Wrestling: End of era as Hrunka steps back at North

North Hunterdon's wrestling team is coming off one of the most successful stretches in the program's 67-year history. But head coach Chris Hrunka felt it's time to lighten the workload after six seasons in charge.

Hrunka, 33, informed his wrestlers on Friday morning that he resigned from his post. He also confirmed that longtime ace assistant Joe LaSpada, a 1971 state champion at 106 pounds for Bernards, won't return after spending 37 of his 40-year coaching career with the Lions. The search for North's ninth head coach is underway as positions will be officially posted on Monday.

Hrunka (with G4 trophy) celebrates with his staff

It became known in small area circles during the preseason that Hrunka, a Health and Physical Education teacher at North, would likely resign at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. 

"I just wanted [the wrestlers] to focus on this season and not worry about what's next," said Hrunka, who will continue run things on the youth level. "It was not something easy to do, turning away from the [high school] program."

It's hard to imagine going out on a higher note.

North (15-5), ranked No. 15 in the final the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20, captured its second North 2, Group 4 sectional (third since 2020) and Group 4 state championships in three years. There were no team tournaments in '21 due to the pandemic. In addition, three wrestlers placed in the 90th State Tournament last weekend, including senior Logan Wadle (35-2), who snapped the program's 20-year title drought with his victory at 106 pounds.

Hrunka, who also presided over North's 800th victory (59-15 vs. Montgomery on Jan. 4), is the second Lions head coach to capture two state team titles during their tenures. Fred Pierrro's teams, which went 83-28 from 1977-85, won Group 3 championships in '82 and '84.

North celebrates the program's 17th sectional title

Hrunka was certainly burning the candle at both ends. In addition to high school duties, he also ran the youth program. It became too much, leaving high school practices and going straight to youth practices, along with attending club meetings, which made for some late nights.

"It was a lot. It was hard coaching two teams," said Hrunka, who plans to be a volunteer, along with two-time North state placewinner Chris Vidak, on the next high school staff should the new head coach approve. Vidak, who's been on the current staff and also has two young daughters, was a state runner-up in 1993 and third in '92 at 152 pounds.

Hrunka, who lives in the Warren Hills district, wants to spend more time with his wife, Ellie, and their two young children -- Raymond (6) and Ruby (5).

"My kids are getting older," he said. "I'm not one to do this halfway."

North celebrates the program's sixth Group title

During his reign, Hrunka's teams went 95-18 overall with two of the program's four 20-win campaigns, including North's only perfect season -- a school-record 23 wins in 2019-20. That magical year, which included handing Phillipsburg (39-3) just its third sectional finals loss, culminated with the Lions' first state championship since 2002 and their fifth overall at the time. It was the first unbeaten campaign (ninth overall) by a Hunterdon County school since Voorhees went 22-0 and captured the Group 3 title in 1986-87. Beating P'burg twice that season was also county first. 

The coaching staff also continued a tradition at Finnagels Pub and Restaurant on Route 31 in Clinton by clipping off the bottoms of their ties to hang over the bar.

"It all started when Jason Hawk's team [won a Group 3 title in 2002]," Hrunka said. "When we won in 2020, they wanted us to give them something to go over the bar and we cut off the [school] emblems on our polos. This year it was the ties."

Hrunka coached 28 district and nine region champions to go with 12 state placewinners -- including the Lehigh-bound Wadle, a three-time medalist (runner-up in 2021 and third in '22), along with two-time state placers Alex Uryniak (fifth in 2023 and seventh in '21) and Brendan Raley (fourth in '23 and eighth in '22, plus 81 career victories). Wadle (109-17) and Uryniak (111-19) became the 13th and 14th members of the program's 100 wins club this season.

The 2021-22 team produced eight district champs (second-most to a North record 10 in 1969) and four region winners, which had been done only once previously (1985) in program history. 

"It's been fun. It's been my baby for a long time," said Hrunka, who was busy this week tying up some loose ends and getting the high school girls program in order. "We're making changes with the girls [hiring a full-time coach]. I wanted to leave the program in good shape."

Wadle got his 100th win the district semifinals

North is expected to be in rebuilding mode next season with the loss of eight seniors, including the trio of state medal winners, as well as Daniel DeLusant (83 career wins), who, along with Wadle, is one of just 20 Lions to win three or more district titles. North, which had four sophomores in the lineup, also graduates everyone from 165-285 and doesn't return a wrestler with more than 38 career wins.

But sophomore Joseph Celentano (27-13 at 106-113) and junior Brian Wilson (22-13 at 157), a 2023 district champion, had solid campaigns, They will be counted on to lead a fairly young team next season, which looks to compete in what should again be a wide-open race for the Group 4 title.

"North brings back a solid core of kids who will be good next season," Hrunka said. 

The high school team will also get some help from the ranks below. Mason Tettambel was a New Jersey Grade School League champion at 130 pounds, while Kieran Raley was a runner-up at 100. Matt Esposito finished third at 106. 

"They'll start bringing in good young kids next year and they'll just keep coming," said Hrunka, who is excited to spend more time with a youth program that saw its numbers rise to 150-plus this season (40 more than the previous year). 

Uryniak (second from left) on the podium in AC

Hrunka, whose resignation ends an era spanning 23 seasons, learned the coaching ropes from two of the area's all-time best coaches -- serving as an assistant for six seasons from 2011-17 during Jason Hawk and Tim Flynn's tenures. Hrunka succeeded Flynn, who resigned after the 2016-17 campaign. Hawk (117-48 from 2000-09) stayed on as an assistant when Flynn (118-48) took over as the former Phillipsburg stars combined for 235 wins, four sectional titles and a Group 3 championship in 2002 (which was the program's first since 1994). 

LaSpada, who's widely regarded as one of the top assistants around, served under four North head coaches dating to the third of Dennis Haughey's 16 seasons at the helm in 1986-87. Haughey stands as the Lions' all-time victories leader (231-76) and his .752 win percentage ranks behind only Hrunka's program-best .841.

Hrunka also enjoyed success as a wrestler, winning district and region titles for Warren Hills his senior season in 2007 (91-27 career record), He went on to start at Edinboro University, where he twice placed fourth in the Eastern Wrestling League Championships at 174 pounds in 2011-12.

With his son wrestling in the Washington Y (Warren Hills) system, Hrunka should stay plenty involved in the sport. And much like Flynn, who also never ruled out a future return to coaching and now runs the Phillipsburg Middle School program, perhaps there may be a sequel for Hrunka down the road.

"I'm not saying I'll never coach again," he said.  "I love it. It's in my blood."