Here is a look at the 10 (actually, I cheated there's 11) wrestlers in the Open Mike area who have the best chances at capturing a medal this weekend in the 81st New Jersey State Wrestling Championships at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
In all, there are 28 qualifiers (down two from last year) among Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex schools.
Brandon Paetzell (36-1), Phillipsburg -- The sophomore captured his second District 1 and Region 1 titles at 106 pounds in impressive fashion. After drawing Bergen Catholic's Nick Suriano, the 2013 champion at 106, in the opening round of last year's tournament, Paetzell, who is excellent on his feet, navigated his way through the wrestlebacks to claim his first state medal. He is just the second P'burg wrestler to win region titles in his freshman and sophomore seasons -- joining Rick Thompson (1970-71). Paetzell and Delbarton ace Ty Agaisse are the favorites in AC. Agaisse beat Paetzell, 1-0, on Jan. 2, 2013, at The Pit.
Career mark: 73-8.
Previous state appearances: Fifth at 106 in 2013.
Ryan Pomrinca (35-1), North Hunterdon -- The junior is seeking redemption in his third trip to AC after a hand injury derailed his bid to improve on a seventh-place finish at 113 pounds in 2012. Once again, Pomrinca had to navigate through a tough road at Region 5, beating Bound Brook state champion Craig De La Cruz in the ultimate tiebreaker, to win the 126-pound title at Hunterdon Central. Now, Pomrinca is housed in one of the deepest weights in this tournament, where he is the No. 2 seed in the top bracket. Marc Mastropietro of Hasbrouck Heights/Wood-Ridge and Don Bosco's Kyle Bierdumpfel (the top seed in the upper half) -- both state placewinners in 2013 -- are also in the top portion of the draw. Pomrinca's lone loss this season is 3-2 to Hillsborough's Jack Donnadio up at 132.
Career mark: 111-11.
Previous state appearances: Seventh place at 113 in 2012; quarterfinals, DNP at 120 in 2013.
Mike Derin (33-8), High Point -- The junior is a very dangerous opponent for those in AC, just ask Warren Hills' Max Nauta. Derin stuck the three-time state qualifier in the first period of their 132-pound title bout at Region 1 on Saturday. Derin doesn't usually let opponents off their backs. After being a round away from a medal as a freshman, Derin placed eighth at this weight a year ago. His draw this time around is tough right out of the chute with Paulsboro's Juan Rivera, a Region 8 champ, in the pre-quarterfinals. A win in that one could set up a rematch with Hunterdon Central's Dylan Nace in the quarters. Nace beat Derin, 6-2, in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex finals on Jan. 11. Derin has lost just twice since that one.
Career mark: 83-20.
Previous state appearances: Did not place at 120 (2-2) in 2012; Eighth at 132 in 2013.
Dylan Nace (38-2), Hunterdon Central -- Nace has enjoyed an outstanding four-year career for the Red Devils and would love to go out with his first state medal. His losses this season are to Watchung Hills ace Mike Magaldo -- 20-7 on Jan. 15 and 1-0 to talented Bound Brook freshman Mekhi Lewis in Saturday's Region 5 finals. Nace, whose father, Mark, was a North Hunterdon standout and state runner-up at 129 pounds in 1984, has wins over High Point's and Mike Derin and Kittatinny's Austin Scrivani. A very defensive wrestler, Nace is at his best when the opponent opens up. That could bode well for him this weekend. A win over Derin in the quarters would likely set up a rematch with Magaldo, who also beat Nace, 11-1, in last year's opening round, in this year's semifinals.
Career mark: 127-26.
Previous state appearances: Did not place (1-2) in 2013.
Jason Gaccione (35-5), High Point -- The junior is looking to better his fourth-place finish at this weight a year ago, following a great battle with DePaul's David McFadden, a two-time placewinner and finalist in 2012, in the Region 1 finals. Gaccione loves the spotlight and he really shined in AC as a sophomore, reeling off three wins in the wrestlebacks -- two over medal winners, including Trenton Central's Maaziah Bethea -- before being stopped by Camden Catholic stud T.J. Miller for the bronze. Gaccione's draw this year sets up well, though a potential quarterfinal with Delbarton's Dan Reed (34-3), a Region 3 champ, will be a tough one.
Career mark: 102-17.
Previous state appearances: Fourth at 145 in 2013.
Gary Dinmore (36-2), Hunterdon Central -- There wasn't a more anticipated rematch in AC last year than Dinmore's state finals clash with South Plainfield ace Anthony Ashnault, who won their two finals encounters in 2012 and '13. This time, everyone has Dinmore in the finals against St. Augustine Prep's Jack Clark, a former Maryland state champ and nationally-ranked wrestler. Dinmore, the No. 1 seed up top, has one loss this season -- up at 160 against East Brunswick's Jonathan Schleifer -- and another to Phillipsburg's Max Elling, who finished fourth in Region 1. He's looking to become Central's second three-time finalist -- joining Tom Gibble (1979-81) -- and first three-time placewinner since Pat Strizki (2005-07). Clark is in a loaded bottom half of the draw, along with Bergen Catholic's Joe Grello, North Hunterdon's Mike Ciavarro and Trenton Central's Maaziah Bethea.
Career mark: 131-14.
Previous state appearances: Quarterfinals, did not place at 112 in 2011 (1-2), second at 126 in 2012, second at 138 in 2013.
Mike Ciavarro (31-6), North Hunterdon -- First trip to Boardwalk Hall for Ciavarro, who finished fourth in the region last year and has followed Central's Gary Dinmore here as the runner-up in District 17 and Region 5. In all, Ciavarro has five losses to Dinmore this season -- 5-0, 5-2, and 5-3, during the regular season, and 7-1 and 3-2 in the postseason. The North Hunterdon senior's only other loss is to Phillipsburg's Jimmy Schuitema, 2-1, in overtime. There's something to be said for having been to AC before, but Ciavarro has the talent to do well in his rookie appearance. He's likely on a collision course with Trenton Central's Maaziah Bethea in the quarterfinals.
Career mark: 102-34.
Previous state appearances: None.
Jake Kocsis (36-3), Phillipsburg -- Kocsis went 1-2 in his first trip to AC a year ago, but the senior has evolved into one of the top 170-pounders this season. He showed it on Saturday by driving right through Roxbury state champion Dillon Artigliere for a takedown in a 5-3 loss in their Region 1 final -- Kocsis' first loss to a New Jersey opponent. Kocsis also knocked off Kittatinny's Kieran Gerrity for the second time this season, 5-4, in the region semifinals. Kocsis drew the No. 3 seed in the bottom half of the state draw, where Delbarton's Josef Johnson resides as the No. 2 seed. They could meet in the quarters. North Hunterdon's Joe Guzzo, who has had an amazing season, also is in the bottom bracket and meets Gerrity in the first round on Friday.
Career mark: 86-28.
Previous state appearances: Did not place (1-2) at 160 in 2013.
Kyle Stoll (35-5), High Point -- The senior was very impressive in rolling to repeat championships at District 3 and Region 1. Stoll, whose father, Joe, won a region title for Vernon in 1984, one-upped the old man with a second region title. For the second straight year in AC, Stoll will have a tough one out of the gate against St. Peter's Prep's Christian Colucci (30-3). They have one common opponent in Bound Brook's Ronald Picado, who dropped a 3-1 decision to Colucci and was pinned by Stoll. A win over Colucci would likely set up a showdown with Franklin's Ralph Normandia, third at 220 last year, in the quarters. It's a brutal draw for a semifinalist at 195 in 2013.
Career mark: 103-24.
Previous state appearances: Did not place (0-1) at 182 in 2012, Semifinalist, sixth place at 195 in 2013.
Andrew Pacheco (33-2), Warren Hills -- Only a junior, Pacheco is without a doubt one of the most athletic heavyweights in the entire state. Boy, can he move for a big man. He's avenged both of his losses this season by identical scores -- 3-2 over Delaware Valley's Marek Tomanek and 5-2 over Pope John's Noa Merritt, the latter in Saturday's Region 1 finals. The 285-pound class, which also features those two wrestlers, is one of the most wide open in recent years. Pacheco has pinned St. Joseph-Montvale's Kevin Wilkins, who was fourth last year, this season and will open against Howell's Kyle Cocozza. A win would almost certainly set up a showdown with Hanover Park's Nick LaShell in the quarters. LaShell won, 3-2 in UTB, when they met in last year's wrestlebacks.
Career mark: 74-15.
Previous state appearances: Did not place (1-2) in 2013.
Noa Merritt (27-1), Pope John -- Speaking of athletic heavyweights, the Pope John senior is heading to Boston College on a football scholarship next fall. The Lions haven't produced a state champ since Brian Unkert (1990) and haven't won a medal since Devin Perez finished second at heavyweight in 2003. Merritt's match with Warren Hills' Andrew Pacheco in Saturday's Region 1 finals was epic, and unfortunately marred by ridiculous stall calls. Merritt, who sets up in the bottom half opposite Pacheco, could be on a collision course with St. Joseph-Montvale's Kevin Wilkins in the quarterfinals. Bound Brook's Stephen Johnson, who was fifth last year, is the No. 2 seed in the bottom half.
Career mark: 79-34.
Previous state appearances: Did not place (2-2) in 2013.
Other area qualifiers (17):
Delaware Valley -- Kody Eichlin (182), Marek Tomanek (285)
High Point -- Dom Gallo (120)
Hunterdon Central -- Collin Boylan (145)
Kittatinny -- Christian Silva (126), Austin Scrivani (132), Nick Romyns (152), Kieran Gerrity (170), Garrett Armstrong (195)
Lenape Valley -- D.J. Barrett (182)
Newton -- Gus Protogeropoulos (220)
North Hunterdon -- Michael Sicola (160), Joe Guzzo (170)
Pope John -- Austin Sisco (113)
Voorhees -- Kyle DiNapoli (113), Cody Ihling (120)
Warren Hills -- Max Nauta (132)
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Wrestling: State Tournament schedules, stats
What: 81st State Wrestling Championships.
Where: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Friday's schedule: Preliminaries, 5 p.m.; pre-quarterfinals, 7 p.m.
Saturday's schedule: Wrestlebacks (first-round losers on Friday), 10 a.m.; quarterfinals and second round of wrestlebacks, noon; third round of wrestlebacks, 5 p.m.; semifinals and fourth round of wrestlebacks, 7 p.m.
Sunday's schedule: Fifth round of wrestlebacks, 10 a.m.; consolation finals (third through eighth places), 11 a.m.; championships, 3 p.m.
Returning state champions (7, 2014 weights): So. Nick Suriano, Bergen Catholic (113); Sr. Luis Gonzalez, Don Bosco (second-2011, fourth-2012, first-2013, 120); Jr. Craig De La Cruz, Bound Brook (fourth-2012, first-2013, 126); Sr. Anthony Giraldo, North Bergen (fourth-2011, fifth-2012, first-2013, 132); Sr. Dillon Artigliere, Roxbury (fifth-2012, first-2013, 170); Sr. Johnny Sebastian, Bergen Catholic (fifth-2011, first 2012-13, 182); Sr. Bryan Dobzanski, Delsea (third-2012, first-2013, 220).
Returning medal winners (52, previous finishes, 2014 weights): So. Brandon Paetzell, Phillipsburg (fifth-2013, 106); So. Ty Agaisse, Delbarton (seventh-2013, 106); Jr. Patrick D'Arcy, Holy Spirit (third-2013, 113); So. Dean Caravela, Caldwell (eighth-2013, 113); Jr. Anthony Cefolo, Hanover Park (first-2011, 120); So. Kyle Bierdumpfel, Don Bosco Prep (second-2013, 120); Jr. Michael Russo, Jackson Liberty (fourth-2013, 120); Sr. Bryan Damon, Jefferson (fifth-2013, 120); Sr. Michael Russo, St. Peter's Prep (sixth-2013, 120); Sr. Alex Baider, Cherokee (sixth-2013, 120); Jr. Mike Andreano, Glen Rock-Saddle Brook (eighth-2011, 120); Sr. Tyler McBride, Camden Catholic (eighth-2012, 120); Sr. Christian Innarella, Delbarton (seventh-2011, sixth-2012, third-2013, 126); Jr. Matt Noble, DePaul (seventh-2013, 126); Jr. Ryan Pomrinca, North Hunterdon (seventh-2012, 126); Jr. Peter Lipari, Bergen Catholic (seventh-2013, 126); Sr. Marc Mastropietro, Hasbrouck Heights (eighth-2012, 126); Sr. Mike Magaldo, Watchung Hills (second-2011, first-2012, third-2013, 132); Jr. Mike Derin, High Point (eighth-2013, 132); Jr. Ronnie Gentile, Paulsboro (second-2013, 138); Sr. Gordon Wolf, Lawrence (fifth-2013, 138); Jr. Joe Trovato, Paramus (fifth-2012-13, 138); Sr. Joe Ghione, Brick Memorial (sixth-2011, sixth-2012, 138); Sr. Justin McTamney, Bordentown (sixth-2013, 138); Jr. Connor Burkert, St. Peter's Prep (seventh-2013, 138); Sr. Joseph Oliva, Ridgewood (seventh-2013, 138); Jr. Jason Gaccione, High Point (fourth-2013, 145); Jr. David McFadden, DePaul (second-2012, sixth-2013, 145); Jr. Ryan Burkert, St. Peter's Prep (eighth-2013, 145); Sr. John Van Brill, Clearview (fifth-2011, 145); Sr. Zach Wilhelm, Southern (eighth-2011, 145); Sr. Gary Dinmore, Hunterdon Central (second-2012-13, 152); Sr. Maaziah Bethea, Trenton Central (seventh-2012, fifth-2013, 152); Sr. Carl Buttitta, Iselin Kennedy (fifth-2011, second-2012, 152); Sr. Jonathan Schleifer, East Brunswick (eighth-2011, third-2012, second-2013, 160); Jr. Joshua Ugalde, Bound Brook (sixth-2013, 160); Sr. Luke Farinaro, Don Bosco Prep (fifth-2013, 170); Sr. Josef Johnson, Delbarton (seventh-2013, 170); Sr. Joey Balboni, Brearley (third-2013, 182); Sr. Nicholas Costa, Brick Memorial (seventh-2013, 182); Sr. Kyle Stoll, High Point (sixth-2013, 195); Sr. Dominic Carfagno, St. Joseph-Montvale (sixth-2012, 195); Sr. Anthony Landberg, Wayne Valley (seventh-2013, 195); Sr. Robbie Maggiulli, Emerson-Park Ridge (seventh-2013, 195); So. Matt Correnti, Holy Cross (eighth-2013, 195); Jr. Zack Chakonis, Don Bosco (sixth-2012, second-2013, 220); Sr. Ralph Normandia, Franklin (third-2013, 220); Sr. Mike Markulec, Hopewell Valley (fifth-2013, 220); Jr. Jordan Fox, St. Peter's Prep (sixth-2013, 220); Jr. Tyreek Smith, Moorestown (eighth-2013, 220); Sr. Kevin Wilkins, St. Joseph-Montvale (fourth-2013, 285); Sr. Stephen Johnson, Bound Brook (fifth-2013, 285).
Returning medal winners by region:
Region 1 (9, Paetzell, Damon, Noble, Derin, McFadden, Gaccione, Artigliere, Stoll, Landberg)
Region 2 (13, Suriano, Gonzalez, Andreano, Bierdumpfel, Lipari, Trovato, Oliva, Farinaro, Sebastian, Maggiulli, Carfagno, Chakonis, Wilkins)
Region 3 (6, Agaisse, Cefolo, Innarella, Magaldo, Johnson, Balboni)
Region 4 (7, Caravela, Russo, Mastropietro, Giraldo, C. Burkert, R. Burkert, Fox)
Region 5 (10, De La Cruz, Pomrinca, Wolf, Buttitta, Dinmore, Schleifer, Ugalde, Normandia, Markulec, Johnson)
Region 6 (4, Russo, Ghione, Wilhelm, Costa)
Region 7 (6, McBride, Baider, McTamney, Bethea, Correnti, Smith)
Region 8 (4, D'Arcy, Gentile, Van Brill, Dobzanski)
Where: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Friday's schedule: Preliminaries, 5 p.m.; pre-quarterfinals, 7 p.m.
Saturday's schedule: Wrestlebacks (first-round losers on Friday), 10 a.m.; quarterfinals and second round of wrestlebacks, noon; third round of wrestlebacks, 5 p.m.; semifinals and fourth round of wrestlebacks, 7 p.m.
Sunday's schedule: Fifth round of wrestlebacks, 10 a.m.; consolation finals (third through eighth places), 11 a.m.; championships, 3 p.m.
Returning state champions (7, 2014 weights): So. Nick Suriano, Bergen Catholic (113); Sr. Luis Gonzalez, Don Bosco (second-2011, fourth-2012, first-2013, 120); Jr. Craig De La Cruz, Bound Brook (fourth-2012, first-2013, 126); Sr. Anthony Giraldo, North Bergen (fourth-2011, fifth-2012, first-2013, 132); Sr. Dillon Artigliere, Roxbury (fifth-2012, first-2013, 170); Sr. Johnny Sebastian, Bergen Catholic (fifth-2011, first 2012-13, 182); Sr. Bryan Dobzanski, Delsea (third-2012, first-2013, 220).
Returning medal winners (52, previous finishes, 2014 weights): So. Brandon Paetzell, Phillipsburg (fifth-2013, 106); So. Ty Agaisse, Delbarton (seventh-2013, 106); Jr. Patrick D'Arcy, Holy Spirit (third-2013, 113); So. Dean Caravela, Caldwell (eighth-2013, 113); Jr. Anthony Cefolo, Hanover Park (first-2011, 120); So. Kyle Bierdumpfel, Don Bosco Prep (second-2013, 120); Jr. Michael Russo, Jackson Liberty (fourth-2013, 120); Sr. Bryan Damon, Jefferson (fifth-2013, 120); Sr. Michael Russo, St. Peter's Prep (sixth-2013, 120); Sr. Alex Baider, Cherokee (sixth-2013, 120); Jr. Mike Andreano, Glen Rock-Saddle Brook (eighth-2011, 120); Sr. Tyler McBride, Camden Catholic (eighth-2012, 120); Sr. Christian Innarella, Delbarton (seventh-2011, sixth-2012, third-2013, 126); Jr. Matt Noble, DePaul (seventh-2013, 126); Jr. Ryan Pomrinca, North Hunterdon (seventh-2012, 126); Jr. Peter Lipari, Bergen Catholic (seventh-2013, 126); Sr. Marc Mastropietro, Hasbrouck Heights (eighth-2012, 126); Sr. Mike Magaldo, Watchung Hills (second-2011, first-2012, third-2013, 132); Jr. Mike Derin, High Point (eighth-2013, 132); Jr. Ronnie Gentile, Paulsboro (second-2013, 138); Sr. Gordon Wolf, Lawrence (fifth-2013, 138); Jr. Joe Trovato, Paramus (fifth-2012-13, 138); Sr. Joe Ghione, Brick Memorial (sixth-2011, sixth-2012, 138); Sr. Justin McTamney, Bordentown (sixth-2013, 138); Jr. Connor Burkert, St. Peter's Prep (seventh-2013, 138); Sr. Joseph Oliva, Ridgewood (seventh-2013, 138); Jr. Jason Gaccione, High Point (fourth-2013, 145); Jr. David McFadden, DePaul (second-2012, sixth-2013, 145); Jr. Ryan Burkert, St. Peter's Prep (eighth-2013, 145); Sr. John Van Brill, Clearview (fifth-2011, 145); Sr. Zach Wilhelm, Southern (eighth-2011, 145); Sr. Gary Dinmore, Hunterdon Central (second-2012-13, 152); Sr. Maaziah Bethea, Trenton Central (seventh-2012, fifth-2013, 152); Sr. Carl Buttitta, Iselin Kennedy (fifth-2011, second-2012, 152); Sr. Jonathan Schleifer, East Brunswick (eighth-2011, third-2012, second-2013, 160); Jr. Joshua Ugalde, Bound Brook (sixth-2013, 160); Sr. Luke Farinaro, Don Bosco Prep (fifth-2013, 170); Sr. Josef Johnson, Delbarton (seventh-2013, 170); Sr. Joey Balboni, Brearley (third-2013, 182); Sr. Nicholas Costa, Brick Memorial (seventh-2013, 182); Sr. Kyle Stoll, High Point (sixth-2013, 195); Sr. Dominic Carfagno, St. Joseph-Montvale (sixth-2012, 195); Sr. Anthony Landberg, Wayne Valley (seventh-2013, 195); Sr. Robbie Maggiulli, Emerson-Park Ridge (seventh-2013, 195); So. Matt Correnti, Holy Cross (eighth-2013, 195); Jr. Zack Chakonis, Don Bosco (sixth-2012, second-2013, 220); Sr. Ralph Normandia, Franklin (third-2013, 220); Sr. Mike Markulec, Hopewell Valley (fifth-2013, 220); Jr. Jordan Fox, St. Peter's Prep (sixth-2013, 220); Jr. Tyreek Smith, Moorestown (eighth-2013, 220); Sr. Kevin Wilkins, St. Joseph-Montvale (fourth-2013, 285); Sr. Stephen Johnson, Bound Brook (fifth-2013, 285).
Returning medal winners by region:
Region 1 (9, Paetzell, Damon, Noble, Derin, McFadden, Gaccione, Artigliere, Stoll, Landberg)
Region 2 (13, Suriano, Gonzalez, Andreano, Bierdumpfel, Lipari, Trovato, Oliva, Farinaro, Sebastian, Maggiulli, Carfagno, Chakonis, Wilkins)
Region 3 (6, Agaisse, Cefolo, Innarella, Magaldo, Johnson, Balboni)
Region 4 (7, Caravela, Russo, Mastropietro, Giraldo, C. Burkert, R. Burkert, Fox)
Region 5 (10, De La Cruz, Pomrinca, Wolf, Buttitta, Dinmore, Schleifer, Ugalde, Normandia, Markulec, Johnson)
Region 6 (4, Russo, Ghione, Wilhelm, Costa)
Region 7 (6, McBride, Baider, McTamney, Bethea, Correnti, Smith)
Region 8 (4, D'Arcy, Gentile, Van Brill, Dobzanski)
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Wrestling: 2014 Coaches Association Top 25
Rank
|
School
|
Record
|
1
|
Bergen Catholic
|
(24-4)
|
2
|
Bound Brook
|
(19-6)
|
3
|
Phillipsburg
|
(18-0)
|
4
|
Don Bosco Prep
|
(20-4)
|
5
|
St. Peter's Prep
|
(20-7)
|
6
|
Delbarton
|
(15-4)
|
7
|
Southern
|
(20-1)
|
8
|
Paulsboro
|
(21-2)
|
9
|
High Point
|
(17-4)
|
10
|
Hanover Park
|
(19-4)
|
11
|
Howell
|
(28-4)
|
12
|
Brick Memorial
|
(15-3)
|
13
|
Roselle Park
|
(23-1)
|
14
|
Jackson Memorial
|
(19-4)
|
15
|
St. Joseph-Montvale
|
(10-7)
|
16
|
St. Augustine Prep
|
(22-3)
|
17
|
Clearview
|
(24-1)
|
18
|
Kittatinny
|
(18-3)
|
19
|
Clifton
|
(18-3)
|
20
|
South Plainfield
|
(22-6)
|
21
|
North Hunterdon
|
(17-3)
|
22
|
Wall Township
|
(16-5)
|
23
|
Long Branch
|
(23-4)
|
24
|
Raritan
|
(30-4)
|
25
|
Collingswood
|
(30-6)
|
DePaul
|
(13-6)
|
Wrestling: Region 1 finals recap, tidbits
Another Region 1 Tournament is in the books.
It was a great final session and a tremendous three days of wrestling overall. You can't beat the outstanding wrestlers, coaches, fans and hosts here at Wallkill Valley Regional High School.
One guy that High Point senior Kyle Stoll wanted to beat happens to reside in his own family. With his second straight Region 1 title at 195 pounds -- pinning Wayne Valley's Anthony Landberg in 3:09 -- Stoll doubles the total his father, Joe, won as a heavyweight for Vernon. Joe Stoll won his only region title for the Vikings in 1984.
"It's always nice. It started out with the whole district thing," said Kyle, who owns a 3-0 lead over his dad for number of District 3 titles in the family. "I like to bust his chops. But my dad has always been there [supporting me]."
High Point supports each other as well. No one was happier than Stoll for junior Mike Derin, who won his second title at 132 pounds -- decking Warren Hills junior Max Nauta, a returning champion, in 1:36. Derin also earned the Outstanding Wrestler Award for his efforts. Joining Stoll and Derin for next weekend's state tournament in Atlantic City are runners-up Dom Gallo (120) and Jason Gaccione (145).
"We are a group, not just individuals," Stoll said. "We all feed off each other."
High Point's four wrestlers are among 13 from Sussex County to earn a trip to AC. Warren County's total of four -- two each from Phillipsburg and Warren Hills -- make it 17 from this region who reside in our coverage area to qualify for states. Stoll's win over Landberg was the only finals rematch from a year ago. Stoll defeated Landberg, 3-2, in the 2013 finals and 9-6 earlier this season in a dual meet.
Derin (33-8) came out on top at one of Region 1's toughest weight classes. Facing Nauta, a three-time finalist and champ at 113 last year, was sort of wrestling a mirror image as both he and Derin make their living as outstanding mat wrestlers. Needless to say, the pin and OW Award were both pleasant surprises.
"To get a pin in the finals -- I'm really excited about that," said Derin, who pinned his way through last year's tournament -- a total of three -- and had two falls in this one. "[Nauta] tried to muscle me and that's my preferred style of wrestling."
Gallo (31-8), who was fourth last year at 106, navigated his way to the finals at arguably the toughest weight class. A 3-2 loss in the ultimate tiebreaker to Jefferson's Bryan Damon was Gallo's third overtime bout in the tournament and second straight decided in the UTB. Earlier in the day, Gallo pulled off one of the biggest upsets -- a 2-1 win over Randolph's A.J. Vindici, the No. 1 seed and two-time state placewinner who finished third at 113 in AC last year.
Gaccione (35-5) came up short in a tremendous final -- a 3-2 loss to three-time winner David McFadden of DePaul in one of the most anticipated bouts between state placewinners. Gaccione, who finished fourth in the state as a sophomore, was the champ at this weight class last season.
Joining Romyns at states are fellow seniors Christian Silva (126), Kieran Gerrity (170) and Garrett Armstrong (195), along with sophomore Austin Scrivani (132). All four finished third. Gill, while pleased to be sending five to AC, couldn't help but lament just missing out on a sixth, as senior Dylan Wunder (182) finished fourth for the second straight year.
With one loss this season left to avenge, Warren Hills junior Andrew Pacheco settled a score by knocking off previously-unbeaten Noa Merritt of Pope John -- 5-2 in an entertaining 285-pound final. It was the same score that Merritt defeated Pacheco by in their Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final on Jan. 11.
Pacheco (33-2), who atoned for a 3-2 loss to Delaware Valley's Marek Tomanek with a win by the same score over the Region 5 third-place finisher on Jan. 17, wrestled a much smarter match against Merritt (27-1) this time around, getting a takedown with 41 seconds left in the third period to ice it.
Pacheco is the fourth heavyweight in Washington/Warren Hills history to win a region title -- joining Dale Baldwin (1967, '69), Dan Slack (1975-77) and Jon Slack (2010). Dan Slack, a 1977 state champion and Region 1 Hall of Fame member, was in attendance and did a fine job presenting legendary Blue Streaks coach John Goles, who died in 2003, for induction into the Hall of Fame prior to the finals.
It was a great final session and a tremendous three days of wrestling overall. You can't beat the outstanding wrestlers, coaches, fans and hosts here at Wallkill Valley Regional High School.
One guy that High Point senior Kyle Stoll wanted to beat happens to reside in his own family. With his second straight Region 1 title at 195 pounds -- pinning Wayne Valley's Anthony Landberg in 3:09 -- Stoll doubles the total his father, Joe, won as a heavyweight for Vernon. Joe Stoll won his only region title for the Vikings in 1984.
"It's always nice. It started out with the whole district thing," said Kyle, who owns a 3-0 lead over his dad for number of District 3 titles in the family. "I like to bust his chops. But my dad has always been there [supporting me]."
High Point supports each other as well. No one was happier than Stoll for junior Mike Derin, who won his second title at 132 pounds -- decking Warren Hills junior Max Nauta, a returning champion, in 1:36. Derin also earned the Outstanding Wrestler Award for his efforts. Joining Stoll and Derin for next weekend's state tournament in Atlantic City are runners-up Dom Gallo (120) and Jason Gaccione (145).
"We are a group, not just individuals," Stoll said. "We all feed off each other."
High Point's four wrestlers are among 13 from Sussex County to earn a trip to AC. Warren County's total of four -- two each from Phillipsburg and Warren Hills -- make it 17 from this region who reside in our coverage area to qualify for states. Stoll's win over Landberg was the only finals rematch from a year ago. Stoll defeated Landberg, 3-2, in the 2013 finals and 9-6 earlier this season in a dual meet.
Derin (33-8) came out on top at one of Region 1's toughest weight classes. Facing Nauta, a three-time finalist and champ at 113 last year, was sort of wrestling a mirror image as both he and Derin make their living as outstanding mat wrestlers. Needless to say, the pin and OW Award were both pleasant surprises.
"To get a pin in the finals -- I'm really excited about that," said Derin, who pinned his way through last year's tournament -- a total of three -- and had two falls in this one. "[Nauta] tried to muscle me and that's my preferred style of wrestling."
Gallo (31-8), who was fourth last year at 106, navigated his way to the finals at arguably the toughest weight class. A 3-2 loss in the ultimate tiebreaker to Jefferson's Bryan Damon was Gallo's third overtime bout in the tournament and second straight decided in the UTB. Earlier in the day, Gallo pulled off one of the biggest upsets -- a 2-1 win over Randolph's A.J. Vindici, the No. 1 seed and two-time state placewinner who finished third at 113 in AC last year.
Gaccione (35-5) came up short in a tremendous final -- a 3-2 loss to three-time winner David McFadden of DePaul in one of the most anticipated bouts between state placewinners. Gaccione, who finished fourth in the state as a sophomore, was the champ at this weight class last season.
Cougars answer Saturday bell
A year ago, the final day at Region 1 was no walk in the park for Kittatinny coach John Gill and his wrestlers -- going 2-4 in the semifinals and 4-7 in the wrestlebacks, while not producing at least one champion for only the fifth time since 1998.
But the Cougars atoned for that this weekend by advancing a District 3-best five wrestlers to the state tournament, including 152-pound champion Nick Romyns, a No. 5 seed who became the school's 33rd winner and first since Clarke Moynihan in 2012. It was sweet redemption for Romyns, who finished third in the district last weekend after winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and '13. During his run to the region title, he avenged a loss to High Point's Chris Auer in the district semis with a 4-3 decision in the quarters.
"I had a goal to make regions and win a title," said the soft-spoken Romyns, a runner-up at 145 last year who will attend Roger Williams University next fall. "It was a matter of wrestling hard and being smart. I just tried to take it one match at a time."
Joining Romyns at states are fellow seniors Christian Silva (126), Kieran Gerrity (170) and Garrett Armstrong (195), along with sophomore Austin Scrivani (132). All four finished third. Gill, while pleased to be sending five to AC, couldn't help but lament just missing out on a sixth, as senior Dylan Wunder (182) finished fourth for the second straight year.
Pacheco reverses course
With one loss this season left to avenge, Warren Hills junior Andrew Pacheco settled a score by knocking off previously-unbeaten Noa Merritt of Pope John -- 5-2 in an entertaining 285-pound final. It was the same score that Merritt defeated Pacheco by in their Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final on Jan. 11.
Pacheco (33-2), who atoned for a 3-2 loss to Delaware Valley's Marek Tomanek with a win by the same score over the Region 5 third-place finisher on Jan. 17, wrestled a much smarter match against Merritt (27-1) this time around, getting a takedown with 41 seconds left in the third period to ice it.
Pacheco is the fourth heavyweight in Washington/Warren Hills history to win a region title -- joining Dale Baldwin (1967, '69), Dan Slack (1975-77) and Jon Slack (2010). Dan Slack, a 1977 state champion and Region 1 Hall of Fame member, was in attendance and did a fine job presenting legendary Blue Streaks coach John Goles, who died in 2003, for induction into the Hall of Fame prior to the finals.
Back points
Brandon Paetzell pushed Phillipsburg's region-leading total to 115 champions with his second straight title at 106 pounds. Paetzell (36-1), who finished fifth in the state last season and heads to AC as one of this year's title favorites, joins Rick Thompson (1970-71) as the only Stateliners to win titles their freshman and sophomore seasons.
Pope John's Austin Sisco (113), Lenape Valley's D.J. Barrett (182) and Newton's Gus Protogeropoulos (220) are other Open Mike area wrestlers moving onto AC with third-place finishes.
Roxbury senior Dillon Artigliere capped a fine career in Region 1 with his third title -- scoring a 5-3 win over Phillipsburg's Jake Kocsis in the 170-pound final. Artigliere, who was second as a sophomore, joins Bill Henderson (1963-65) and Tom Sloand (1975-77) as the only Gaels to win three region titles. Artigliere (39-0), who is 153-8 overall, takes an 83-match win streak to AC, where he will compete for a second state championship. His last loss was 6-0 to Moynihan in the 2012 consolation semifinals at Boardwalk Hall.
Wayne Hills got its first champion as junior Mojahed Hamdeh earned a 4-3 decision over Lakeland's Dan Kee in the 113-pound final. The Passaic County school, which started wrestling in 1967, was just one of two left in this region to not have a champ, along with Morris Catholic. In fact, Wayne Hills had two in the finals for the first time, as sophomore Daniel Kilroy finished second at 160.
Fittingly, DePaul advanced a tournament-high six wrestlers to Atlantic City, including champions Matt Noble (126), Brandon Kui (138) and McFadden, on the same day that legendary Spartan Gene Mills was inducted into the Region 1 Hall of Fame. Mills was the school's first champ in 1974. DePaul now has a total of 17, as McFadden joined Steve DePetro (1980-82) as its only three-time winners. McFadden will attempt to become just the fourth wrestler in this region to win four in 2015.
Mendham's Sam Button (182), his school's first champ since Ryan Harrington in 2012, was among four winners from District 1, which advanced nine wrestlers to the state tournament. Districts 3 and 4 also had four champs, while District 2 had two. District 3 advanced the most with 13, one ahead of District 4's total of 12. District 2 sends eight to AC.
West Morris ended its championship drought as senior Jesse Windt captured the title at 220 -- the Morris County school's 12th winner overall and first since Dillon Landi in 2006. Windt (35-1), a 3-1 winner over Wayne Valley's Justin Walker, began his career as a 119-pounder.
Following P'burg and Washington/Warren Hills (53), High Point now sits in third place in this region with 43 champions -- moving past Randolph (42), which hasn't had a winner since Mike Suk in 2008. Newton and Roxbury are tied for fifth with 34 champions.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Wrestling: Region 1 results, qualifiers by school
State qualifiers by school
DePaul 3+1+2=6; Kittatinny 1+0+4=5; High Point 2+2+0=4; Roxbury 1+1+1=3; Wayne Valley 0+3+0=3; Jefferson 1+0+1=2; Mendham 1+1+0=2; Montville 0+0+2=2; Morris Knolls 1+0+1=2; Phillipsburg 1+1+0=2; Pope John 0+1+1=2; Warren Hills 1+1+0=2; Wayne Hills 1+1+0=2; Lakeland 0+1+0=1; Lenape Valley 0+0+1=1; Mount Olive 0+1+0=1; Newton 0+0+1=1; West Morris 1+0+0=1; Belvidere 0+0+0=0; Butler 0+0+0=0; Dover 0+0+0=0; Hackettstown 0+0+0=0; Hopatcong 0+0+0=0; Kinnelon 0+0+0=0; Morris Catholic 0+0+0=0; Morris Hills 0+0+0=0; North Warren 0+0+0=0; Pequannock 0+0+0=0; Pompton Lakes 0+0+0=0; Randolph 0+0+0=0; Sparta 0+0+0=0; Vernon 0+0+0=0; Wallkill Valley 0+0+0=0; West Milford 0+0+0=0
Championships
113 pounds
2-Jr. Mojahed Hamdeh (29-3), Wayne Hills, d. 4-Jr. Dan Kee (32-5), Lakeland, 4-3.
120 pounds
2-Sr. Bryan Damon (36-2), Jefferson, d. 5-Jr. Dom Gallo (31-8), High Point, 3-2 UTB.
126 pounds
1-Jr. Matt Noble (36-2), DePaul, d. 2-Sr. Tyler Hrycak (30-7), Wayne Valley, 3-1 SV.
132 pounds
1-Jr. Mike Derin (33-8), High Point, p. 2-Jr. Max Nauta (29-6), Warren Hills, 1:36.
138 pounds
2-Fr. Brandon Kui (30-10), DePaul, d. 1-Jr. Eric Friedman (34-4), Mendham, 4-1.
145 pounds
1-Jr. David McFadden (38-1), DePaul, d. 2-Jr. Jason Gaccione (35-5), High Point, 3-2.
152 pounds
5-Sr. Nick Romyns (25-4), Kittatinny, d. 6-Sr. Ronald Spera (31-5), Mount Olive, 4-3.
160 pounds
2-So. Dean Drugac (33-2), Morris Knolls, d. 5-So. Daniel Kilroy (27-5), Wayne Hills, 9-2.
170 pounds
1-Sr. Dillon Artigliere (39-0), Roxbury, d. 2-Sr. Jake Kocsis (36-3), Phillipsburg, 5-3. .
182 pounds
1-Sr. Sam Button (37-1), Mendham, d. 2-Jr. Nick DePalma (33-6), DePaul, 5-2.
195 pounds
1-Sr. Kyle Stoll (35-5), High Point, p. 2-Sr. Anthony Landberg (31-3), Wayne Valley, 3:09.
220 pounds
1-Sr. Jesse Windt (36-1), West Morris, d. 2-Sr. Justin Walker (33-3), Wayne Valley, 3-1..
285 pounds
2-Jr. Andrew Pacheco (33-2), Warren Hills, d. 1-Sr. Noa Merritt (27-1), Pope John, 5-2.
106 pounds
1-So. Brandon Paetzell (36-1), Phillipsburg, md. 3-So. Troy Stanich (31-7), Roxbury, 16-4.
Outstanding Wrestler Award -- Mike Derin, High Point.
Coach of the Year -- Dave Post, Phillipsburg.
Third-place consolations
106 pounds
2-So. Garrett O'Shea (30-4), Morris Knolls, d. 4-Jr. Joe Aumann (30-8), Hopatcong, 2-0.
113 pounds
1-Sr. Austin Sisco (33-4), Pope John, p. 3-Jr. Kyle Flynn (28-8), Pompton Lakes, 1:53.
120 pounds
3-Jr. William Kui (30-8), DePaul, d. 1-Jr. A.J. Vindici (35-3), Randolph, 10-5.
126 pounds
5-Sr. Christian Silva (26-14), Kittatinny, d. 4-Jr. Dylan Luciano (28-10), West Morris, 6-4 SV.
132 pounds
4-So. Austin Scrivani (31-8), Kittatinny, d. 3-Sr. Devon LaFranco (30-10), Roxbury, 5-0.
138 pounds
4-Jr. Anthony Fano (37-4), Montville, p. 8-Jr. Corey Zinsmeister (26-10), Phillipsburg, 5:41.
145 pounds
5-So. Craig Roumes (23-10), Roxbury, d. 8-So. Edward Marucci (31-11), Montville, 7-0.
152 pounds
2-Jr. Luke Bohn (30-4), Jefferson, d. 1-Jr. Max Elling (34-6), Phillipsburg, 7-5.
160 pounds
4-Sr. Nick Carey (27-12), DePaul, md. 1-Sr. Tommy Hooker (24-13), High Point, 18-9.
170 pounds
3-Sr. Kieran Gerrity (36-4), Kittatinny, d. 6-Sr. Zach D'Apolito (28-8), Wayne Valley, 8-1.
182 pounds
3-Jr. D.J. Barrett (31-6), Lenape Valley, d. 4-Sr. Dylan Wunder (30-11), Kittatinny, 8-5.
195 pounds
3-Sr. Garrett Armstrong (33-8), Kittatinny, d. 4-Jr. Aaron Flitcroft (25-10), Mendham, 2-1 OT3.
220 pounds
3-Jr. Gus Protogeropoulos (35-6), Newton, d. 7-So. Scott Lavelle (26-8), DePaul, 4-3.
285 pounds
3-Sr. Ethan Fox (33-7), Montville, d. 6-Sr. Joe Fierro (24-11), Pequannock, 3-1.
DePaul 3+1+2=6; Kittatinny 1+0+4=5; High Point 2+2+0=4; Roxbury 1+1+1=3; Wayne Valley 0+3+0=3; Jefferson 1+0+1=2; Mendham 1+1+0=2; Montville 0+0+2=2; Morris Knolls 1+0+1=2; Phillipsburg 1+1+0=2; Pope John 0+1+1=2; Warren Hills 1+1+0=2; Wayne Hills 1+1+0=2; Lakeland 0+1+0=1; Lenape Valley 0+0+1=1; Mount Olive 0+1+0=1; Newton 0+0+1=1; West Morris 1+0+0=1; Belvidere 0+0+0=0; Butler 0+0+0=0; Dover 0+0+0=0; Hackettstown 0+0+0=0; Hopatcong 0+0+0=0; Kinnelon 0+0+0=0; Morris Catholic 0+0+0=0; Morris Hills 0+0+0=0; North Warren 0+0+0=0; Pequannock 0+0+0=0; Pompton Lakes 0+0+0=0; Randolph 0+0+0=0; Sparta 0+0+0=0; Vernon 0+0+0=0; Wallkill Valley 0+0+0=0; West Milford 0+0+0=0
Championships
113 pounds
120 pounds
2-Sr. Bryan Damon (36-2), Jefferson, d. 5-Jr. Dom Gallo (31-8), High Point, 3-2 UTB.
126 pounds
1-Jr. Matt Noble (36-2), DePaul, d. 2-Sr. Tyler Hrycak (30-7), Wayne Valley, 3-1 SV.
132 pounds
1-Jr. Mike Derin (33-8), High Point, p. 2-Jr. Max Nauta (29-6), Warren Hills, 1:36.
138 pounds
2-Fr. Brandon Kui (30-10), DePaul, d. 1-Jr. Eric Friedman (34-4), Mendham, 4-1.
145 pounds
1-Jr. David McFadden (38-1), DePaul, d. 2-Jr. Jason Gaccione (35-5), High Point, 3-2.
152 pounds
5-Sr. Nick Romyns (25-4), Kittatinny, d. 6-Sr. Ronald Spera (31-5), Mount Olive, 4-3.
160 pounds
2-So. Dean Drugac (33-2), Morris Knolls, d. 5-So. Daniel Kilroy (27-5), Wayne Hills, 9-2.
170 pounds
1-Sr. Dillon Artigliere (39-0), Roxbury, d. 2-Sr. Jake Kocsis (36-3), Phillipsburg, 5-3. .
182 pounds
1-Sr. Sam Button (37-1), Mendham, d. 2-Jr. Nick DePalma (33-6), DePaul, 5-2.
195 pounds
1-Sr. Kyle Stoll (35-5), High Point, p. 2-Sr. Anthony Landberg (31-3), Wayne Valley, 3:09.
220 pounds
1-Sr. Jesse Windt (36-1), West Morris, d. 2-Sr. Justin Walker (33-3), Wayne Valley, 3-1..
285 pounds
2-Jr. Andrew Pacheco (33-2), Warren Hills, d. 1-Sr. Noa Merritt (27-1), Pope John, 5-2.
106 pounds
1-So. Brandon Paetzell (36-1), Phillipsburg, md. 3-So. Troy Stanich (31-7), Roxbury, 16-4.
Outstanding Wrestler Award -- Mike Derin, High Point.
Coach of the Year -- Dave Post, Phillipsburg.
Third-place consolations
106 pounds
2-So. Garrett O'Shea (30-4), Morris Knolls, d. 4-Jr. Joe Aumann (30-8), Hopatcong, 2-0.
113 pounds
1-Sr. Austin Sisco (33-4), Pope John, p. 3-Jr. Kyle Flynn (28-8), Pompton Lakes, 1:53.
120 pounds
3-Jr. William Kui (30-8), DePaul, d. 1-Jr. A.J. Vindici (35-3), Randolph, 10-5.
126 pounds
5-Sr. Christian Silva (26-14), Kittatinny, d. 4-Jr. Dylan Luciano (28-10), West Morris, 6-4 SV.
132 pounds
4-So. Austin Scrivani (31-8), Kittatinny, d. 3-Sr. Devon LaFranco (30-10), Roxbury, 5-0.
138 pounds
4-Jr. Anthony Fano (37-4), Montville, p. 8-Jr. Corey Zinsmeister (26-10), Phillipsburg, 5:41.
145 pounds
5-So. Craig Roumes (23-10), Roxbury, d. 8-So. Edward Marucci (31-11), Montville, 7-0.
152 pounds
2-Jr. Luke Bohn (30-4), Jefferson, d. 1-Jr. Max Elling (34-6), Phillipsburg, 7-5.
160 pounds
4-Sr. Nick Carey (27-12), DePaul, md. 1-Sr. Tommy Hooker (24-13), High Point, 18-9.
170 pounds
3-Sr. Kieran Gerrity (36-4), Kittatinny, d. 6-Sr. Zach D'Apolito (28-8), Wayne Valley, 8-1.
182 pounds
3-Jr. D.J. Barrett (31-6), Lenape Valley, d. 4-Sr. Dylan Wunder (30-11), Kittatinny, 8-5.
195 pounds
3-Sr. Garrett Armstrong (33-8), Kittatinny, d. 4-Jr. Aaron Flitcroft (25-10), Mendham, 2-1 OT3.
220 pounds
3-Jr. Gus Protogeropoulos (35-6), Newton, d. 7-So. Scott Lavelle (26-8), DePaul, 4-3.
285 pounds
3-Sr. Ethan Fox (33-7), Montville, d. 6-Sr. Joe Fierro (24-11), Pequannock, 3-1.
Rossetti, Zaro among 2015 Region 1 Hall inductees
Next year's Region 1 Hall of Fame ceremony will have a Phillipsburg flavor as former standouts Mike Rossetti and Bob Zaro will be enshrined in 2015.
Also part of a stellar group are former Jefferson stars Dan Vallimont and Ken Rossi. The foursome will be inducted prior to next season's championship round at Wallkill Valley Regional High School.
Vallimont, a two-time region and state champion who compiled a 134-9 record for the Falcons, received the highest vote total with 80 percent. He is currently an assistant coach at Hofstra University. Nominees must earn the required 75 percent of the votes by coaches and selected media members for induction.
Rossi (79 percent), the head coach at West Morris, was a four-time district and two-time region champion -- placing all four years in the regions with two third-place finishes. A four-time state placewinner, Rossi finished second twice (1991, '93). He compiled a career mark of 135-9 and was a member of the great Jefferson teams in the early 1990s, including the state's top-ranked team in 1993.
Rossetti (75 percent), both an outstanding wrestler and coach, was a two-time state finalist and two-time region champion for the Stateliners in 1973-74. He went on to a fine coaching career at Jefferson, Randolph and P'burg. At Jefferson, his teams won four sectional titles and three Group championships, along with six Morris County Tournament titles. At P'burg, he compiled a record of 75-13 in four seasons, winning sectional and Group titles each season. Individually, Rossetti coached two state champions and 20 state placewinners. He also won a Division III national title at Trenton State.
Zaro (77 percent), considered one of the great P'burg wrestlers and one of the best in the state during his era, was a three-time district and two-time region champion. He won two state titles in 1968-69.
Here are the other nominees and their voting totals. They all will remain on the ballot for 2016.
Chris Skretkowicz (66 percent) -- Three-time district, two-time region champion and three-time state placewinner at Wallkill Valley, where he compiled a mark of 124-13. He was a two-time state finalist, winning the 171-pound title in 2000. Skretkowicz, an assistant coach at Virginia Military Institute, was a two-time All-American at Hofstra University.
David Zabriskie (62 percent) -- Two-time region qualifier, champion in 2005. Finished sixth in the state in 2004 and won a state championship at 215 pounds in '05. Went on to a stellar collegiate career at Iowa State, where he was a four-time NCAA qualifier and three-time All-American. He was the 285-pound national champion in 2010.
Jamie Wicks (45 percent) -- Three-time district, two-time region and two-time state champ for the Terriers (1987, '88). Compiled a career mark of 92-5 -- currently ranking 13th on the school's all-time list.
Jan Michaels (24 percent) -- Regarded as one of the best to come out of Sussex County, Michaels was a two-time district champion and Vernon's only two-time region champ. He was a three-time state qualifier, winning the 148-pound title in 1979 after finishing second in '78. He went on to become a three-time NCAA All-American at North Carolina. A very successful coach, Michaels guided High Point to an overall record of 47-12 in three seasons (1994-96) and three sectional titles. Individually, he coached three region champions, as well as two state finalists.
Patrick Dattalo (24 percent) -- One of three brothers to compete for coach Mike Suk, Dattalo was a two-time district and two-time state champion -- winning the Donald Ringler Award as the tournament's OW in 2002.
Brett Raimondo (7 percent) -- Two-time district and three-time region champion -- one of only 32 to win three titles in this region -- and the 1988 state champion at 112 pounds. He's the only Mendham wrestler to win three region championships and compiled a career mark of 105-14-1.
Here are the current Hall of Fame members:
2006
John Barna, Phillipsburg
Mike Frick, Pope John
Henry Boresch, Newton
Greg Surenian, Randolph
Steve Dalling, Kittatinny
2007
John Gardner, High Point
Rick Thompson, Phillipsburg
2008
Ben Oberly, Warren Hills
David Hughes, Jefferson
2009
Gus Rampone, Newton
2010
Steve DePetro, DePaul
2011
Dan Slack, Warren Hills
2012
Greg Cholish, West Morris
Andy Iliff, Newton
2013
Roman Fleszar, Kittatinny
2014
John Goles, Washington/Warren Hills
Gene Mills, DePaul
Matt Valenti, Kittatinny
Carmine Rossi, Roxbury
Sam Rossi, Roxbury
Also part of a stellar group are former Jefferson stars Dan Vallimont and Ken Rossi. The foursome will be inducted prior to next season's championship round at Wallkill Valley Regional High School.
Vallimont, a two-time region and state champion who compiled a 134-9 record for the Falcons, received the highest vote total with 80 percent. He is currently an assistant coach at Hofstra University. Nominees must earn the required 75 percent of the votes by coaches and selected media members for induction.
Rossi (79 percent), the head coach at West Morris, was a four-time district and two-time region champion -- placing all four years in the regions with two third-place finishes. A four-time state placewinner, Rossi finished second twice (1991, '93). He compiled a career mark of 135-9 and was a member of the great Jefferson teams in the early 1990s, including the state's top-ranked team in 1993.
Rossetti (75 percent), both an outstanding wrestler and coach, was a two-time state finalist and two-time region champion for the Stateliners in 1973-74. He went on to a fine coaching career at Jefferson, Randolph and P'burg. At Jefferson, his teams won four sectional titles and three Group championships, along with six Morris County Tournament titles. At P'burg, he compiled a record of 75-13 in four seasons, winning sectional and Group titles each season. Individually, Rossetti coached two state champions and 20 state placewinners. He also won a Division III national title at Trenton State.
Zaro (77 percent), considered one of the great P'burg wrestlers and one of the best in the state during his era, was a three-time district and two-time region champion. He won two state titles in 1968-69.
Here are the other nominees and their voting totals. They all will remain on the ballot for 2016.
David Zabriskie (62 percent) -- Two-time region qualifier, champion in 2005. Finished sixth in the state in 2004 and won a state championship at 215 pounds in '05. Went on to a stellar collegiate career at Iowa State, where he was a four-time NCAA qualifier and three-time All-American. He was the 285-pound national champion in 2010.
Jamie Wicks (45 percent) -- Three-time district, two-time region and two-time state champ for the Terriers (1987, '88). Compiled a career mark of 92-5 -- currently ranking 13th on the school's all-time list.
Jan Michaels (24 percent) -- Regarded as one of the best to come out of Sussex County, Michaels was a two-time district champion and Vernon's only two-time region champ. He was a three-time state qualifier, winning the 148-pound title in 1979 after finishing second in '78. He went on to become a three-time NCAA All-American at North Carolina. A very successful coach, Michaels guided High Point to an overall record of 47-12 in three seasons (1994-96) and three sectional titles. Individually, he coached three region champions, as well as two state finalists.
Patrick Dattalo (24 percent) -- One of three brothers to compete for coach Mike Suk, Dattalo was a two-time district and two-time state champion -- winning the Donald Ringler Award as the tournament's OW in 2002.
Brett Raimondo (7 percent) -- Two-time district and three-time region champion -- one of only 32 to win three titles in this region -- and the 1988 state champion at 112 pounds. He's the only Mendham wrestler to win three region championships and compiled a career mark of 105-14-1.
Here are the current Hall of Fame members:
2006
John Barna, Phillipsburg
Mike Frick, Pope John
Henry Boresch, Newton
Greg Surenian, Randolph
Steve Dalling, Kittatinny
2007
John Gardner, High Point
Rick Thompson, Phillipsburg
2008
Ben Oberly, Warren Hills
David Hughes, Jefferson
2009
Gus Rampone, Newton
2010
Steve DePetro, DePaul
2011
Dan Slack, Warren Hills
2012
Greg Cholish, West Morris
Andy Iliff, Newton
2013
Roman Fleszar, Kittatinny
2014
John Goles, Washington/Warren Hills
Gene Mills, DePaul
Matt Valenti, Kittatinny
Carmine Rossi, Roxbury
Sam Rossi, Roxbury
Wrestling: Region 1 semifinals (LIVE)
Semifinalists by school
High Point 6; DePaul 5; Kittatinny 5; Roxbury 5; Mendham 4; Phillipsburg 3; Wayne Valley 3; Jefferson 2; Morris Knolls 2; Pope John 2; Randolph 2; Warren Hills 2; Wayne Hills 2; West Morris 2; Belvidere 1; Hopatcong 1; Lakeland 1; Lenape Valley 1; Montville 1; Morris Hills 1; Mount Olive 1; Newton 1; Pequannock 1; Pompton Lakes 1; Sparta 1; Butler 0; Dover 0; Hackettstown 0; Kinnelon 0; Morris Catholic 0; North Warren 0; Vernon 0; Wallkill Valley 0; West Milford 0.
(Note: Open Mike area wrestlers in bold):
We are set to get underway at 9 a.m. Refresh often for updates. There will be two rounds of wrestlebacks following the semis and the third-place consolations will follow the wrestlebacks. Finals to start around 5:30 p.m.
106 pounds
1-So. Brandon Paetzell (35-1), Phillipsburg, md. 4-Jr. Joe Aumann (29-7), Hopatcong, 16-3.
3-So. Troy Stanich (31-6), Roxbury, d. 2-So. Garrett O'Shea (28-4), Morris Knolls, 5-1.
113 pounds
4-Jr. Dan Kee (32-4), Lakeland, d. 1-Sr. Austin Sisco (31-4), Pope John, 9-7.
2-Jr. Mojahed Hamdeh (28-3), Wayne Hills, d. 3-Jr. Kyle Flynn (27-7), Pompton Lakes, 5-4.
120 pounds
5-Jr. Dom Gallo (31-7), High Point, d. 1-Jr. A.J. Vindici (34-2), Randolph, 2-1 UTB.
2-Sr. Bryan Damon (35-2), Jefferson, d. 3-Jr. William Kui (28-8), DePaul, 7-3.
Notes: Gallo rides Vindici out in UTB to pull off the upset! Vindici nearly had a takedown at the third-period buzzer. Neither was able to get out on bottom in the rideouts.
126 pounds
1-Jr. Matt Noble (35-2), DePaul, md. 4-Jr. Dylan Luciano (27-9), West Morris, 11-2.
2-Sr. Tyler Hrycak (30-6), Wayne Valley, d. 6-Sr. Matt Vozzo (26-10), Randolph, 2-0.
132 pounds
1-Jr. Mike Derin (32-8), High Point, d. 4-So. Austin Scrivani (29-8), Kittatinny, 2-1.
2-Jr. Max Nauta (29-5), Warren Hills, d. 3-Sr. Devon LaFranco (29-9), Roxbury, 1-0.
Notes: Scoreless after one period, Nauta deferred his choice and LaFrano took neutral to start the second period. No score after two, LaFranco cuts Nauta loose to start the third. Derin with a reversal in the third to go up 2-0. LaFranco in on a single with 11 seconds left but they go off. LaFranco nearly hits a headlock in the final seconds ... wow, no points.
138 pounds
1-Jr. Eric Friedman (34-3), Mendham, d. 4-Jr. Anthony Fano (35-4), Montville, 3-2.
2-Fr. Brandon Kui (29-10), DePaul, d. 3-Sr. Jake Legotte (25-12), Roxbury, 3-2.
145 pounds
1-Jr. David McFadden (37-1), DePaul, d. 5-So. Craig Roumes (21-10), Roxbury, 6-1.
2-Jr. Jason Gaccione (35-4), High Point, won by forfeit over 3-Jr. Walker Schmitzer (27-4), Sparta.
Notes: Schmitzer is out of the tournament with an apparent knee injury sustained in Friday's quarterfinals, so Gaccione advances to his second straight final. McFadden-Gaccione going to be a great final. They should save that one for last.
152 pounds
5-Sr. Nick Romyns (24-4), Kittatinny, d. 1-Jr. Max Elling (33-5), Phillipsburg, 8-5.
6-Sr. Ronald Spera (31-4), Mount Olive, d. 2-Jr. Luke Bohn (28-4), Jefferson, 6-2.
Notes: Romyns gets the first takedown and leads, 2-1, after one period. If Romyns is to win, it will be from the neutral position. Elling escapes to start the second period, 2-2. Elling hits a standing merkle for a takedown, he leads, 4-2. Romyns gets a reversal with four seconds left to tie it at 4 heading to the third period. Another reversal with 54 seconds left, but Elling escapes -- Romyns up 6-5 with 29 seconds left. Gets a takedown with one second left to seal it.
160 pounds
5-So. Daniel Kilroy (27-4), Wayne Hills, d. 1-Sr. Tommy Hooker (23-12), High Point, 10-8.
2-So. Dean Drugac (32-2), Morris Knolls, d. 3-Sr. Steve Acevedo (26-7), Morris Hills, 6-4 OT3.
Notes: Hooker up 4-3 in the third and on bottom. He's out and gets a takedown, 7-3. Amazing performance by Hooker, who is wrestling with a fractured ankle. Kilroy catches Hooker on a roll through for two and three, Hooker escapes to tie it at 8, but gives up a takedown in the final seconds. Heartbreaker for Hooker. Heading to OT, Drugac and Acevedo tied at 3. Going to rideouts. Drugac penalized for locked hands with 15 seconds left in the first 30-second period. Acevedo leads, 4-3. Drugac on bottom to start the second rideout. Acevedo called for locked hands and gives up the reversal.
170 pounds
1-Sr. Dillon Artigliere (38-0), Roxbury, p. 4-Jr. Kevin Merle (28-8), Belvidere, :51.
2-Sr. Jake Kocsis (36-2), Phillipsburg, d. 3-Sr. Kieran Gerrity (34-4), Kittatinny, 5-4.
Notes: Artigliere gets the takedown and puts Merle away with a small package cradle. Kocsis escapes to start the second period, 1-0. Gets a takedown off a nice scramble, 3-0, with 43 seconds left. Gerrity down to start the third period. He's out in 13 seconds, trails, 3-1. Gerrity ties it with a takedown, 1:25 to go. Kocsis escapes and gets a takedown for a 5-4 lead, 23 seconds to go. Stall warning on Kocsis with 12 seconds left. Kocsis gets his second win over Gerrity, including a 5-3 victory in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex finals.
182 pounds
1-Sr. Sam Button (36-1), Mendham, d. 4-Sr. Dylan Wunder (28-10), Kittatinny, 5-3.
2-Jr. Nick DePalma (33-5), DePaul, d. 3-Jr. D.J. Barrett (29-6), Lenape Valley, 6-3.
195 pounds
1-Sr. Kyle Stoll (34-5), High Point, d. 4-Jr. Aaron Flitcroft (24-9), Mendham, 3-1.
2-Sr. Anthony Landberg (31-2), Wayne Valley, d. 3-Sr. Garrett Armstrong (31-8), Kittatinny, 10-3.
Notes: Flitcroft escapes in the second period, 1-0. Stoll on bottom to start the third period. He's out quickly to tie it. Stall warning on Flitcroft with 30 seconds to go. Stoll gets the takedown with five seconds left to win it.
220 pounds
1-Sr. Jesse Windt (35-1), West Morris, d. 4-Jr. Tim Byrne (22-4), Mendham, 6-0.
2-Sr. Justin Walker (33-2), Wayne Valley, tf. 3-Jr. Gus Protogeropoulos (33-6), Newton, 18-2, 4:55.
Notes: Protogeropoulos with the first takedown, 2-0, but gives up a reversal with 41 seconds left in the first period. Walker gets three backs off a tilt in the closing seconds, 5-2, after one. Walker escapes to start the second period, 6-2. Walker with the throw for two and three, 11-2. Protogeropoulos takes neutral to start the third period -- he needs big moves. Walker gets another takedown and two backs, 15-2. A turk for backs to end it.
285 pounds
1-Sr. Noa Merritt (27-0), Pope John, d. 5-Sr. Christian Campbell (13-13), High Point, 3-2.
2-Jr. Andrew Pacheco (32-2), Warren Hills, p. 6-Sr. Joe Fierro (23-10), Pequannock, :58.
Notes: Pacheco with the lat drop for the FALL! That makes nine in the finals from D1. D4 leads with 10, followed by D3 with six and D2 with three.
High Point 6; DePaul 5; Kittatinny 5; Roxbury 5; Mendham 4; Phillipsburg 3; Wayne Valley 3; Jefferson 2; Morris Knolls 2; Pope John 2; Randolph 2; Warren Hills 2; Wayne Hills 2; West Morris 2; Belvidere 1; Hopatcong 1; Lakeland 1; Lenape Valley 1; Montville 1; Morris Hills 1; Mount Olive 1; Newton 1; Pequannock 1; Pompton Lakes 1; Sparta 1; Butler 0; Dover 0; Hackettstown 0; Kinnelon 0; Morris Catholic 0; North Warren 0; Vernon 0; Wallkill Valley 0; West Milford 0.
(Note: Open Mike area wrestlers in bold):
We are set to get underway at 9 a.m. Refresh often for updates. There will be two rounds of wrestlebacks following the semis and the third-place consolations will follow the wrestlebacks. Finals to start around 5:30 p.m.
106 pounds
1-So. Brandon Paetzell (35-1), Phillipsburg, md. 4-Jr. Joe Aumann (29-7), Hopatcong, 16-3.
3-So. Troy Stanich (31-6), Roxbury, d. 2-So. Garrett O'Shea (28-4), Morris Knolls, 5-1.
113 pounds
2-Jr. Mojahed Hamdeh (28-3), Wayne Hills, d. 3-Jr. Kyle Flynn (27-7), Pompton Lakes, 5-4.
120 pounds
5-Jr. Dom Gallo (31-7), High Point, d. 1-Jr. A.J. Vindici (34-2), Randolph, 2-1 UTB.
2-Sr. Bryan Damon (35-2), Jefferson, d. 3-Jr. William Kui (28-8), DePaul, 7-3.
Notes: Gallo rides Vindici out in UTB to pull off the upset! Vindici nearly had a takedown at the third-period buzzer. Neither was able to get out on bottom in the rideouts.
126 pounds
1-Jr. Matt Noble (35-2), DePaul, md. 4-Jr. Dylan Luciano (27-9), West Morris, 11-2.
2-Sr. Tyler Hrycak (30-6), Wayne Valley, d. 6-Sr. Matt Vozzo (26-10), Randolph, 2-0.
132 pounds
1-Jr. Mike Derin (32-8), High Point, d. 4-So. Austin Scrivani (29-8), Kittatinny, 2-1.
2-Jr. Max Nauta (29-5), Warren Hills, d. 3-Sr. Devon LaFranco (29-9), Roxbury, 1-0.
Notes: Scoreless after one period, Nauta deferred his choice and LaFrano took neutral to start the second period. No score after two, LaFranco cuts Nauta loose to start the third. Derin with a reversal in the third to go up 2-0. LaFranco in on a single with 11 seconds left but they go off. LaFranco nearly hits a headlock in the final seconds ... wow, no points.
138 pounds
1-Jr. Eric Friedman (34-3), Mendham, d. 4-Jr. Anthony Fano (35-4), Montville, 3-2.
2-Fr. Brandon Kui (29-10), DePaul, d. 3-Sr. Jake Legotte (25-12), Roxbury, 3-2.
145 pounds
1-Jr. David McFadden (37-1), DePaul, d. 5-So. Craig Roumes (21-10), Roxbury, 6-1.
2-Jr. Jason Gaccione (35-4), High Point, won by forfeit over 3-Jr. Walker Schmitzer (27-4), Sparta.
Notes: Schmitzer is out of the tournament with an apparent knee injury sustained in Friday's quarterfinals, so Gaccione advances to his second straight final. McFadden-Gaccione going to be a great final. They should save that one for last.
152 pounds
5-Sr. Nick Romyns (24-4), Kittatinny, d. 1-Jr. Max Elling (33-5), Phillipsburg, 8-5.
6-Sr. Ronald Spera (31-4), Mount Olive, d. 2-Jr. Luke Bohn (28-4), Jefferson, 6-2.
Notes: Romyns gets the first takedown and leads, 2-1, after one period. If Romyns is to win, it will be from the neutral position. Elling escapes to start the second period, 2-2. Elling hits a standing merkle for a takedown, he leads, 4-2. Romyns gets a reversal with four seconds left to tie it at 4 heading to the third period. Another reversal with 54 seconds left, but Elling escapes -- Romyns up 6-5 with 29 seconds left. Gets a takedown with one second left to seal it.
160 pounds
5-So. Daniel Kilroy (27-4), Wayne Hills, d. 1-Sr. Tommy Hooker (23-12), High Point, 10-8.
2-So. Dean Drugac (32-2), Morris Knolls, d. 3-Sr. Steve Acevedo (26-7), Morris Hills, 6-4 OT3.
Notes: Hooker up 4-3 in the third and on bottom. He's out and gets a takedown, 7-3. Amazing performance by Hooker, who is wrestling with a fractured ankle. Kilroy catches Hooker on a roll through for two and three, Hooker escapes to tie it at 8, but gives up a takedown in the final seconds. Heartbreaker for Hooker. Heading to OT, Drugac and Acevedo tied at 3. Going to rideouts. Drugac penalized for locked hands with 15 seconds left in the first 30-second period. Acevedo leads, 4-3. Drugac on bottom to start the second rideout. Acevedo called for locked hands and gives up the reversal.
170 pounds
1-Sr. Dillon Artigliere (38-0), Roxbury, p. 4-Jr. Kevin Merle (28-8), Belvidere, :51.
2-Sr. Jake Kocsis (36-2), Phillipsburg, d. 3-Sr. Kieran Gerrity (34-4), Kittatinny, 5-4.
Notes: Artigliere gets the takedown and puts Merle away with a small package cradle. Kocsis escapes to start the second period, 1-0. Gets a takedown off a nice scramble, 3-0, with 43 seconds left. Gerrity down to start the third period. He's out in 13 seconds, trails, 3-1. Gerrity ties it with a takedown, 1:25 to go. Kocsis escapes and gets a takedown for a 5-4 lead, 23 seconds to go. Stall warning on Kocsis with 12 seconds left. Kocsis gets his second win over Gerrity, including a 5-3 victory in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex finals.
182 pounds
1-Sr. Sam Button (36-1), Mendham, d. 4-Sr. Dylan Wunder (28-10), Kittatinny, 5-3.
2-Jr. Nick DePalma (33-5), DePaul, d. 3-Jr. D.J. Barrett (29-6), Lenape Valley, 6-3.
195 pounds
1-Sr. Kyle Stoll (34-5), High Point, d. 4-Jr. Aaron Flitcroft (24-9), Mendham, 3-1.
2-Sr. Anthony Landberg (31-2), Wayne Valley, d. 3-Sr. Garrett Armstrong (31-8), Kittatinny, 10-3.
Notes: Flitcroft escapes in the second period, 1-0. Stoll on bottom to start the third period. He's out quickly to tie it. Stall warning on Flitcroft with 30 seconds to go. Stoll gets the takedown with five seconds left to win it.
220 pounds
1-Sr. Jesse Windt (35-1), West Morris, d. 4-Jr. Tim Byrne (22-4), Mendham, 6-0.
2-Sr. Justin Walker (33-2), Wayne Valley, tf. 3-Jr. Gus Protogeropoulos (33-6), Newton, 18-2, 4:55.
Notes: Protogeropoulos with the first takedown, 2-0, but gives up a reversal with 41 seconds left in the first period. Walker gets three backs off a tilt in the closing seconds, 5-2, after one. Walker escapes to start the second period, 6-2. Walker with the throw for two and three, 11-2. Protogeropoulos takes neutral to start the third period -- he needs big moves. Walker gets another takedown and two backs, 15-2. A turk for backs to end it.
285 pounds
1-Sr. Noa Merritt (27-0), Pope John, d. 5-Sr. Christian Campbell (13-13), High Point, 3-2.
2-Jr. Andrew Pacheco (32-2), Warren Hills, p. 6-Sr. Joe Fierro (23-10), Pequannock, :58.
Notes: Pacheco with the lat drop for the FALL! That makes nine in the finals from D1. D4 leads with 10, followed by D3 with six and D2 with three.
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