Wrestling: Celebrating the best of an historic HWS

Just call it redemption Saturday for Hunterdon Central's wrestling team in what was a truly history-making and memorable Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg High School.

The 14th edition was an action-packed event that culminated with Central capturing the program's first team championship -- led by the Red Devils' first three-time winner in star senior Anthony Rossi, who steamrolled his way to the 120-pound title. Pope junior Carson Walsh (132) and Phillipsburg junior Gavin Hawk (150) also joined an elite group of 10 wrestlers to win three or more titles.

HC and North (2020) are the only Hunterdon schools with HWS team titles.

"A great day of firsts," head coach Jon Cantagallo-Rohm said. "I told the boys, 'Don't worry about team score. If everybody comes in and does what they need to do when we wrestle up to our potential, we'll be in the running at the end. And here we are team champs."

Hunterdon Central produced three champions overall as seniors Ryan Sherlock (113) and Thomas Brunetti (190) delivered clutch performances in the finals. Sherlock avenged some earlier losses this season to win his first title, while Brunetti joined a group of 38 wrestlers to earn at least two gold medals. In all, Central (225 points) and second-place Phillipsburg (220) had a tournament-best 12 wrestlers place among the top six at their respective weight classes.

Championship round aside, this tournament is really won in the wrestlebacks where Hunterdon Central, which went 3-3 in the finals, did most of its damage with four fifths and one sixth. 

"Picking up a lot of bonus points, some falls, kids like Nehemiah Bugash, a backup, coming through and taking a fifth. Ryan Seemon, Suk coming through and taking a third place. We knew [P'burg] was going to outpoint us in the finals. 

"For us to go through and pick up all those points and Ryan Sherlock to come through and win it and [Brunetti] to win it like he did [with a 9-0 major of previously-unbeaten Delaware Valley state qualifier Anderson Olcott]. All those guys wrestled their tails off today. So this is pretty cool." 

Sherlock's 6-4 win in the title round, though, was huge considering he had previously lost twice to talented Warren Hills freshman Aidan Webb (9-5 and 3-2 in December). Sherlock, who reversed a 7-5 loss three days earlier to P'burg sophomore Massimo Gonzalez in the semis (3-2 in SV), appeared to be heading for a third defeat to Webb after giving up a reversal that broke a 4-4 tie with 51 seconds left in the third period. 

Hunterdon Central ranks fourth with 21 individual titles

The aggressive Webb wisely gave the escape with 13 seconds to go and could have danced around a bit with no stall warnings on the book, but Sherlock converted a decisive takedown at the buzzer.

"We've come in here a couple times where we've been neck-and-neck with Phillipsburg or Pope John. The depth of this tournament, not just from the team perspective, but the individuals. I even had a couple officials comment to me today that the quality of wrestling from top to bottom is fantastic, the best they've seen in the state. 

"So to be able to come out of here for the first time in school history as team champs is something special."

Runnin' with the Devil

Rossi (19-0) took his third title win in stride on a day when he also became just the 28th wrestler at Central to reach the century mark in career victories. His third win of the season against Warren Hills junior Charlie Piccione -- an 18-3 technical fall in 2:45 -- in the finals was never in doubt.

Win No. 100 in the semifinals (a 16-1 technical fall of North Hunterdon freshman Aidan Yarussi) was more cause for celebration as Rossi was lauded during a classy postmatch presentation.

"I was really excited," said Rossi (101-15 overall), who picked up the Outstanding Wrestler Award in last year's HWS Tournament. "It's really awesome. I'm just really humbled. I put all the praise to my parents and God. I'm just going to train my hardest and have fun the rest of the year."

Lion King

Walsh, a two-time state placewinner, also cruised to his third title with an impressive 12-3 major of Hackettstown state qualifier Nicolas Balella in their 132-pound final. After a scoreless first period, Walsh (15-3) broke it open with a takedown and two turns for five back points in the second.

"He's a very quick kid, said Walsh, who joined JoJo Aragona (2016-19) and Eddie Ventresca (2017-20), both former state champs, and Jake Rotunda (2016-18) as the only Lions to win three or more HWS titles. Aragona was in attendance on Saturday with the Pope John coaching staff.

"Once I got the first takedown and [Balella] had to come to be because he was losing to close that gap, I think that's what opened it up a little more. I got that first takedown, then back points. Once you get on the board [first], they have to come to you and that's when I excel."

Fine 'Liner

Hawk is a wrestler on a mission this season after falling in the Blood Round and one win shy of a state medal last season. But being the first Phillipsburg wrestler to win three HWS titles was enough to put a smile on his face. 

Hawk was among a tourney-best four P'burg champs

For decking Hunterdon Central sophomore Rhett Washleski, a returning champion, in their 150-pound final, Hawk (18-1) became just the third Stateliner to earn OW honors -- joining Brandon Paetzell (2014) and Max Elling (2015). Junior Luke Geleta (144) and senior John Wargo (285) won their second titles, while senior Liam Packer (175) picked up his first for the 'Liners.

"Going for four [titles] will be pretty cool," Hawk said. "Especially with wrestling being so big in this area. But I don't really think too much about that though, because I'm more focused on what's ahead."

Much like their first meeting -- a 5-1 win for Hawk on the strength of two takedowns on Wednesday -- the rematch featured another insane scramble that culminated with a takedown for Hawk, who sunk in a half during the process to record the fall in 3:33.

"He's a really good scrambler," said Hawk, now 89-17 overall. "Those scrambles can go either way, but you just have to keep wrestling. I was on on the legs and felt the opportunity so I just went after it."

Official in waiting?

Whenever North Warren senior James Dacunto decides to hang up his wrestling shoes, he may make a fine referee. Dacunto was well aware of the situation as the calls for "TWO" rang down from the stands near the conclusion of his 1-0 win over fellow state qualifier and Cougars junior Ethan Dalling in the 165-pound final.

Dacunto (13-1), who escaped in the second period, maintains that Dalling did not convert what would have been a match-sealing reversal in the closing seconds.  

"For him to have two, he needs to step over my ankle. I made sure I'm blocking his hips with my ankle the entire time," said Dacunto, who avenged two previous losses to Dalling in this year's Linn Crawn Cougar Classic and the 2023 District 3 Tournament. 

"In the semifinals [a 2-1 win over Voorhees senior and returning champion Logan Wiecoreck], very close, similar situation where I had to make sure he can't get over my ankle. I know the rule is the second he steps over my ankle it's two points. I don't think it was two [in either bout]. I think most people would agree with that if you actually look at it and understand the rules."

Nonetheless, Dacunto joined Kevin Brown (2010) and Anthony Duardo (2016) as the only North Warren wrestlers to win HWS titles.

"Feels great," said Dacunto, who plans on dropping to 157 this season. "No disrespect to schools like Phillipsburg and Kittatinny, every year they are having multiple champions. I think it's something special when we haven't had one since 2016 and before that 2010. It adds an extra ingredient of being special and uniqueness."

Back points

Warren Hills had another tough championship round, going 0-4 as sophomore Augie Szamreta finished as a runner-up at 106 for the second straight season with a 9-2 loss to nemesis Jake Holly, one of three winners for Pope John, along with sophomore Dalton Weber (126). On the bright side for the Blue Streaks, senior Paul Hamas made his first finals appearance at 285 after battling knee issues stemming from football.

North Hunterdon, which finished eighth in the team standings, amazingly had no finalists for the first time in tournament history. The Lions, who won their only team title in 2020, logged three thirds, two fourths and one six and have produced 24 individual winners overall -- second only to Phillipsburg (37) and Pope John (26). The last time North did not have a champion was 2018, when former state medalist and current assistant coach Andrew Gapas, a 2017 champ, finished second at 138 pounds.

Sparta senior Connor White stunned the field at 215 as he decked Kittatinny senior and top seed Tucker Lockburner in 3:52 -- avenging an 8-1 loss when they met in last year's Linn Crawn Cougar Classic. White (11-4) is the sixth winner for the Sussex County school -- joining Gavin Lally (220 in 2015), Robert Gennat (195 in 2018), Garrett Stewart (126 in 2019), Cooper Stewart (113 in 2020) and Spencer Stewart (132 in 2020).

Delaware Valley was involved in a tight three-way team race for most of the tournament as junior Jackson Bush won his first title with a thrilling 6-5 win over Pope John senior Justin Holly, a 2023 champion. Bush built a 6-2 lead with a takedown and three backs in the second period before Holly closed the gap with an escape and late takedown in the third.

Kittatinny senior Reece Smith became the second in his family to win an HWS title as he pinned Hunterdon Central sophomore Grant Thompson in 5:14. Reece's older brother, Shane, won the 160-pound title in 2017. They joined Garrett Scrivani (135 in 2011) and Austin Scrivani (132 in 2015 and 138 in '16) as the only other set of brothers to win titles for the Cougars.

The are seven other brother combos to win HWS titles:

Belvidere's Dylan (132 in 2012) and Jesse Thorsen (145 in '13)
High Point's Joe (145 in 2010) and Jason Gaccione (145 in '15)
North Hunterdon's Mike (152 in 2013) and Derek Ciavarro (160 in '16)
Voorhees' Michael (170 in 2017) and Lewis Fernandes (220 in 2018 and 285 in '19)
Sparta's Garrett (126 in 2019), Cooper (113 in '20) and Spencer Stewart (132 in '20)
Phillipsburg's Cullen (106 in 2017) and James Day (126 in '22)
Pope John's Jake (106 in 2023-24) and Justin Holly (132 in '22). 

Vernon sophomore True DiGiuseppe, who finished third at 175, is his school's highest placewinner since Jon Gemeinhardt finished second at 285 in 2012. John Alvarez (fourth at 182 pounds in 2020) is the only other top-four medalist during that span for the Vikings, who are the only program without a champ. Kudos to coach Joe Down, whose 2023 team recorded just one team point.

Speaking of championships, the team race in 2025 could look a whole lot different if there are true wrestlebacks for third place. It's something that I'm told is in play. As it stands, wrestlers have to advance to the semifinals to make the top four. Early-round losers can only place as high as fifth. The argument against by many coaches is that it further strains match limits, but some competed in as many as five bouts this season.