Wrestling: HWS eyeing sectional success (pairings)

The postseason can be a great opportunity for some teams to finish up the dual meet campaign on a high note. For others, making title runs is an annual rite of passage.

Kittatinny (9-10), which has endured its share of struggles this season, has the opportunity to finish up strong when it hosts one half of the North 1, Group 1 sectional tournament on Monday in Hampton Township. The top-seeded Cougars, who have won 25 titles under legendary coach John Gill, open against No. 8 seed Boonton, while No. 5 Kinnelon squares off with No. 4 Emerson-Park Ridge on the adjacent mat at 5 p.m. The winners meet in a semifinal clash at 7. 

Kittatinny is 86-31 in the postseason under Gill

The championships for all 20 public schools will be contested on Wednesday at the higher seed. All sectional winners move onto the state semifinal round on Friday, Feb. 14 at the higher seeds. The state finals will be held at Rutgers University's Jersey Mike's Arena on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 16. 

"We can have something to cheer about, something to be proud of," said Gill, whose program is three wins shy of 700, while his record stands at 665-218-5 over 45 seasons. "How many people have 26 [sectional titles]? I'd like to try to get it."

In all, 10 teams from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area qualified for the public tournaments, including No. 1 seeds Phillipsburg (North 1, Group 4), Delaware Valley (Central Jersey, Group 1) and High Point (North 1, Group 2), along with No. 2 seed North Hunterdon (North 2, Group 4). Pope John will participate in the Non-Public B state tournament that begins on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The Lions are a No. 2 seed.

Warren Hills (North 2, Group 3), Hackettstown (North 2, Group 2), Hunterdon Central (Central Jersey, Group 5), Belvidere (North 2, Group 1) and Newton (North 1, Group 1) round out the area public school contingent.

Kittatinny, which has never entered the sectionals under .500 in 34 previous appearances, closes out the regular season against Sparta at home on Friday. To answer Gill's question above about section titles, only Paulsboro (43), Phillipsburg (41), High Point (30) have won more than Kittatinny.

HWS teams have combined to win 219 sectional titles

"I'm excited about sectional week," said Gill, whose team has been battle tested with matches against state-ranked Phillipsburg, Delaware Valley and Caldwell, as well as reigning Group 4 champion Ridge. "This was a rough season for the Cougars. I'm hoping that [our tough schedule] pays off. I've never been undefeated. I'm sure I could try and play with the schedule and make an undefeated season. I'm old school. You want to be good, wrestle the best."

Kittatinny has plenty of new faces in the lineup, but you can trace the lineage of some to championship teams past. Freshmen Kyle White (15-11 at 113) and Kevin White (10-16) are the nephews of former two-time district champ Doug Morrow, while senior ace Ethan Dalling (27-2) is the youngest son of two-time state champion and three-time finalist Steve Dalling, who was a senior on the Cougars' first sectional title team in 1991. Freshman Carter DiCataldo's father, James, a four-time district winner and state medalist in 1997, was a key figure on the school's sectional title teams in 1994, '95 and '96. 

"We have some banners [in the practice room]," Gill said. "I point to them and tell the kids this is what we're here for. We try to talk about history, especially family history."

Speaking of history, Gill will once again oppose one of his former wrestlers as Boonton coach Dave Hughen brings his Bombers (0-4 all-time vs. the Cougars) to Sussex County. Hughen, a region runner-up as a senior in 1994, also serves as his school's athletics director.

'Liners eyeing 42

Phillipsburg, which has reached the title match in 44 previous tournaments, begins what should be a much tougher road than in recent seasons to a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex record 42nd championship when it hosts one half of the North 1, Group 4 matchups in Lopatcong Township.

P'burg is 295-58-3 all-time vs. HWS area teams

The top-seeded Stateliners (13-3), who will have six days' rest between matches after a 65-11 rout of Kittatinny (win No. 1,060 overall) on Monday evening, will square off against No. 8 seed Leonia-Palisades Park for the first time in program history, while No. 5 Fair Lawn battles No. 4 Morris Knolls on the adjacent mat. 

"I was torn on getting another match later in the week and I'm glad we didn't," said P'burg coach Tim Longacre, whose team has been dealing with injuries and sickness of late. "It's our health more than anything. So that's where we are at now."

The unusual layoff is just fine with the P'burg wrestlers as well. Luke Geleta (25-1 at 144), one of two senior aces and returning state medalists along with Gavin Hawk (25-1 at 157), said the 'Liners, ranked No. 15 in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers statewide poll, are ready for another title run in unquestionably the state's toughest section.

"Usually, we have some buffer matches between to get us ready," Geleta said, "but honestly, I think we kind of like the long break because it gives us time to get together as a team and bond a little bit along with recovering. If all 14 of us go out and do their job, we will do pretty well." 

Championship contenders

HP (30 titles) trails only Paulsboro (43) and P'burg (41)

High Point, which saw its string of six straight sectional titles end in the 2024 North 1, Group 2 final, seeks the program's 31st championship and first under rookie head coach Billy Smith. The Wildcats (15-5), who did not have the No. 1 seed a year ago for the first time since 2016, could meet up again with No. 5 seed Jefferson (3-18), which dropped a 64-11 decision when the teams met on Jan. 21.

Delaware Valley, ranked No. 18 in the NJWWA Top 20, is on the hunt for its third Group 1 title in four seasons after being denied a third straight championship last season with a 33-25 loss to Paulsboro. The Terriers (13-3), who look to match Hunterdon Central (23) for the county lead in sectional titles, have been the consensus state championship favorites all season and own a win over Kittatinny (63-9 on Jan. 4).  

North Hunterdon (12-6), ranked No. 14 in the NJWWA Top 20, is on a major roll coming off wins over Phillipsburg (34-24 on Wednesday) and Ridge (35-29 on Friday). The Lions are seeking the program's 18th sectional title overall fourth in five years after winning the North 2, Group 4 sectional and state championships in 2023.

Stat corner

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area programs have captured at least one title (six in 2023) in each of the previous 44 seasons since the tournaments began in 1980 (none were held in 2021 due to the pandemic), while capturing an area-best seven championships five times (1988, '94, '95, 2002, '22). 

Del Val has won a Hunterdon County-best 10 state titles

The seeding committee met on Tuesday to finalize the pairings in each section and break any existing ties based on head-to-head results, where applicable, followed in order by average of all duals, common opponents and winning percentage. Pairings became official at noon on Wednesday.

Under the format adopted last season, Non-Public schools are housed in either A or B brackets and no longer divided into North and South sections. As a result there are no non-public sectional finals as the semifinal winners in A and B automatically advance to the state title round. 

Here are the matchups with final power points (records through Saturday's cutoff):

Group 5

North 1

At Passaic Tech

1-Passaic Tech (17-8, 37.78) vs. 8-Passaic (13-6, 28.22)

5-Morristown (12-5, 33.11) vs. 4-Bloomfield (19-7, 33.11)

At Livingston

3-Clifton (12-7, 33.56) vs. 6-North Bergen (12-5, 33.00)

7-West Orange (9-12, 31.44) vs. 2-Livingston (13-8, 35.33)

North 2

At Bridgewater-Raritan

1-Bridgewater-Raritan (14-7, 40.00) vs. 8-Kearny (7-11, 28.11)

5-Elizabeth (17-5, 30.67) vs. 4-Columbia (9-6, 31.00)

At Union

3-Bayonne (16-3, 32.44) vs. 6-Newark East Side (13-6, 30.56)

7-Piscataway (7-9, 29.33) vs. 2-Union (13-5, 34.33)

Central Jersey

At Old Bridge

1-Old Bridge (11-5, 40.44) vs. 8-Trenton Central (5-12, 27.11)

5-Edison (10-7, 36.11) vs. 4-East Brunswick (5-10, 32.78)

At Monroe

3-Hillsborough (11-9, 38.56) vs. 6-North Brunswick (12-9, 30.22)

7-Hunterdon Central (2-14, 27.11) vs. 2-Monroe Township (14-13, 39.11)

South Jersey

At Southern

1-Southern (12-3, 43.00) vs. 8-Cherokee (13-11, 34.67)

5-Rancocas Valley (20-3, 38.00) vs. 4-Kingsway (10-9, 40.56)

At Howell

3-Washington Township (15-4, 40.44) vs. 6-Highland-Triton (12-12, 37.00)

7-Lenape (15-2, 36.56) vs. 2-Howell (15-4, 41.78)

Group 4

North 1

At Phillipsburg

1-Phillipsburg (12-3, 42.67) vs. 8-Leonia-Palisades Park

5-Fair Lawn (13-8, 32.56) vs. 4-Morris Knolls (14-4, 36.22)

At Mount Olive

3-Ridge (16-5, 40.56) vs. 6-Northern Highlands (10-8, 32.00)

7-Ridgewood (6-9, 28.78) vs. 2-Mount Olive (11-3, 42.78)

North 2

At Middletown North

1-Middletown North (17-1, 41.89) vs. 8-Westfield (12-7, 35.56)

5-Sayreville (15-7, 37.78) vs. 4-Watchung Hills (16-3, 39.44)

At North Hunterdon

3-Middletown South (18-5, 39.78) vs. 6-Rahway (12-3, 37.00)

7-Woodbridge (12-2, 32.33) vs. 2-North Hunterdon (12-6, 41.22)

Central Jersey

At Long Branch

1-Long Branch (10-8, 39.00) vs. 8-Jackson Memorial (7-12, 30.11)

5-Manalapan (10-8, 33.89) vs. 4-Steinert (11-6, 33.89)

At Colts Neck

3-Hightstown (14-6, 35.67) vs. 6-West Windsor North (10-16, 32.44)

7-Freehold Borough (10-10, 31.67) vs. 2-Colts Neck (9-11, 36.44)

South Jersey

At Williamstown

1-Williamstown (13-6, 38.44) vs. 8-Central Regional (15-10, 34.11)

5-Hammonton (12-7, 35.89) vs. 4-Toms River South (15-1, 36.22)

At Northern Burlington

3-Shawnee (11-13, 36.56) vs. 6-Toms River East (8-11, 35.67)

7-Clearview (11-8, 34.89) vs. 2-Northern Burlington (9-10, 36.89)

Group 3

North 1

At Old Tappan

1-Old Tappan (14-1, 38.56) vs. 8-Becton-Wood-Ridge (16-3, 29.89)

5-River Dell (15-6, 33.89) vs. 4-Ramapo (8-8, 34.44)

At Wayne Valley

3-Montville (17-4, 38.11) vs. 6-Paramus (10-5, 32.56)

7-Demarest (10-10, 30.44) vs. 2-Wayne Valley (18-0, 38.56)

North 2

At Cranford 

1-Cranford (15-3, 41.67) vs. 8-Morris Hills (8-12, 32.44)

5-Roxbury (12-9, 35.67) vs. 4-West Essex (7-5, 36.56)

At South Plainfield

3-Warren Hills (10-9, 37.67) vs. 6-Nutley (13-6, 35.33)

7-Mendham (14-6, 32.89) vs. 2-South Plainfield (12-5, 37.89)

Central Jersey

At Hopewell Valley

1-Hopewell Valley (18-3, 41.22) vs. 8-Matawan (8-11, 30.44)

5-Allentown (12-6, 34.67) vs. 4-Robbinsville (14-7, 36.89)

At Brick Memorial

3-Jackson Liberty (8-6, 39.78) vs. 6-Burlington Township (15-6, 31.67)

7-Brick Township (12-7, 31.11) vs. Brick Memorial (10-4, 40.89)

South Jersey

At Delsea

1-Delsea (16-2, 42.78) vs. 8-Barnegat (10-7, 30.44)

5-Moorestown (12-7, 35.56) vs. 4-Ocean City (13-4, 38.89)

At Lacey

3-Seneca (17-2, 41.89) vs. 6-Deptford (14-5, 32.89)

7-Absegami (7-15, 30.67) vs. 2-Lacey Township (17-2, 42.33)

Group 2

North 1

At High Point

1-High Point (15-5, 41.00) vs. 8-Lakeland (5-7, 29.56)

5-Jefferson (3-18, 30.89) vs. 4-Westwood (13-4, 32.56)

At Pascack Valley

3-Pascack Hills (12-7, 31.56) vs. 6-West Milford (6-16, 30.56)

7-Manchester Regional (13-3, 30.22) vs. 2-Pascack Valley (14-6, 36.67)

North 2

At Caldwell

1-Caldwell (16-1, 41.67) vs. 8-Madison (3-13, 26.67)

5-Parsippany Hills (7-10, 30.11) vs. 4-Hackettstown (12-7, 31.56)

At West Morris

3-Governor Livingston (13-6, 35.89) vs. 6-Bernards (9-9, 27.11)

7-Elmwood Park (9-10, 26.89) vs. 2-West Morris (11-6, 39.00)

Central Jersey

At Rumson-Fair Haven

1-Rumson-Fair Haven (20-1, 42.22) vs. 8-Delran (17-3, 35.67)

5-Holmdel (14-3, 38.00) vs. 4-Point Pleasant Borough (12-3, 40.00)

At Ocean Township

3-Wall Township (15-3, 40.56) vs. 6-Raritan (8-8, 37.00)

7-Manasquan (11-4, 35.78) vs. 2-Ocean Township (15-3, 41.44)

South Jersey

At West Deptford

1-West Deptford (17-7, 40.56) vs. 8-Manchester Township (6-10, 28.89)

5-Middle Township (16-3, 37.56) vs. 4-Collingswood (19-7, 38.11)

At Lower Cape May

3-Gloucester City (12-8, 38.44) vs. 6-Haddonfield (13-11, 36.22)

7-Sterling (10-11, 29.56) vs. 2-Lower Cape May (14-4, 40.44)

Group 1

North 1

At Kittatinny

1-Kittatinny (9-9, 34.33) vs. 8-Boonton (9-4, 27.78)

5-Kinnelon (9-5, 29.44) vs. 4-Emerson-Park Ridge (9-10, 30.67)

At New Milford

3-Pompton Lakes (14-4, 32.33) vs. 6-Newton (8-11, 28.11)

7-Butler (9-7, 27.78) vs. 2-New Milford (13-1, 33.67)

North 2

At Hanover Park

1-Hanover Park (12-5, 40.00) vs. 8-Roselle Park (8-10, 26.33)

5-Secaucus (8-12, 28.89) vs. 4-Whippany Park (9-6, 27.22)

At Hasbrouck Heights

3-Cedar Grove (13-5, 34.44) vs. 6-Rutherford (7-11, 27.67)

7-Belvidere (7-9, 26.44) vs. 2-Hasbrouck Heights (16-1, 34.89)

Central Jersey

At Delaware Valley

1-Delaware Valley (13-3, 42.11) vs. 8-Shore Regional (7-11, 26.11)

5-Keansburg (8-6, 28.11) vs. 4-Metuchen (10-7, 29.67)

At Manville

3-Point Pleasant Beach (14-7, 30.00) vs. 6-Bound Brook (6-12, 27.89)

7-New Egypt (15-5, 27.44) vs. 2-Manville (18-4, 33.00)

South Jersey

At Audubon

1-Audubon (20-4, 40.89) vs. 8-Pitman (10-10, 26.11)

5-Haddon Township (7-13, 29.00) vs. 4-Schalick (22-1, 32.67)

At Paulsboro

3-Woodstown (14-7, 37.44) vs. 6-Pennsville (11-11, 28.67)

7-Palmyra (6-11, 27.22) vs. 2-Paulsboro (10-7, 39.00)

Non-Public Group A

At Delbarton

8-Paramus Catholic (6-7, 37.33) vs. 9-St. Joseph-Metuchen (11-3, 37.22), winner to meet 1-Delbarton (21-3, 42.56)

At St. John Vianney

5-Bergen Catholic (10-2, 36.78) vs. 12-St. Benedict's Prep (8-15, 30.00)
4-St. John Vianney (11-4, 40.56) vs. 13-Pingry (5-10, 25.33)

At Christian Brothers Academy

6-St. Joseph-Montvale (10-3, 38.89) vs. 11-Seton Hall Prep (8-6, 38.56), winner to meet 3-Christian Brothers Academy (9-3, 39.78)

At St. Peter's Prep

7-St. Augustine (13-6, 40.22) vs. 10-Don Bosco Prep (10-5, 36.78), winner to meet 2-St. Peter's Prep (15-1, 41.56)

Non-Public Group B

1-Camden Catholic (13-0, 39.89) vs. 8-Holy Cross (3-17, 24.78)
5-DePaul (3-14, 28.33) vs. 4-Immaculata (9-7, 35.67)

3-Red Bank Catholic (8-6, 37.89) vs. 6-St. Mary-Rutherford (5-14, 25.89)

7-St. Thomas Aquinas (2-16, 28.89) vs. 2-Pope John (8-5, 36.89)