High Point Wildcats
Coach: John Gardner (381-108-2, 24th season).2021 record: 4-1, 1-1 NJAC Freedom Division (third).
Returning starters (6): Sr. Clayton Utter (7-3, D1-2020, N1R3) 120-126; Jr. Roman Citro (1-2) 120-126; Sr. Andrew Brevot (2-2) 138; Jr. Shane Woolf (4-1) 157; Sr. Troy Tiger (3-0) 175; Sr. Brian Soldano (10-0, D1-2020, N1R1, S1) 190.
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| High Point celebrates its G2 title in 2020. |
Key losses: Nick Douma (4-1) 132; Josh Gervey (4-2, N1R6-2021, D2, R2, S6-2020) 138; Alex Buchwald (4-1) 182; Sean Van Wingerden (4-0, D2-2020) 195; Justin Klass (2-1, D2-2020) 220; Troy Van Orden (1-1) 285.
Key returnees: So. Carson Citro (2-0) 106; Jr. Kaden Conover (1-1) 113; Sr. Charles Antcliff (16-14 in 2019-20, did not wrestle in 2021) 113-120; Jr. Blake Bayer (1-1) 113; So. Ty Woods (2-1) 132; So. Eli Nosal 138-144; So. Dalton Yetter 150; Jr. Will Gomez (0-3) 150; Sr. Joe Pauls (2-0) 165; So. Mason Mericle 190; Sr. Noah Ripley (9-21 in 2019-20, injured in 2021) 215; Jr. Arik Hums (2-0) 285.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Nick Clayton 106; Fr. Cole Jaust 113; Fr. Michael Tidona 113; Fr. Jesse Huelbig 120; Fr. Nick Marangi 144.
Outlook: 'Cats claimed the program's fourth straight sectional title and its sixth state championship in 2020 and were primed to make runs at both last season, but the pandemic wiped out team tournaments. With South Plainfield moving up to Group 3, High Point rates as a solid preseason favorite once again in Group 2. The lineup features two-time state champion and Rutgers recruit Soldano, who enters the season at 89-5 overall and is looking to join Nick Francavilla as the program's only three-time champs. Utter, a three-time state qualifier, reached the Round of 12 last season and will be in the hunt for a state medal, while Woolf, a former New Jersey Grade School League champion, is another to watch as he gains valuable mat time lost the previous two seasons due to injury and the pandemic. Tiger will look to help Soldano anchor the upper weights, which have been a work-in-progress in prior years. The middle weights look like the biggest question this season with a strong lower part of the lineup. The schedule, as always, is tough, particularly a brutal stretch from Jan. 6-14 that includes duals against Group 4 title contender Mount Olive, Group 5 powers Southern and Phillipsburg and Group 1 challenger Kittatinny.
Hopatcong Chiefs
Coach: Eric Fajerman (130-347-3, 22nd season).
2021 record: 0-10, 0-3 NJAC Colonial Division (fifth).
Returning starters (4): So. Blake Brown (2-8) 132; Sr. Tommy Feinberg (3-0) 165; Jr. Mike Hardman (1-4) 165; Sr. Mike Mastroeni (11-2, D2-2019, N1R5) 175.
Key losses: Frank Mastroeni (3-2, D4-2020) 152; Andrew Costa (4-3, D3-2020) 160.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Ethan Pacheco 132; So. Manny Stupar 138; So. Jose Lagunes 175.
Outlook: Chiefs continue to be plagued by low numbers as the program produced just 23 wins over the previous 10 campaigns. With only seven on this season's roster, dual meet victories are near impossible to achieve so individual success will be the main goal. Mike Mastroeni, who was a round shy of reaching states as a freshman and last season, looks to take that next step.
Kittatinny Cougars
Coach: John Gill (606-195-5, 42nd season).
2021 record: 11-1, 2-0 NJAC Freedom Division (first).
Returning starters (9): So. Liliana Zaku-Ramos (5-3) 113-120; So. Dylan Zupkay (2-10) 113-120; Sr. Shane Nelson (11-3) 126; Jr. Chris Casale (9-5, D2-2020) 132; So. Jacob Savage (9-3) 138; So. Bryce Coesfeld (6-6) 150; Sr. Steve Dalling (17-4, D1-2020, N1R3, S8) 157; Sr. Jack Merrill (3-9) 165; Sr. Ty Eldred (8-5, D3-2020, N1R6) 215-285.
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| Legendary coach John Gill surpassed 600 wins in 2021. |
Key losses: Patrick Franco (8-3, D2-2020) 145; Connor Hanna (8-3) 152-160; Sr. Brycen Mafaro (30-8, D1, R2-2020, transferred to Pope John) 182; Tyler Sweatt (6-6) 195; Jackson Crawn (35-4, D1-2020, N1R3, S4) 220.
Key returnees: Jr. Anthony Ferrari (0-1, D3-2020) 138; Jr. Dalton Mailloux (1-0) 144; So. Kaleb Ogar (1-0) 165; So. Tucker Lockburner (3-1) 175; Sr. Tyler Holste 190.
Promising newcomers: So. Belal Ezat 106; So. Reece Smith 144; Fr. Aiden McClain 144; Fr. Ethan Dalling 165; Sr. William Butler 190; Sr. Jay Martin 215-285.
Outlook: Cougars, who are facing numbers challenges on the youth level, are primed for another run at the North 1, Group 1 sectional and state titles after team tournaments fell by the wayside last season due to the pandemic. Despite the shortened campaign, Kittatinny managed to get in 12 dual meets, losing only to nemesis Phillipsburg, and earned two individual state medals. Steve Dalling returns to lead a pretty solid group of middle weights, while the lower weights remain a question, though Nelson, who has battled late-season injuries in previous years, is a former Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament finalist. Once a strength, the upper weights took a hit with the loss of Mafaro, who suffered a football injury and is not expected to wrestle at Pope John. Ethan Dalling comes in with solid youth credentials and Lockburner showed promise as a freshman, along with Coesfeld and Savage. As in previous years, the match against archrival High Point (Jan. 14 in Wantage) should decide the division winner. Gill, who lives in the High Point school district, is the dean of HWS coaches. Now in his fifth decade in charge, is showing no signs of slowing down at age 65, and said he still enjoys coaching and the stress and atmosphere that comes with big dual meets.
Lenape Valley Patriots
Coach: Anthony Grogan (4-9, second season).
2021 record: 4-9, 1-2 NJAC Colonial Division (fourth).
Returning starters (9): Jr. Marcus Bullock (8-5) 106-113; Sr. Tyler Gaboda (2-2) 120; Sr. Daniel Haws (10-2, D1-2020, N1R5) 126; Sr. Michael Sawaged (5-8) 138; So. Andrew Grant (3-9) 150; Sr. Sam Jara Diaz (3-7) 157; Jr. John Riedener (3-8) 165; Sr. Jake Cuttito (4-4) 215; Sr. Josh Valencia (6-7) 285.
Key losses: Andres Villanueva (9-4) 126; Gabe Hernandez (7-5) 170; Justin Palumbo (8-2, D3-2020) 182; Cameron Samiljan (5-4) 182-195.
Key returnees: Jr. Noti Ziakos (1-2) 157-165; So. Ryan Stricchiola (4-0) 175; Sr. Jacob Perna 285.
Promising newcomers: So. Ryan Zimmerman 106-113; Fr. Marc Pavese 120; Fr. Gage Graziano 132; So. Ryan Slahor 138; Fr. Jakob Bell 138-144; Fr. Robert Hathaway 138-144; Fr. Justin Peterson 138-144; So. Pablo Portillo 165; Jr. Dylan Stevens 165; Fr. Jack Phelps 175; Fr. Michael Nadeau 175.
Outlook: Patriots, who have struggled with low numbers in recent seasons, seem to be heading in the right direction in that department with seven incoming freshmen. But this is a program that hasn't had a winning season since 2015-16, and has gone 26-54 the previous four seasons so approaching the .500 mark will be a goal. Haws, a four-year starter and two-time state qualifier, enters 74-20 for his career and is the team's best chance for a state medal. There's experience down low and up top so any dual-meet success will hinge on how the middle of this lineup comes along. Making a strong run at the division title is not out of the question.
Newton Braves
Coach: Eric Bollette (256-203-1, 21st season).
2021 record: 6-6, 0-3 NJAC Freedom Division (fourth).
Returning starters (5): Jr. Thaylor Sibblies (6-6, D3-2020) 144; Sr. Takeo Sibblies (9-3) 150; Sr. Melkart Abou-Jaoude (8-4) 190; Jr. Brody Guerra (2-5) 215; So. Patrick Teets (2-8) 285.
Key losses: Nathan Fitt (17-3, D2-2020, N1R3, S7) 126; Danny Cleary (7-5, D4-2020) 120-126; JoJo Lotruglio (9-3, D1, R6-2020) 132; Nick Costa (9-3, D4-2020) 160; Ryan Pappas (5-2) 170.
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| The Boresch Duals are a premiere event in NJ. |
Key returnees: Sr. Aaliyah Payne-Parris (1-3) 106; So. Demarius Posey (0-1) 120; Jr. Michael Melillo (1-0) 138; So. Thomas Carroll (0-1) 144; So. Drew Harding (0-1) 150; Sr. Aidan Murtagh (1-3) 157; Jr. Danny Barry (0-1) 190.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Ryan Bollette 106; Fr. Mason Bucci 106; Fr. Keegan Murtagh 113; Fr. James Marotta 120; So. Matt Teets 132; Fr. Aaron Stone 138; Fr. Davon Hook 150; So. Jason Teets 190; Fr. Justin Smith 190; Fr. Aiden Post 215.
Outlook: Braves are usually a handful for opposing teams and well coached, but the program is facing a numbers crunch this season and struggling to fill 14 weights. There is a lot of inexperience down low and questions up top, but the middle of the lineup is in good shape with both Sibblies and Melillo, who has been waiting in the wings. Abou-Jaoude was a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament placewinner in 2020. The schedule also presents challenges. High Point and Kittatinny are on the division slate and the Boresch Duals (Jan. 15) has become one of the state's best showcases, featuring top teams again this year such as North Hunterdon, Howell and South Plainfield. With two potential open weights, success in dual meets will be hard to come by, but expect this group to get better and have a few wrestlers make deep runs in the postseason.
Pope John Lions
Coach: Mark Piotrowsky (first season of second stint, 83-30 in six seasons from 2013-19).
2021 record: 4-4, 3-2 NJAC American Division (third).
Returning starters (7): Jr. Jason Athey (4-4) 120; Sr. Zachary Hentschel (4-5, D2-2020) 126-132; So. Justin Holly (3-5) 132-138; Sr. Collin Neal (5-8, D1-2020, N1R6) 144-150; Sr. Angelo DeAngelis (2-3) 150-157; Sr. Jack Stoll (12-7, D3-2020, N1R4, S6) 215; Sr. Jake Rubin (6-3) 285.
Key losses: Michel Ritacco (6-3) 160; Sr. Peter Delaportas (6-3, D2, R4-2020, transferred to Jefferson) 182; Nick Lodato (16-0, N1R1, S1) 195.
Key returnees: Jr. Noah Del Purgatorio 132; Jr. Justin Fontana 175-190; Jr. Cardin Madry 190-215.
Promising newcomers: Fr. Jake Holly 106; Fr. Mikey Ramirez 106-113; Fr. Carson Walsh 113; So. Spencer Moser 126-132; Jr. Jack Nauta (5-1, D3-2020, transfer from Sparta) 132-138; So. Matt Murray 132; Fr. Joey Rozynski 138-144; Fr. Kevin Wilson 150-157; Sr. Brandon Falotico 150-157; Fr. Luke Brown 165-175; Fr. Jarrod Cofrancesco 190-215; Jr. Nicholas Castorina (8-3, transfer from Sparta) 215.
Outlook: Lions are under new leadership as Piotrowsky returns after a two-year hiatus. The program, which was just over .500 (15-12) in his absence, won back-to-back Non-Public North B sectional championships (2018 and '19) and its first state title in 24 years in 2018 during his first tenure. The lineup is an interesting mix of veterans and several talented newcomers, including Nauta, who was a region qualifier in 2020. Up top, the loss of Delaportas, a star quarterback and Boston College recruit who was injured during Jefferson's run to a sectional title, hurts, but Stoll is one of the state's best up top. Walsh is another to keep an eye on, while Neal should contend for a trip to the state tournament in Atlantic City. If the others can round into shape, sectional and state titles are well within reach.
Sparta Spartans
Coach: Dan Trappe (first season).
2021 record: 4-8, 2-4 NJAC National Division (T-fifth).
Returning starters (8): So. Peter Donnelly (9-3) 106; So. Eugene Donnelly (4-7) 113; Jr. Blake Brodersen (1-8) 132; Sr. Mathew Johnson (1-7) 150; Sr. Nick Hwang (8-3, D3-2020, N1R6) 157; Jr. Sebastian Gomez (2-10) 175; Jr. Bradley Maines (5-7) 285; Sr. Wyatt Coombs (1-8) 285.
Key losses: Jr. Jack Nauta (5-1, D3-2020, transferred to Pope John) 132-138; Troy Schmitzer (3-4, D2-2020) 160; Dominic Gignatelli (4-4) 182.
Key returnees: So. Anthony Petrock (3-2) 138; Sr. Parker Williamson (8-14 in 2019-20, injured in 2021) 175.
Promising newcomer: Fr. Logan Hrenenko 138.
Outlook: Spartans took a step back last season coming off a 17-win campaign. Trappe, a longtime assistant, takes over for Frank Battaglia, who orchestrated a remarkable turnaround as the program, once on the brink of elimination, went 132-101 the previous 10 seasons. The lineup took a hit with the transfers of Nauta and Nicholas Castorina (8-3 at 195 in 2021) to Pope John, but Peter Donnelly and Hwang, a Super Region qualifier, are coming off solid seasons. With eight starters back, the cupboard isn't bare, but there should be some growing pains as the team looks to improve on last season's win total.
Vernon/Wallkill Valley
Coach: Joe Down (1-2, second season).
2021 record: 1-2, 1-1 NJAC Colonial Division (T-second).
Returning starters (4): Jr. Daniel Lovett (0-3) 167-175; Jr. Isaac Thomas (1-2) 157; Jr. Jeyss Abreu (2-1) 215; Sr. Shane Saulnier (2-1) 285.
Key losses: Sage DiGiuseppe (1-2) 138; Cooper Pleva (2-1) 145; Julian Porras Arcos (1-2) 152; Noah Prevliglian (2-1) 220.
Key returnee: So. Reilly Hague (2-1) 132.
Promising newcomers: Jr. Joan Vance 106; Fr. Artemis Pallis 113; Fr. Luciano Damato 120; Fr. Gavin Pych 126; So. Michael Veal 138; So. Vincent D'Antonio 138; Fr. Daniel Rendon 144; So. Zachary Ezzo 144; Jr. Matthew Dinnocenzo 157; Jr. Elijah Johnson 167; Fr. Joseph Pappa 190; Jr. Cristian Bracero 190-215.
Outlook: Second season for the combined programs and it looks as if numbers are on the way up. The 2021 season never really got going as the team was shut down early due to the pandemic and never resumed. This group eyes steady improvement and should be more competitive in dual meets with the ability to cover all 14 weights. Individually, Saulnier may be one to watch at district time.
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