Monday, March 22, 2021

Wrestling: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

1. Phillipsburg (3-0) -- Stateliners, who enter the week seven wins shy of 1,000 as a program, started strong with victories over Livingston (46-21 on Tuesday), Ridge (67-9 on Thursday) and Bound Brook (69-7 on Saturday). Juniors James Day (120), Joey Innamorato (126) and David Pierson (220) are off to 3-0 starts. Coach Dave Post's team has been waiting over a year for a crack at North Hunterdon, which won both meetings last season, including a 37-12 victory in the North 2, Group 4 title matchup. Tuesday's rematch should be a good one. The 'Liners look like favorites on paper and we are expecting a good one in the Lions Den. Check back here for the match preview with lineups and a full breakdown on Monday evening. 

Up next: at North Hunterdon on Tuesday; Montgomery at home on Thursday; at Cranford on Saturday. 

2. North Hunterdon (3-0) -- Lions, who opened with lopsided wins over Hillsborough (67-9 on Tuesday) and Montgomery (68-9 on Thursday), rallied for a 36-32 victory over Christian Brothers Academy on Saturday. The upper weights came through once again for coach Chris Hrunka's team, which has won 26 in a row dating to last season, as James Holder (170), Brendan Raley (195), Andrew Franklin (220) and Liam Akers (285) all won by pins, while Alex Uryniak (182) received a forfeit. Logan Wadle (106) also had a pin, as CBA won eight of the 13 contested bouts. Hrunka hopes to have senior state qualifier Frank DiEsso (120-126), who has been out of the lineup due to a preseason injury, back in the lineup soon.

Up next: Phillipsburg at home on Tuesday; at Delaware Valley on Thursday; at Bound Brook on Saturday.

Brian Soldano is 79-5 in two seasons.
3. High Point (0-0) -- Wildcats are also late getting underway due to COVID-19 and will open up against upset-minded Kittatinny when that annual rivalry renews on Thursday. Coach John Gardner's team, which has won the last two meetings with the Cougars, including a 48-24 win to start the 2019-20 season, features returning state champion Brian Soldano (182), along with fellow junior Clayton Utter (113) and senior state medalist Josh Gervey (138).

Up next: at Kittatinny on Thursday; Hunterdon Central at home on Saturday.

4. Hunterdon Central (3-0) -- Red Devils, with a lot of good young talent in their lineup, cruised to wins over Bound Brook (73-3 on Tuesday), Hillsborough (63-9 on Friday) and St. Joseph-Metuchen (64-10 on Saturday). State medalist Colton Washleski (3-0 at 160) raised his career wins total to 107, while fellow senior Norman Cella (3-0 at 170-182), who was an eighth-place finisher in the 2020 state tournament, stands at 88. Maybe we see a Cella vs. Soldano matchup this week in Wantage.

Up next: Bridgewater-Raritan at home on Thursday; at High Point on Saturday.

5. Warren Hills (0-0) -- Blue Streaks, who were shut down the past two weeks due to COVID-19, will get their season underway at home against Somerville on Thursday. Coach Dave Sbriscia's team, which would have been sectional and Group 3 title favorites and is likely to have just one senior starter, will be led by juniors and returning state qualifiers Stephen Malia (160) and Tyler McCatharn (285).

Up next: Somerville at home on Thursday; Hillsborough at home on Saturday.

6. Pope John (0-0) -- Lions also were among the teams delayed by COVID-19 and will open their season at home against Mendham on Tuesday.

Up next: Mendham at home on Tuesday; Delbarton at home on Thursday; at West Morris on Saturday.

7. Kittatinny (3-0) -- Cougars opened with wins over Belvidere (53-27 on Wednesday), Morris Hills (56-18 on Friday) and Morris Knolls (51-19 on Saturday) to give coach John Gill 598 career victories entering the week. Junior Shane Nelson (3-0 at 120), a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament finalist last season, is one to watch, along with senior Jackson Crawn (3-0 at 285), who anchors a solid group of upper weights. Junior Ty Eldred (220-285) returns to the lineup this week.

Up next: at Hackettstown on Tuesday; High Point at home on Thursday; at Boonton on Friday.

8. Delaware Valley (3-0) -- Terriers are also nearing a milestone coming off wins over Manville (51-15 on Tuesday), Somerville (48-16 on Wednesday) and Bridgewater-Raritan (42-26 on Saturday). That put the program at 797 wins entering the week. Anderson Olcott (3-0 at 182) is among a nice freshman class that has coach Andy Fitz excited for the future. Senior Tyler Lagun (3-0 at 170) is also off to a fast start.

Up next: at Voorhees on Tuesday; North Hunterdon at home on Thursday; at Franklin on Saturday.

 

9. Hackettstown (3-0) -- Tigers, who opened with a 73-6 win over Vernon/Wallkill Valley on Tuesday, followed that up with a 35-31 victory over Newton on Friday. Talented freshman Nicolas Balella, whose uncle, Jim, was a former standout for the Warren County school, scored a key 11-3 major decision over former region placewinner Danny Cleary at 126 pounds. Bruno Dougherty (220) and Matthew Bremner (285) added pins. Coach Frank Rodgers' team closed the week with a 46-27 win over Verona on Saturday.

Up next: Kittatinny at home on Tuesday; Morris Knolls at home on Thursday.

(Photo courtesy of Leslie Lopez)
10. Newton (1-2) -- Braves rebounded from losses to Jefferson (44-27 on Tuesday) and Hackettstown (35-31 on Friday) with a 55-22 waxing of West Morris on Saturday. Seniors Nathan Fitt (3-0 at 132) moved closer to the century mark with 87 career wins and JoJo Lotruglio (3-0 at 138) scored a nice 12-1 win over 2020 state qualifier Malachi Shepard on Saturday. Eric Bollette also recorded his 251st win to surpass legendary coach Henry Boresch (250-44-8 in 38 seasons from 1926-64) as the program's all-time leader.

Up next: Hopatcong at home on Tuesday; Roxbury at home on Thursday; at Sparta on Saturday.

Posted by Mike Weilamann at 2:45 PM

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