'I love P'burg': Geleta, Hawk among 'Liner greats

ATLANTIC CITY -- It probably won't sink in right away, but when Phillipsburg seniors Luke Geleta and Gavin Hawk take a moment to reflect on what they were able to accomplish over four years on the high school mats, it should be with a tremendous sense of pride.

Though neither achieved their ultimate goal of winning an individual state title, Geleta and Hawk will forever be linked as two of the most successful Stateliners to ever don a Garnet and Grey singlet. The Nos. 1 and 2 career leaders for wins also earned their second state medals on Day 3 of the 92nd State Championships at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. 

Hawk is P'burg's 62nd state finalist (Tom Smith/Shore Sports Insider)

"We haven't really talked about it because we still had more to come for both of us," said Geleta (40-3), who finished seventh at 144 pounds with a 10-9 decision over Paramus Catholic's Seach Hibler, a 2024 runner-up. "Now that [it's over], we'll definitely be talking about it and looking back at just how awesome it was that we could accomplish those great things."

The list is a lengthy one. 

Hawk (40-2), who fell in the Blood Round in 2022 and '23, suffered his second straight state finals loss -- 3-2 to Southern's Wyatt Stout in the ultimate tiebreaker at 157 pounds -- ending the Stateliner's 32-match win streak dating to a 16-4 loss to two-time PIAA Class AAA state champion and Virginia Tech commit Collin Gaj of Quakertown in the Bethlehem Holiday Classic finals on Dec. 29. The Princeton University recruit was looking to become Phillipsburg's 34th champion and first since Brandon Hull won at 220 pounds in 2012.

After trading escapes in regulation, Hawk and Stout went into overtime. Stout, a Penn recruit, whose father, John, is a former Southern head coach, needed just five seconds to escape in the first 30-second rideout, while Hawk got out in just four in the second session. Since he had scored the first point, Hawk opted to take bottom in the ultimate. He appeared to be on the verge of getting out with 19 seconds left, but a questionable potentially dangerous call halted action with Stout briefly throwing in a leg as they both stood up. Stout sealed the win with a couple of strong mat returns in the closing seconds.

Geleta (far right) is among 154 state placers for P'burg

For Geleta, his performance came with a customary sense of satisfaction after falling here in the Blood Round as a junior coming off a sixth-place finish in 2023. It also capped a stellar career, which included three district and county titles, as well as joining Hawk as a Region 1 champ this season after three straight runner-up finishes. Geleta and Hawk also joined former state champion and head coach Bob Jiorle (1968-71) as the only 'Liners to appear in four region finals. 

"It feels great to be [back] on the podium, but I didn't achieve my goal," Geleta said, just shortly after winning his final high school bout on Saturday afternoon. "After four years, I'm beyond satisfied with my career and [I thank] my coaches and teammates for supporting me.

"For the next level, I'll be training even harder considering I didn't get my goal [of a high school state title]."

Hawk, a two-time region champion and OW this season, is among only nine to win four district titles for P'burg and became the school's first to win four Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament titles earlier this season. Geleta is the only other 'Liner and one of just 10 in the tri-county area to win at least three.

Geleta, who lists Columbia and Binghamton among his college choices, finished second on the P'burg wins list at 142-28, while Hawk, who also holds the pins record with 94, sits on top at 150-21, passing former state runner-up Brian Meyer (131-35), who set the previous program mark in 2018. Hawk is also Warren County's career leader and ranks third behind Ryan Pomrinca of North Hunterdon (155) and Lewis Fernandes (153) on the H-W list. Geleta is seventh in the group and tied with Hackettstown's Alex Carida for third all-time in Warren County, behind Belvidere's Quinn Melofchik (147).

Hawk and Geleta after winning Region 1 titles

With 292 career wins, seven district and county titles, three region and four state medals, Geleta and Hawk rank right up there among the all-timers at New Jersey's most storied wrestling program. But most importantly, they are two of the most humble and respectful young men you will ever come across.

"We pushed each other every day, working on being better wrestlers and better people, too," Geleta said. "Iron sharpens iron and that's what we've been doing the last four years. The results have shown."

The numbers don't lie. Phillipsburg will certainly miss two of its favorite sons, who helped lead the 'Liners, who finished No. 13 in the final NJWWA Top 20, to an overall mark of 66-9 the past four seasons, along with four Skyland Conference and sectional titles, and four state championship appearances, including a Group 5 title in 2022.

"The town of Phillipsburg is like no other," Geleta said. "You wrestle at Phillipsburg, you play football at Phillipsburg, every sport is a big deal. You have so many people supporting you, which shows in the results we've had in the past how every many years. It's awesome being in an environment like that ... always a packed crowd, all of our friends in the [student] section cheering us on. I love P'burg."

Championships

113 -- So. Cameron Sontz (39-0), Delbarton, d. Jr. Charles Esposito (36-9), St. Joseph-Montvale, 4-2.

120 -- So. Paul Kenny (33-2), Christian Brothers Academy, d. Jr. Johnathon McGinty (34-6), St. Joseph-Montvale, 1-0.

126 -- Sr. Anthony Knox (37-0), St. John Vianney, md. Jr. Nathan Braun (23-7), Bergen Catholic, 18-4.

132 -- Jr. Sammy Spaulding (41-3), Camden Catholic, d. So. Ryan DeGeorge (32-10), Delbarton, 9-6 SV. 

138 -- Sr. Caedyn Ricciardi (30-1), St. Peter's Prep, p. Sr. Carson Walsh (36-3), Pope John, :57.

144 -- Sr. Blase Mele (31-2), Princeton, d. Sr. Donny Almeyda (20-1), Pope John, 7-1.

150 -- Jr. Jayden James (43-0), Delbarton, p. Sr. Jamar Dixon Jr. (38-4), Delsea, 1:50.

157 -- Sr. Wyatt Stout (38-2), Southern, d. Sr. Gavin Hawk (40-2), Phillipsburg, 3-2 UTB.

165 -- Sr. Alessio Perentin (42-1), Delbarton, md. Sr. AJ Falcone (32-6), Christian Brothers Academy, 12-3.

175 -- Sr. Ryan Burton (40-1), St. Joseph-Montvale, md. Sr. Jordan Chapman (39-5), Cranford, 20-6.

190 -- Sr. Harvey Ludington (41-0), Brick Memorial, d. Sr. Vincenzo LaValle (42-4), Hanover Park, 7-3.

215 -- Sr. Anthony Harris (18-0), St. Joseph-Montvale, tf. Jr. Dante DeLuca (30-1), Don Bosco Prep, 21-5, 3:54.

285 -- Sr. Rocco Dellagata (32-0), St. John Vianney, d. Jr. Cristian Alvarez (33-3), St. Joseph-Montvale, 7-1.

106 -- Fr. JoJo Burke (37-3), St. Joseph-Montvale, d. So. Killian Coluccio (32-2), Lacey, 4-3.

Outstanding Wrestler (Donald Ringler Award) -- Ryan Burton, St. Joseph-Montvale.

Coach of the Year -- Sean Romano, Caldwell.

Third-place consolations

106 -- Fr. Sean Kenny (32-6), Christian Brothers Academy, d. So. Santino DiMatteo (32-9), Brick Memorial, 4-2.

113 -- Jr. Carmine Sipper (44-5), Caldwell, d. Jr. Anthony Mason (39-6), Southern, 1-0.

120 -- Fr. Tommy Marchetti (33-8), Delbarton, d. So. Richard DeLorenzo II (27-4), Toms River East, 7-5.

126 -- Jr. Anthony DiAndrea (39-3), Watchung Hills, d. Jr. Colton Hagerty (37-8), Washington Township, 3-2.

132 -- Sr. Vincent Paino (33-4), St. Joseph-Montvale, d. Jr. Giovanni Schinina (28-6), St. Peter's Prep, 4-0.

138 -- Sr. Chase Quenault (33-10), Delbarton, d. Jr. Chase Hansen (43-2), Lower Cape May, 5-2.

144 -- So. Sonny Amato (45-2), Rumson-Fair Haven, d. Jr. Anthony Depaul (34-9), St. Augustine, 6-0.

150 -- So. Jackson Weller (42-4), Delran, d. Jr. Michael Craft (36-6), Camden Catholic, 3-1.

157 -- Jr. Kage Jones (39-6), Camden Catholic, d. Sr. Maxwell Nevlin (35-8), St. Peter's Prep, 7-3.

165 -- Jr. Santino Rodriguez (36-6), Don Bosco Prep, d. So. Jake Clayton (41-3), Point Pleasant Boro, 4-0.

175 -- So. Brock Oizerowitz (26-7), Christian Brothers Academy, d. Jr. Jaden Simpson (35-7), 8-2.

190 -- So. Tanner Hodgins (37-8), Howell, d. Jr. Carl Betz (36-4), Delbarton, 6-4.

215 -- Jr. Salvatore Marchese (42-5), Delsea, d. Jr. Nicolas Gonzalez (37-6), Mount Olive, 5-3.

285 -- Jr. Mateo Vinciguerra (43-3), Woodstown, d. Sr. Benjamin Shue (35-8), Bergen Catholic, 8-5.

Fifth-place consolations

106 -- So. Peter Terranova (34-8), Delbarton, d. So. Luke Johnston (38-8), Howell, 7-0.

113 -- Jr. Michael Daly (35-10), Cranford, d. Sr. Zachary Belverio (37-3), Johnson, 10-4.

120 -- Sr. Aundre Hill (40-8), Paulsboro, p. Jr. Joseph Rizzuto (33-9), DePaul, 3:23.

126 -- Jr. Joaquin Duque (41-8), Rumson Fair-Haven, p. Jr. Salvatore Borrometi (35-10), St. Peter's Prep, 1:39.

132 -- Jr. Robert Duffy (28-10), Christian Brothers Academy, forfeit, Sr. Patrick O'Keefe (38-6), St. John Vianney.

138 -- Sr. Adrian DeJesus (16-5), St. Joseph-Montvale, d. Sr. Scottie Sari (37-10), Southern, 7-0.

144 -- Sr. Jake Zaltsman (37-5), St. John Vianney, d. Fr. Nicholas Schwartz (26-17), Delbarton, 6-2.

150 -- Sr. Dezmond Lenaghan (26-7), St. John Vianney, md. Jr. Joseph Ruiz (31-11), St. Peter's Prep, 13-0.

157 -- Jr. Sean Love (36-4), Piscataway, forfeit, Jr. Morgan Schwarz (37-7), St. Joseph-Metuchen.

165 -- Jr. Tyler Whitford (36-6), St. Joseph-Metuchen, d. Sr. Cole Stangle (29-9), St. John Vianney, 4-1.

175 -- Sr. Ethan Dalling (41-5), Kittatinny, p. Jr. Anthony Verdi (35-10), St. Peter's Prep, 4:30.

190 -- Jr. Alexander Reyes (41-6), Holmdel, forfeit, Sr. Kaleb Jackson (25-7), St. Joseph-Montvale.

215 -- So. Anthony Jackson (34-2), Paul VI-Haddonfield, p. Jr. Tyler Palumbo (18-10), Christian Brothers Academy, 2:33.

285 -- Sr. James Lynch (38-5), Toms River East, p. Sr. Ben Szuba (38-9), Brick Memorial, 2:42.

Seventh-place consolations

106 -- Fr. Cade Collins (40-10), Southern, md. Fr. Matthew Mulligan (29-9), 10-2.

113 -- Sr. Dom Digiacomo (19-3), Camden Catholic, md. Jr. Augie Szamreta (37-7), Warren Hills, 13-4. 

120 -- Sr. Anthony Pellegrino (23-7), Seton Hall Prep, md. Sr. James McGinty (35-7), Parsippany Hills, 13-2.

126 -- Sr. Jaden Perez (39-5), Delaware Valley, tf. Sr. Joseph DeAngelo (16-3), Point Pleasant Boro, 15-0, 4:59.

132 -- Sr. Jackson Slotnick (25-3), Williamstown, d. Jr. Dalton Weber (26-6), Pope John, 5-2.

138 -- Fr. Gideon Gonzalez (33-7), Bergen Catholic, d. Jr. Armani McCann (21-5), Jackson Liberty, 7-1.

144 -- Sr. Luke Geleta (40-3), Phillipsburg, d. Jr. Seach Hibler (23-7), Paramus Catholic, 10-9.

150 -- Jr. Rhett Washleski (41-5), Hunterdon Central, d. Jr. Sowzrawca Tsay (25-11), Bergen Catholic, 4-1. 

157 -- So. Ryan Gavrish (31-11), St. John Vianney, forfeit, Jr. Trevor Jones (32-9), Delbarton.

165 -- Sr. Jordan Ayyash (30-6), Jackson Liberty, d. Sr. Cristian Gioia (40-6), Governor Livingston, 4-2.

175 -- Sr. Temuulen Mendbileg (40-5), St. Benedict's Prep, d. Sr. Genti Idrizi (26-13), 13-6. 

190 -- Jr. Nevin Mattessich (36-5), Don Bosco Prep, p. Jr. Jake Zemsky (38-5), Westfield, 2:43.

215 -- Sr. Nathan Faxon (41-3), Governor Livingston, forfeit, Jr. Rocco Salerno (26-3), Seton Hall Prep.

285 -- Jr. Thomas Borgia (43-3), West Morris, md. Sr. Clifford Dirkes (36-5), Ocean City, 9-1.