Wrestling: Kittatinny, P'burg pin down Saturday wins

It is was a pretty tame Saturday by our standards in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area with the lack of a marquee dual meet in these parts. But nonetheless here's a few highlights from Saturday:

1. Phillipsburg defended our honor against the mighty Shore Conference with an impressive 33-18 victory at Howell, despite missing starters Corey Zinsmeister (126 pounds) and Kyle Kinney (195). Zach Fisher came through with a clutch 9-4 win over Jimmy Slendorn at 113, as the 'Liners won the first three bouts for a quick 9-0 lead. Jake Kocsis (160) and Broderick Bupivi (170) added key victories, while fan favorite Jarrett Williams closed it out with a pin at 285. Even sophomore Yann Ondele got in on the act with his first varsity win over Nathan Listowsky (15-5). The 'Liners won nine bouts, as sophomore Jimmy Schuitema (152) earned his 50th career win.

2. High Point had the day off, while archrival Kittatinny (16-1) rolled to a 43-21 win over Northern Highlands. Jake Van Wingerden (106), Austin Scrivani (126), Tom Murphy (138) and Brandon Olsen (160) had pins for the Cougars. Junior Kieran Gerrity dropped a 3-2 decision to Nick Gravina in a good matchup at 170. Junior Nick Romyns got his 70th career win -- 2-1 in sudden victory over Sean Kelly at 145.

3. Newton ventured to the Jack Welch Duals and went 2-3 -- beating Riverside, 43-30, and Holy Cross, 45-28. The Braves lost to Delran (49-30), Collingswood (57-18) and Cherokee (50-20). The loss to Delran was longtime coach Dennis Smith's 602nd career win -- moving him pass Highland's Ralph Ross for the most victories in South Jersey. Newton sophomore Gus Protogeropoulos went 4-0 at 195/220, while freshman Ethan Reczka went 4-1 at 220/285. Trevor Morales also went 4-1 at 106/113 for the Braves.

4. Warren Hills and Voorhees both went 3-0 in quad meets. The Blue Streaks knocked off Paramus (33-30), Ramsey (50-13) and Roselle Park (32-15) at home, while the Vikings dumped Hackettstown (66-13), Lenape Valley (45-19) and Belvidere (44-18). In that same event, Belvidere knocked off an undermanned Lenape Valley squad, 34-31. Lenape senior Matt Benvenuto earned his 100th win.

5. North Hunterdon stated its case for a spot in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20 -- capping off a perfect 4-0 week by sweeping a quad against Watchung Hills (37-28), Hillsborough (48-17) and Franklin (47-22). Coach Tim Flynn's Lions are rolling after a 34-15 road win over Warren Hills on Wednesday.

Wrestling: Phillipsburg at Howell preview, lineups

What: Phillipsburg Stateliners at Howell Rebels.

Where: Howell High School, Howell Township.

When: Saturday, 6 p.m.

Conference: Independent.

Records: Phillipsburg 7-2; Howell 19-1.

Coaches: Dave Post (36-11, third season); John Gagliano (298-60, 16th season).

Series history: Phillipsburg leads 3-2 dating to 2004, including last year's 28-27 win at The Pit. Howell won back-to-back meetings in 2005 (39-19 at The Pit) and 2006 (38-21 at home). P'burg's other wins came at home in 2004 (38-26) and 2007 (36-29). Teams did not meet from 2008-11.

Note: Howell wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses.

106 -- Fr. Anthony Gagliano (16-3) or Fr. Mikey Sisolak (12-4) vs. Fr. Brandon Paetzell (18-5).

113 -- Jr. Jimmy Slendorn (19-4) vs. Sr. Zach Fisher (16-7).

120 -- So. Anthony Piazza (13-8) vs. So. Steve Friedman (14-10).

126 -- Fr. Kris Lindemann (21-2) vs. So. Corey Zinsmeister (15-9).

132 -- Sr. James Sisolak (11-8) vs. Sr. Anthony Johnson (5-3).

138 -- Sr. Ben Esposito (23-0) vs. So. Max Elling (14-8).

145 -- Sr. Ashanti Maurice (18-4) or Jr. Jack Rada (15-4) vs. Sr. Andrew Kaluzny (16-8).

152 -- Maurice or Rada vs. So. Jimmy Schuitema (18-3).

160 -- Jr. Joey Schultz (21-3) vs. Jr. Jake Kocsis (16-6).

170 -- Sr. Casey Fecht (11-9) vs. Jr. Broderick Bupivi (14-9).

182 -- Jr. Nathan Litowsky (15-5) vs. So. Joe Maso (5-5).

195 -- Jr. Stephen Boncimino (16-6) vs. So. Yann Ondele (0-4).

220 -- Jr. Kyle Cocozza (16-4) vs. So. Tim Hinkle (10-11).

285 -- Sr. Joe Sportiello (10-12) vs. Sr. Jarrett Williams (19-5).

Breakdown: Good one down at the shore, as Phillipsburg looks to rebound from Thursday's 33-25 loss to archrival Easton. Stateliners have unquestionably wrestled the tougher schedule this season. Sans an early-season trip to Warren Hills, where they also faced High Point and Timber Creek, the Rebels have not hit any top-flight competition since December. The one common opponent is Warren Hills, which defeated Howell, 31-26 on Dec. 22. P'burg beat Warren Hills, 46-18, on Jan. 17. Howell is pretty balanced so it presents some matchup problems, particularly in the upper weights. The absence of senior Kyle Kinney at 195 hurts P'burg as it would have had a great shot at winning there -- a potential nine-point swing. Rebels favored at 126, 138, 145 (Maurice), 160, 182, 195 and 220. I say a slight favorite at 138 and 145, because I wouldn't be surprised if those went P'burg's way. Additionally, Litowsky was pinned by the Streaks' Steve Cleaver, who was pinned by Maso. 'Liners have the edge at 106, 120, 132, 152, 170 and 285. I'm calling 113 a tossup, though Slendorn did beat Warren Hills' Max Nauta, 4-2. Fisher has two losses to Nauta, most recently, 4-2 in SV. P'burg needs to minimize points 182 to 220 and get bonus in four of those where they are favored. I see it a 7-7 split and that's giving most of the close ones to the Rebels.

Prediction: Phillipsburg, 32-22.

Wrestling: Del Val, Kittatinny reschedule matches

Delaware Valley Regional High School has postponed all activities for the weekend following the death of a student, who was not a member of the wrestling team.

Coach Andy Fitz confirmed on Friday morning that a quad meet involving Kittatinny, Northern Highlands and Westfield scheduled for Saturday starting at 10 a.m., will not be wrestled.

Instead, Del Val will host Kittatinny on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Northern Highlands will now be part of a tri-meet with Belvidere to be wrestled at Del Val on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. Fitz was hopeful to also reschedule the match with Westfield.

Kittatinny will travel to Northern Highlands on Saturday at 11 a.m.

The Terriers (8-5) have won four straight since a 33-22 loss to North Hunterdon on Jan. 18, including a 49-19 victory over Montgomery in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash on Wednesday.

The loss of matches this time of year makes rescheduling problematic. In addition, senior 126-pounder Mike Pongracz, who is 17-0 this season, is chasing the school and Hunterdon-Warren wins record. The two-time state medal winner is 130-14 overall. Dan Kelly holds the Del Val and counties mark at 142-12.

Wrestling: Newton gearing for Jack Welch Duals

Pairings and seeds were announced on Thursday for the seventh annual Jack Welch Duals to be held Friday and Saturday at Moorestown High School.

Newton (5-8) is the lone Open Mike area team competing in the 16-team field. The Braves are the No. 14 seed and will face No. 3 Haddon Township (12-3) in the opening round on Friday. Coach Eric Bollette's Newton teams have finished second twice in five previous appearances at the duals.

Camden Catholic, this year's top seed, is the four-time defending champion.

Wrestling begins on Friday at 4:30 p.m., with the second round to follow at 6:30. Action resumes at 11 a.m. on Saturday with rounds to follow at 1 and 3 p.m.

Pairings for Friday's opening round:

1-Camden Catholic vs. 16-Riverside
8-Christian Brothers Academy vs. 9-Moorestown
5-Buena vs. 12-Lower Cape May
4-Cherokee vs. 13-Delran

3-Haddon Township vs. 14-Newton
6-Collingswood vs. 11-Bordentown
7-Northern Burlington vs. 10-Steinert
2-Long Branch vs. 15-Holy Cross

Wrestling: Phillipsburg all-time records vs. HWS

Opponent	Record	Started
Warren Hills	52-14	1948
North Hunterdon	47-8-1	1961
Hunterdon Central	34-6-1	1962
Delaware Valley	30-6	1975
Voorhees	20-0	1981
Belvidere	2-0	1998
P'burg Catholic	1-0	1977
Hackettstown	0-0
North Warren	0-0
Totals	186-34-2
High Point	15-1	1989
Kittatinny	11-6	1994
Newton	6-8-1	1947
Lenape Valley	3-1	2006
Wallkill Valley	2-0	1988
Sparta	2-0	1980
Vernon	2-0	1997
Hopatcong	0-0
Pope John	0-0
Totals	41-16-1
Overall	227-50-3

Wrestling: Easton at Phillipsburg preview, lineups

What: Easton Red Rovers at Phillipsburg Stateliners.

Where: The Pit at Phillipsburg High School.

When: Thursday, 7 p.m.

Conference: Independent.

Records: Easton 11-0; Phillipsburg 7-1.

Coaches: Steve Powell (480-104-3, 29th season); Dave Post (36-10, third season).

Series history: Easton leads 61-14 dating to 1948, including last year's 39-15 win at Shawnee Middle School. Phillipsburg, which has won just twice since 1998, last prevailed 30-21 at The Pit in 2009. Rovers have won eight of the last nine meetings (an average margin of 27 points) since the annual match shifted back to home-and-home format for the 2003-04 season. Previously, Lafayette College's Kirby Sports Center served as host for 15 years from 1989 to 2003. Powell is 25-3 all-time vs. P'burg.

Note: Easton wrestlers listed first with season records in parentheses.

106 -- So. Anthony Roche (2-4) or Fr. Casin Corallo (4-7) vs. Fr. Brandon Paetzell (17-5).

113 -- Fr. Evan Fidelibus (19-5) vs. Sr. Zach Fisher (16-6).

120 -- Jr. Anthony Parisi (9-2) or Fr. Jacob Montes (3-1) vs. So. Steve Friedman (14-9).

126 -- Fr. Jimmy Saylor (12-1) vs. So. Corey Zinsmeister (15-8).

132 -- Sr. Robbie Rizzolino (19-2) vs. Sr. Anthony Johnson (5-2).

138 -- Jr. Kyle Baker (15-6) vs. So. Max Elling (13-8).

145 -- Sr. Kyler Kilpatrick (15-4) vs. Sr. Andrew Kaluzny (15-8).

152 -- Sr. Dyvon Gibson (17-4) vs. So. Jimmy Schuitema (17-3).

160 -- Sr. Evan DiSora (21-2) vs. Jr. Jake Kocsis (16-5).

170 -- Sr. Willie Alford (12-7) vs. Jr. Broderick Bupivi (13-9).

182 -- Sr. Tyler Greene (18-3) or Jr. Jagger Miller (14-8) vs. So. Joe Maso (5-4).

195 -- Greene or Miller vs. So. Coleton Hart (0-4).

220 -- So. Mike Catalano (8-10) vs. So. Tim Hinkle (10-10).

285 -- So. Tom Austin (4-2) or So. Scott Betts (2-6) vs. Sr. Jarrett Williams (18-5).

Breakdown: Always an intense scene when these longtime rivals go at it. Both teams defeated Franklin (Easton 59-10, P'burg 57-14) and Northampton, Pa. (Easton 50-15, P'burg 45-20). The 76th meeting should be a good one in the lively Pit. Easton rates as the favorite in at least seven bouts (120, 126, 132, 138, 160, 182, 195) while P'burg has the edge in three (106, 152 and 285). I'd say 152 is not a given for the 'Liners as that one should be close. Baker-Elling should be fun as well at 138. Let's call 113, 145, 170 and 220 tossups. Stateliners will need all of them, plus a few wins where they're an underdog, to pull off the upset. P'burg has the chance for bonus points at 106 and 285, but will be hard-pressed for more than that in other wins. Easton looking for bonus up top at 182 and 195. I see Easton winning at least three of the tossups to make it four straight in the series.

Prediction: Easton, 36-18.

Wrestling: Lions move Straight past Blue Streaks

Wrestling is a great sport for someone to become an unlikely hero -- be it in the first or final bout of the night.

Senior Brad Straight was the man who delivered a clutch win for North Hunterdon -- it just so happened to be the third bout in -- as his victory at 220 pounds sparked the Lions to a surprisingly lopsided 34-15 win over host Warren Hills on Wednesday in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash in Washington.

"I had to do it for the team," said Straight, who improved to 3-7 with a 4-2 win over Warren Hills senior Tyler Bridygham. "The team was counting on me. I've been working a lot in the [practice] room and [my teammates] have been helping me a lot."

North Hunterdon (5-3 overall, 3-2 division) won 10 of 14 bouts and dominated from the neutral position -- winning the takedown battle, 29-7. Warren Hills (12-6, 2-3) managed just one win with bonus points -- a pin from Andrew Pacheco at 285 pounds after the Blue Streaks fell behind, 9-0, early on.

"We were very reluctant to shoot takedowns," said Warren Hills coach Jarrett Hosbach, who did not want to use his missing three starters as an excuse in the loss. "We spend an hour in practice on setups and finishes. We get out here and don't try things. It's very frustrating as a coach."

In a number of cases, North Hunterdon wrestlers opted for the neutral position to start periods when given the option.

"We did not want to be on the mat with them," said North Hunterdon coach Tim Flynn, now 2-1 all-time against Warren Hills in four seasons. "They are good on top. We wanted to be on our feet and it worked out for us."

Seniors Kevin Bundschuh (138) and Xavier Adetula (160), along with junior Justin Pidoto (132), did not weigh in for Warren Hills. Bundschuh and Pidoto are nursing injuries, while Adetula missed the match due to personal reasons.

"Our 14 guys were on the mat and North outwrestled the Warren Hills kids," Hosbach said.

Liam Korbul (182) and Dan Pepe (195) got the ball rolling for North Hunterdon with decisions in the first two bouts. Korbul racked up four takedowns in an 8-4 win over Steve Cleaver, while Pepe bested Ryan Witner for the second time this season, 6-1. Pepe won, 5-3, in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Jan. 11.

Straight's victory -- on the strength of a takedown with 16 seconds left in the third period -- was an early turning point before Pacheco's pin of Anthony Bugyi snapped North's early string of wins. Sophomore Paul Robinson also came through for the Lions -- converting a takedown with seven seconds left for a 3-1 decision over Austin Pidoto at 106. It was a rematch of their John Goles final -- won by Robinson, 8-7.

"When we sent those first two guys [Korbul and Pepe] out, we expected to be up," Flynn said. "A guy like Bradley, we weren't even sure he'd be the guy to go out tonight. We have some guys pushing each other in the room. Brad didn't know [anything about Bridygham] and didn't care. He put in a lot of time in the offseason and he capitalized on a couple of mistakes."

The match did not start at an ideal place for Warren Hills, but Hosbach put things in perspective when asked about not being able to seize the early momentum.

"We only won four bouts. Where was a good place to start?" said Hosbach, now 2-5 against North.

Max Nauta used a late four-point move in a 7-0 win over North freshman Derek Ciavrro at 113, but the Lions won the toss and were able to control the matchups at 120 and 126 -- with Matt Moncourtois and Ryan Pomrinca both weighed-in at 120.

Moncourtois worked Region 1 qualifier John Fluck for a 10-2 major at 120, before Pomrinca stretched North's lead to 20-9 with a 13-5 major of Tai Adetula at 126. Region 1 runner-up Joe Kratochvil took the mat with Warren Hills desperately needing bonus points and managed only a 3-0 win over Eric Martin at 132.

North Hunterdon won four of the last five bouts, as junior Mike Ciavarro sealed it with a technical fall win over sophomore Brendan Stewart at 152. Flynn also bumped freshman Brian Smolinsky up to 138 -- avoiding Kratochvil -- and he earned a 2-0 win over Tom Rush.

"We're starting to come together as a team after a rough start to the season," said Straight, whose squad is behind the 8-ball with very few dual meets to date.

North Hunterdon now leads, 34-21, in all-time in this series dating to 1957. The Lions have won two straight, posting a 38-19 victory in the previous meeting in 2011. The schools did not meet last season. Warren Hills' last win was 35-23 in 2010. The Hunterdon County school has won 17 of the last 23 meetings dating to 1990, including a 40-26 victory in the North 2, Group 3 sectional semifinals in 2005.

NORTH HUNTERDON 34, WARREN HILLS 15

182 -- Sr. Liam Korbul (15-5), NH, d. Jr. Steve Cleaver (12-11), 8-4.
195 -- Sr. Dan Pepe (12-6), NH, d. Jr. Ryan Witner (12-12), 6-1.
220 -- Sr. Brad Straight (3-7), NH, d. Sr. Tyler Bridygham (11-9), 4-2.
285 -- So. Andrew Pacheco (20-4), WH, p. Jr. Anthony Bugyi (5-9), 3:02.
106 -- So. Paul Robinson (12-5), NH, d. So. Austin Pidoto (14-8), 3-1.
113 -- So. Max Nauta (18-4), WH, d. Fr. Derek Ciavarro (11-7), 7-0.
120 -- Sr. Matt Moncourtois (11-9), NH, md. So. John Fluck (11-9), 10-2.
126 -- So. Ryan Pomrinca (18-2), NH, md. Jr. Tai Adetula (11-9), 13-5.
132 -- Sr. Joe Kratochvil (21-2), WH, d. Jr. Eric Martin (3-6), 3-0.
138 -- Fr. Brian Smolinsky (10-6), NH, d. Sr. Tom Rush (5-18), 2-0.
145 -- So. Michael Sicola (5-6), NH, d. Fr. Anthony Roessner (1-6), 6-2.
152 -- Jr. Mike Ciavarro (18-3), NH, tf. So. Brendan Stewart (2-1), 17-2, 4:00.
160 -- Jr. Evan Butka (14-10), WH, d. Jr. Joe Guzzo (10-9), 4-2 SV.
170 -- Sr. Brandon Loftus (9-8), NH, d. Jr. Ryan Ostir (12-11), 6-4.
Records -- North Hunterdon 5-3, 3-2; Warren Hills 12-6, 2-3.
Official -- Joe Benvenuto.