Wrestling: New Jersey Wrestling Writers Top 10 polls

Delbarton and North Hunterdon were voted as the No. 1 non-public and public schools, respectively, in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association’s initial statewide Top 10 polls.

The NJWWA, which has traditionally conducted a single Top 20 poll for non-public and public schools combined, opted to conduct separate Top 10 polls during the 2021 season, which the coronavirus pandemic has truncated.

North Hunterdon and Phillipsburg, which debut as the NJWWA's Nos. 1 and 2 public schools, respectively, squared off on Tuesday night in one of the season's biggest duals.

The Lions (4-0) won eight bouts, including a match-swinging pin by senior James Holder over P'burg junior Nate Zastowny in a battle of state qualifiers at 170 pounds, on the way to a 32-23 victory.

It was North's 27th dual-meet win in a row dating to last season and the first time in series history that the program beat P'burg in three straight meetings. The Lions, who are 11-56-1 all-time vs. the Stateliners, won twice last season, including a 37-12 victory in the North 2, Group 4 final. Coach Chris Hrunka's team went on to capture the Group 4 state championship and cap the school's first unbeaten season at 23-0. Tuesday's win had some significance because the NJSIAA is not conducting a team tournament this season due to the pandemic.

"We didn't place a huge emphasis on it," Hrunka said on Tuesday. "We told the kids to be calm and confident about their abilities. They know what they have to do. The first match last year [a 30-24 win at P'burg] kind of popped the bubble and the second match blew it up. We didn't need to get them overhyped. This was a good win."

North Hunterdon, which has been without the services of senior Frank DiEsso (126), a three-time state qualifier, after he sustained a preseason injury, was coming off  a 36-32 victory over up-and-coming Christian Brothers Academy on Saturday.

Phillipsburg (3-1), which took a 20-6 lead through seven bouts and didn't relinquish the lead until the 12th, when North state medalist Liam Akers pinned at 285, opened the season with wins over Livingston, Ridge and Bound Brook.

In all, four teams represent the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area in the polls as High Point checks in at No. 7 in the publics and Pope John at No. 9 on the non-public side.

Coach John Gardner's Wildcats, who have yet to compete due to COVID-19, will open their season at archrival Kittatinny on Thursday. The 'Cats are led by returning state champion Brian Soldano (182), who is 79-5 in his career, and state placewinner Josh Gervey (138), along with state qualifier Clayton Utter (113).

Delbarton ended last season as New Jersey’s No. 1 overall team following its 45-12 Non-Public A North semifinal win over Bergen Catholic -- which ended the previous six years as the NJWWA’s top-ranked team -- and a 54-7 state final victory over St. Augustine Prep.

The Green Wave returns six state placewinners including reigning state champion P.J. Casale (220), Andrew Troczynski (second at 145), Tyler Vazquez (third at 106), Nico Nardone (third at 126), Simon Ruiz (third at 132) and Colin Calvetti (fifth at 152).

Delbarton opened the season with wins over Mount Olive, West Morris Central, Mendham and Montville.

Bergen Catholic and St. Joseph-Montvale, which debut at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the NJWWA's initial non-public poll, will wrestle Delbarton later this season.

Results of the Top 10 polls, based on votes from the NJWWA's 14 members, will appear weekly during the season in newspapers and on websites of participating media outlets.

Top 10 Public Schools
Ranking	School	Record
1	North Hunterdon	(4-0)
2	Phillipsburg	(3-1)
3	Kingsway	(4-0)
4	Brick Memorial	(4-0)
5	Southern	(5-0)
6	Howell	(4-0)
7	High Point	(0-0)
T8	Mount Olive	(3-1)
	South Plainfield	(3-0)
10	Rumson-Fair Haven	(2-1)
Others receiving votes: Paulsboro, Watchung Hills
Top 10 Non-Public Schools
Ranking	School	Record
1	Delbarton	(4-0)
2	Bergen Catholic	(1-0)
3	St. Joseph-Montvale	(2-0)
4	Camden Catholic	(3-0)
5	St. Augustine	(0-0)
6	Paramus Catholic	(0-0)
7	Christian Brothers	(2-2)
8	St. Peter's Prep	(2-0)
9	Pope John	(0-0)
10	St. John Vianney	(1-1)
Others receiving votes: Don Bosco Prep, Seton Hall

Listed in alphabetical order: Donald J. Brower (gardenstatehswrestling.com); Frank D’Esposito (theshoreconference.com); Steven Falk (Asbury Park Press and APP.com); Sean Farrell (The Record and NorthJersey.com); Jane Havsy (Daily Record and DailyRecord.com); “Screwy” Louie Lazzari (New Jersey wrestling historian); John Lewis (Burlington County Times and phillyburbs.com); Ron Mazzola (NJWWA president and Region V ranking chairman); Tom McGurk (Courier Post and courierpostonline.com); Andy Mendlowitz (Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com); Andrew Tredinnick (New Jersey Herald and njherald.com); Greg Tufaro (Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com); Michael Weilamann (Open Mike and mikeopen.blogspot.com), Brad Wilson (The Express Times and lehighvalleylive.com).