane Coles (Pitman) d. Robert Damerjian (Moorestown), 1-0.

285: Marcus Estevez (Franklin) p. Bardhyl Gashi (West Essex), 3:43.

FIFTH-PLACE MATCHES

106: Jack Zaleski (Middletown South) md. Luke Stanich (Roxbury), 10-2.

113: Cooper Stewart (Sparta) d. Ryan Rosenthal (Toms River North), 5-2.

120: Nick Kayal (Bergen Catholic) by forfeit over Nick Babin (Emerson/Park Ridge).

126: Eddie Ventresca (Pope John XXIII) md. Nico Messina (Freehold Boro), 15-2.

132: Justin Bierdumpfel (St. Joe Montvale) d. Josh Gervey (High Point), 6-3.

138: Jacob Perez-Eli (Paulsboro) d. Michael Cetta (St. Joe Montvale), 3-1, SV.

145: Gabe Onorato (Paulsboro) p. Colton Washleski (Hunterdon Central), 5:03.

152: Colin Calvetti (Delbarton) by forfeit over Alex Strashinsky (Bergen Catholic).

160: Shay Addison (Rumson-Fair Haven) p. Blake Bahna (Watchung Hills), 5:13.

170: Jack Kelly (Rumson-Fair Haven) p. Luke Benedict (Haddonfield), 1:34.

182: Benjamin Liss (Fair Lawn) by forfeit over Jacob Whitworth (Wall).

195: Kyle Epperly (Jackson Memorial) d. Michael Massa (Seton Hall), 7-0.

220: Gage Armijo (West Morris Mendham) d. Michael Toranzo (St. Joe Montvale), 12-11.

285: Hector Lebron (Dwight Morrow) d. Justin Wright (Howell), 6-5.

SEVENTH-PLACE MATCHES

106: Aiden Wallace (Bergen Catholic) d. Jared Brunner (Eastern), 8-2.

113: Garrett Totten (Northern Burlington) d. Brady Conlin (Williamstown), 7-6.

120: Joey Lamparelli (Allentown) d. Fred Luchs (Middletown North), 3-1.

126: Luke Hoerle (Westfield) d. Andre Ruiz (Bogota/Ridgefield Park), 6-4.

132: Jack Nies (Ocean Twp.) d. Austin Jack (Jefferson Twp.), 3-0.

138: Al De Santis (Shore Regional) d. Billy Talmadge (High Point), 3-2.

145: Dakota Morris (Kingsway) d. Max Brignola (Rumson-Fair Haven), 7-4.

152: Stefano Sgambellone (St. Joe Montvale) p. Jared Schoppe (Delsea), 4:31.

160: Nate Camiscioli (Bergen Catholic) d. Norman Cella (Hunterdon Central), 3-0.

170: Marcus Petite (Piscataway) d. Colin Loughney (West Morris Central), 4-2.

182: Jason Sherlock (Point Pleasant Beach) p. Kevin Pandorf (Kingsway), 2:20.

195: Thomas Renna (South Plainfield) p. Patrick O`Dwyer (Long Branch), 2:44.

220: Joshua Darisme (Rahway) d. Cody Thurston (West Deptford), 3-2.

285: Liam Akers (North Hunterdon) d. Griffin Jackstadt (Barnegat), 2-0.

Wrestling: Andrade, Gonzalez go back-to-back in AC

ATLANTIC CITY -- The only thing better than one state championship for a pair of girls wrestling trailblazers is winning a second.

Hunterdon Central senior Stephanie Andrade and Phillipsburg senior Jewel Gonzalez added to their legacies by becoming the first Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area females to go back-to-back in the second New Jersey Girls State Championships on Saturday afternoon at Boardwalk Hall.

Stephanie Andrade (far left] among the girls champions.

Andrade, who won her first title at 127 pounds last season, captured her second at 128 pounds with style by hitting a throw to deck Jackson Memorial's Avery Meyers in 1:06. Gonzalez, a repeat winner at 161 pounds, became the state's first two-time winner and Outstanding Wrestler by pinning North Bergen's Amanda Pace with a half and a bar in 4:21 to open the championship round.

"It feels amazing ... surreal honestly," Andrade said of repeating as a state champion. "I was very excited about the first one, but then to get two, it's even more exciting."

Andrade, who has not made her college decision and may have the opportunity to join the women's team at East Stroudsburg University, wasted no time in the finals as she countered Meyers' takedown attempt early in the match.

"That's kind of one of the moves that I know -- if a girl tries to go [for a takedown] and sometimes she shoots too far out," said Andrade, who recorded a technical fall victory over Morris Hills' Kyara Montoya in Friday's semifinals. "I usually pay attention and [underhook] before they can get my leg. I usually catch them most of the time."

The winning move, according to Andrade, was learned under the tutelage of longtime assistant coach Leigh Hall, a former district champion for Delaware Valley in 1985.

"Coach Hall is a great coach, and coach [Mark] Wroblewski taught us a bunch of new moves [in practices]," Andrade said. "Coach [Jon] Cantagallo-Rohm is also a big supporter, too."

Crowning Jewel

Gonzalez recorded two falls in the tournament, including her semifinal win over Kittatinny sophomore Kierra Hubmaster, who finished third after reaching the finals at 235 in 2019, while beating Pace for the third time this season, including a 21-8 major the North Region finals.

Gonzalez with the OW Award.

"Great opponent, [Pace] has some big wins -- same with Kierra. They're great people. Right now, I'm just filled with excitement," said Gonzalez, who is the first two-time champ at P'burg for boys and girls since Pete Poretta won consecutive titles in 1993 and '94.

"It means a lot to me, but I hope it means more to those little girls to look and say, 'That can be me.' And it absolutely can be if they put the time in."

Gonzalez was humbled to take her place among the 33 male state champions in such a historic program.

"There's so many great wrestlers to come out of [Phillipsburg High School]," she said. "It's just an honor to even be compared to them.

"When Brandon Hull won his state title [the last for the Stateliners on the boys side at 220 pounds in 2012], he made it a tradition to dip into the [Atlantic Ocean]. I'm ready to dip in that ocean."

Such a dominant force, Gonzalez said her training exclusively with the boys on the P'burg team and against other male opponents on the junior varsity, helped her excel on the female side.

"I've been wrestling [against] guys my whole life," she said. "So wrestling with girls has almost been ... I don't want to say easy, but it's really, really prepared me well in the sense to go out and compete against females who haven't gotten the opportunity to train with the people I have."

True to form, P'burg coach Dave Post said Gonzalez was looking to cap her career with another dominating performance after working for six takedowns against Pace, a dangerous mat wrestler, before cranking her over in the finals.

"She wanted to go out with a fall," Post said. "She's been that dominant."

Even more important is that Gonzalez is a special person to Phillipsburg off the mat.

"What gets overlooked is how much she's done, not just for girls wrestling, but how much she means to kids in our town," Post said. "She volunteers, every single day she goes down the to youth center in town and she gives back because she realizes the position she's in. She grew up in town and all those kids look up to her. She's a really positive influence to not just wrestlers, but to kids in general.

"She was just [recognized] in our town as the youth volunteer of the year. She's just a really cool kid. We're going to really miss her."

Kling makes history

Warren Hills sophomore Katrina Kling, the only other area finalist, made some history in becoming the first to reach the girls finals for the Blue Streaks. Kling, who lost a tough 6-4 decision in sudden-victory overtime to Bloomfield freshman Kira Pipkins at 114 pounds, is also the wrestling program's first finalist since Justin Colaluce won his second straight title and the school's last in 1998.

"It was really cool," said Kling, who also lost a 5-2 decision to Pipkins when they met at the Raritan Tournament the week before regions last Sunday.

Kling appeared to be on her way to the state title when she converted a go-ahead takedown with 33 seconds left in the third period. But Pipkins, after getting a brief reprieve when the two went out of bounds with about 12 seconds to go, escaped to tie it at 4 with just two ticks left on the clock. In OT, Kling got in on Pipkin's legs twice, but she couldn't finish.

"They weren't the greatest shots that I know I could have taken," Kling said. "They were decent, but they weren't good enough. We have to make sure that I every shot I take is perfect. I didn't set up as confidently as I should have.

"In overtime, I was like, 'It's go time.' I really, really wanted it. I was proud of that [takedown in the third period]. In a match it was probably one of my best."

Kling vowed to get that elusive title for the Streaks in 2021.

"I was hoping to do it this year," she said. "It's coming ... next year."

CHAMPIONSHIPS

161: Jewel Gonzalez (Phillipsburg) p. Amanda Pace (North Bergen), 4:21.

180: Kerly Borbor (New Brunswick) d. Amirah Giorgianni (Mainland Regional), 9-5, ultimate tiebreaker.

215: Sandra Guerrero (West Orange) d. Joelle Klein (Lower Cape May), 7-0.

100: Sydney Petzinger (Parsippany) p. Ava Rose (Princeton), 5:01.

107:  Chloë Ayres (Princeton) d. Johnae Drumright (Trenton Central), 4-3.    

114: Kira Pipkins (Bloomfield) d. Katrina Kling (Warren Hills), 6-4, SV.

121: Noran Elmahroukey (New Providence) p. Kalli Roskos (Delran), 1:33.

128: Stephanie Andrade (Hunterdon Central) p. Avery Meyers (Jackson Memorial), 1:06.

135: Emma Matera (Delran) d. Gabby Miller (Monroe Township), 5-4.  

143: Alexis Rosano (Overbrook) d. Jordyn Katz (Jackson Memorial), 9-4.

151: Jesse Johnson (Manalapan) d. Precious Opara (West Orange), 7-2.

Outstanding Wrestler Award -- Jewel Gonzalez, Phillipsburg

THIRD-PLACE CONSOLATIONS

100: Alisa Safforld (Belleville) d. Jasmine Aizley (Allentown), 5-1.

107: Izabella Frezzo (Henry P. Becton Regional) md. Randi Miley (High Point), 11-2.

114: Samantha Larsen (Wallkill Valley) p. Estefani Cortez (Lakewood), 1:28.

121: Emily Klein (Paramus) d. Courtney Hoff (Warren Hills), 7-2.

128: Karielys Reyes (Trenton Central) injury, Kyara Montoya (Morris Hills), 4:16.

135: Skyelar Smith (Jackson Memorial) p. Natalie Vega (Elmwood Park), 1:07.

143: Jayla Hahn (Central Regional) p. Angela Valle (Lodi), 0:55.

151: Sophia Lombardo (High Point) p. Goodness Okoro (Newark Collegiate Charter), 5:29.

161: Kierra Hubmaster (Kittatinny) p. Ana Gonzalez (Lakewood), 1:16.

180: Maria Taseva (Elmwood Park) p. Haylee Adorno (Delran), 0:46.

215: Valery Alcantara (Perth Amboy) forfeit over Kaila Mungo (Rancocas Valley).

FIFTH-PLACE CONSOLATIONS

100: Isabella Santos (Elizabeth) p. Mandy Gavares (Old Bridge), 6:19.

107: Ahsia Torres (Perth Amboy) d. Julia Manolas (Manalapan), 9-4.

114: Tatiana Walker (Pennsauken) d. Danica Haines (Palmyra), 10-7.

121: Angelina Romero (Notre Dame) forfeit over Jessica Rivera (Lakewood).

128: Jade Gasper (Lenape) by forfeit over Amanda Connors (Northern Highlands).

135: Carley Anderson (Mount Olive) p. Brooke Tulloch (Saddle Brook), 2:50.

143: Qua-Niesha Young-Cruse (Elizabeth) p. Lilly Ahrendt (High Point), 4:51.

151: Rachel Forsman (Eastern) d. Abigail Stanberry (Jackson Memorial), 6-0.

161: Olivia Heyer (Kingsway) d. Madison Pesavage (Jackson Memorial), 4-3.

180: Lacey Hums (High Point) by forfeit over Gina Novello (Jackson Memorial).

215: Naliya Rivera (Kingsway) by forfeit over Donna Walker (New Brunswick).  

Wrestling: Soldano 'ready to compete' for state title

ATLANTIC CITY -- Brian Soldano calls it the "High Point way." But the sophomore's aggressive style is certainly his own, and it has put him on the brink of a state title.

Soldano, who scored a workmanlike 4-1 win over Manalapan senior Matt Benedetti at 160 pounds, was the lone winner among four Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area wrestlers in the semifinal round on Friday night at Boardwalk Arena.

Brian Soldano is High Point's 13th state finalist.

In doing so, Soldano (37-1), who will face Delbarton senior Dante Stefanelli (fourth at 160 in 2019) in the championship round slated for 3 p.m. on Saturday, became High Point's first state finalist since Nick Francavilla, Drew Wagenhoffer, Ethan Orr and current assistant coach Billy Smith all won titles here in 2011.

"I'm ready to compete for the title," said Soldano, now 78-5 overall, and looking to become the Sussex County school's 11th state champion. "I can't wait for tomorrow. I want to be with coach Smith, [head coach John] Gardner, be with all of them."

Pope John senior Eddie Ventresca (126) was denied in his quest for a second straight title after winning at 120 in 2019, while Sparta senior Cooper Stewart (113) and Hunterdon Central junior Colton Washleski (145) made their first semifinals appearances.

Soldano, one of the most likable and polite young men you'd ever meet, has made this postseason run look awfully easy as he's gone 10-0 -- winning his second district and region titles -- with seven pins and one technical fall, as well as a victory by injury default.

"He has a lot of fun doing it. He really does," said Gardner, who won the Wildcats' second state title as a senior in 1990 at 189 pounds. "He works extremely hard, but he enjoys the sport and he enjoys competing. I'm looking forward to the final."

In going the full six minutes for the first time, Soldano converted a low-single shot for a takedown in the first and applied constant pressure on top -- working a half and a bar while riding with the legs in. A second-period reversal made it 4-1 and Benedetti, who chose bottom to start the third period, never came close to getting out. True to form, Soldano showed little emotion after recording his biggest win to date.

"Biggest thing I learned from last year to this year is I was able to work my offense on my feet," Soldano said. "That's why I'm able to keep these close matches where they are."

Soldano also used last year's disappointment of finishing a round shy of a medal as a motivating factor in his run this season.

"I came down here thinking this is my year," he said. "I'm coming to take anybody who is in my spot."

Ventresca, who was looking to become just the second Pope John wrestler to win multiple titles and the first since all-time great Mike Frick won three (1969, '71 and '72), surrendered an escape, after he could not get out in the first 30-second rideout, with two seconds left to Kingsway senior McKenzie Bell in a 5-4 loss. Ventresca led, 3-2, after two periods, but he gave up a second reversal in the third period and needed an escape with 52 seconds left to force overtime.

Under this year's format, the semifinal losers had to wrestle in the consolation semifinals in the next round, and Ventresca, who previously beaten St. Joseph-Montvale's Alex Almeyda twice this season, dropped a 5-2 decision in their third matchup to fall into the fifth-place match, along with Stewart and Washleski, at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Stewart -- bidding to become Sparta's first state finalist since Jeff Predmore (188 pounds in 1984) -- dropped a 7-3 decision to Don Bosco Prep's Kelly Dunnigan, who avenged a 3-2 loss when they met in the District 4 finals with a 5-0 win in last weekend's Region 1 title bout.

Washleski, who enjoyed a fine run to the semifinals, gave up a pair of takedowns in a 6-3 loss to Delbarton's Andrew Troczynski.

Girl power

Andrade and Gonzalez in 2019.

Hunterdon Central senior Stephanie Andrade (128) and Phillipsburg senior Jewel Gonzalez (161), both returning champions, advanced to the girls state finals along with Warren Hills sophomore Katrina Kling (114), a first-time finalist. The championships for all 11 weight classes will be contested at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Andrade, who made history here last season by becoming the first champion for Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex, scored a 19-4 technical fall over Morris Hills' Kyara Montoya in the semifinals, while Gonzalez, the first champion for Warren County, used an arm bar to deck Kittatinny sophomore Kierra Hubmaster in 2:49.

Kling, who rallied from an early two-point deficit, pinned Pennsauken's Tatiana Walker in 5:19.

Also falling in the semifinals were Wallkill Valley's Samantha Larsen (114), Warren Hills' Courtney Hoff (121) and High Point's Randi Miley (107), Lilly Ahrendt (143), Sophia Lombardo (151) and Lacey Hums (180).

Medal count

Regions 1, 2 and 7 led the way with 18 placewinners, followed by Region 5 with 15. Region 3 is next with 13, followed by Regions 6 and 8 with 12. Region 4 was last with six.

Pope John junior Shane Percelay (120) and senior Kaya Sement (145) and High Point senior Billy Talmadge (138) are two-time placewinners, while High Point junior Josh Gervey (132), Hunterdon Central junior Norman Cella (160) and North Hunterdon sophomore Liam Akers (285) all earned their first medals. Percelay and Sement will wrestle in third-place bouts and finish higher than they did last season, while Gervey goes for fifth. Talmadge, who finished with a fifth-place medal at 138 as a junior, Cella and Akers will all be involved in seventh-place matches.

Amazingly, Warren County did not have a placewinner for the first time since 1961, when you had to make the semifinals to finish top four. Three sophomores -- Phillipsburg's James Day (113) and Nate Zastowny (160), along with Warren Hills' Tyler McCatharn (285) may have laid the groundwork for next season as all three lost in the third round of wrestlebacks. The Stateliners did not have a quarterfinalist or a medal winner for the first time since 2010.

Falling just short in the Blood Round were 11 others from the HWS area -- High Point sophomore Clayton Utter (113) and senior Devon Liebl (126), Newton junior Nathan Fitt (120), Sparta junior Spencer Stewart (132) and senior Garrett Stewart (138), Hunterdon Central sophomore Tanner Peake (138) and senior Anthony Romaniello (152), along with Pope John senior Matthew Garcia (152) and sophomore Jack Stoll (182), North Hunterdon junior James Holder (170) and Kittatinny junior Jackson Crawn (220).

Spencer Stewart (42-3), an eighth-place finisher as a sophomore, gave up a reversal with 15 seconds left in the bout in a 3-2 loss to Jefferson's Austin Jack. Garrett Stewart (42-4), who is the Spartans' all-time wins leader at 147-27, dropped a 7-3 decision to Talmadge for his third loss in as many meetings this season. Talmadge scored a 7-2 win in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament finals on Jan. 11 and the in the Region 1 semifinals last Saturday.

Boys semifinals

106: Evan Mougalian (Kinnelon) md. Luke Stanich (Roxbury), 8-0; Anthony Santaniello (Brick Memorial) d. Evan Tallmadge (Brick Twp.), 5-1.  

113: Kelly Dunnigan (Don Bosco) d. Cooper Stewart (Sparta), 7-3; Tyler Klinsky (Middletown North) d. Joseph Cangro (Bergen Catholic), 7-2  

120: Dean Peterson (St. John Vianney) d. Nick Kayal (Bergen Catholic), 3-0; Vincent Santaniello (Brick Memorial) d. Nick Babin (Emerson/Park Ridge), 4-3, tiebreaker.

126: McKenzie Bell (Kingsway) d. Eddie Ventresca (Pope John XXIII), 5-4, tiebreaker; Robert Howard (Bergen Catholic) d. Nicholas Nardone (Delbarton), 5-3. 

132: Joey Olivieri (Hanover Park) d. Justin Bierdumpfel (St. Joe Regional-Montvale), 3-1, tiebreaker; Dylan Cedeno (Bergen Catholic) d. Anthony White (South Plainfield), 7-3.  

138: William Grater (Bergen Catholic) d. Jacob Perez-Eli (Paulsboro), 2-1, tiebreaker; Anthony Clark (Delbarton) d. Michael Cetta (St. Joe Regional-Montvale), 3-2.

145: Andrew Clark (Collingswood) d.  Gabe Onorato (Paulsboro), 3-1, sudden victory; Andrew Troczynski (Delbarton) d. Colton Washleski (Hunterdon Central), 6-3.

152: Nick Boggiano (Toms River North) p. Dylan Weaver (Lyndhurst/North Arlington), 2:48; Aaron Ayzerov (Paramus) d. Brandon Mooney (Camden Catholic), 2-1, ultimate tiebreaker.

160: Dante Stefanelli (Delbarton) d. Robert Woodcock (Southern Regional), 5-4; Brian Soldano (High Point) d. Matt Benedetti (Manalapan), 4-1.

170: Shane Reitsma (Howell) d. Jack Kelly (Rumson-Fair Haven), 6-4; Connor O`Neill (DePaul) d. Noah Fox (Montville), 9-4.  

182: John Poznanski (Colonia) p. Joe Colon (Brick Memorial), 2:58; Luke Rada (Colts Neck) d. Jacob Whitworth (Wall), 5-3, tiebreaker.

195: David Szuba (Brick Memorial) d. Luke Chakonis (Delbarton), 10-5; Martin Cosgrove (Camden Catholic) d. Mike Misita (St. Augustine Prep), 6-5.

220: Kyle Jacob (Paramus) md. Zane Coles (Pitman), 9-0; P.J. Casale (Delbarton) d. Michael Toranzo (St. Joe Regional-Montvale), 9-2.

285: Jim Mullen (St. Joe Regional-Montvale) p. Justin Wright (Howell), 0:43; JT Cornelius (Southern Regional) d. Hector Lebron (Dwight Morrow), 3-1, sudden victory.

Girls semifinals

100: Sydney Petzinger (Parsippany) d. Alisa Safforld (Belleville), 3-1; Ava Rose (Princeton) p. Isabella Santos (Elizabeth), 1:18.

107: Johnae Drumright (Trenton Central) d. Randi Miley (High Point Regional), 5-4; Chloe Ayres (Princeton) d. Izabella Frezzo (Henry P. Becton Regional), 4-2.

114: Kira Pipkins (Bloomfield) p. Samantha Larsen (Wallkill Valley Regional), 4:42; Katrina Kling (Warren Hills Regional) p. Tatiana Walker (Pennsauken), 5:19.

121: Noran Elmahroukey (New Providence) p. Courtney Hoff (Warren Hills Regional), 2:24; Kalli Roskos (Delran) d. Emily Klein (Paramus), 4-0.

128: Stephanie Andrade (Hunterdon Central) tf. Kyara Montoya (Morris Hills), 5:41, 19-4; Avery Meyers (Jackson Memorial) d. Amanda Connors (Northern Highlands), 10-4.

135: Gabby Miller (Monroe Township) p. Carley Anderson (Mount Olive), 5:22; Emma Matera (Delran) p. Skyelar Smith (Jackson Memorial), 5:36.

143: Jordyn Katz (Jackson Memorial) p. Lilly Ahrendt (High Point), 1:53; Alexis Rosano (Overbrook) p. Jayla Hahn (Central Regional), 5:44.

151: Precious Opara (West Orange) p. Goodness Okoro (Newark Collegiate Charter), 1:03;  Jesse Johnson (Manalapan) p. Sophia Lombardo (High Point), 2:49.

161: Jewel Gonzalez (Phillipsburg) p. Kierra Hubmaster (Kittatinny Regional), 2:49; Amanda Pace (North Bergen) md. Olivia Heyer (Kingsway Regional), 12-2.

180: Kerly Borbor (New Brunswick) p. Lacey Hums (High Point), 1:20; Amirah Giorgianni (Mainland Regional) won by disqualification over Haylee Adorno (Delran).

215: Sandra Guerrero (West Orange) p. Valery Alcantara (Perth Amboy), 3:15; Joelle Klein (Lower Cape May Regional) d. Donna Walker (New Brunswick), 3-0.

Boys quarterfinals

106: Luke Stanich (Roxbury) d. Nico Calello (Watchung Hills Regional), 5-2; Evan Mougalian (Kinnelon) md. John Hildebrandt (Williamstown), 10-2; Evan Tallmadge (Brick Twp.) d. Conor Collins (Southern Regional), 7-3; Anthony Santaniello (Brick Memorial) md. Brett Redner (Butler), 10-0.

113: Kelly Dunnigan (Don Bosco) p. Samuel Kotch (Cinnaminson), 0:50; Cooper Stewart (Sparta) d. Ryan Rosenthal (Toms River North), 4-3; Joseph Cangro (Bergen Catholic) d. Ty Whalen (Clearview), 6-0; Tyler Klinsky (Middletown North) tf. Garrett Totten (Northern Burlington), 4:46, 21-6.

120: Dean Peterson (St. John Vianney) d. Georgio Mazzeo (Paulsboro), 7-0; Nick Kayal (Bergen Catholic) md. Nathan Fitt (Newton), 12-2; Vincent Santaniello (Brick Memorial) d. Matt DeStefanis (Randolph), 4-2, tiebreaker; Nick Babin (Emerson/Park Ridge) md. Fred Luchs (Middletown North), 10-0.

126: Eddie Ventresca (Pope John XXIII) md. Luke Hoerle (Westfield), 13-0; McKenzie Bell (Kingsway) md. Sean Rendeiro (St. Peter`s Prep), 9-1; Robert Howard (Bergen Catholic) d. Alex Almeyda (St. Joe Regional-Montvale), 7-1; Nicholas Nardone (Delbarton) p. Andre Ruiz (Bogota/Ridgefield Park), 3:27.

132: Joey Olivieri (Hanover Park) d. Michael Conklin (Toms River East), 9-5; Justin Bierdumpfel (St. Joe Regional-Montvale) d. Spencer Stewart (Sparta), 4-1; Anthony White (South Plainfield) d. Simon Ruiz (Delbarton), 5-3, sudden victory; Dylan Cedeno (Bergen Catholic) d. Jack Nies (Ocean Twp.), 7-1.

138: Jacob Perez-Eli (Paulsboro) d. Ryan Zimmerman (Long Branch), 4-2; William Grater (Bergen Catholic) d. Billy Talmadge (High Point), 8-2; Anthony Clark (Delbarton) d. Hunter Gandy (Woodstown), 3-2; Michael Cetta (St. Joe Regional-Montvale) d. Al De Santis (Shore Regional), 5-1.

145: Andrew Clark (Collingswood) d. Max Brignola (Rumson-Fair Haven), 4-3; Gabe Onorato (Paulsboro) d. Tim Spatola (Delsea), 5-2; Andrew Troczynski (Delbarton) d. Kaya Sement (Pope John XXIII), 4-1; Colton Washleski (Hunterdon Central) d. Dakota Morris (Kingsway), 8-3.

152: Dylan Weaver (Lyndhurst/North Arlington) d. Michael McGhee (Shore Regional), 9-4; Nick Boggiano (Toms River North) d. Stefano Sgambellone (St. Joe Regional-Montvale), 5-0; Aaron Ayzerov (Paramus) p. Alex Strashinsky (Bergen Catholic), 4:19; Brandon Mooney (Camden Catholic) d. Mathew Garcia (Pope John XXIII), 3-2.

160: Dante Stefanelli (Delbarton) d. Blake Bahna (Watchung Hills Regional), 5-2; Robert Woodcock (Southern Regional) d. Harrison Hinojosa (Camden Catholic), 3-0; Brian Soldano (High Point) p. Shay Addison (Rumson-Fair Haven), 3:08; Matt Benedetti (Manalapan) d. Nate Camiscioli (Bergen Catholic), 3-2.

170: Shane Reitsma (Howell) d. Luke Benedict (Haddonfield), 1-0; Jack Kelly (Rumson-Fair Haven) p. Marcus Petite (Piscataway), 1:05; Noah Fox (Montville) d. Kieran Calvetti (Delbarton), 8-5; Connor O`Neill (DePaul) md. Colin Loughney (West Morris Central), 10-0.

182: John Poznanski (Colonia) p. Blake Clayton (St. John Vianney), 2:14; Joe Colon (Brick Memorial) d. Jason Sherlock (Point Pleasant Beach), 8-3; Jacob Whitworth (Wall) d. Isaac Dean (Shawnee), 7-3; Luke Rada (Colts Neck) d. Benjamin Liss (Fair Lawn), 6-4.

195: Luke Chakonis (Delbarton) d. Thomas Renna (South Plainfield), 5-2; David Szuba (Brick Memorial) d. Kyle Epperly (Jackson Memorial), 11-8; Martin Cosgrove (Camden Catholic) d. Michael Massa (Seton Hall), 3-1; Mike Misita (St. Augustine Prep) d. Tommy Goodwin (Pequannock), 6-0.

220: Kyle Jacob (Paramus) d. Robert Damerjian (Moorestown), 5-0; Zane Coles (Pitman) md. Joshua Darisme (Rahway), 11-1; Michael Toranzo (St. Joe Regional-Montvale) d. Gage Armijo (West Morris Mendham), 8-5; P.J. Casale (Delbarton) tf. Jackson Crawn (Kittatinny), 4:26, 15-0.

285: Justin Wright (Howell) d. Bardhyl Gashi (West Essex), 3-2, tiebreaker; Jim Mullen (St. Joe Regional-Montvale) md. Moses Olowoopejo (Elizabeth), 8-0; Hector Lebron (Dwight Morrow) d. Griffin Jackstadt (Barnegat), 3-2, ultimate tiebreaker; JT Cornelius (Southern Regional) d. Marcus Estevez (Franklin), 8-2.