Wrestling: Hawk (132) sets wins mark in P'burg rout

LOPATCONG TWP. -- It certainly was a banner night for senior ace Gavin Hawk and Phillipsburg's wrestling team in a 47-15 shellacking of Warren Hills in the 77th meeting between Skyland Conference rivals on Monday. 

Hawk also owns the P'burg pins record with 84

Hawk needed just 38 seconds to deck Johan Venegas Mosos at 165 pounds and secure a special place in Stateliner history with his program-best 132nd career victory -- surpassing former P'burg star and state runner-up Brian Meyer (131-35 from 2014-18), who was on hand, along with former three-time state medalist Cody Harrison (125-24 from 2015-19, including his freshman season at Warren Hills).

"Those are the guys I grew up watching. Just an honor to be up there with them," said Hawk, now 132-20 overall and 22-1 this season, and one of only 30 wrestlers (including five state champions) to reach the century mark for one of New Jersey's most storied programs. "I've definitely looked up to all of those guys in the 100-win club."

Phillipsburg (11-2), which was coming off a stinging 40-24 loss to archrival Easton (Pa.) that ended the 'Liners five-match win streak in the 87th meeting of that series, jumped all over Warren Hills (9-8) from the opening whistle -- winning 10 of 14 bouts and finishing with a 24-7 edge in takedowns.

"Some nights it goes our way and some it doesn't," said second-year Blue Streaks coach K.C. Wanamaker , whose team surrender bonus points (four pins, two technical falls and a major) in seven of its losses and settled for regular-decision wins in two others where the visitors were heavy favorites at 120 and 138. "I thought our guys battled tough. Our inexperienced guys in the upper weights went out and they battled tough."

Meyer's incorrect win total will be fixed after the season

Senior Luke Geleta's 50-second pin in the opening bout at 144 pounds started a run of five straight victories for P'burg, which led 24-0 and didn't surrender a takedown until the sixth bout. Geleta (22-1), a state medalist land 124-26 overall, also moved past Jimmy Schuitema (123-26 from 2011-15) for sole possession of fifth on the school's wins list. 

Another big one was sophomore Anthony Pettinelli's 5-4 upset of Warren Hills state qualifier and Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament champion Augie Szamreta at 113 pounds. Pettinelli (20-6) erased a 4-1 deficit after two periods with an escape and winning takedown off a scramble with 36 seconds left on the clock in the third. Szamreta (23-3) dominated their two previous meetings -- a 9-1 major in last year's dual and a 16-1 technical fall in 3:26 in the HWS finals on Jan. 11 -- but logged just one takedown in this season's rematch after racking up three along with seven back points in that county title matchup.

"I went down [to start the third period] and knew I could get out," said Pettinelli, whose in-match adjustment against Szamreta's high-crotch attempts was key after surrendering four takedowns of that variety in their last two meetings. "I got to his legs a couple times the first two periods so I knew I was more than capable [of getting a takedown]. I just had to finish.

"That HWS finals [loss] was extra motivation to keep going and get that last-second takedown."

P'burg is 62-15 all-time vs. Washington/Warren Hills

Meyer, who's the last of only eight P'burg wrestlers to win four district titles (Hawk can join him this season) to go with his three region championships, became a fan favorite for his aggressive and hard-nosed style on the mat during a success-laden career wearing the Garnet and Gray. The former Lehigh wrestler, who currently helps coach on the 'Liner youth level, was glad to pass the torch, so to speak. 

"I thought it was going to be broken this year," the classy Meyer said of his mark that stood for six full seasons. "So I was waiting for it. I didn't realize it was going to happen tonight so I'm happy I came [to watch] and congratulate Gavin. He's an awesome kid so I'm happy for him."

Hawk and Meyer also share some similarities on the mat and the distinction of being the last two P'burg state finalists (Nos. 60 and 61) -- losses that still resonate with both. Meyer, a two-time medalist who finished third as a junior in 2017, suffered a 5-4 defeat to Toms River South's Cole Corrigan in their entertaining 152-pound final in '18. 

P'burg (33) ranks 4th all-time in state champs

"A little bit," Meyer said when asked if he sees some of his wrestling style in Hawk. "I try and help out where I can. I've known him forever. He's definitely got his own style. He likes the underhooks and all that. But he's a beast. Strong kid, same build. I hope he finally gets a name on the [individual state champs] banner for us again."

There's nothing more Hawk, who dropped an 8-4 decision to St. Joseph-Montvale's Zach Ballante in their 150-pound final last season, would rather do than end Phillipsburg's state gold drought. It's been nearly 13 years since Brandon Hull (220 pounds in 2012) became the school's 33rd state champion.

"I think about it every day," said Hawk, a Princeton recruit. "It's a big motivator. That's what I really want to do. It's the most important goal and what I'm focusing on right now."  

PHILLIPSBURG 47, WARREN HILLS 15

144 -- Sr. Luke Geleta (22-1), P, p. So. Carson Steele (5-2), :50.
150 -- Jr. Gavin Geleta (19-4), P, tf. Sr. Ethan Drazek (13-13), 20-3, 2:54.
157 -- Sr. Benny Mendoza (7-5), P, d. Jr. Ryan Hisko (10-17), 10-3.
165 -- Sr. Gavin Hawk (22-1), P, p. Jr. Johan Venegas Mosos (2-8), :38.
175 -- Sr. Derek Stone (17-6), P, md. Sr. Tyler O'Neill (19-9), 10-1.
190 -- Sr. David Kocsor (17-9), WH, d. Sr. D'Angelo Hernandez (0-5), 11-5.
215 -- Sr. Jesus Alfaro (12-14), P, p. Jr. Hunter Scalora (0-3), 1:40.
285 -- Jr. Ben Ellis (14-10), P, p. Fr. James Gilligan (0-3), :17.
106 -- Fr. Zack Swingle (18-5), P, tf. Fr. Nicholas Ricevuto (7-18), 17-1, 3:32.
113 -- So. Anthony Pettinelli (20-6), P, d. Jr. Augie Szamreta (23-3), 5-4.
120 -- Sr. Charlie Piccione (23-2), WH, d. Fr. Matthew Velez (7-15), 10-3.
126 -- Jr. Davey Rhinehart (22-4), WH, p. Fr. Mason Przepaldo (0-2), :25.
132 -- So. Owen Garriques (17-7), P, d. So. Aidan Webb (19-8), 9-5.
138 -- Sr. Tyler Redfield (24-3), WH, d. Sr. Anthony Ashford (6-10), 8-6.
Records -- Warren Hills 9-8; Phillipsburg 11-2.
Officials -- Chris Rebels and Doug Fischer.

Wrestling: Clayton, Hawk on point (HWS rankings)

It was championship week in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area as High Point and Newton wrapped up NJAC division titles, while Phillipsburg and North Hunterdon are closing in on Skyland Conference titles.

Clayton with Mickey Thomas, Mark Veltri and Billy Smith

With the regular season winding down in a hurry, we'll have several teams vying for sectional championships starting on Feb. 10. 

High Point (13-5), which recently picked up the program's 800th victory, should be the No. 1 seed in North 1, Group 2. The 'Cats seem to be peaking at the right time and are led by senior Nick Clayton (17-3 at 150) and a group of improved upper weights. Clayton, a state qualifier and 101-33 overall, became the 17th member of the program's 100-wins club on Saturday.

Newton (7-9) wrapped up the NJAC Colonial Division title -- its first conference championship since winning the first Freedom Division crown in 2009-10 after the Sussex County Interscholastic League folded after the previous season. High Point won the last SCIL title in 2008-09.

'Liners leader

Phillipsburg (10-2), which is coming off a tough week and a 40-24 loss to archrival Easton (Pa.) on Saturday at the 25th Street Gym, looks to celebrate one of its own as senior Gavin Hawk (21-1 at 157) enters Monday's match against Warren Hills needing one win to become the storied program's all-time wins leader.

Hawk, who is 131-20 overall with 83 pins, matched fellow state runner-up Brian Meyer (131-35 from 2014-18) atop the victories board with a 4-1 decision in sudden-victory overtime against Easton star Justin Cosover.

P'burg also saw its five-match win streak in the series end as Easton (which enjoyed its largest margin of victory since a 39-15 triumph in 2012) prevailed for the first time since a 28-26 win on Jan. 20, 2018. The Red Rovers, who also scored their most team points since a 44-6 victory at The Pit in 2011, now own a 65-22 edge vs. the 'Liners since 1947.

Easton also gave coach Jody Karam (1-4 in the series), now in his fifth and final season, his first win over P'burg since guiding Delaware Valley to a 28-24 victory on Jan. 28, 1993. Karam is 2-8 overall against the 'Liners, including Del Val (1-2 in three seasons) and Liberty (Pa.), where he was 0-2 in the first two of 26 seasons with the Hurricanes from 1993-2019.

Now, onto this week's team rankings:

P'burg is 61-15 all-time vs. Warren Hills

1. Phillipsburg (10-2) -- Stateliners, ranked No. 11 in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Top 20, opened last week with a 44-25 loss to No. 10 Rumson-Fair Haven before bouncing back with a 59-12 win over Bridgewater-Raritan. Coach Tim Longacre's team, which closed with a 40-24 loss to archrival Easton (Pa.) on Saturday, can secure the Skyland Conference Delaware Division title with a win at Hunterdon Central on Friday.

Up next: Warren Hills at home on Monday; at North Hunterdon on Wednesday; at Hunterdon Central on Friday.

2. Delaware Valley (11-3) -- Terriers, with a new-look lineup as Tristan Fawthrop (10-9) dropped to 106 and Julian Bednar (12-4) entered at 120, posted wins over Watchung Hills (47-21 on Tuesday) and Ridge (35-25 on Wednesday) before a 34-29 loss to No. 20 Cranford on Friday. Senior ace Jaden Perez (22-1 at 126) suffered his first loss -- 3-2 to Watchung Hills' fifth-place state medalist Anthony DiAndrea (his 100th career victory). Perez (107-19 overall) moved past Gage Crater (106-40 from 2016-20) for 12th place on his school's wins list.

Up next: at Pompton Lakes on Tuesday; Warren Hills at home on Saturday.

3. North Hunterdon (9-6) -- Lions routed Hunterdon Central (75-5 on Wednesday) and slipped past Bridgewater-Raritan (36-30 on Friday) before a 62-12 loss at Blair Academy on Saturday as North received two forfeit wins in that one. Coach Dave Bell's team can secure the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title with a win over Ridge on Friday. Seniors 

Joseph Celentano (12-10 at 120) and Evan Kinney (21-2 at 175) logged their 62nd and 60th career wins, respectively, last week. Freshman
Dajinder Dhillon (1-3 at 215-285) earned the Richard P. Boehmer Outstanding Wrestler Award, which is presented annually in the match against Hunterdon Central. He was joined center mat by North state champs Ricky Frondorf (2002-03), Mike Van Doren (1988), Logan Wadle (2023) and Dave Gaunt (1970-71).

Up next: Phillipsburg at home on Wednesday; Ridge at home on Friday; at Voorhees on Saturday.

HP has won 13 NJAC titles since the SCIL ended in 2009

4. High Point (13-5) -- Wildcats secured their first NJAC Freedom Division title since 2022-23 -- the program's 28th conference or league championship overall -- with a 64-11 thumping of Jefferson on Tuesday. Coach Billy Smith's team went 2-1 at the Pine Barren Duals on Saturday with wins over Peddie (74-3) and Red Bank Catholic (45-22) and a loss to No. 2 St. Peter's Prep (42-31). Smith is one shy of joining Jan Michaels (14-7 in 1993-94) as the only 'Cats coaches to win 14 duals in their first seasons at the helm.

Up next: at West Morris on Wednesday; Newton at home on Thursday.

5. Pope John (8-5) -- Lions are coming off a light week with only one dual meet -- a 34-27 loss at No. 12 Mount Olive, which won the Morris County Tournament team championship on Saturday. Coach Mark Piotrowsky's team, which doesn't have anything on the schedule as of yet this week, was down 31-3 midway through before winning six of the last seven bouts vs. Mount Olive.

Up next: at Governor Livingston on Feb. 5.

Warren Hills is 57-10 all-time vs. Hackettstown

6. Warren Hills (9-7) -- Blue Streaks bounced back from a 52-24 loss to Immaculata with a 61-17 waxing of Voorhees in the 52nd meeting of that series on Friday. Sophomore Aidan Webb (19-7 at 132) led the charge with his second victory over Christian Bollette this season -- a technical fall to go with an 8-5 decision in their fifth-place match at the HWS Tournament. Voorhees still owns a 31-21 edge in the series dating to 1976, but Hills has won eight of the last 12 meetings since 2016.

Up next: at Phillipsburg on Monday; at Hackettstown on Friday; at Delaware Valley on Saturday.

7. Kittatinny (9-8) -- Cougars rolled to a 46-25 win over Hopatcong-Lenape Valley on Tuesday and won their sixth straight meeting with Newton (57-11 on Thursday) before going 1-2 in a Saturday quad. Coach John Gill's team picked up the program's 697th win (55-23 over host Livingston), but dropped decisions to Old Tappan (48-27) and Watchung Hills (44-24). Senior ace Ethan Dalling (25-2 at 175), who's 120-23 overall, moved past former state runner-up Mike Weber (119-19 from 1998-2002) for 11th on the school's wins list. 

Up next: at Ridge on Wednesday.

8. Hackettstown (10-5) -- Tigers rebounded from a 44-36 loss to Morristown on Tuesday with a 42-30 win over Somerville in independent action on Alumni Night. Senior Zachary Calhoun (15-9 at 190) picked up his 50th career win, while sophomore Steven Vidal (20-4 at 106-113) logged his team-leading 20th victory.

Up next: Newton at home on Monday; Belvidere at home on Thursday; Warren Hills at home on Friday.  

9. Sparta (4-13) -- Spartans endured a tough 0-4 week, capped by losses to Ramapo (56-18) and Westwood (41-33) on Saturday. Senior star Logan Hrenenko (23-5 at 138-144), who is 108-40 overall. is one win shy of surpassing Chris DeBlock (108-23 from 1999-2003) for eighth on the school's career wins list. On Wednesday, Sparta will seek back-to-back wins in the series with Newton (35-14-1 overall lead) since winning four straight from 2014-17.

Up next: Morris Knolls at home on Monday; at Newton on Wednesday.

Washleski is 92-12 overall

10. Hunterdon Central (2-12) -- Red Devils went 0-2 in Skyland Conference matchups last week with losses to North Hunterdon (75-5 on Wednesday) and Hillsborough (58-15 on Saturday). Junior standout Rhett Washleski (22-2 at 150) is sitting on 92 career wins.

Up next: Watchung Hills at home on Wednesday; Phillipsburg at home on Friday.

On the bubble

Hopatcong-Lenape Valley (5-7) -- Patriots scored a 60-23 win over North Warren on Friday as senior Gage Graziano (20-3 at 144) improved to 95-30 overall as he looks to become the 17th member of the program's 100-wins club and first since Daniel Haws (109-27 from 2018-22).

Up next: at Wallkill Valley on Monday; Morris Hills at home on Friday; Hopewell Valley, Morris Knolls at Wayne Valley on Saturday.

Wrestling: HWS schedule for Jan. 27-Feb. 1

Monday, Jan. 27

(All matches 7 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Newton at Hackettstown, 6 p.m.
Morris Knolls at Sparta
Hopatcong-Lenape Valley at Wallkill Valley, 6:30 p.m.

Skyland Conference

Warren Hills at Phillipsburg

Independent

Mendham at Belvidere

Tuesday, Jan. 28

(Both matches 6 p.m.)

Skyland Conference

South Hunterdon at Pingry

Independent

Delaware Valley at Pompton Lakes

Wednesday, Jan. 29

(All matches 7 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Sparta at Newton
High Point at West Morris

Skyland Conference

Watchung Hills at Hunterdon Central, 6:30 p.m.
Phillipsburg at North Hunterdon

Independent

Kittatinny at Ridge
Parsippany at Belvidere

Thursday, Jan. 30

(All matches 6 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Newton at High Point

Independent

Belvidere at Hackettstown
South Hunterdon at North Warren, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 31

(All matches 7 p.m., unless noted)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Morris Hills at Hopatcong-Lenape Valley
Wallkill Valley at Pequannock

Skyland Conference

Ridge at North Hunterdon
Phillipsburg at Hunterdon Central, 6:30 p.m.

Independent

Warren Hills at Hackettstown, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1

(All events 9 a.m., unless noted)

Independent

Hopatcong-Lenape Valley, Hopewell Valley, Old Bridge at Wayne Valley
DePaul, Rumson-Fair Haven, West Milford at North Warren, 10 a.m.
Dover, Morristown at Belvidere

Skyland Conference

Warren Hills at Delaware Valley, 6 p.m.
North Hunterdon at Voorhees, 11 a.m.

Wrestling: Kittatinny (696 wins) surges past Newton

NEWTON -- There wasn't a conference or division title on the line, but when Kittatinny and Newton square off on a wrestling mat, there's plenty of bragging rights at stake.

The crosstown rivals locked up for the 54th time overall as the Cougars got on an early roll and never looked back in a surprisingly lopsided 57-11 victory on Thursday night in an NJAC cross-divisional clash at Newton High School's Henry Boresch Memorial Gym.

Kittatinny seeks its 26th sectional title next month

Kittatinny (8-6), which holds a 37-17 lead and has won six straight over Newton (6-8) in a series dating to 1976, moved closer to another milestone under legendary coach John Gill as the program now stands four wins shy of 700 overall. Gill's personal mark is 664-214-5 in 45 seasons since taking over for program founder Carl Bateman (32-39 in five seasons from 1975-80).

"I'm hoping we can get four more," said Gill, whose team has been in rebuilding mode this season with five sophomores and two freshmen in the starting lineup, and will next compete in a quad at Livingston, which includes Old Tappan and Watchung Hills on Saturday. 

Dalling is 117-23 overall

Newton, which hasn't come out on top in the series since logging back-to-back victories in 2018 (33-25) and '19 (37-28), looked -- on paper at least -- to have a strong chance at making this one a bit more competitive. But senior Aiden McClain's 11-8 win in sudden-victory overtime to start the match at 157 pounds put the Braves in a tough spot early as did fellow senior Aaron Kover's 16-10 win in the second bout. Winning the flip also allowed the visitors to get the matchup they wanted up top as senior ace Ethan Dalling decked Aaron Stone in 35 seconds at 190 pounds.

"I never felt comfortable," said Gill, whose team won the first nine (12 overall) while building a 41-0 lead before its first loss at 126 pounds. "[We were winning] three in a row, four in a row, five in a row. It just didn't feel like it. I just never felt in the driver's seat. I give them respect. Those kids fought from the beginning whistle to the last whistle."

Kittatinny also won tossups at 175 -- with backup Jacob Fryer (2-0) -- and 285, where senior Bradley Kearney reversed Sean Brown with 16 seconds left for a 4-2 victory in the ultimate tiebreaker. It was their second matchup this season decided in OT as Kearney escaped for a 3-2 UTB win in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament quarterfinals on Jan. 11. 

Gill may have been a bit restless because he'd been 0-for-2 against his former wrestlers and current head coaches (losses to Brian Bollette of Morris Hills and Tyler Branham of Hanover Park) coming into this one against former Kittatinny state placewinner Eric Bollette, now 6-21 all-time against the Cougars in 24 seasons as Newton's head coach.

"All my alumni beating me," Gill said with a smile. "I didn't like starting at 157 [against Newton]. The big one was getting heavyweight. Lucky we have the last 30-second choice. Whoever went on bottom was going to win. We get that, got a couple others." 

Newton celebrates its first division title since 2010

Newton, which is in its 99th season overall and was coming off clinching the NJAC Colonial Division title with a 43-32 win at Dover on Tuesday, won two bouts against Kittatinny as seniors Keegan Murtagh (pin at 126) and Mason Bucci (technical fall at 150) wrestled for the final time in this rivalry matchup. 

"I thought we competed in some spots, but were just overmatched in others," said Bollette, who's one win shy of 290 for his career as his team will next host Northern Highlands and Tenafly on Saturday. 

KITTATINNY 57, NEWTON 11

157 -- Sr. Aiden McClain (14-8), K, d. Jr. Tyler Morodan (11-6), 11-8 SV.
165 -- Sr. Aaron Kover (7-11), K, d. So. Braxton Guerra (4-6), 16-10.
175 -- Sr. Jacob Fryer (2-0), K, p. So. Matthew Hibbits (1-7), 4:44.
190 -- Sr. Ethan Dalling (22-2), K, p. Sr. Aaron Stone (9-5), :35.
215 -- So. Trevor Greenwood (14-10), K, p. Sr. John Rios (0-3), :32.
285 -- Sr. Bradley Kearney (11-7), K, d. So. Sean Brown (7-9), 4-2 UTB.
106 -- So. Justin Tighe (8-15), K, md. Fr. Ozzy Ciuzio-Pelt (2-6), 9-1.
113 -- Fr. Kyle White (12-9), K, p. So. Jacob McConnell (5-10), 2:37.
120 -- Fr. Kevin White (9-12), K, md. Jr. Ethan Whitesell (6-8), 13-5.
126 -- Sr. Keegan Murtagh (9-2), N, p. So. Callum Trilling (9-13), 3:49.
132 -- Jr. Nikolas Martinez (12-7), K, tf. So. Micky Varga (3-5), 18-0, 3:32.
138 -- So. Dylan Tighe (3-11), K, p. Sr. Colin Decker (1-13), 2:13.
144 -- So. Justin Bradley (4-15), K, tf. So. Joey Melillo (8-7), 21-4, 5:35.
150 -- Sr. Mason Bucci (12-3), N, tf. Jr. Leonardo Garcia (4-10), 19-2, 1:42.
Records -- Kittatinny 8-6; Newton 6-8.
Official -- Bob Doelfel.

Wrestling: P'burg, DV rep HWS in NJWWA Top 20

One area team exits and another enters. Such is the revolving door that constitutes the bottom quarter of the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20.

Phillipsburg (9-1) continues to lead the way among Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area teams, but dropped one spot to No. 11, following a 44-25 loss to Rumson-Fair Haven in the very first matchup between these programs on Monday afternoon in Lopatcong Township.

"We expected [the final score] to be a lot closer," said junior Gavin Geleta, one of only five winners for P'burg (a 6-2 decision over Walker Skove at 157 pounds). "Seems like they wanted it more. They were more aggressive." 

Stateliners coach Tim Longacre didn't mince words after watching his team drop nine of 14 bouts and surrendering bonus points in eight (including one forfeit to state champ Sonny Amato). In addition, the Bulldogs (13-1) dominated in all phases, particularly on the mat, and were physically superior in most of their victories as they jumped out to a 19-0 lead and didn't yield a takedown until the fifth bout in a matchup between the state's third- and fourth-ranked public programs.

"We were hoping [to win] a couple of the tossups. Pretty much underperformed on our end," said Longacre, whose club will look to right the ship against Bridgewater-Raritan in a Return to The Pit on Wednesday before squaring off with archrival Easton (Pa.) on Saturday at the Red Rovers' 25th Street Gym. 

"I think we had a bad day and we ran into a very good team. Not taking anything away from them, it's a very good team. We didn't defend our house so to speak or even make it look like we wanted to. Those are the things I'm more disappointed with than anything. That and our execution.

"They were a lot more physical than we were. There was one time we were in deep on a double-leg [takedown attempt] and got crossfaced to our belly, and got cradled. That stuff can't happen."

The area still has only two Top 20 representatives as Delaware Valley makes its first appearance of the season at No. 17 in the latest statewide poll released on Tuesday morning. The Terriers (9-2), who finished last season as the Group 1 runners-up, scored a big 33-31 win over No. 19 Caldwell on Saturday.

Coach Andy Fitz's team is still knee-deep amid its toughest stretch of the season with matches still on tap against formerly ranked Ridge on Wednesday and No. 20 Cranford on Friday. Del Val dropped a 39-23 decision to P'burg at Daniel Hutchins Memorial Gym on Friday in Alexandria Township. In that one, senior Jackson Bush, a state qualifier and two-time HWS Tournament finalist, was upended by Geleta, who avenged a loss by the same 4-1 score in their 150-pound county semifinal just six days earlier.

P'burg is 232-42-2 all-time vs. Hunterdon-Warren opponents

"Definitely made me more confident," said Geleta (16-4), a returning Region 2 third-place finisher whose increased training and practice time has paid dividends this season. "First time, I wrestled more defensively than offensively. I wasn't as confident against him. I don't know why."

 

North Hunterdon, which made its rankings debut at No. 18 last week, is out this week despite a 34-33 win at Del Val on Jan. 8. Coach Dave Bell's Lions (7-4), which suffered a 52-21 loss to reigning Group 2 champion Rumson-Fair Haven on Friday, rebounded with wins over High Point (47-23) and DePaul (60-11), but dropped a 36-35 decision to unranked Ocean Township on criteria (most first points scored) in that Saturday quad.  

As for P'burg, there's no time to lament the loss to Rumson-Fair Haven, which has won eight straight dual meets since a 43-29 loss to No. 3 Christian Brothers Academy on Jan. 8. The goals of winning a Skyland Conference Delaware Division title along with sectional and Group 4 state championships are still there, but the 'Liners need to sharpen up in order to make the latter two a reality.

"I think we work hard enough and we train hard enough, and our technique is good enough that we can compete with [Rumson-Fair Haven]," Longacre said. "That's my biggest thing right now. We didn't compete in a lot of spots. The mental mistakes, we've got to try and fix somehow. 

"We're going to re-center tomorrow and we'll see where we're going to go from here to finish out the last few weeks."

"We still have a lot to work on," Geleta said. "To be [Group 4] state champs is definitely our goal."

RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN 44, PHILLIPSBURG 25

175 -- Sr. Cole Pangborn (7-1), RFH, tf. Sr. Derek Stone (15-5), 15-0, 4:04.
190 -- Jr. Luke Dougherty (16-4), RFH, tf. Sr. Jesus Alfaro (11-12), 20-5, 5:04.
215 -- Sr. Conor Delaney (19-1), RFH, p. Jr. Kevin Buonocore (12-7), :53.
285 -- Sr. Matt Smith (15-4), RFH, d. Jr. Ben Ellis (12-9), 3-0.
106 -- Fr. Zack Swingle (15-5), P, p. Fr. Luke Eberhard (8-10), 1:23.
113 -- Jr. Eamon Fry (11-4), RFH, md. Jr. Anthony Pettinelli (17-6), 8-0.
120 -- Sr. Elijah Bayne (17-2), RFH, p. Fr. Matthew Velez (7-12), :46.
126 -- Jr. Massimo Gonzalez (19-6), P, md. So. Henry Marshall (10-8), 16-8.
132 -- Jr. Joaquin Duque (16-3), RFH, md. So. Owen Garriques (15-6), 8-0.
138 -- So. Mario Del Vecchio (12-0), RFH, tf. Sr. Anthony Ashford (6-9), 15-0, 3:44.
144 -- Sr. Luke Geleta (20-1), P, p. So. Hunter Curley (10-12), 1:08.
150 -- So. Sonny Amato (21-1), RFH, forfeit.
157 -- Jr. Gavin Geleta (16-4), P, d. Sr. Walker Skove (1-1), 6-2.
165 -- Sr. Gavin Hawk (19-1), P, forfeit.
Note -- Hawk (129) moved into second place on the Stateliners' career wins list. 
Officials -- Bill Dickson and Anthony DeFlumeri.

NJWWA Top 20

Rank	School	Record	Votes	Previous
1	Delbarton (8)	(16-1)	160	1
2	St. Peter's Prep	(7-1)	149	2
3	Christian Brothers Academy	(6-3)	142	4
4	St. John Vianney	(10-3)	139	3
5	St. Joseph-Montvale	(7-3)	134	5
6	Bergen Catholic	(7-2)	119	6
7	Camden Catholic	(10-0)	109	7
8	Southern	(8-1)	108	8
9	Delsea	(13-1)	96	9
10	Rumson-Fair Haven	(13-1)	87	12
11	Phillipsburg	(9-1)	77	10
12	Mount Olive	(10-3)	76	11
13	Don Bosco Prep	(7-3)	62	14
14	St. Joseph-Metuchen	(9-2)	58	15
15	Middletown North	(12-0)	36	19
16	Paramus Catholic	(3-5)	34	17
17	Delaware Valley	(9-2)	31	NR
18	Brick Memorial	(10-2)	23	20
19	Caldwell	(10-1)	19	16
20	Cranford	(11-2)	12	NR

Also receiving votes: North Hunterdon (7-4) 3; Ridge (10-2) 3; Lacey (11-2) 2; St. Augustine (9-5) 1. 

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). 

Wrestling: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

(Through Monday's matches)

Skyland Conference
Delaware Division
		Overall	Division
Phillipsburg		(9-1)	(2-0)
Watchung Hills		(11-1)	(2-1)
Hunterdon Central		(2-10)	(0-0)
Bridgewater-Raritan		(8-4)	(0-1)
Hillsborough		(7-6)	(0-2)
Raritan Division
		Overall	Division
North Hunterdon		(7-4)	(3-0)
Ridge		(10-2)	(2-0)
Delaware Valley		(9-2)	(1-1)
Warren Hills		(8-6)	(0-2)
Immaculata		(4-6)	(0-3)
Valley Division
		Overall	Division
Bernards		(6-3)	(2-0)
Somerville		(3-7)	(2-0)
Montgomery		(10-3)	(1-0)
Franklin		(3-7)	(1-3)
Voorhees		(1-9)	(0-3)
Mountain Division
		Overall	Division
Manville		(10-2)	(3-0)
Bound Brook		(4-8)	(3-1)
Belvidere		(4-5)	(2-2)
Pingry		(1-8)	(1-1)
South Hunterdon		(1-7)	(1-2)
Rutgers Prep		(0-7)	(0-4)
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Freedom Division
		Overall	Division
High Point		(10-4)	(3-0)
Kittatinny		(6-6)	(2-1)
Hopatcong-Lenape V		(4-6)	(1-2)
Jefferson		(3-14)	(1-2)
Hackettstown		(9-4)	(1-3)
American Division
		Overall	Division
Delbarton		(16-1)	(3-0)
Mount Olive		(10-3)	(3-1)
West Morris		(9-5)	(2-2)
Pope John		(8-4)	(2-2)
Morris Hills		(6-10)	(1-3)
Sparta		(3-9)	(0-3)
Colonial Division
		Overall	Division
Dover		(10-3)	(3-0)
Newton		(5-7)	(3-0)
Wallkill Valley		(1-7)	(1-2)
Vernon		(1-14)	(1-3)
North Warren		(0-8)	(0-3)