Belvidere County Seaters
Coach: Dan McIntyre (108-83, 10th season; 294-216 overall in 29 seasons, including a stint at Pleasant Valley (Pa.).2019-20 record: 11-12, 3-1 Skyland Conference Mountain Division (second).
Returning starters (9): Jr. Patrick Horvath (30-6, D4) 106; Sr. Hunter Lensi (32-9, D1, R2) 113; Sr. Ty Tiedemann (15-1) 120; Sr. Marquise Panetta (7-19) 126; Jr. Deven Pagach (14-16, D4) 138; Sr. Shane Exley (25-11, D4) 170; Sr. Dylan Richardson (15-19, D4), 182; So. Hunter Kain (2-16), 182; Sr. Carson Grogan (27-9, D2) 195.
Key loss: Liam Tipton (21-14, D4) 195.
Key returnees: Sr. Isaira Natal 106; So. Blake Hoffman 145; Sr. Jacob Cregar (0-4) 160; Jr. Michael Prospero (0-1) 170; Jr. Michael Gordon (0-1) 182, Jr. Brandon Berger (0-1) 195; Sr. Alexander Marques (2-7) 220; So. Jacob Hachtman 220; Jr. Russell Pantuso (6-5) 285.
Promising newcomer: Fr. Cale Exley 160.
Outlook: County Seaters, who have finished at or near the top of their division in recent seasons, are primed for another run at the Mountain championship after adding three wins to their dual meet total from two seasons ago. The lower weights are the strength with Lensi, who enters with 75 career wins and reached the second round of consolations in Atlantic City, one of the area's top wrestlers down low. The middle weights are a question due to some inexperience, but the upper weights are solid with Shane Exley, a district champion two seasons ago, anchoring that group along with Grogan, who was a round shy of making states as a sophomore. The schedule is usually challenging, and with a fine coaching staff, expect this group to improve as we go.
Delaware Valley Terriers
Coach: Andy Fitz (222-84, 14th season).
2019-20 record: 19-8, 3-1 Skyland Conference Valley Division (second), North 2, Group 1 champion.
Returning starters (3): Sr. Cooper Gill (23-15, D3) 132; Sr. Corey Crater (21-18, D2) 138; Sr. Tyler Lagun (14-15, D1) 170.
Key losses: Derek Schepens (22-14) 106; Jr. Robert Groogan (21-16, D3, personal reasons) 113; Gage Crater (32-8, D1) 126; Chase Christie (18-18, D4) 132; Shane Reynolds (18-15) 145; So. Garrett Tettemer (21-9, transferred to Notre Dame-Green Pond (Pa.) 152; Zach Zukowski (24-12, D2) 195; Nick Moose (24-15, D3) 220; Ryan Sutter (18-7, D1) 285.
Key returnees: So. Owen Kucharski (2-1) 106; Jr. Sam Kirkpatrick (1-4) 132-138; So. Chris Colasurdo (9-9) 145; Jr. Noah Sheeley (0-1) 152-160; So. Brayden Schneider (2-7) 152; Sr. Ben Brown (3-9) 160; Jr. Trevor Bowen (1-4) 182; Jr. Matt Schneider (10-8) 195-220.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Jacob Taylor 113; Fr. Jared Leeds 120; Fr. Matt Roche 126; Fr. Russell Prouty 132; Fr. Stoy Fohring 160; Fr. Anderson Olcott 182; Jr. Tim Torrey 195; Jr. Chris Roche 220; Fr. Austin Aycock 285.
Outlook: Youthful is the optimal word to describe this year's group of Terriers, who return only three starters from last season but feature a strong group of incoming freshman that has Fitz excited about the program's future. As for the present, this team is expected to struggle in dual meets, though it had a real good shot at reaching a sectional final and possibly winning the school's sixth title in seven seasons -- third straight in North 2, Group 1 -- but team championships were canceled this season in the COVID-19 era. There will be plenty of new faces in the starting lineup who look to gain valuable experience with the program sitting on 794 wins. One freshman to keep an eye on is Fohring, a New Jersey Grade School League Tournament third-place finisher last season. One bummer out of the gate is loss of Gill, who sustained a potential season-ending ankle injury. Crater is the program's best chance of getting a state qualifier after not having a wrestler in AC in 2020. Fitz and his staff will get the most out of this group as they prep for bigger things down the road.
Hackettstown Tigers
Coach: Frank Rodgers (257-260-4, 18th season of second stint, 24th as head coach and 30th overall).
2019-20 record: 15-7, 0-4 NJAC Freedom Division (fifth).
Returning starters (6): Jr. Austin Zellars (24-10, D1, R6) 113; Jr. Matthew Finer (10-18) 132; So. Joe Bencivengo (18-9) 138; Sr. Tyler Yanoff (15-11, D4) 182; Jr. Jack Gordon (19-15, D4) 220; Sr. Matthew Bremner (24-8, D3) 285.
Key losses: Michael Sullivan (10-19, D4) 132; Christian Bremner (20-13, D4) 138; Garrett Meyer (13-14) 145; Zebulon Burke (27-6, D1) 152; Alejandro Castro (27-9, D3) 160; Cody Motto (11-12, D3, R6) 285.
Key returnees: So. Matt Francis (3-12) 120; So. Jesse DeFazio (2-2) 126; Sr. Philip Faust (0-3) 132; So. Shawn Pawlowski (0-6) 145; Sr. Anthony Funes (3-7) 152; So. Evan Yanoff (0-2) 170; Sr. Will Hobakan (1-2) 182; Sr. Bruno Dougherty (4-4) 195.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Aiden Scheeringa 106; So. Chris Dwyer 113; Fr. Nicolas Balella 126; Fr. Joseph Freeman 138; Fr. Levi Castner 145; Fr. Samson Burke 152; Sr. Ange Gabriel Lessida 160; So. Liam Burke 170.
Outlook: Tigers are coming off a bounce-back campaign, reaching the North 2, Group 2 section final. Rodgers, who is excited about a talented freshman class, is hoping that experience will help a fairly young and inexperienced lineup this season, which does return six starters and a solid group of upper weights, once again the team's strength. Bremner is likely the best chance to reach the state tournament in the individual postseason as the Tigers had no qualifiers in 2020. The lower weights will need to improve in order for this team to approach last season's win total but those upper weights should give this squad a fighting chance most matches.
Hunterdon Central Red Devils
Coach: Jon Cantagallo-Rohm (120-29, seventh season).
2019-20 record: 15-11, 3-1 Skyland Conference Delaware Division (second), Central Jersey, Group 5 runner-up.
Returning starters (10): So. Peter Plesh (1-11) 106; So. Henry Wilkinson (21-19, D1) 126; So. Aidan Portnoy (17-12, D3) 138; Jr. Nick Canonica (26-15, D2, R4) 145; Jr. Tanner Peake (37-10, D1, R3) 152; Sr. Curtis Wheatley (17-20, D4) 152; Sr. Colton Washleski (42-7, D2, R1, S6) 160; Sr. Norman Cella (42-7, D1, R2, S8) 170-182; Jr. Vincent Brito (9-9, D4) 170-182; So. Jacob Tulli (5-14) 285.
Key losses: Anthony Romaniello (39-6, D1, R3) 152; Brandon Donoghue (23-17, D2) 220.
Key returnees: Jr. Alistair McManus (0-11) 126; So. Damian Scouloukas (6-11) 132; Sr. Marquise Thurman (4-5) 170; Sr. Max Rosse (1-2) 170; Sr. Ricky Lozak 182-195; Sr. Jake Salazar 195; So. Bennett Cayero (5-13) 220; Sr. Tim Suk (0-6) 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Anthony Rossi 106; Fr. Will Cella 113; Fr. Evan Thompson 120-126; Fr. Tommy Brunetti 126-132; Fr. Jake Saus 132-138.
Outlook: Red Devils are another group that had its sights on avenging last season's sectional final loss to Manalapan and battling for a Group 5 title. With 10 starters back, including a pair of state placewinners in Washleski and Norman Cella, this is an experienced lineup with several promising freshmen. Central, which became just the third New Jersey program to reach 1,000 wins last season, will be handful from 106-170, with the upper weights again a question mark. Keep an eye on Rossi at 106, and Thompson, a NJGSWL champion and whose father, Matt, was a 100-match winner and two-time state placewinner, finishing fourth in 1992, for the Red Devils. Washleski (104 wins) and Peake (two-time state qualifier) anchor the middle, while Cella is 15 wins shy of 100.
North Hunterdon Lions
Coach: Chris Hrunka (59-8, fourth season).
2019-20 record: 23-0, 4-0 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (first), North 2, Group 4 champion, Group 4 champion.
Returning starters (9): So. Logan Wadle (30-6, D1) 106; Jr. Nick DeLorenzo (20-16, D2) 120-126; Sr. Frank DiEsso (32-8, D2, R3) 120-126; Sr. Connor Quinn (30-9, D1, R3) 132-138; So. Daniel Delusant (17-17, D1) 138-145; Sr. Billy Cole (19-13, D3) 152-160; Sr. James Holder (30-12, D1, R2) 170; So.. Alex Uryniak (29-7, D3, R6) 182-195; Jr. Liam Akers (38-6, D2, R3, S7) 285.
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| North celebrates the school's fifth state title. |
Key losses: Drew Doscher (20-14, D2, R6) 138; Evan Klimas (29-7, D1, R5) 145; Kyle Anderson (21-12, D2) 152; Nate Fossett (33-5, D1, R2) 182; Ian Gaburo (25-1, D1) 220.
Key returnees: Jr. Ben Makaritis (4-3) 113; Sr. Connor McGeary (6-5) 132-138; Sr. Josh Parson (1-1) 138-145; Sr. Ethan Akers (3-0) 160-170; Jr. Tucker Lewis 160-170; So. Brendan Raley (3-1) 182-195; Sr. Andrew Franklin (8-4) 220; So. Hunter Vos (1-0) 220.
Promising newcomer: Fr. Brian Wilson 138.
Outlook: Lions are enjoying one of the program's finest runs and are coming off the school's first unbeaten season. With nine starters back, this once again could be the team to beat in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area. North was the most balanced public school team in the state last season with no glaring holes. If some of the returnees, who saw significant action a year ago, can slide in, North has that potential again. DiEsso, a three-time state qualifier, is one to watch down low, while Quinn helps anchor the middle weights. Up top is where the strength remains with two state qualifiers in Holder and Liam Akers, a state medal winner. Wadle and Uryniak will look to improve on fine freshman seasons. Repeating as division champs will be a goal and ousting P'burg for a third straight meeting when the teams meet in the Lions Den on March 23.
North Warren Patriots
Coach: Kellen Bradley (30-20, third season).
2019-20 record: 18-9, 4-0 NJAC Colonial Division (first).
Returning starters (9): Sr. Tanner Thatcher (33-10, D3, R6) 113; So. Thomas Dugan (23-13) 120; Sr. Alex Davila (14-12) 126; Jr. Michael Castles (17-19) 138; Jr. Sean Bodine (14-13) 145; Sr. Luke Scarmack (18-18) 152; Sr. Austin Collett (13-8, D3) 170; Sr. Connor Dolinsky (15-20) 182; Sr. Dylan Lobycz (24-15, D4) 220.
Key losses: Justin Gerkhardt (15-5, D2) 126; Ben Lilly (30-9, D3) 145; Brandon Casey (34-10, D3, R6) 152; Rob Fletcher (30-6, D3) 160.
Key returnees: Jr. Nik Pagano (3-5) 152; So. Jack Moritz (3-15) 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Zach Haase 106; Sr. Anthony Valeo 126.
Outlook: Patriots, who will open the season next week due to COVID-19, have turned the corner in a short period of time -- coming off three straight winning seasons after the program went 34-44 the previous five campaigns -- and reached the section semifinals in North 1, Group 1 the previous two seasons. As was the case last season, there isn't a lot of star power, but there are nine wrestlers who posted double-digit wins. North, despite the loss of four solid starters to graduation, has a few 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 goal will be to get a few more wrestlers deep into the individual postseason.
Phillipsburg Stateliners
Coach: Dave Post (162-26, 11th season).
2019-20 record: 15-3, 3-1 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (second), North 2, Group 4 runner-up.
Returning starters (11): Jr. James Day (32-10, D1, R3) 120; Jr. Joey Innamorato (29-8, D1, R5) 126; Jr. Sean Stasiulaitis (13-18, D2) 132; Sr. Logan Maczko (24-10, D2, R5) 138-145; Sr. Jason Tino (25-15, D1, R5) 138-145; So. Hunter Cleaver (8-10, D3) 152-160; Jr. Matt D'Onofrio (24-15, D3, R5) 152-160; Jr. Nate Zastowny (35-9, D1, R3) 170; Jr. James Palitto (9-6, D3) 170; Sr. Gage Horvath (27-14, D1, R2) 195; Jr. David Pierson (25-14, D1, R6) 220.
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| P'burg is 10 wins shy of 1,000 as a program. |
Key losses: Jared Kukor (21-13, D1) 145; Jacob Wicks (30-12, D1, R3) 195; Cody Cruts (28-12, D1, R2) 285.
Key returnees: Jr. Hakeem Ransdell (5-12) 132; Jr. Dylan Emery (1-1) 145; Jr. Shahiem Ransdell (0-1) 152; Sr. Jordan Kiley (1-1) 220.
Promising newcomers: Jr. Miguel Lopez 106; Fr. Dawson McWilliams 106-113; Fr. Patrick Day 132; Fr. Caleb Rivera 182; Fr. John Wargo 220-285.
Outlook: Stateliners came up short in their bid for a sectional title -- something that's only happened four times in program history -- and in the division race with losses to North Hunterdon. That dual scheduled for March 23 at North should be a highlight of this shortened season. 'Liners have a wealth of returning talent, including state qualifiers James Day, Zastowny and Horvath. Maczko, who battled injuries last season, was a qualifier in 2019. Top to bottom, the lineup is solid, with some inexperience down low. Blue-chip freshmen Rivera and Wargo -- both NJGSWL champions -- will make an immediate impact and bolster a fine group of upper weights, as good as any around. We know from previous experience that this group will be better by season's end, it's just a shame there's no team tournaments. But there will be plenty of representation in the region and state events, with the latter being contested in the 'Liners' palatial gym.
Voorhees Vikings
Coach: Ricky Kurtz (3-6, second season).
2019-20 record: 4-17, 0-4 Skyland Conference Valley Division (fifth).
Returning starters (6): Jr. Josh Evers (7-17) 113; Jr. Hunter Cryan (18-13, D4) 120; Sr. Myles Murphy (2-19) 126; Jr. Luke Bush (4-9) 126; Jr. Mike Mosier (21-13, D2) 145; So. Jack Mosier (16-17, D3) 220.
Key losses: Seven Rich (20-12, D2, R6) 113; Garrett Loescher (24-11, D2) 160; Zach Tong (26-9, D3, R6) 195.
Key returnees: So. Matthew Levy (3-0) 106; Sr. Dominick Venito (1-7) 138; Jr. David Goodman (0-2) 138; Sr. Jack Jeskulski 152; Jr. Darin Ladin (1-4) 160; Jr. Brody Shaner (0-1) 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Logan Wiecoreck 132; Fr. Tyler Kinney 152; Fr. Isaac Levitan 160; Jr. Daylen Joyce 195.
Outlook: Vikings are coming off their first losing season since 2008-09, and they have a new full-time head coach in Kurtz, a former state placewinner at Delaware Valley and the Vikes' head football coach. He inherits a program that went 186-79 over the last 10 seasons and filled in late last season when Eric Hall was suspended and ultimately not rehired for this season. There's no sugarcoating it, the program has a numbers problem and inexperience throughout the lineup, though Cryan and the Mosier brothers took steps forward a year ago. The biggest thing was filling a lineup, which the Vikes should be able to after issuing multiple forfeits in 2019-20. It will be small steps, but this group looks to improve on last season's wins total.
Warren Hills Blue Streaks
Coach: Dave Sbriscia (36-11, third season).
2019-20 record: 20-7, 4-0 Skyland Conference Valley Division (first).
Returning starters (9): Jr. Kevin Riedinger (11-20) 113; So. Shawn Redfield (24-17, D3, R5) 120; Jr. Jared Lee (27-12, D1, R5) 132; Sr. Reese Manfredi (8-16, D3) 145; Jr. Stephen Malia (33-9, D1, R3) 160; Jr. Owen Frizzell (31-9, D1, R5) 170; So. Jarett Pantuso (9-3, D2) 182; Jr. Michael Galka (12-16) 195; Jr. Tyler McCatharn (37-6, D1, R1) 285.
Key losses: Greg Slivka (30-11, D2, R5) 113; Logan Nauta (30-10, D2, R5) 132; Geir Nemeth (25-13, D1) 138; Nick Hildebrant (24-11, D2, R5) 170.
Key returnees: So. Ryan Lundy (2-5) 113; Jr. Max Pagano (5-10) 126; So. Michael Drazek (4-3) 132; So. Cody Miller (2-1, injured in 2019-20) 145; Jr. Ryan Galka (2-0) 152-160; Sr. Brandon Riggs (4-14) 182.
Promising newcomer: Fr. Josh Lee 106.
Outlook: Blue Streaks, who set a program record for wins last season and will open the schedule next week due to COVID-19, were expected to challenge for their first sectional title since 2007 and a Group 3 championship (only their third and first since 1997) this season, but with no team championships due to the shortened season, they will focus on winning another division crown after earning the program's first conference title since that No. 1 team of 1989-90. Despite the loss of four quality starters, there is talent up-and-down the lineup. Josh Lee -- a third-place finisher in the NJGSWL Tournament -- will make an impact down low, while Malia, Frizzell (the team's most improved wrestler a year ago) and McCatharn are legitimate contenders for state medals. It will be interesting to see what Miller, a promising freshman last year, can do after sustaining a season-ending knee injury early in his rookie campaign. Look out for this group now and next season.
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