Wrestling: Five best medal shots (HWS), title picks

If it appears that North Hunterdon heavyweight Liam Akers seems lighter on his feet this season it's because he is -- about 25 pounds or so. 

A slimmer version of last year's seventh-place finisher at 285 should be poised to take another step toward the top when the 88th NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships commence this weekend at Phillipsburg High School. 

Brian Soldano atop the podium in 2020.

Akers (9-0), a two-way lineman in football, is among a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area-best six qualifiers for the Lions coming out of last weekend's North 2 Super Region. In all, 22 area wrestlers are in this year's Round of 16 -- which would be the second round of the tournament in a conventional season.

"He was around 275 in the offseason and we wanted him to be around 250," North coach Chris Hrunka said. "He moves so much faster. He's not that tall -- about 5-10, 5-11. He's strong and fast. Athleticism beats size all the time at that weight."

Joining Akers in the state field are North teammates Logan Wadle (106), Frank DiEsso (126), James Holder (170), Alex Uryniak (182) and Andrew Franklin (220). DiEsso is a four-time qualifier and Holder is returning at the same weight, while the other three are making their first appearances.

Akers, a No. 3 seed, will face No. 14 Matthew Jannucci of Colts Neck in the Round of 16. Watchung Hills sophomore Hunter Seubert, the No. 6 seed, will likely await the winner, provided he gets by No. 11 seed Joseph Abill of Clifton. Akers scored an impressive 8-0 major decision over Seubert in the North 2 Region finals. No. 2 seed David Szuba of Brick Memorial, a state runner-up at 195 in 2020, also resides in the lower bracket.

Here is a look at the five wrestlers (and a bonus pick) from the Open Mike area with the best chance at capturing a medal this weekend.

Colton Washleski (9-1), Hunterdon Central -- After finally getting over the hump last season, the senior is looking to climb a bit higher on the podium (theoretically since there won't be one for the traditional medal ceremony due to COVID-19 protocols). He's already faced one of the title contenders at 160 pounds last weekend in the Central Region finals -- a 14-3 loss to Howell junior Hunter Mays, a transfer from Conwell-Egan in Pennsylvania and PIAA Class AA state qualifier as a region runner-up last season. Washleski is a three-time district finalist (champ in 2019), three-time region placewinner (champion in 2020) and a three-time Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament medal winner (second in 2020). He also owns a win over No. 2 seed Dakota Morris of Kingsway (8-3 in last year's state tournament).

Career mark: 113-30.

Previous appearances: 0-2, at 113 pounds in 2018; 2-2, at 120 in '19; 3-3, sixth place at 145 in '20.

First-round opponent: North Bergen sophomore Joshua Palacio (8-2, N2-4).

Brian Soldano has won 33 straight matches.

Brian Soldano (6-0), High Point -- Hard to imagine a more prohibitive favorite among this year's field than the Wildcats junior and 160-pound champion in 2020. Soldano, who enters this weekend riding a 33-match win streak dating to 2020, is also perhaps the most dangerous wrestler, vicious on top and even better at times when going to his own back. Soldano, a Rutgers commit, went 5-0 in AC last year, with two pins, one technical fall and one major. Only four opponents overall went the full six minutes against Soldano in 39 bouts, as he recorded 29 pins (63 career including six this season), including seven in 11 postseason bouts. 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 for the Sussex County program.

Career mark: 85-5.

Previous appearances: 3-2, at 160 pounds in 2019; 5-0, first place at 160 in '20.

First-round opponent: Collingswood junior Michael Gregg (13-3, SJ-4).

Nick Lodato (12-0), Pope John -- An accomplished football player and transfer from Piscataway High School, Lodato, a senior, is making his third state tournament appearance and is lurking as a No. 7 seed at 195 pounds. He opened eyes last weekend with an impressive run to the North 1 Region title at 195, logging two pins and two decisions, including a 9-4 victory over St. Joseph-Montvale sophomore AJ Fricchione in the semifinals. Lodato fell a win shy of placing as a junior, getting pinned by third-place finisher Blake Clayton of St. John Vianney, this year's top seed at 195, in the Blood Round. 

Career mark: 73-22.

Previous appearances; 3-2, at 182 pounds in 2020; 0-2, at 182 in '19.

First-round opponent: Scotch Plains-Fanwood junior Robert Lerner (6-2, N2-4).

Jackson Crawn with coaches John Gill and Mike Gummerson at N1.

Jackson Crawn (15-1), Kittatinny -- Third state tournament appearance for the senior, who was a win shy of earning a medal last season -- falling 5-0 to West Deptford ace Cody Thurston in the Blood Round at this weight class. Crawn, a two-time region finalist and a 2020 Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament champion, went over 100 career wins in a third-place finish at the North 1 Region last weekend -- becoming the 18th at the Sussex County school to do so. A physical specimen, Crawn, the No. 4 seed who had 17 losses as a freshman, could be on a collision course with Pope John junior Jack Stoll, the No. 5 seed, in the quarterfinals. Crawn won, 4-2, when they met for third in North 1.

Career mark: 103-31.

Previous appearances: 1-2, at 195 pounds in 2019; 2-2, at 220 in '20.

First-round opponent: Jackson Liberty sophomore Chimdindu Molokwu (3-1, CJ-2).

Liam Akers (9-0), North Hunterdon -- Akers enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore, which culminated with a seventh-place finish at 285 in 2020. A No. 3 seed this season, Akers is among the favorites at heavyweight, which became more interesting with the absence of 2020 state champion Jimmy Mullen of St. Joseph-Montvale, a sophomore who is competing in the prestigious cadet world championships. Akers, who took a year off from football as a freshman to concentrate on wrestling, rolled to the North 2 Region title, giving up just one point in four victories, including an 8-0 major in the finals.

Career mark: 53-15.

Previous appearances: 5-2, seventh place at 285 pounds in 2020.

First-round opponent: Colts Neck junior Matthew Jannucci (3-2, CJ-4). 

Bonus medal pick

Nathan Fitt (14-1), Newton -- Making his second state appearance, Fitt, a four-year starter for the Braves and a No. 6 seed at 126 pounds, enters two wins shy of 100 for his career. He fell a win shy of a earning medal last season, dropping a 9-2 decision to nemesis Ethan Fernandez of Westwood, who is the No. 4 seed at 126. Competing at 132 for the majority of the dual meet campaign, Fitt dropped for the postseason. Tough on top and good on his feet, Fitt is a threat to go deep into the bracket, provided he can get past DiEsso for a third time in their careers in a good Round of 16 matchup. Fitt prevailed in both of their semifinal meetings last season in tournaments -- 5-2 at the John Goles Invitational and 3-1 in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament. 

Career mark: 98-26.

Previous appearances: 2-2, at 120 pounds in 2020.

First-round opponent: North Hunterdon senior Frank DiEsso (3-1, N2-2).

Other area qualifiers (16):

North Hunterdon -- Logan Wadle (106), Frank DiEsso (126), James Holder (170), Alex Uryniak (182), Andrew Franklin (220)
Hunterdon Central -- Anthony Rossi (106), Nick Canonica (138), Tanner Peake (152), Norman Cella (170)
Phillipsburg -- James Day (120), David Pierson (220)
Warren Hills -- Jarett Pantuso (220), Tyler McCatharn (285)
High Point -- Clayton Utter (113)
Kittatinny -- Steve Dalling (152)
Pope John -- Jack Stoll (220)

Open Mike championship picks

106 -- Nico Calello, St. Joseph-Metuchen
113 -- Evan Tallmadge, Brick Memorial
120 -- Evan Mougalian, Kinnelon
126 -- Joseph Cangro, Bergen Catholic
132 -- Nico Nardone, Delbarton
138 -- Joey Olivieri, Hanover Park
145 -- Michael Cetta, St. Joseph-Montvale
152 -- Cooper Pontelandolfo, Kingsway
160 -- Hunter Mays, Howell
170 -- Aaron Ayzerov, Paramus
182 -- Brian Soldano, High Point
195 -- Blake Clayton, St. John Vianney
220 -- Mike Misita, Williamstown
285 -- John O'Donnell, Toms River North