Wrestling: State Tournament information, stats, picks

What: 90th New Jersey State Wrestling Championships.

Where: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Thursday's schedule: Preliminaries, 1 p.m.; pre-quarterfinals to follow.

Boardwalk Hall has hosted 28 state tourneys since 1992.

Friday's schedule: Wrestlebacks one, 9 a.m.; quarterfinals, wrestlebacks two and three (approximately), noon; semifinals, wrestlebacks four and five, 6 p.m.

Saturday's schedule: Wrestleback semifinals, 9 a.m.; consolation finals (third through eighth places) (approximately), 11 a.m.; awards (approximately), 2:10 p.m.; girls championships (approximately) 3 p.m.; boys championships to follow. 

Returning state champions (6, 2022 weights): So. Adrian DeJesus, DePaul (first-2022 for St. Peter's Prep, 106); So. Anthony Knox, St. John Vianney (first-2022, 113); Sr. Tyler Vazquez, Delbarton (first-2022, third-2021, third-2020, 132); Sr. Simon Ruiz, Delbarton (first-2022, second-2021, third-2020, 157); So. Harvey Ludington, Brick Memorial (first-2022, 175); Sr. Jim Mullen, St. Joseph-Montvale (first-2022, first-2020, 285).

Previous state champions (2, 2022 weights): Jr. Daniel Jones, Delbarton (fifth-2022, first-2021, 113); Sr. Anthony Santaniello, Brick Memorial (second-2022, first-2021, second-2020, 132).

Returning medal winners (56, previous finishes, 2022 weights): So. Patrick O'Keefe, St. John Vianney (second-2022, 106); Sr. Logan Wadle, North Hunterdon (third-2022, second-2021, 106); Jr. Tyeler Hagensen, Mount Olive (fourth-2022, 106); Sr. Aidan Carmody, Livingston (sixth-2022, fifth-2021, 106); Jr. Kurt Wehner, Donovan Catholic (seventh-2022, 106); Jr. Benjamin Marchetto, West Milford (eighth-2022, 106); Sr. Kaden Naame, St. Augustine Prep (third-2022, eighth-2021, 113); So. Carson Walsh, Pope John (sixth-2022, 113); Sr. Max Elton, Holy Spirit (seventh-2022, 113); Jr. Dylan Ross, Paramus Catholic (eighth-2022, 113); Sr. Luke Stanich, Roxbury (second-2022, fourth-2021, sixth-2020, 120); Sr. Conor Collins, Southern (third-2022, second-2021, 120); Jr. Alex Nini, Christian Brothers Academy (fourth-2022, eighth-2021, 120); Jr. Jackson Young, Camden Catholic (fifth-2022, 120); Sr. Donovan Chavis, St. Peter's Prep (seventh-2022, 120); Jr. Nathan Taylor, Kingsway (third-2022, 126); Sr. Jack Zaleski, Middletown South (fourth-2022, fourth-2021, fifth-2020, 126); So. Caedyn Ricciardi, St. Peter's Prep (sixth-2022, 126); Sr. Aidan Wallace, Bergen Catholic (seventh-2022, eighth-2021, seventh-2020, 126); Jr. Jonathan Fuller, St. Peter's Prep (fourth-2022, 132); So. Jamar Dixon Jr., Delsea (fifth-2022, 132); Jr. Ryan Ford, Bergen Catholic (seventh-2022, third-2021, 132); Sr. Julian George, Christian Brothers Academy (second-2022, eighth-2021, 138); So. Alessio Perentin, Delbarton (fourth-2022, 138); Jr. Matt Henrich, Southern (seventh-2022, 138); Sr. Branden Palcko, Paul VI-Haddonfield (eighth-2022, 138); Sr. Cross Wasilewski, Delbarton (third-2022, fifth-2021, 144); Sr. Richie Grungo, St. Augustine Prep (fourth-2022, fifth-2021, 144); So. Zach Ballante, Paramus Catholic (fifth-2022, 144); Jr. Jacob Zearfoss, Gloucester City (sixth-2022, 144); Jr. Roman Onorato, Paulsboro (eighth-2022, 144); Sr. Tyler Barrett, Christian Brothers Academy (third-2022, 150); Jr. Frank DiBella, St. Joseph-Montvale (fourth-2022, 150); Sr. Cole Velardi, Southern (fifth-2022, 150); Jr. Daniel Rella, Paramus Catholic (sixth-2022, 150); Sr. Jake Slotnick, St. Augustine Prep (seventh-2022, 150); Jr. Nicholas Campagna, South Plainfield (eighth-2022, 150); Sr. Zander Silva, Christian Brothers Academy (third-2022, 157); Sr. Jasiah Queen, St. John Vianney (fifth-2022, 157); Sr. Michael Murphy, Westfield (seventh-2022, 157); Jr. Louis Cerchio, Delbarton (fourth-2022, sixth-2021, 165); Sr. Brock Zurawski, Lower Cape May (eighth-2022, 165); Sr. Jared Schoppe, Delsea (second-2022, fifth-2021, eighth-2020, 175); Sr. Michael Dellagatta, St. Joseph-Montvale (third-2022, third-2021, fourth-2020, 175); Sr. Sabino Portella, Red Bank Catholic (fourth-2022, second-2021, 175); Sr. Justin Onello, Bergen Catholic (seventh-2022, fourth-2021, 175); Sr. Joshua Palacio, North Bergen (second-2022, 190); So. Vincenzo LaValle, Hanover Park (third-2022, 190); Sr. Anthony Moscatello, Mount Olive (fifth-2022, 190); Sr. Danny Digiovacchino, Delsea (eighth-2022, 190); Sr. AJ Fricchione, Bergen Catholic (third-2022, second-2021, 215); Jr. Aidan Schlett, St. Joseph-Montvale (seventh-2022, 215); Sr.. Brendan Raley, North Hunterdon (eighth-2022, 215); Sr. Max Acciardi, Paramus Catholic (third-2022, third-2021, 285); Sr. Joseph Abill, Clifton (fifth-2022, fourth-2021, 285); Jr. Lorenzo Portilla, Red Bank Catholic (seventh-2022, 285). 

Previous medal winners (5, 2022 weights): Jr. Sebastian Ortega, Howell (fifth-2021, 120); Sr. Jack Bastarrika, Mount Olive (sixth-2021, 120); Sr. Christopher Bacchioni, Bergen Catholic (fifth-2021, 144); Sr. Alex Uryniak, North Hunterdon (seventh-2021, 190);  Sr. Jarett Pantuso, Warren Hills (eighth-2021, 215).   

Returning medal winners by region

R1 (6, Marchetto, Walsh, DiBella, Dellagatta, Schlett, Mullen)

R2 (15, DeJesus, Hagensen, Ross, Stanich, Bastarrika, Wallace, Ford, Bacchioni, Ballante, Rella, Onello, Moscatello, Fricchione, Acciardi, Abill)
R3 (10, Carmody, Jones, Vazquez, Perentin, Wasilewski, Ruiz, Cerchio, Palacio, LaValle, Pantuso)

R4 (8, Wadle, Chavis, Ricciardi, Fuller, Campagna, Murphy, Uryniak, Raley)
R5 (7, Knox, Ortega, O'Keefe, Zaleski, Queen, S. Portella, L. Portella)

R6 (6, Nini, Santaniello, George, Barrett, Silva, Ludington)
R7 (7, Wehner, Collins, Young, Henrich, Zearfoss, Onorato, Velardi)

R8 (10, Naame, Elton, Taylor, Dixon Jr., Palcko, Grungo, Slotnick, Zurawski, Schoppe, Digiovacchino)

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area qualifiers (46)

Phillipsburg (8) -- Gavin Hawk (132), Luke Geleta (138), Patrick Day (144), Liam Packer (157), Hunter Cleaver (165), Connor Hille (175), Caleb Rivera (190), John Wargo (285)

Warren Hills (7) -- Charlie Piccione (113), Tyler Redfield (120), Shawn Redfield (138), Josh Lee (126), Cody Miller (157), Michael Drazek (175), Pantuso (215)

Delaware Valley (6) -- Jake Taylor (113), Matt Roche (126), Jackson Bush (138), Chris Colasurdo (150), Garrett Tettemer (165), Anderson Olcott (215)
Pope John (5) -- Jake Holly (106), Dalton Webber (113), Walsh (126), Jack Nauta (132), Justin Holly (138)
Hunterdon Central (4) -- Ryan Sherlock (106), Anthony Rossi (113), William Cella (138), Rhett Washleski (144)

North Hunterdon (4) -- Wadle (106), Daniel DeLusant (144), Uryniak (190), Raley (215)

Hackettstown (2) -- Aiden Scheeringa (106), Nicolas Balella (120)
High Point (2) -- Nick Clayton (120), Arik Hums (285)
Kittatinny (2) -- Reece Smith (144), Ethan Dalling (157)
Newton (2) -- Michael Melillo (138), Thaylor Sibblies (157)

Voorhees (2) -- Logan Wiecoreck (157), Cameron Baumann (285)

North Warren (1) -- James Dacunto (157)

Sparta (1) -- Logan Hrenenko (144)

Open Mike championship picks

106 -- Logan Wadle, North Hunterdon
113 -- Jayden James, Delbarton
120 -- Anthony Knox, St. John Vianney
126 -- Carson Walsh, Pope John
132 -- Anthony Santaniello, Brick Memorial
138 -- Alex Nini, Christian Brothers Academy
144 -- Yannis Charles, St. Joseph-Montvale
150 -- Brady Conlin, St. Augustine Prep
157 -- Alessio Perentin, Delbarton
165 -- Ryan Burton, St. Joseph-Montvale
175 -- Simon Ruiz, Delbarton
190 -- Anthony Harris, St. Peter's Prep
215 -- Joseph Abill, Clifton
285 -- Jim Mullen, St. Joseph-Montvale

Wrestling: Region (HWS) recap by the numbers

We're near the finish line of the high school wrestling season, but before we turn our focus on the 90th State Championships at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City (Thursday-Saturday), let's take a look at some of the highlights from the five region tournaments that house teams from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area.

We had a Sussex County-first in the 62-year history of the region tournaments, while the debate over Non-Public dominance has grown louder in recent weeks, even stirring up the once-defeated proposal for a ninth region that includes only private programs. Stay tuned on more of that in the offseason as coaches sort out the district alignments for 2023-24 and 2024-25. One simple way to solve the issue would be to separate the Non-Public powers in the northernmost regions, which house seven of the state's Top 14 teams, according to the Coaches Top 25 poll.

Public vs. Non-Public

P'burg advanced a HWS-best eight to AC.

Non-Public schools accounted for 86 (Regions 1-4) of a total 448 qualifiers as opposed to 53 (Regions 5-8). Non-Publics produced 28 of the 56 qualifiers in Region 1 (including 13 champions) and 26 in Region 2 (11 champs). Remember when old Region 6 cried about how unfair it was that old Region 1 had six fewer teams? Funny how the Shore Conference remains silent when the tables are turned up here. Region 1 was again dominated by St. Joseph-Montvale, which had nine champions and 11 finalists (10 champions and 12 finalists in 2022). And that doesn't even factor in Don Bosco Prep's nine qualifiers and Pope John's five. Bergen Catholic advanced its entire team out of  Region 2, while in Region 3, Delbarton, which went 8-4 in the finals, advanced 13 of 14. St. Peter's Prep (12 qualifiers, six champs and one runner-up) bested the Region 4 field. 

Here are the Non-Public champs totals in all eight: 13 in R1, 11 in R2, 8 in R3, 6 in R4, 7 in R5, 7 in R6 (all from CBA), 5 in R7, 7 in R8 (five from St. Augustine, which also had two runners-up). This only reaffirms what we've known all along -- the Non-Publics are dominating in North Jersey, more so than the rest of the state. Realignment, which has failed miserably in a number of aspects, including watering down districts and regions, has not solved the Non-Public issue in the northern regions, primarily because the balance of power among the private schools fluctuates more often than in the public ranks.

It's also a major reason why we're seeing more lopsided results among the regions, as a large number of the year-round wrestlers tend to be among private schools. 

Now, a recap of Regions 1-5:  

46 -- We have that many wrestlers from the HWS area moving on to this week's state tournament (down three from 2022). In all, 17 advanced out of Region 3, while Region 1 produced 13. Over in Region 4, Delaware Valley, North Hunterdon and Voorhees combined for 12 qualifiers, while Region 5 had four from Hunterdon Central. Here are the total number of area qualifiers since realignment in 2017 -- 47 in '17, 48 in '18, 50 in '19, 37 in '20, 49 in '22 and 46 in '23. As a side note, there have been 10 state medal winners who finished fourth in the regions (not including 2021) and four were from the HWS area -- North Hunterdon's Andrew Gapas (eighth at 132) in 2017, High Point's Brandon LaRue (sixth at 113) and Pope John's Reece Mulduun (seventh at 182) in 2018 and Sparta's Spencer Stewart (eighth at 120) in 2019. There were none in 2022.

Josh, Thaylor and Teddy Sibblies at Region 1

1 -- There was a lot that went down in Region 1 at West Milford, but a Sussex County first tops the list. Newton senior Thaylor Sibblies made school and county history with a 9-2 win over Kittatinny sophomore Ethan Dalling, who attempted to snap the Cougars' now seven-year drought without a champion (Austin Scrivani at 138 pounds in 2016) in their 157-pound title bout. Hard to believe, but that finals matchup was the very first between the crosstown-rival schools since the inception of regions in 1961 (Kittatinny began wrestling when the school opened in 1975). In doing so, Sibblies (33-1) became the third champion in his family -- all earned Outstanding Wrestler honors -- joining his father, Teddy (130 in 1989) and older brother, Josh (182 in 2013). All three also were the only Braves to win championships those years as the program total now stands at 41. Newton coach Eric Bollette, a former state placewinner for Kittatinny and coach John Gill, has coached nine of those champions in his 22 seasons. Senior Michael Melillo became a two-time state qualifier with a third-place finish at 138. 

8 -- Phillipsburg, including champions Gavin Hawk (132) and John Wargo (285), produced an area-best eight qualifiers in Region 3 at West Orange. Also punching tickets to Atlantic City were Luke Geleta (138), Patrick Day (144), Liam Packer (157), Hunter Cleaver (165), Connor Hille (175) and Caleb Rivera (189). All but Geleta and Cleaver are first-time state qualifiers. Hawk (33-5), who lost in the Blood Round at 120 in AC as a freshman, knocked off Morristown's Jack Myers, a 2022 region champion, via injury default to win his first championship. Wargo won his second straight title with a 10-2 major over Delbarton's Connor Martin -- giving the 'Liners a repeat winner in seven of the last eight region tournaments (no champs in 2020). Wargo (34-2) will look to become only the seventh P'burg wrestler to win three titles (Brian Meyer was the last in 2016-18) and the program's first heavyweight to do so next season.

Pantuso atop the podium. (WH social media)

7 -- Warren Hills had quite a good day in Region 3 on Saturday as the Blue Streaks moved seven on to Atlantic City -- the most of any area team other than P'burg. Senior Jarett Pantuso was the lone champion and the program's 59th overall as he rolled to an 11-3 major of Delbarton's Henry Forte in a battle between state medal contenders. Pantuso (34-2), who placed eighth as a sophomore and has 86 career wins, has been on a roll of late -- winning 19 in a row since a 6-2 loss to Delsea's Rocco Bennett on Jan. 20, a defeat he avenged by decking Bennett in overtime when they met in the Group 3 final nearly a month later. Hills also had a pair of runner-ups in sophomores Charlie Piccione (31-7 at 113) and Tyler Redfield (28-8 at 120), while junior Josh Lee (31-7 at 126) and seniors Shawn Redfield (34-4 at 138 and 94 career wins), Cody Miller (29-10 at 157) and Michael Drazek (32-7 at 175) all took thirds. Miller scored a 3-2 win over Phillipsburg's Liam Packer in their bronze medal match, while Drazek pinned Connor Hille in their rubber match for third. Drazek went 2-1 against the Stateliner this season (11-4 win on Jan. 9 and an 8-6 loss on Jan. 14).

104 -- Hunterdon Central freshman Rhett Washleski continued his fine rookie campaign by winning the 144-pound title at Region 5. In doing so, Washleski (30-3) joined his older brother, Colton, a two-time state placewinner (fourth in 2021, sixth in '20) who won his lone Region 5 title at 145 in '20. Rhett's championship was Central's 104th overall. Former three-time state runner-up Gary Dinmore (2011-14) is the only four-time region champ for the Red Devils. Moving onto the state tournament with Washleski are Region 5 runner-up Anthony Rossi (33-4 at 113), and juniors Ryan Sherlock (23-9 at 106) and William Cella (24-5 at 138) -- both fourth-place finishers.

17 -- Warren County sent an area-best 17 wrestlers to Atlantic City, including a pair from Hackettstown in juniors Aiden Scheeringa (31-5 at 106, second) and Nicolas Balella (32-7 at 132, fourth), who moved on from Region 3. North Warren also had a medalist -- for the first time under fifth-year coach Kellen Bradley -- in junior James Dacunto (25-5 at 157, fourth). 

6 -- Delaware Valley led Hunterdon County with six state qualifiers as juniors Jake Taylor (27-7 at 113), Matt Roche (31-9 at 126) and Anderson Olcott (29-7 at 215)m, and senior Garrett Tettemer (20-1 at 165) were all runners-up. Sophomore Jackson Bush (28-10 at 138), also a first-time region medal winner, and senior Chris Colasurdo (27-7 at 150), a two-time qualifier, also placed for the Terriers, who haven't had a champion since 2018 and snapped a two-year skid without a representative in AC in 2022. 

Wadle can be NH's first 3-time state medalist since Ryan Pomrinca (2012, '14, '15)

16 -- Hunterdon County sent a total of 16 wrestlers, 12 out of Region 4, as North Hunterdon had a pair of champions -- four in 2022 -- in seniors Logan Wadle (30-2 at 106) and Brendan Raley (32-3 at 215), who both won their second titles -- Nos. 78 and 79 for the Lions. Wadle, a two-time state medalist, was one shy of his father, Rudy, who won three Region 5 titles for North (1991-93). Seniors Daniel DeLusant (31-3 at 144) and Alex Uryniak (34-2 at 190), a 2022 region champ, also moved on. Also in Region 4, juniors Logan Wiecoreck (38-4 at 157, second) and Cameron Baumann (38-4 at 285, third) advanced for sister-school Voorhees, which produced its first winning season since 2019  last season and went 19-10 in 2022-23 under former Del Val state medalist Ricky Kurtz, who has the program heading in the right direction. It also snapped the program's three-year skid without a state qualifier, which has happened just five times. The only other years the Vikes missed producing at least one state qualifier were in 2002 and '03.

13 -- High Point sophomore Nick Clayton (28-12 at 120, fourth) and senior Arik Hums (28-10 at 285, second) qualified for the 'Cats, who didn't have a champ for just the fifth time since 2005. In addition to Dalling, junior Reece Smith (25-6 at 144, third) medaled for the Cougars in Region 1, as Sussex County grabbed 13 medals. Sparta sophomore Logan Hrenenko (33-6) finished fourth at 144.. It was a travesty that Spartans coach Dan Trappe did not earn Region 1 Coach of the Year honors as he guided the program to a 20-7 mark and its first sectional final appearance since 2018 in North 1, Group 3 coming off a 2-22 campaign a year ago.

38 -- Pope John advanced five out of Region 1, including a pair of champions -- Dalton Webber (113) and Carson Walsh (126) who raised the program total to 38. Webber (30-5) made it back-to-back golds at 113 for the Lions, while Walsh (33-2), who had three pins in his title run last year, had a fall and a technical fall in his repeat performance, as the Sussex County school extended its string with at least one winner to eight straight seasons. Former state champs Mike Frick (1969-72) and JoJo Aragona (2016-19) are the only wrestlers in the program history to win four region titles. Junior Justin Holly (8-4) was a runner-up at 138, while sophomore Jake Holly (25-9 at 106) and senior Jack Nauta (24-11 at 132) finished third to earn their first trips to the state tournament.

DV's No. 11 ranking is its highest since No. 8 in 2017

5 -- Delaware Valley, the Group 1 champion and No. 9 in the final New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20, was voted the area's top public school and No. 11 in the state in the always politically-biased New Jersey Coaches Association Top 25, which was released on Sunday afternoon. In all, five teams from the HWS area graced the rankings as Group 5 runner-up Phillipsburg was one spot behind the Terriers at No. 12. Group 3 runner-up Warren Hills checked in at No. 13, two spots ahead of Hunterdon Central. Group 4 champion North Hunterdon checked in at No. 19. This was the first time since 2013 -- the only other season since the poll formed in 1971 -- that no team from HWS finished in the Top 10.

Wrestling: Region (1-5) schedules, stats, information

Schedules and other information for the regions involving Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area schools. All tournaments will be held Friday and Saturday.

The top four at each weight class advance to the 90th State Wrestling Championships March 2-4 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

There are 107 HWS area wrestlers still competing -- down 15 from 2022. Overall, here are the local qualifiers by season since realignment (which changes every three years) was introduced in 2017 -- 118 in '17 and '18; 125 in '19; 113 in '20 (no district tournaments in '21 due to COVID-19) and 122 in '22. The six-year average is 117.

Phillipsburg and Warren Hills (11); Pope John (10); North Hunterdon, Hunterdon Central and Delaware Valley (9); Kittatinny, Newton and Sparta (7); High Point (6); Voorhees (5); Lenape Valley, Hackettstown and North Warren (4); Vernon (3); Belvidere (1).

Note: Tickets must be purchased online for most regions. There will be no sales at the door for most venues, but check with your school.

Region 1

At West Milford High School

Area schools: High Point, Kittatinny, Newton, North Warren, Pope John, Sparta, Vernon.

Rest of the field: Butler, Cresskill, Demarest, Don Bosco Prep, Dumont, Emerson-Park Ridge, Glen Rock, Hawthorne, Indian Hills, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lakeland, Mahwah, Manchester Regional, New Milford, Northern Highlands, Old Tappan, Pascack Hills, Pascack Valley, Pequannock, Pompton Lakes, Ramapo, Ramsey, Ridgewood, River Dell, St. Joseph-Montvale, Tenafly, Waldwick-Midland Park, Wayne Hills, West Milford, Westwood.

West Milford will host R1 for the fifth year since 2018.

Returning champions (9): So. Vincent Paino, St. Joseph-Montvale (106 in 2022); So. Carson Walsh, Pope John (113 in '22); So. Donny Almeyda, St. Joseph-Montvale (120 in '22); Sr. Mateo Sgambellone, St. Joseph-Montvale (132 in '22); Jr. Frank DiBella, St. Joseph-Montvale (150 in '22); So. Rocco Dellagatta, St. Joseph-Montvale (157 in '22); Sr. Michael Dellagatta, St. Joseph-Montvale (175 in '22); Jr. Aidan Schlett, St. Joseph-Montvale (215 in '22); Sr. Jim Mullen, St. Joseph-Montvale (285, R1 in '22, R1 in '20).

Friday schedule: Preliminaries (three mats), 5 p.m.; quarterfinals to follow.

Saturday schedule: Semifinals and wrestlebacks (three mats), 9 a.m.; third-place and fifth-place consolations plus championship finals (three mats) to follow.

Ticket prices: $8 adults, $3 students and seniors (online only Friday and Saturday).

Region 2

At Mount Olive High School

Area school: Lenape Valley.

Rest of the field: Bergen Catholic, Bergenfield, Bogota-Ridgefield Park, Boonton, Clifton, DePaul, Dover, Dwight Morrow, Elmwood Park, Fair Lawn, Fort Lee, Garfield, Hackensack, Hasbrouck Heights, Leonia-Palisades Park, Lodi, Montville, Morris Hills, Morris Knolls, Mountain Lakes, Mount Olive, Paramus, Paramus Catholic, Parsippany, Parsippany Hills, Passaic, Passaic Tech, Passaic Valley, Paterson Eastside, Paterson Kennedy, Roxbury, Saddle Brook, Teaneck, Wayne Valley, West Essex.

Returning champions (6): Sr. Malik Asfour, Lodi (113 in 2022); Sr. Luke Stanich, Roxbury (120 in '22, N1 in '21, R2 in '20); Sr. Aidan Wallace, Bergen Catholic (126 in '22); Jr. Ryan Ford, Bergen Catholic (132 in '22); Sr. Justin Onello, Bergen Catholic (175 in '22); Sr. Max Acciardi, Paramus Catholic (285 in '22, N1 in '21).

 

Previous champions (1): Sr. Jack Bastarrika, Mount Olive (N1 in 2021).

Friday schedule: Preliminaries (four mats), 5 p.m.; quarterfinals to follow (four mats).

Saturday schedule: Semifinals and wrestlebacks (four mats), 10 a.m.; third-place and fifth-place consolations, plus championship finals (three mats), approximately 3 p.m.

Ticket prices: $8 adults, $3 students and seniors at the door (Friday); $8 adults, $3 students and seniors at the door (Saturday). Online prices are the same for each day.

Region 3

At West Orange High School

Area schools: Belvidere, Hackettstown, Phillipsburg, Warren Hills.

Rest of the field: Barringer, Becton-Wood-Ridge, Belleville, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Cliffside Park-Ridgefield, Columbia, Delbarton, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Hanover Park, Hoboken, Kearny, Livingston, Lyndhurst-North Arlington, Madison, Mendham, Montclair, Morristown, Newark Academy, North Bergen, Nutley, Orange, Randolph, Rutherford, Secaucus, Seton Hall Prep, Union City, Verona, Weehawken, West Morris, West Orange, Whippany Park.

Returning champions (10): Sr. Aidan Carmody, Livingston (106 in 2022); Jr. Daniel Jones, Delbarton (113 in '22, N2 in '21); Sr. Michael Camponaro, West Morris (120 in '22); Jr. Jack Myers, Morristown (126 in '22); Sr. Tyler Vazquez, Delbarton (132 in '22, N2 in '21, R3 in '20); So. Alessio Perentin, Delbarton (138 in '22); Sr. Cross Wasilewski, Delbarton (144 in '22, N2 in '21, R3 in '20); Sr. Simon Ruiz, Delbarton (157 in '22, N2 in '21); So. Vincenzo LaValle, Hanover Park (190 in '22); Jr. John Wargo, Phillipsburg (285 in '22).

Friday schedule: Preliminaries (three mats), 4:30 p.m.; quarterfinals to follow (three mats).

Saturday schedule: Semifinals and wrestlebacks (three mats), 10 a.m.; third-place and fifth-place consolations (three mats), 2 p.m.; championship finals (one mat), 4 p.m.

Ticket prices: $8 adults, $3 students and seniors (online only Friday and Saturday).

Region 4

At Union High School

Area schools: Delaware Valley, North Hunterdon, Voorhees.

Rest of the field: Bayonne, Bernards, Bound Brook, Brearley-Dayton, Bridgewater-Raritan, Carteret, Colonia, Cranford, Elizabeth, Governor Livingston, Irvington, JFK-Iselin, Johnson, J.P. Stevens, Linden, Millburn, Newark Collegiate, Newark East Side, New Providence, North Plainfield, Pingry, Plainfield, Rahway, Ridge, Roselle Park, St. Peter's Prep, St. Thomas Aquinas, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Somerville, South Plainfield, Summit-Chatham, Union, Watchung Hills, Weequahic, Westfield.

Returning champions (9): Sr. Logan Wadle, North Hunterdon (106 in 2022); Sr. Donovan Chavis, St. Peter's Prep (120 in '22); So. Caedyn Ricciardi, St. Peter's Prep (126 in '22); Jr. Jonathan Fuller, St. Peter's Prep (132 in '22); Jr. Nicholas Campagna, South Plainfield (150 in '22); Sr. Michael Murphy, Westfield (157 in '22); So. Anthony Harris, St. Peter's Prep (165 in '22); Sr. Alex Uryniak, North Hunterdon (190 in '22); Sr. Brendan Raley, North Hunterdon (215 in '22).

Wadle can be NH's first repeat winner at 106 since his father, Rudy (103 in 1991-92)

Friday schedule: Preliminaries (four mats), 6 p.m.; quarterfinals to follow (four mats).

Saturday schedule: Semifinals and wrestlebacks (four mats), 9 a.m.; third-place and fifth-place consolations, plus championship finals (three mats), 2 p.m.

Ticket prices: $8 adults, $3 students and seniors (online only Friday and Saturday).

Region 5

At Franklin High School

Area school: Hunterdon Central.

Rest of the field: East Brunswick, Edison, Franklin, Highland Park. Hillsborough, Holmdel, Hopewell Valley, Keansburg, Keyport-Hudson, Manalapan, Manville, Marlboro, Matawan, Metuchen, Middlesex-Dunellen, Middletown North, Middletown South, Montgomery, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Old Bridge, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, Princeton, Raritan, Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank Regional, Rumson-Fair Haven, Rutgers Prep, St. John Vianney, St. Joseph-Metuchen, Sayreville, South Brunswick, South River, Spotswood, West Windsor North, Woodbridge.

Returning champions (8): So. Patrick O'Keefe, St. John Vianney (106 in 2022); So. Anthony Knox, St. John Vianney (113 in '22); Sr. Jack Zaleski, Middletown South (126 in '22, R5 in '20); Sr. David Hussey, Middletown South (144 in '22); Sr. Evan Mendez, St. Joseph-Metuchen (150 in '22); Jr. Thomas Brunetti, Hunterdon Central (165 in '22); Jr. Hudson Skove, Rumson-Fair Haven (190 in '22); Jr. Lorenzo Portella, Red Bank Catholic (285 in '22).

Previous champions (2): Sr. Tyler Sagi, Old Bridge (CR in 2021); Sr. Sabino Portella, Red Bank Catholic (CR in '21, R6 in '20).

Friday schedule: Preliminaries (four mats), 4 p.m.; quarterfinals to follow (four mats).

Saturday schedule: Semifinals and wrestlebacks (four mats), 10 a.m.; third-place and fifth-place consolations, plus championship finals to follow.

Ticket prices: $8 adults, $3 students and seniors (Friday and Saturday).

Wrestling: District recap for HWS by the numbers

Let's review what happened in the nine districts that house teams from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area. There are 107 local wrestlers still competing -- down 15 from 2022.

Overall, here are the area qualifiers by season since realignment (which changes every three years) was introduced in 2017 -- 118 in '17 and '18; 125 in '19; 113 in '20 (no district tournaments in '21 due to COVID-19) and 122 in '22. The six-year average is 117.

The top three at each weight class advanced to the region tournaments on Friday and Saturday. Region 1 is at West Milford, Region 2 at Mount Olive, Region 3 at West Orange, Region 4 at Union and Region 5 at Franklin.

Here's the team-by team breakdown of qualifiers:

Phillipsburg and Warren Hills (11); Pope John (10); North Hunterdon, Hunterdon Central and Delaware Valley (9); Kittatinny, Newton and Sparta (7); High Point (6); Voorhees (5); Lenape Valley, Hackettstown and North Warren (4); Vernon (3); Belvidere (1).

We had four schools win team championships (though the NJSIAA no longer recognizes this with a trophy): Pope John (D3), Phillipsburg (D10), Warren Hills (D12), Delaware Valley (D15).

Here's a closer look by the numbers:

North celebrates Logan Wadle's 100th win (NH social media)

20 -- North Hunterdon seniors Logan Wadle and Daniel DeLusant made program history in District 13 at Cranford by becoming just the 19th and 20th to win at least three titles for the Lions. None have won four since North great Ricky Frondorf, now a youth coach and four-time state placewinner, did so from 2000-03. Wadle (27-2 at 106), a state title contender, joined his father, Rudy, who also won three titles (1991-93) for North as Logan (101-17) became the 14th to hit the 100-win mark -- also achieved by senior Alex Uryniak (32-1 at 190), who won his second district title, earlier this season. Repeating at 215 pounds was senior Brendan Raley (29-3), while junior Brian Wilson (20-11 at 165) won his first as the Group 4 champion Lions raised their overall total to 232 district champs.

374 -- Phillipsburg dusted the field in District 10, as sophomores Gavin Hawk (30-5 at 132) and Luke Geleta (31-5 at 138) repeated as champions, along with senior Hunter Cleaver (18-8 at 165) and junior John Wargo (31-2 at 285). Winning their first titles were junior Dawson McWilliams (25-12 at 113) and seniors Connor Hille (25-5 at 175) and Logan Kries (18-14 at 215). Hawk and Geleta are halfway to joining just eight others to win four district crowns for the Stateliners, who now have 374 champions overall and have had at least one winner since missing for the only time 1950, sent an area-best 11 wrestlers (along with Warren Hills) on to Region 3.

67 -- Hackettstown junior Aiden Scheeringa won his second straight title at 106 pounds to become the Warren County school's 67th district champion (37 since 2001) and first to go back-to-back since Alex Carida (2017-18). Scheeringa (29-4), who is 64-16 overall and should be a strong contender for a state medal, is among four Region 3 qualifiers for the Tigers, including juniors Nicolas Balella (29-5 at 132), a runner-up, and Jose Alvarenga Giron (17-9 at 165) and senior Liam Burke (20-13 at 175).

11 -- Warren Hills joined Phillipsburg in sending a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area best 11 wrestlers on to Region 3 at West Orange. Repeating as District 12 champions were sophomore Tyler Redfield (26-7 at 120), junior Josh Lee (28-6 at 126), as well as seniors Shawn Redfield (31-3 at 138) and Jarett Pantuso (31-2 at 215). First-time winners for the Blue Streaks, who have produced a grand total of 206 district champions, were seniors Cody Miller (26-9 at 157) and Chris Whitehead (25-12 at 190).

#PushthePace ⚪️🔵⚡️🤼‍♂️💯 pic.twitter.com/xRtjxw93Tx

— Warren Hills Wrestling (@WHR_Wrestling) February 18, 2023

126 -- Voorhees junior Cameron Baumann won his first District 13 title at Cranford -- raising the program's total to 126 in now the Vikings' 48th season. Baumann (35-3 at 285) is the 10th heavyweight to win a championship for the Hunterdon County school -- joining Chris Foley (1979), Lee Getz (1981-82), Thor Beveridge (1983-84), Gene Olexson (1985), Greg Juntilla (1987), Dan Iozzi (1994), Alex Fischetti (2013), Sam Huff (2017) and Lewis Fernandes (2018-19). Runners-up Christian Bollette (26-12 at 106) and Logan Wiecoreck (35-3 at 157) also advanced to Region 4 at Union. Bollette's father, J.P., was a 1997 district champ for Kittatinny at 130 pounds, while uncles, Eric and Brian, are also former standouts for the Cougars and now head coaches at Newton and Morris Hills.

25 -- Delaware Valley paced the field in District 15 at Scotch Plains-Fanwood with a tournament-best six champions -- Jake Taylor (25-6 at 113), a two-time winner, Jaden Perez (28-2 at 120), Matt Roche (29-8 at 126), Jackson Bush (26-8 at 138), Garrett Tettemer (18-0 at 165) and Anderson Olcott (27-6 at 215). The Group 1 champion Terriers, who have had at least one winner in 25 straight tournaments since missing in 1997, crowned six champs for only the second time in program history, joining the 2006 squad, and their record is seven (1993). Del Val coach Andy Fitz, who has coached 45 of the school's 127 champs, won a district title for the Terriers at 160 pounds in 1990.  

97 -- Newton, which advanced seven to Region 1, sure kept things in the family once again as senior Thaylor Sibblies won his second straight championship in District 3. Sibblies (30-1 at 157), who won at 144 pounds last season and should be in the state medal hunt, now owns bragging rights in his family with one more title than his father, Teddy, a one-time champ at 130 pounds in 1989. Teddy, also a longtime assistant coach, is the last state finalist for the Braves, now in their 97th season, with a runner-up finish as a senior in '89. Andy Iliff, also an assistant coach, won two district titles (1985 and '87) and a pair of state titles (1986-87) -- the last of Newton's state-record 82 championships.

39 -- Hunterdon Central, which amazingly has no district winners a year ago for the first time since 1957, had a trio of champions in District 17 at the Field House as juniors Anthony Rossi (31-3 at 113) and William Cella (22-3 at 138) and freshman Rhett Washleski (27-3) all won their first titles. Washleski's brother, Colton, won a district championship at 120 pounds in 2019. The Red Devils, who have won 39 team championships overall and finished third behind St. John Vianney and Hillsborough, advanced nine, including senior runner-up Henry Wilkinson (19-3 at 150), a 2020 champion, to Region 5 at Franklin High School.

5 -- Pope John extended its streak with at least six champions to five straight tournaments by crowning six for a second straight year in District 3 at Dumont High School. Sophomore Carson Walsh (30-2 at 126), a returning state medal winner, won his second title, along with seniors Jason Athey (22-8 at 120) and Jack Nauta (21-10 at 132), while freshmen Dalton Webber (27-5 at 113) and David Thomson (20-9 at 190) and junior Justin Holly (6-3 at 138) all won their first championships for the Lions, who have had six winners on two other occasions (1975 and 2019) and a program-best seven twice (2018 and '20).

Hums and Barron (HP social media)

19 -- Group 2 champion High Point ran its streak with at least one district winner to 19 straight tournaments and freshman John Barron (18-14 at 106), who will be one to watch moving forward, and senior Arik Hums (26-9 at 285) won their first titles in District 1 at River Dell High School. The 'Cats, who boast 130 champs overall and haven't been shut out at the district level since 2003, advanced six to Region 1 at West Milford High School. Iconic head coach John Gardner won three titles (1988-90) for the Sussex County School, while longtime assistant Mickey Thomas was the first in program history at 115 pounds in 1968. Ace assistant Billy Smith (2009-11) is among 15 to win three or more for the 'Cats.

7 -- Kittatinny, which sent seven to the Region 1 Tournament behind two repeat District 4 champions -- junior Reece Smith and sophomore Ethan Dalling. Smith (22-5) , who won at 138 pounds last year, made the successful drop for the postseason, along with Dalling (29-1), whose title at 157 gave his family a total of eight district golds for the Cougars. Older brother, Steven, was a two-time winner (2020 and '21), while their father, Steve, a two-time state champ, was the first of five to win four district titles under New Jersey wrestling legend John Gill, who has coached at least one district champ since missing in 1993 and 122 of the program's 126 overall. Juniors Bryce Coesfeld (27-3 at 150) and Tucker Lockburner (26-4 at 190) won their first titles on Saturday, giving the program four winners for the first time since a quartet in 2014.

17 -- North Warren, coming off a tough dual-meet campaign, produced a champion for the second straight year as senior J.J. Wohlers won at 285 pounds in District 4 at Kittatinny Regional High School. Wohlers (25-6), who is the 17th champion in program history, was among four Patriots to qualify for the Region 1 Tournament at West Milford, as senior Thomas Dugan (26-8 ay 120) and junior James Dacunto (22-3 at 157) were runner-ups, while freshman Connor Hallowich (18-16 at 106) placed third.

3 -- Vernon advanced three to Region 1 for the first time since five Vikings moved on in 2012 -- also the last year with a champion as Davib Tlatelpa (220) and Jon Gemeinhardt (285) became the 22nd and 23rd in program history. Coach Joe Down has done a nice job boosting the sport's numbers after the Sussex County school had a combined total of just five region qualifiers from 2013-22. Freshman True DiGiuseppe (24-8 at 157) and Jeyss Abreu (18-11 at 215) -- both third-place finishers -- and senior runner-up Daniel Lovett (21-8 at 175) earned medals and a trip to Region 1 at West Milford.

78 -- Lenape Valley also ran its streak of at least one champion to 19 straight tournaments as sophomore Gage Graziano won his first title in District 8 at Fair Lawn High School. Graziano (25-8 at 138), who received a forfeit in the quarterfinals, pinned both of his opponents to become the program's 78th district champ. The Patriots advanced four to Region 2 at Mount Olive, including runners-up Jakob Bell (26-9 at 144) and Eric Perez (25-8 at 190) and third-place finisher Marc Pavese (25-10 at 132).

1 -- Sparta continued its fantastic turnaround campaign with one champion at District 4, as senior Sebastian Gomez (17-17 at 165) won his first title. The Spartans, who went a dismal 2-22 last season, finished second in the North 1, Group 3 section and 20-7 overall under District 4 Coach of the Year Dan Trappe. The Spartans, who advanced seven to Region 1, also have logged 17 district winners since 2014 after being shut out from 2008-13 and in '22. Belvidere had one Region 3 qualifier as senior Jacob Hachtmann (28-8) was a runner-up at 215 in District 10.

Wrestling: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

  (Final for 2022-23)

Skyland Conference
Delaware Division
		Overall	Division
wxy-Phillipsburg		(15-3)	(5-0)
Hunterdon Central		(17-4)	(3-0)
w-Hillsborough		(24-4)	(3-2)
Bridgewater-Raritan		(17-5)	(2-2)
Watchung Hills		(15-7)	(1-4)
Franklin		(14-10)	(0-5)
Raritan Division
		Overall	Division
xyz-Delaware Valley		(18-3)	(5-1)
xyz-North Hunterdon		(15-5)	(5-1)
xy-Warren Hills		(18-4)	(5-1)
Ridge		(18-9)	(3-3)
Voorhees		(19-10)	(2-4)
Somerville		(11-16)	(1-5)
Montgomery		(6-19)	(0-6)
Valley Division
		Overall	Division
x-Bernards		(15-4)	(5-0)
Manville		(22-3)	(4-1)
Pingry		(9-12)	(3-2)
Belvidere		(5-17)	(2-3)
Bound Brook		(2-20)	(1-4)
Rutgers Prep		(0-21)	(0-5)
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Freedom Division
		Overall	Division
xyz-High Point		(12-9)	(3-0)
y-Kittatinny		(12-6)	(2-1)
Jefferson		(17-8)	(1-2)
Newton		(11-11)	(0-3)
American Division
		Overall	Division
wx-Delbarton		(15-4)	(4-1)
xy-Mount Olive		(11-5)	(4-1)
Morris Hills		(13-12)	(3-2)
Pope John		(8-8)	(2-3)
Montville		(13-12)	(2-3)
Mendham		(9-15)	(0-5)
Colonial Division
		Overall	Division
x-Hackettstown		(12-14)	(5-0)
Lenape Valley		(8-16)	(4-1)
Vernon		(6-14)	(2-3)
Wallkill Valley		(10-8)	(2-3)
North Warren		(4-19)	(2-3)
Hopatcong		(1-22)	(0-5)
National Division
		Overall	Division
x-West Morris		(15-6)	(5-0)
Morris Knolls		(11-9)	(3-2)
Roxbury		(12-8)	(3-2)
Sparta		(20-7)	(3-2)
Randolph		(15-7)	(1-4)
Morristown		(10-13)	(0-5)
w-county tournament champion
x-division champion
y-sectional champion
z-Group champion