Wrestling: Boresch Duals traditional must-see event

It's that time again as some of New Jersey's top high school wrestling teams are slated to participate in the 18th Henry Boresch Duals on Saturday, Jan. 6 at Newton High School.

This year's event features two teams ranked in the season's inaugural New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20 as South Jersey powers Delsea and Paulsboro drew the top two seeds.

Newton has crowned the most individual state champs (82)

Governor Livingston, last season's Group 2 runner-up, is a newcomer to the Boresch Duals, while four-time champion South Plainfield returns along with reigning Group 4 champion North Hunterdon, a two-time Boresch Duals finalist and 2020 champion.

Delsea (1-2), ranked No. 14 by the NJWWA, is the No. 1 seed and will take on host Newton (2-2) in the opening round at 9 a.m. The reigning two-time Group 3 champion Crusaders feature junior Jamar Dixon Jr. (10-1), a two-time state placewinner and a Sam Cali Tournament champion at 150 pounds, along with state qualifiers Gage Summers (8-4 at 120), Blaise Verdino (7-5 at 126) and Riley Boos (9-3 at 165). 

Dixon's only loss this season is to Phillipsburg junior Gavin Hawk (11-1) (3-1 in SV) at last weekend's quad. That was the swing bout in Delsea's 30-28 loss to the Stateliners. Coach Greg Sawyer's Crusaders went 0-2 on the day, dropping a 39-24 decision to No. 20 Mount Olive.

Paulsboro (3-0), last season's Group 1 runner-up and ranked No. 19 by the NJWWA, is seeking its third Boresch Duals title after going back-to-back in 2018 and '19. The Red Raiders, who are the No. 2 seed and will open against No. 7 South Plainfield, are led by state qualifiers Hayden Holmes (8-2 at 113), Chase Bish (7-3 at 150) and 2022 state placewinner Roman Onorato (9-1 at 157). 

Governor Livingston (4-1), which is the No. 3 seed and meets No. 6 Wayne Valley in the quarterfinals, returns eight starters from last season's Group 2 runner-up team, including juniors and state qualifiers Jake Kreisberg (9-2 at 157), Cristian Gioia (11-0 at 165) and Nathan Faxon (11-0 at 215).

North Hunterdon (1-3) is off to a slow start under former Bergen Catholic coach Dave Bell, whose fourth-seeded Lions are in a bit of a rebuilding phase in his first season at the helm. North, which squares off with No. 5 Hanover Park in the second quarterfinal round, relies on a group of talented lower weights, including sophomore Reid Buzby (10-2 at 106), junior Joseph Celentano (7-5 at 113) and freshman Aiden Yarussi (8-4 at 120). Junior Joshua Joubert (10-3 at 157) and senior Brian Wilson (8-3 at 175), a Region 4 fifth-place finisher last season, are also off to strong starts.

Newton (2-2), which won its fourth and last Boresch Duals title in 2010, is battling some inexperience early this season, but the Braves, who will open against No. 1 Delsea, will look to use this event to get better down the road. Junior Aaron Stone (7-3 at 165), who finished second in the John Goles Invitational on Thursday, is one to watch.

Hanover Park (4-2), which features junior Vincenzo LaValle (10-2 at 190), a two-time third-place state medalist, is guided by former Kittatinny standout Tyler Branham and ace assistant James LaValle, a three-time state champion for the Hornets.

Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Here is the schedule (All times approximate as a new round will begin following the completion of the previous session):

Quarterfinals, 9 a.m.

1-Delsea (1-2) vs. 8-Newton (2-2)
2-Paulsboro (3-0) vs. 7-South Plainfield (2-3)

Quarterfinals, 10:30 a.m.

3-Governor Livingston (4-1) vs. 6-Wayne Valley (1-2)
4-North Hunterdon (1-3) vs. 5-Hanover Park (4-2)

Wrestleback semifinals, noon

Delsea-Newton loser vs. North Hunterdon-Hanover Park loser

Governor Livingston-Wayne Valley loser vs. Paulsboro-South Plainfield loser

Semifinals, 1:30 p.m.

Delsea-Newton winner vs. North Hunterdon-Hanover Park winner

Governor Livingston-Wayne Valley winner vs. Paulsboro-South Plainfield winner

Consolation round, 3 p.m.

Fifth- and seventh-place matches.

Championship round, 4:30 p.m.

First- and third-place matches.

Memory lane of champions

2006 -- Don Bosco 50, Haddonfield 24

2007 -- Newton 54, Pequannock 9

2008 -- Newton 36, Haddonfield 31

2009 -- Newton 43, Haddonfield 18

2010 -- Newton 34, Don Bosco 32

2011 -- Raritan 41, Newton 24

2012 -- South Plainfield 47, Raritan 18

2013 -- South Plainfield 62, Raritan 8

2014 -- Hanover Park 35, Raritan 29

2015 -- Howell 40, South Plainfield 15

2016 -- South Plainfield 45, Howell 20

2017 -- South Plainfield 43, Hanover Park 23

2018 -- Paulsboro 48, Hanover Park 20

2019 -- Paulsboro 37, South Plainfield 17

2020 -- North Hunterdon 40, Kingsway 21

2021 -- No event due to COVID-19

2022 -- Howell 39, North Hunterdon 28

2023 -- Delsea 53, South Plainfield 9

Wrestling: John Goles Invitational preview, info

What: John Goles Invitational Tournament (65th).

When: Thursday.

Where: Warren Hills Regional High School, Washington Township.

Participating teams (13): Columbia, Delaware Valley; Hopewell Valley; Kearny; Newton; Northern Highlands; Nottingham; Passaic Tech; Ramapo; Southern; Verona; Warren Hills; West Morris.

Schedule: Preliminaries (four mats), 9 a.m.; Quarterfinals (four mats) to follow; Wrestlebacks one (four mats) to follow quarters; Wrestlebacks two to follow; Semifinals (main gym) and consolation semifinals (auxiliary gym) to follow; Consolation finals on four mats (third-fourth in main gym and fifth-sixth in auxiliary gym) to follow; Championships (one mat) in main gym to follow.

Returning champions (6, 2023 weights): Jr. 

Delaware Valley eyes its first Goles title since 2016

Charlie Piccione, Warren Hills (120, two-time John Goles champion, District 12 second, Region 3 second, State Wrestleback two); Jr. Mark Montuore, West Morris (120, District 11 third); Jr. Jaden Perez, Delaware Valley (126, District 15 first, Region 4 fifth); Jr. Jackson Bush, Delaware Valley (144, 2021 John Goles champion; District 15 first, Region 4 fourth, State Wrestleback two); Jr. Brandon John Dean, West Morris (157, District 11 first, Region 3 first, State sixth); Sr. Anderson Olcott, Delaware Valley (District 15 first, Region 4 second, State Wrestleback one).

Others to watch: Fr. Brody Neill, West Morris (106); So. Augie Szamreta, Warren Hills (106, John Goles third, District 12 third); Jr. Dean Meissner, Hopewell Valley (106, John Goles fourth, District 18 first); Fr. Aidan Webb, Warren Hills (113); Sr. Jake Taylor, Delaware Valley (120, Two-time John Goles second, District 15 first, Region 4 second, State Wrestleback two); Sr. Matt Roche, Delaware Valley (132, District 15 first, Region 4 second, State eighth); Jr. Tyler Redfield, Warren Hills (132, Two-time John Goles second, District 12 first, Region 3 second, State Wrestleback one); Jr. Joey Fulco, Ramapo (132, District 2 second, Region 1 sixth); Sr. Josh Baeza, Kearny (138, District 9 second, Region 3 sixth); Sr. Ben Levy, Delaware Valley (150, District 15 second, Region 4 sixth); Jr. James Conklin, Passaic Tech (150, District 6 second, Region 2 third, State Wrestleback two); Sr. Omar Tarecky, Passaic Tech (157, District 6 second, Region 2 third, State Wrestleback two); Jr. Aaron Stone, Newton (165, District 3 second); So. Tommy Borgia, West Morris (215, District 11 second, Region 3 fourth, State Wrestleback two); Sr. Ethan Mendel, Northern Highlands (215, District 2 third, Region 1 third, State Wrestleback two).

Notes: Once the nation's second-longest consecutive holiday tournament, the John Goles was not held for the first time since its inception in 1958 due to the pandemic in 2020 -- thereby losing the streak and annual label. The Hunterdon Central Invitational, which had been the nation's longest consecutive holiday tourney by one year, also skipped 2020 before resuming in '21. ... Southern is a new entry in the field, though the split-squad Rams, ranked as the top public school at No. 6 in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20, have most of their top wrestlers at the rugged Powerade Tournament in Pennsylvania. ... Thus, No. 13 Delaware Valley, the Group 1 champion in 2022 and '23 with a pretty balanced lineup, rates a huge favorite to win its first team title since 2016 ... Hard to think about the Goles without remembering longtime tournament director and Warren Hills icon Bill Lunger, who died in October 2019. Lunger, who served as the school's public address announcer and was the voice of the Blue Streaks for many decades, loved this tournament with a passion. A plaque bearing his name is awarded to three-time champions. He continues to be missed. ... Speaking of three-time winners, Piccione looks to become

Who will be the Streaks' 200th Goles champion?

only the 39th wrestler in tournament history and first for the Streaks to win at least three titles since Matt Valli (2013, '15, '16). Anthony Lusardi (1986-88), Earl Cornine (1987-89) and Ryan Kanewski (1993-96), the program's lone four-time champion, are the only Streaks to win titles in their first three high school seasons (freshmen were not allowed to compete on the varsity level for the Warren County school at one time). ... Washington-Warren Hills has produced 18 wrestlers to win at least three championships overall, including John Rhinehart (1966-68) and Rob Rhinehart (1973-75), the grandfather and great uncle of Hills sophomore Davey Rhinehart, a runner-up at 113 pounds as a freshman. Another great uncle, Rick, won a title in 1969. ... Warren Hills senior Josh Lee, a two-time finalist and champion in 2021, will miss this year's event due to an ankle injury. His older brother, Jared, now wrestling at 149 pounds for the Rochester Institute of Technology, was a three-time finalist and champion in 2021. Washington-Warren Hills has a tournament-best 199 champions overall. The Blue Streaks haven't gone without at least one gold medal since getting shut out in 2002, while they've won or shared 24 team championships, including back-to-back titles in 2021 and '22. The Streaks haven't won three straight since 1989-90. Current assistant coach Marty White, a 1991 New Jersey state champion at 130 pounds, was a member of those teams and a two-time Goles winner in 1989 and '90. ... Delaware Valley has won 11 of the previous 24 team titles, including eight in a row from 1998-2005. ... Newton has produced at least one champ in all but four tournaments since 2000 -- missing in 2004, '12, '15 and '22. Speaking of which, ace assistant coaches Andy Iliff (1985-86) and Ted Sibblies (1987-88) were two-time winners for the Braves. Del Val assistant coach Gregg Wiseburn (1999-2000) was a two-time champ for Warren Hills.

Championship picks: Augie Szamreta, Warren Hills (106); Aidan Webb, Warren Hills (113); Charlie Piccione, Warren Hills (120); Jaden Perez, Delaware Valley (126); Matt Roche, Delaware Valley (132); Josh Baeza, Kearny (138); Jackson Bush, Delaware Valley (144); James Conklin, Passaic Tech (150); Brandon John Dean, West Morris (157); Aaron Stone, Newton (165); Jake Gray, Northern Highlands (175); Anderson Olcott, Delaware Valley (190); Tommy Borgia, West Morris (215); Jason Dixon, Passaic Tech (285).

Team champion: Delaware Valley.

Wrestling: HWS schedule for Dec. 27-30

Wednesday, Dec. 27

(All events 9 a.m. unless noted)

Independent

Hackettstown, North Hunterdon, Pope John, Sparta in Sam Cali Tournament at FDU

High Point in Mustang Classic at Brick Memorial, 10 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 28

(All events 9 a.m. unless noted)

Independent

Hackettstown, North Hunterdon, Pope John, Sparta in Sam Cali Tournament at FDU

Hackettstown, Vernon, Wallkill Valley at Lenape Valley Tournament, 9:30 a.m.

Belvidere, North Warren, Sparta in Linn Crawn Classic at Kittatinny

Delaware Valley, Newton in John Goles Invitational at Warren Hills

Phillipsburg at Bethlehem Holiday Classic

Voorhees at Holmdel Tournament

Friday, Dec. 29

(All events 9 a.m. unless noted)

Independent

Rutherford, Whippany Park at Hackettstown

Phillipsburg at Bethlehem Holiday Classic, 10 a.m. 

Pope John at Parsippany Tournament 

Vernon, Tenafly at Waldwick-Midland Park, 10 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 30

(All events 9 a.m. unless noted)

Independent

Kittatinny, Belleville at Hanover Park

Manatee (Fla.), Morris Hills, South Plainfield at Hopatcong-Lenape Valley, 10 a.m.

Bridgewater-Raritan, Mendham at Newton

Hunterdon Central Invitational Tournament

Warren Hills at Caldwell, 10 a.m.

Wrestling: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

(Through Saturday's matches)

Skyland Conference
Delaware Division
		Overall	Division
Hunterdon Central		(5-0)	(3-0)
Phillipsburg		(4-0)	(2-0)
Warren Hills		(4-1)	(1-1)
Watchung Hills		(0-3)	(0-0)
Hillsborough		(0-2)	(0-1)
Bridgewater-Raritan		(1-3)	(0-2)
North Hunterdon		(1-3)	(0-2)
Raritan Division
		Overall	Division
Delaware Valley		(3-0)	(2-0)
Ridge		(4-0)	(1-0)
Bernards		(3-1)	(2-1)
Voorhees		(1-3)	(1-1)
Franklin		(2-6)	(0-2)
Pingry		(0-2)	(0-2)
Valley Division
		Overall	Division
Montgomery		(2-0)	(1-0)
Somerville		(1-0)	(1-0)
Bound Brook		(1-4)	(1-1)
Manville		(1-2)	(1-1)
Rutgers Prep		(1-1)	(1-1)
Belvidere		(0-4)	(0-2)
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Freedom Division
		Overall	Division
Kittatinny		(5-0)	(1-0)
Jefferson		(2-3)	(1-0)
High Point		(1-0)	(0-0)
Hackettstown		(1-1)	(0-1)
Newton		(1-1)	(0-1)
American Division
		Overall	Division
Mount Olive		(4-1)	(1-0)
Pope John		(1-0)	(1-0)
Delbarton		(0-0)	(0-0)
Montville		(1-1)	(0-0)
Morris Hills		(1-2)	(0-1)
West Morris		(1-4)	(0-1)
Colonial Division
		Overall	Division
North Warren		(1-1)	(1-0)
Hopatcong-Lenape V		(1-0)	(0-0)
Wallkill Valley		(0-2)	(0-0)
Vernon		(0-2)	(0-1)
National Division
		Overall	Division
Sparta		(2-0)	(1-0)
Morris Knolls		(1-2)	(1-1)
Roxbury		(1-1)	(1-1)
Mendham		(1-1)	(0-0)
Randolph		(0-3)	(0-0)
Morristown		(0-3)	(0-1)

Wrestling: Hills wins dual thriller; P'burg quad on tap

It's been an eventful first week in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area and it's set to close with a bang as Phillipsburg hosts a powerhouse quad on Saturday that includes two other teams ranked in the season's first New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20.  

Warren Hills is now 24-41 all-time vs. North.

Before we get to that one, how about Warren Hills' thrilling 32-30 win over North Hunterdon in a Skyland Conference Delaware Division clash on Wednesday night? I'm not a fan of the top locals meeting this early in the season, same with Hills vs. Hunterdon Central on opening weekend, but this was a dandy.

The Blue Streaks prevailed on blue-chip freshman Aidan Webb's pin in the final bout at 113 pounds. Webb, who trailed 6-3 against Lions junior Joseph Celentano, sent the home crowd into a frenzy by hitting a tight headlock for the stunning fall in 4:54.

Warren Hills (1-1), which is coming off back-to-back Group 3 runner-up finishes, is in somewhat of a rebuilding mode, much like reigning Group 4 champion North Hunterdon (1-1). Now under first-year head coach K.C. Wanamaker, the Streaks have battled some injuries and inexperience from 157-285, where they are a combined 5-26 in their careers on the varsity level. But from 106-150, this is a team that can be a handful for opponents.

Hills, which won eight bouts and finished with a 21-14 edge in takedowns, also got critical wins from Tyler O'Neill (4-2 at 150), Cyles Oyarce-Santiago (2-3 at 190) and Paul Hamas, who scored a 7-2 decision in his season debut at 285, to set the stage for Webb's heroics. The Streaks won consecutive meetings with the Lions (35-34 on most bouts won criterion last season) for the first time since a three-peat in 1989-91. North is 24-7 since '92, winning a series-tying-best six in a row from 1998-2003. 

Quad city

It's extremely rare for Phillipsburg to take part in a quad meet, but the Stateliners will be tested early against two-time defending Group 3 champion Delsea and North 1, Group 4 champion Mount Olive, which won its first state title in '22.

North Hunterdon will also join in the fun, though the Lions will not wrestle Delsea -- presumably because the teams could meet in a few weeks in the Henry Boresch Duals at Newton on Jan. 6.

P'burg (1-0), which is sitting on 1,030 wins overall, began its quest for the program's 24th state team championship with a 69-3 win in a Skyland Conference clash at Bridgewater-Raritan on Wednesday. Unfortunately for the 'Liners, senior state qualifier Caleb Rivera (33-12 as a junior and 64-25 overall),  was lost for the season due to a knee injury sustained during the football season.

A strong group of upper weights hasn't missed a beat as junior Derek Stone is 5-0 at 190, while senior Nathan Smith is 4-1 at 215. 

Phillipsburg is 58-11-1 all-time vs. North dating to 1961, and 1-0 vs. Mount Olive (48-12 in the 2003 North 2, Group 3 sectional final), which features a pair of state medal winners in Tyeler Hagensen (6-0 at 120, fourth in 2022) and Tyler Bienus (5-0 at 190, seventh in 2023). 

This will be the Stateliners' first meeting against Delsea, which is led by junior Jamar Dixon Jr. (3-0 at 150), a seventh-place finisher in last season's state tournament.

Here's the schedule for Saturday: 

Round 1 at 10 a.m.: Phillipsburg vs. Delsea; North Hunterdon vs. Mount Olive

Round 2: Phillipsburg vs. North Hunterdon; Delsea vs. Mount Olive

Round 3: Phillipsburg vs. Mount Olive

Now, onto the season's first set of area rankings:

P'burg celebrates its 40th sectional title in 2023.

1. Phillipsburg (1-0) -- Stateliners, ranked No. 10 in the first New Jersey Wresting Writers Association Top 20, gave Tim Longacre his first win as a head coach with a 69-3 waxing of Bridgewater-Raritan on Wednesday. Sophomore Gavin Geleta (4-0 at 132) and senior Liam Packer (5-0 at 175) are off to fast starts, while junior Luke Geleta (4-0 at 144) and senior John Wargo (4-0 at 285) picked up their 70th career victories.

Up next: Delsea, Mount Olive and North Hunterdon at home on Saturday.

2. Hunterdon Central (2-0) -- Red Devils, ranked No. 12 in the NJWWA Top 20, followed up an impressive 48-22 season-opening victory over Warren Hills with a 44-28 win vs. Hillsborough on Wednesday. Sophomore Rhett Washleski (5-0 at 150) and seniors Anthony Rossi (5-0 at 120 and Thomas Brunetti (5-0 at 190) anchor a fairly balanced lineup.

Up next: Bridgewater-Raritan, Governor Livingston, Jefferson at home on Saturday.

3. Delaware Valley (2-0) -- Terriers, ranked No. 13 in the NJWWA Top 20, cruised to a 64-6 win over Hopewell Valley on Tuesday before a 63-9 victory against Pingry on Wednesday. Leading the way were seniors Matt Roche (5-0 at 132), Kevin Roman (5-0 at 175) and Anderson Olcott (5-0 at 190), along with junior Jackson Bush (5-0 at 144). 

Up next: Bernards at home on Saturday.

4. Pope John (1-0) -- Lions rolled to a 58-18 win over West Morris on Tuesday to open the dual meet season. Junior Jake Holly (4-2 at 106) picked up a 7-2 win over talented Wolfpack freshman Brody Neill, while junior Carson Walsh (7-2 at 132), a two-time state placewinner with 68 career wins, finished fourth at the rugged Beast of the East Tournament to open the season.

Up next: at Sam Cali Tournament on Dec. 27-28.

5. Warren Hills (1-1) -- Blue Streaks evened their record against Hunterdon County teams this season with a thrilling 32-30 win against North Hunterdon on Wednesday after dropping a 48-22 decision to Hunterdon Central in Friday's opener. Senior captain Josh Lee (5-0 at 144) sits at 68 career victories. Should be an interesting match with West Morris on Friday as the Wolfpack can match up in spots down low and figure to have an advantage up top.

Up next: Hanover Park and West Morris at Randolph on Friday.

6. North Hunterdon (1-1) -- Lions gave new head coach Dave Bell his first win at the helm with a 43-28 victory over rival Voorhees on Monday before losing in heartbreaking fashion, 32-30 at Warren Hills on Wednesday. Sophomore Reid Buzby (6-0 at 106) put North in a great spot with his 4-3 decision vs. Augie Szamreta in the next-to-last bout before yielding a decisive pin at 113. The schedule doesn't get any easier with two NJWWA Top 20 teams on tap this weekend.

Up next: Mount Olive at Phillipsburg on Saturday.

7. High Point (1-0) -- The reigning Group 2 champion Wildcats rolled to a 53-19 victory over West Morris on Wednesday to open the dual season in coach John Gardner's final campaign as the boys coach. This match figured to be tighter on paper as seniors Ty Woods (138) and Dalton Yetter (175) are out with injuries. Gardner was pleased with the overall effort, especially from juniors Michael Tidona (144) and Donald Weiss (215), who both saved team points in losses. Junior Nick Clayton (4-1 at 138) is one win shy of 60 in his career.

Up next: Mustang Classic at Brick Memorial on Wednesday.

Reece Smith won a Caldwell Tournament title at 157.

8. Kittatinny (2-0) -- Cougars began their dual meet campaign in legendary head coach John Gill's 44th season at the helm with a 59-12 victory at Hackettstown on Tuesday and followed that up with a tight 33-25 win over Morris Hills on Thursday (No. 639 for Gill). From 157 up, this team will be a problem for opponents with a combined record of 21-7 thus far -- seniors Reece Smith (5-0 at 157), Bryce Coesfeld (3-2 at 175), Kaleb Ogar (4-1 at 190), Tucker Lockburner (3-1 at 215-285), Alex Laoudis (2-2 at 215-285) and junior Ethan Dalling (4-1 at 165).

Up next: Wayne Valley, Passaic Tech at West Milford Duals on Friday.

9. Voorhees (1-2) -- Vikings followed a 60-18 season-opening win over Pingry with back-to-back losses to North Hunterdon (43-28 on Monday) and Bernards (45-31 on Wednesday). Coach Ricky Kurtz's team can pose problems for opponents with the Vikes' strong group up top led by seniors Logan Wiecoreck (5-0 at 165), Travis Cryan (4-2 at 175), Trevor Zabroski (6-0 at 215) and Cameron Baumann (6-0 at 285). Sophomore Christian Bollette (4-1 at 120) anchors a promising group down low.

Up next: at Monroe Township on Friday. 

10. Sparta (2-0) -- Spartans opened their dual meet season with a pair of 42-24 wins against Pompton Lakes (Dec. 14) and Roxbury (Tuesday). Sophomores Ryan Hrenenko (5-0 at 132) and Liam Hassloch (4-1 at 190), junior Logan Hrenenko (5-0 at 144) and senior Eugene Donnelly (4-1 at 138) are off to strong starts.

Up next: Randolph at home on Jan. 4.

Wrestling: HWS trio headline first NJWWA Top 20

We're off and running as the 2023-24 high school wrestling season got underway this past weekend with a myriad of tournaments and a smattering of dual meets.

The season's first New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20 was released on Tuesday morning with three teams representing the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area. 

Phillipsburg, last season's Group 5 state runner-up and fresh off a strong showing in the Vogeding Tournament at Paulsboro High School, checks in at No. 10 as the area's highest ranked team. 

The Stateliners, under first-year head coach Tim Longacre, had seven champions among their 11 finalists, including seniors Dawson McWilliams (2-0 at 126 pounds), Liam Packer (4-0 at 175) and John Wargo (3-0 at 285). Junior Luke Geleta (3-0 at 144) and Wargo are sitting on 69 career victories.

Perhaps even more significant was the fact that this was the first time that Phillipsburg traveled to Paulsboro since 2013. The traditional Garden State powers haven't met in dual meet since P'burg's 38-21 victory at The Pit in 2014. Paulsboro owns an 8-7 lead in a series that began in 1999. There was no meeting in '10.

Though the dual series ended under controversial circumstances nearly a decade ago, P'burg did a solid for Paulsboro during the 2016 Group championships, when the South Jersey team's bus was stuck at its hotel in Toms River.    

Phillipsburg opens its dual season at Bridgewater-Raritan on Wednesday before hosting a strong quad with No. 14 Delsea, No. 20 Mount Olive and unranked North Hunterdon on Saturday.

Hunterdon Central, which opened its season with an impressive 48-22 win over Warren Hills, checks in at No. 12. The Red Devils (1-0) followed up that performance by winning the Caldwell Tournament team championship on Saturday. Seniors Anthony Rossi (4-0 at 120), Evan Thompson (4-0 at 138) and Thomas Brunetti (4-0 at 190) are off to strong starts.

Delaware Valley rounds out the local contingent in the NJWWA Top 20. Coach Andy Fitz's senior-laden Terriers cruised to the team championship with six individual winners in their Wendy Pandy-Leh Tournament on Saturday. No. 13 Del Val, which opens the dual season at Hopewell Valley on Tuesday, is a strong favorite to win a third consecutive Group 1 championship. 

The Terriers won a program record four straight state titles in Group 2 from 1987-90 under longtime coach Vince Fitz (284-60-3 in 19 seasons from 1971-90). Andy, now in his 17th season in charge, is closing in on his father's program wins record at 266-93.

Two fixtures in recent seasons did not make the first Top 20. North Hunterdon, the reigning Group 4 champion and Warren Hills, which finished as the Group 3 runner-up the previous two seasons, have new head coaches and are in rebuilding mode. They'll meet in a Skyland Conference clash in Washington on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

North, now under longtime Bergen Catholic coach Dave Bell, finished third in the Ricky Iacono Memorial Tournament at Governor Livingston on Saturday behind a pair of champions -- sophomore Reid Buzby (5-0 at 106) and freshman Aiden Yarussi (4-0 at 120). North opened its dual season with a 43-28 win at home against rival Voorhees on Monday night. The Lions have won 10 straight in the series since a 26-25 loss in 2013 (teams did not wrestle during the 2021 Covid season), but it was the most points scored by the Vikings since a 38-26 victory over North in 2012. 

WH hosts North Hunterdon on Wednesday. (WH Facebook page) 

Warren Hills, which won five bouts in the loss to Hunterdon Central, finished third at the Caldwell Tournament on Saturday. The Blue Streaks can hang with a lot of teams from 106-144, but first-year coach K.C. Wanamaker's team is battling inexperience from 150 on up and is shorthanded at 215 and 285. Talented freshman Aidan Webb (4-0 at 113), who beat Hunterdon Central state qualifier Ryan Sherlock twice this weekend, is part of a strong group down low. Sophomore Davey Rhinehart (4-0 at 126), junior Tyler Redfield (4-0 at 132) and senior captain Josh Lee (4-0 at 144) are proven winners.

The first NJWWA Top 20 of the season has the same look at the top as the final one of the 2022-23 season.

St. Joseph-Montvale, which upended then No. 1 Delbarton 28-24 in a classic Non Public A championship match, begins the season ranked No. 1.

The Green Knights have nine state placewinners and 10 state qualifiers from last season in their lineup. They began the season by finishing fourth in the team standings in the Beast of the East Tournament and had seven medal winners, led by 175-pound champion Ryan Burton.

Delbarton, which has four 2023 state placewinners, led by returning champion Alessio Perentin and Louis Cerchio, is No. 2. The Green Wave finished sixth at the Beast of the East and had four medal winners, led by 138-pound champion Jayden James.

St. Peter's Prep looks like a team that could give both St. Joseph-Montvale and Delbarton a run for the money. The Marauders return six state placewinners and 10 state qualifiers. They finished seventh at the Beast of the East -- two points behind Delbarton -- and had two medal winners, led by 132-pound runner-up Caedyn Ricciardi.

Reigning Group 5 champion Southern is the top ranked public school team and opens at No. 6. The Rams, who finished as the top public school team in last year's NJWWA Top 20, have seven returning state qualifiers and three state medal winners, led by returning 150-pound state champion Matt Henrich.

Southern began its season with a 73-6 win over Brick Township and had eight champions in its Robin Leff Tournament. That tournament included wrestlers from state-ranked Camden Catholic, Delsea and Mount Olive.

Here is the preseason NJWWA Top 20. The first regular season rankings will be posted on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The poll will then run on Tuesdays throughout the rest of the regular season beginning Jan. 9.

Rank	School	Record
1	St. Joseph-Montvale	(1-0)
2	Delbarton	(0-0)
3	St. Peter's Prep	(0-0)
4	Bergen Catholic	(0-0)
5	Paramus Catholic	(0-0)
6	Southern	(1-0)
7	Don Bosco Prep	(0-0)
8	Camden Catholic	(0-0)
9	Christian Bros. Academy	(1-0)
10	Phillipsburg	(0-0)
11	St. John Vianney	(0-0)
12	Hunterdon Central	(1-0)
13	Delaware Valley	(0-0)
14	Delsea	(0-0)
15	Seton Hall Prep	(0-0)
16	St. Joseph-Metuchen	(2-0)
17	Brick Memorial	(1-0)
18	Cranford	(0-0)
19	Paulsboro	(0-0)
20	Mount Olive	(0-0)

Voting members listed in alphabetical order: Donald J. Brower (gardenstatehswrestling.com); Frank D’Esposito (shoreconferencewrestling.com); Steven Falk (Asbury Park Press and APP.com); Sean Farrell (The Record and NorthJersey.com); Tom McGurk (Courier Post and courierpostonline.com); Andy Mendlowitz (Courier News, Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com); Michael Weilamann (Open Mike and mikeopen.blogspot.com), Brad Wilson (lehighvalleylive.com/The Express-Times).