Wrestling: It's a waiting game for next P'burg coach

It's summer business as usual for Phillipsburg's wrestling team. With that in mind, it seems there is no rush to appoint a head coach for the 2021-22 high school season.

Middle school coach Tim Longacre and high school assistant Brad Gentzle have been running things from an offseason standpoint in the wake of the arrests involving former head coach Dave Post and longtime assistant Scott Silvis. Both were charged for their alleged roles in a scheme that involved a threat made for a tenure vote at the Warren County school, where they have been employed in the mathematics department.

As for the high school position, Longacre, 48, said he has not submitted an application, but he did have conversations with school officials about the program's status moving forward in the interim.

Who will become P'burg's 13th head coach?

"We did briefly speak a couple of weeks back," Longacre said. "Brad and I are working entirely through the summer session. I think they were happy with that and the [high school] schedule is full."

Phillipsburg athletic director Tom Fisher and other school officials have not returned repeated phone messages seeking comment about the wrestling program. All high school coaching positions are one-year contracts and the wrestling job was posted earlier this month.

P'burg is set to participate in the Summer Goles event, as well as the Kalahari Duals in the Poconos in June and the traditional 1,000 Island Duals in August. But at some point, the Stateliners will need to name a head coach for the high school season. It was believed that a successor might be named at the next Board of Education meeting on June 7. But according to several sources, that isn't likely to happen this soon -- and possibly not even until the next school year begins in September.

Longacre, a former P'burg wrestler, remains the No. 1 candidate at this point. Former head coach Rick Thompson would love a fourth stint with the 'Liners. 

"No doubt about it. I'm interested," said Thompson, who now resides in Myrtle Beach, S.C., during an exclusive interview with Open Mike earlier this month. "I miss coaching. I miss teaching. I'd like to finish where I started. Garnet and Grey [the school's colors] -- there is no other way. We'll see what happens."

Several other names have been mentioned over recent weeks as potential candidates, including current Hunterdon Central coach Jon Cantagallo-Rohm. That may seem a bit surprising considering the success that Cantagallo-Rohm has enjoyed in his seven seasons in charge of the Red Devils. 

Cantagallo-Rohm's teams have gone 125-30 overall, while winning three sectional championships to go with two Group 5 runner-up finishes. He's also coached 10 state medal winners, including Brett Ungar, who became Central's 13th state champion when he won the 106-pound title in 2019 before he transferred to Notre Dame-Green Pond (Pa), where he won a Class AA title this past season. 

But keep in mind that Cantagallo-Rohm lives in the Phillipsburg area with his wife, Jessica Rohm, an assistant principal at Voorhees High School and whose father was longtime Stateliners football coach Phil Rohm. Continuing that legacy may be extremely enticing under the right circumstances.

"I love where I'm at," said Cantagallo-Rohm, who is recovering from recent hip replacement surgery and said he has not applied for the P'burg job. "It was the furthest from a traditional season [in 2021], but it was enjoyable. It was fun."

Notre Dame coach Matt Veres, a former P'burg youth wrestler and Blair Academy alum, is another name that's been circulating through the rumor mill as a potential candidate for the 'Liners job. 

Since Jan Dutt stepped down following the 1979-80 season, there have been six head coaches at P'burg and only one (Jason Magditch, four seasons from 2006-10 and a Nazareth (Pa.) alum) was not a former Stateliners wrestler. So the thought of going outside the program seems like a stretch.

"My love has always been the middle school," Longacre said. "I never had any aspirations of moving up [to the high school] at all. The middle school is extremely important.

"I love what I do. We worked closely with [Post] and the high school coaches. We do what we can for these kids. To keep these kids with consistency, Brad and I are on board with that 110 percent."

Longacre did not rule out the possibility that he will apply for and accept the job if offered. He recently resigned as Line Club president, a sports booster outfit that organizes wrestling fundraisers such as the Joe Kopesky Memorial Golf Tournament scheduled for Aug. 13 at Harker's Hollow.

"For me personally, I've been at this a long time," he said. "It's about protecting myself as well. I will do anything for the program that needs to happen. The situation would have to be right for the kids."

Longacre, a starter on Phillipsburg's 1992 Group 3 championship team -- a run that included a 56-8 win over Belleville in a now infamous sectional tournament final at The Pit in which there was a mid-match melee involving fans from both schools. The match culminated with six straight forfeits (eight in all) by the visiting team as the 'Liners came out of the locker room one at a time to get their hand raised in an almost-empty gym. Longacre received the second in that stretch at 152 pounds. 

He's since gone on to become one of the most popular and respected middle school coaches and worked well with Post. It's that continuity with staff holdovers and current wrestlers that would make his hiring attractive, even if on a short-term basis.

"I'm hoping to have conversations [with school officials] before school is out," Longacre said. "Time will tell. We're basically waiting on the administration."

One thing is certain, whoever takes over will inherit a program where a premium is placed on winning state championships and beating Easton (Pa.), something the 'Liners have done just 19 times in 83 meetings since the series began in 1947 (the schools wrestled twice a season from 1947-57).

Nine of those victories occurred from 1963-71, including a program-best eight under Thad Turner (8-1 overall vs. the Red Rovers from 1962-70). P'burg has won five of the last seven, including a 42-22 win on the road in 2020 -- its largest margin of victory since 1970 (34-8 at Easton's 25th Street Gym).

"At the end of the day, the coaching job should be about the kids," Longacre said. "I think P'burg adds to the pressure -- and it's undo pressure for anybody. It's the best job in the world and the worst job all wrapped into one."

Thompson, 66, is the program's all-time winningest coach with a mark of 268-54-1 in 15 seasons (2-13 vs. Easton) across three stints (1980-88, 1991-95 and 2003-06). He led the 'Liners to 15 sectional titles, the most under any P'burg coach, and eight state championships (five in Group 3, three in Group 4), as well as six runner-up finishes.

Phillipsburg finished 8-1 this past season in a pandemic-shortened campaign and had no individual state medal winners in back-to-back years for just the third time in program history and first since 1964-65.

Post's teams went 155-24 overall (second-most wins in program history) and won eight sectional and six Group 4 state championships, while going 5-5 against Easton -- second-most wins in that series by a P'burg coach -- during his 11 seasons in charge -- the longest one-stint tenure for the program (Dutt served 10 consecutive seasons from 1970-80, going 132-25). 

Post enjoyed a successful high school wrestling career for P'burg under coaches Mike Rossetti and Greg Troxell, winning four district and two region titles, and placing twice (third at 160 pounds in 2003 and fifth in 2002) in the state tournament. He also ranks 11th in career wins (111-22 from 1999-2003).

Wrestling: P'burg (coach, schedule, Group site)?

What is going on with the Phillipsburg High School wrestling program? 

It's a great question, and one that's produced few or no definite answers since the recent arrests of head coach Dave Post and longtime assistant coach Scott Silvis. They, along with George Chilmonik, a 1963 district champion for Hunterdon Central under Russ Riegel and a former NCAA official, were charged for their alleged roles in a scheme that involved a threat made for a tenure vote at the Warren County school, where all three are employed in the mathematics department.

P'burg could be the next site of the Group championships.

According to several sources, middle school coach Tim Longacre and high school assistant coach Brad Gentzle have been coordinating the program's summer schedule, which in previous years included attendance at the Lycoming Camp and 1,000 Island Duals in August -- both were canceled due to COVID-19 in 2020. The fate of  the annual Pin Cancer match seems up in the air since Delaware Valley and Warren Hills, Phillipsburg's prior opponents in that event, are wrestling each other in a charity event in July. P'burg will participate in the Summer Goles event, as well as the SEPA Tournament and Kalahari Duals in the Poconos in June.

P'burg athletic director Tom Fisher and other school officials have not returned repeated phone messages seeking comment on the state of the wrestling program.

Interestingly, it seems that unknown parties have been working on Phillipsburg's 2021-22 schedule (see below). While not deemed official at this stage, the school's page on the Skyland Conference site looks nearly complete. With the next Board of Education meeting scheduled for June 7, we may soon have answers as to which direction the Stateliners are heading in terms of a coaching staff.

Should the job open up, as anticipated, in the coming days or weeks, one man is ready to throw his hat into the ring -- for a fourth stint. Former state champion wrestler and coach Rick Thompson confirmed his interest in an interview with Open Mike, and he has spoken with at least one school official about a potential return.

"No doubt about it. I'm interested," said Thompson, who now resides in Myrtle Beach, S.C. "I miss coaching. I miss teaching. I'd like to finish where I started. Garnet and Grey [the school's colors] -- there is no other way. We'll see what happens."

Thompson, 66, is the program's all-time winningest coach with a mark of 268-54-1 in 15 seasons across three stints (1980-88, 1991-95 and 2003-06). He guided the 'Liners to 15 sectional titles, the most under any P'burg coach, and eight state championships (five in Group 3, three in Group 4), as well as six runner-up finishes. The 2005-06 season -- his last at the school -- was the only time during his career and the first in P'burg history that it lost a state semifinal match -- falling to Southern, 32-25, in Group 4. 

Phillipsburg finished 8-1 this past season in a pandemic-shortened campaign and had no individual state medal winners in back-to-back years for just the third time in program history and first since 1964-65.

"I would love to have the opportunity to get these kids to a different level," said Thompson, who said he would like to see New Jersey non-public school powers such as Delbarton and Bergen Catholic on the P'burg schedule. "[The Stateliners are] always going to be good. But they deserve the opportunity to be the No. 1 team."

Thompson, considered one of the sport's premiere motivators, stepped down after nine seasons as the head coach at Bangor Area High School in Pennsylvania following the 2016-17 campaign and took over at Bethlehem Catholic in 2018. The Golden Hawks went 6-1, before he was unceremoniously dismissed in January 2019. He has not coached since.

Thompson, who said he would also like to also coach cross country, another sport in which he led P'burg to a state championship, is 477-231-4 overall, with wrestling stops at Mountain High School (now West Orange), Hackettstown, Franklin and Voorhees. As a wrestler, the Slippery Rock University graduate won two state titles (1971 and '73) and placed third ('70), to go with four district and three region championships for the Stateliners.

Post, 36, is 155-24 overall and has guided P'burg to eight sectional and six Group 4 state championships during his 11 seasons as head coach. He enjoyed a successful high school wrestling career for P'burg under coaches Mike Rossetti and Greg Troxell, winning four district and two region titles, and placing twice (third at 160 pounds in 2003 and fifth in 2002) in the state tournament. He also ranks 11th in career wins (111-22 from 1999-2003).

With 10 starters expected to return next season, including junior and two-time state qualifier James Day (75-27 overall and a win shy of a state medal at 120 in 2021), and junior David Pierson (also one victory shy of a state medal at 220), not to mention some talented incoming freshmen and sophomores, the Stateliners figure to be conference and sectional favorites, They're certainly itching to avenge three consecutive losses to North Hunterdon, as well as capture the program's 23rd state team championship.

Phillipsburg was riding high after successfully hosting both the boys and girls state tournaments. There has been substantial discussion about hosting the boys state team championships, which have been held for many years in Toms River, perhaps as soon as 2022. Open Mike has also learned that P'burg is the frontrunner to keep the girls state tournament, which was previously held in Atlantic City in 2019 and '20.

The 2021-22 schedule posted on the Skyland Conference page does not include dates for traditional matches against High Point and Southern, but a renewal of the series with Warren Hills is tentatively set for Jan. 14 in Washington. The teams didn't meet the past two seasons, interrupting the series for the first time since the 1964-65 season. 

P'burg owns a 59-14 edge overall dating to 1948. The 'Liners have won 33 straight meetings, including a 49-12 victory on Jan. 2, 2019.

Unofficial 2021-22 schedule (as of May 17)

Dec. 17-18 -- at King of the Mountain Tournament 
Dec. 22 -- at Livingston
Dec. 28-29 -- Bethlehem Holiday Classic at Liberty (Pa.) High School
Jan. 4 -- Hunterdon Central
Jan. 6 -- Watchung Hills
Jan. 8 -- Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament
Jan. 12 -- Ridge
Jan. 14 -- at Warren Hills
Jan. 19 -- North Hunterdon
Jan. 21 -- at Kittatinny
Jan. 22 -- Cranford
Jan. 25 -- Easton (Pa.)
Jan. 26 -- at Montgomery
Jan. 31 -- at Bound Brook
Feb. 2 -- at Hillsborough
Feb. 5 -- at Delaware Valley
Feb. 7 -- Sectionals first round
Feb. 9 -- Sectionals semifinals
Feb. 11 -- Sectional championships
Feb. 13 -- Group championships
Feb. 21 -- District 10 Tournament
Feb. 23, 25-26 -- Region 3 Tournament at West Orange
March 3-5 -- 89th State Wrestling Championships in Atlantic City
Notes: Bold indicates home events. All match times are listed for 7 p.m.

Baseball: Veneziano (3 K's) makes High-A debut

Former Warren Hills star Anthony Veneziano is eager to get a jump on a new Minor League season -- his first at the Kansas City Royals' High-A level -- with an uptick on his fastball.

The lanky left-hander made his 2021 debut for the Quad Cities River Bandits on Friday, logging 1 2/3 innings (51 pitches) with three strikeouts in his first start against the South Bend Cubs at Coveleski Stadium in Indiana. It was the fourth of a six-game set between the Midwest League teams.

Anthony Veneziano is a Washington favorite.

"I'm pretty excited," the former Coastal Carolina star and 1,000-point scorer who helped lead Warren Hills to a North 2, Group 3 sectional title in basketball said prior to his outing.

Veneziano, 23, who was selected by the Royals in the 10th round (No. 289 overall) of the 2019 MLB Draft, which featured rising star Bobby Witt Jr. as the club's No. 1 pick, is coming off a successful Minor League spring training and minicamp. 

"We have eight starters in a piggyback setup. I'll start and then the next [time out] I will come in behind someone," said Veneziano, who logged 164 strikeouts and posted a 0.74 ERA as a senior over his final three high school seasons. "I'll be on a max of 75 pitches [for the first start], as we build up, so hopefully that will be four or five innings."

Working with coaches after the 2020 season was wiped out due to COVID-19, Veneziano, who went 3-4 with a 5.59 ERA and averaged nearly a strikeout per inning for Rookie level Idaho Falls in 2019, feels like a new pitcher -- with increased velo.

"Being in camp, my velocity jumped up to 94-97 [mph] with adjustments," said Veneziano, now 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds -- plus 40 pounds from his school days. "Staying on my back leg longer makes [my delivery] more repeatable and helps to throw all my pitches for strikes. My command has been good.

"When I was in college, I was 88-92 with all arm. This helps me keep everything more together."

Veneziano is keeping it together off the field as well. 

Life in the Minors isn't nearly as swank as the Major Leagues. There are bus rides instead of chartered flights and no five-star hotel accommodations. The club will follow COVID protocols when on the road as players will only be allowed to stay with their designated hotel roommate and there's no eating at restaurants no matter that state's indoor dining policy.

"We will have Mondays off and the travel won't be too bad," said Veneziano, who got a pay bump from $337 every two weeks to $500 a week and shares a downtown apartment with two teammates and 2019 Draft class members -- right-hander Jonah Dipoto and lefty Drew Parrish.

Also on the Quad Cities roster are three highly regarded Royals prospects in lefty Asa Lacy, ranked as the club's No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline, shortstop Nick Loftin (No. 7) and power-hitting outfielder Seuly Matias (No. 17). Right-handers Zach Haake (No. 19) and Will Klein (No. 27) are also on the staff. Former Royals third-base coach Mike Jirschele and Triple-A Omaha manager is the bench coach for manager Chris Widger, a former Major League catcher who played for six teams, including the Yankees.

Lacy, who was the club's top pick (No. 4 overall) in the 2020 MLB Draft, has already made a good impression on his fellow southpaw.

"He has electric stuff," Veneziano said. "I was surprised Matias [31 homers on the Class A level in 2018 before a broken thumb derailed his '19 season at High-A Wilmington] is here."

Veneziano is also eager to play in his home stadium -- Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa. He already loves the town. The River Bandits make their home debut against Cedar Rapids on May 11.

"It's a good Midwestern area and its' not far from home [like Idaho Falls]. My mom [Leslie] hasn't seen me pitch in three years. The field is pretty cool. There's a merry-go-round and a go-kart track. I feel like I fit right in."

Veneziano is aiming for a promotion to the Double-A club in Northwest Arkansas at some point this season. He feels there's a strong opportunity with only three lefties on the current Naturals roster.

The Royals have shown they won't hesitate to promote their pitchers quickly through the organizational ranks. Right-hander Brady Singer and lefties Kris Bubic (2020) and Daniel Lynch (2021) have already made their big league debuts over the last two seasons since being drafted among the top 40 picks in 2018. Right-hander Jackson Kowar, the club's No. 4 prospect, could soon be next.

"[The Royals] have told me they like my stuff," Veneziano said. "I just need to keep throwing well and be consistent and repeatable."

There's no doubt he's ready for the next challenge.

Wrestling: Summer special: John Goles in July

Since the pandemic wiped out all local high school wrestling tournaments this past season, Warren Hills coach Dave Sbriscia came up with an interesting way to continue one of the area's proudest traditions.

The John Goles Invitational saw its run as the nation's second-oldest consecutive holiday tournament end at 62 years -- but a new summertime version is slated to be held on July 24 at Meadowbreeze Park in Washington Township. The 2021 holiday event is set for Dec. 28.

The Ball and Sprawl will take place at WHSDS.

"It gives the seniors and kids in our local area a chance to become two- and three-time champs," said Sbriscia, who is leaning toward high school weight classes with a five-pound allowance. "Though it's not being held the [traditional] way, we're doing our best to give kids an opportunity."

The Streaks Wrestling Club is sponsoring the event, which will be contested on four mats under the pavilion at Meadowbreeze Park. Sbriscia said holding an all-day tournament on the artificial turf at Warren Hills School District Stadium was not feasible with the potential for extreme heat conditions. In previous years, the school did host the Pin Cancer event in late July, but that was a single dual meet.

However, since Warren Hills no longer is involved in Pin Cancer, Sbriscia and Delaware Valley coach Andy Fitz have joined forces to create another new event dubbed, "The Ball and Sprawl," to be held at the Stadium on July 14. It will feature a 7-on-7 football game at one end and a wrestling match also involving the two schools on the other side of the field.

"I'm pretty enthusiastic about it," said Fitz, who said wrestlers will wear T-shirts and shorts rather than singlets and that each town in the school's sending districts may be represented at some point in the match bill like: Franklin vs. Alexandria instead of just Washington vs. Frenchtown. In addition, all proceeds will go to a to-be-determined charity. 

"We're going to rotate it and have a little bit of fun with it," Fitz added. "Having fun is what it's supposed to be about." 

As for the Summer Goles, Sbriscia has invited traditional entrants -- such as Delaware Valley, Newton, and West Morris -- to attend. North Hunterdon, a longtime invitational participant, will be at camp that day and can not participate. Manville and Verona were also extended invitations. Sbriscia is hoping for an eight-team field and will look to fill out the weight classes with other wrestlers if need be. Post-graduate seniors are also eligible since the 2020 tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19, and incoming freshmen will also be invited.

"The 2020 tournament would have been pretty tough," said Sbriscia, whose Streaks figured to be a major contender for a Group 3 title last season and will be again in 2022.

Among those wrestlers seeking multiple titles would be Newton's Nathan Fitt (a two-time champion in 2018 and '19). Warren Hills' Stephen Malia and Owen Frizzell would be seeking their second championships, along with Newton's JoJo Lotruglio and West Morris state qualifier Michael Camponaro.

The Summer Goles will run as in previous years, with brackets, wall charts past champion posters and an attempt to hand out the plethora of hardware it's become known for -- including the Ryan M. Storm Memorial Award (most pins in least combined time by a champion) and the Alonzo Widenor Memorial Award (fastest fall).

These events are part of an ambitious summer schedule for Warren Hills, which includes the Penn State Camp (to be held in Georgia on June 18-21) and the 1,000 Island Duals in August.

Medal count

After being deleayed by a COVID-19 pause to start last season, Warren Hills finished strong with two state placewinners in sophomore Jarett Pantuso (eighth at 220 pounds) and junior Tyler McCatharn (sixth at 285).

It's the first time since 1997 -- Justin Colaluce (first at 145), Shane Folks (third at 135), Ryan Kanewski (fourth at 140) and the late Mitch Markle (third at 171) -- that the Streaks have had multiple medalists. 

Jarett Pantuso (far right) with his medal.

"Our kids work really hard," said Sbriscia, who will return 14 starters next season (plus Shawn Redfield who was pegged as the starter at 120 but missed all of last season with a thumb injury) as the program seeks its first Group 3 title since '97. "In a normal year we would have had more kids at the state tournament. We have good upper weights."

Pantuso enjoyed a breakout season despite being a very light 220. He also competed at 195, and had even certified at 182 to start the season.

"I pulled him aside [at one point] and said [wrestling at 182] wasn't in the cards," Sbriscia said. "He had a lot of success [at 220]. He's quick and strong." 

McCatharn, a two-time state qualifier, is the school's ninth heavyweight placewinner and first since Andrew Pacheco (sixth in 2014).

Wrestling: What's on tap (HWS) in '22?; Soldano (3)

It's safe to say that High Point ace Brian Soldano won't enter many tournaments (in and out of season) during his final year of high school as an underdog. Still, you can't blame the biggest favorite in the 88th New Jersey State Championships last weekend for relishing that role.

"Sometimes I do like being the underdog," Soldano said following his pin of Shawnee senior Isaac Dean to win the 182-pound title on Sunday -- his second straight championship and 12th overall for the Wildcats. "Coming in as the top seed is a good feeling that everybody believes you're the best."

Soldano, 10-0 this season and 89-5 overall, has left no doubt about it during the last two campaigns. Ranked among the top three in the nation at his weight class by most polls, he will head to Rutgers University in the fall of 2022. But there's some unfinished business at High Point, where he's already considered as the Sussex County school's all-time best. 

High praise considering that list contains Nick Francavilla (the 'Cats' career wins leader and their only three-time state champion), former state and NCAA Division I champ David Zabriskie and current head coach John Gardner (one of two, along with Francavilla, to win four region titles and the 189-pound state championship in 1990). Francavilla, Gardner and other program legends are in agreement that Soldano stands alone.

"It really means a lot because I really respect what they tell me," said Soldano, who will seek a fourth region title next season and was well on pace to eclipse Francavilla's total of 156 career wins following the 2019-20 campaign. "I just try to stay humble because you never know who may be out there to beat you."

That's a lesson for any young wrestler to take to heart.

HWS tourney

Among the casualties of the shortened 2021 season was the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament, by far the toughest of any such event contested in the state. Next year's tournament, scheduled for Jan. 8, 2022, should be a real good one.

P'burg will once again host the HWS Tournament.

Consider the wealth of talent in the upper weights alone, with returning state medalists Jarett Pantuso (eighth at 220) and Tyler McCatharn (sixth at 285) of Warren Hills; Pope John junior Jack Stoll (sixth at 220), whose brother, Kyle, placed twice for High Point, and North Hunterdon sophomore Alex Uryniak (seventh at 182). And for the heck of it let's throw in two-time state champ Soldano, who has yet to compete in the HWS Tournament at P'burg-- a place he's been well acquainted with over the last few years.

"It was less stressful, like a county tournament setup," said Soldano, who was in attendance for the last two HWS Tournaments in 2019 and '20, of competing at Phillipsburg last weekend in the state tournament.

Will he be on the mat for the HWS Tournament in 2022?

"Maybe," he said somewhat jokingly after his state title victory.

There is the potential to have nine state placewinners (including North Hunterdon junior and 2020 HWS champion Liam Akers who was seventh at 285 in 2020) in next year's field. North Hunterdon sophomore and 2020 HWS champion Logan Wadle (second at 106), Hunterdon Central junior Tanner Peake (sixth at 152) and Kittatinny junior Steve Dalling (eighth at 152) are the others. Dalling was a great story as his father, Steve, put the Cougars on the map with his state titles in 1990 and '91.

Fitt with coaches Ted Sibblies and Eric Bollette.

Akers, Wadle and Stoll, a 2020 runner-up, are the only state placers to make the HWS finals. How tough is this tournament? Consider that two-time medal winner Colton Washleski of Hunterdon Central (sixth in 2020 and fourth at 160 in '21), Newton senior Nathan Fitt (seventh at 126) and Kittatinny senior Jackson Crawn (third at 220 and a 2020 HWS champion) combined to win one HWS title.

Fitt (101-28) is the 11th Newton wrestler to reach the century mark (10 coached by Bollette). Crawn (106-33) also reached that milestone for Kittatinny in the postseason -- they are among 101 to do it in Sussex County overall. High Point's Clayton Utter (73) and Soldano (89) are in line next season to hit 100, along with Phillipsburg's James Day (75), Lenape Valley's Daniel Haws (74), Hunterdon Central's Peake (83) and Warren Hills' McCatharn (68). Hunterdon-Warren has produced 117 wrestlers with at least 100 wins. 

Team strength

You can only wonder what might have been for several HWS area teams regarding sectional and state championships, which were lost due to the pandemic. It's not a stretch to believe that at least seven -- High Point, Kittatinny, Pope John, North Hunterdon, Delaware Valley (very young roster), Hunterdon Central and Warren Hills -- would have won sectional titles or at the very least been in the hunt. Hackettstown also was in the mix in North 2, Group 2.

Hills won the last of its five sectional titles in 2007.

This very well could have been the year for Kittatinny to knock off Paulsboro in Group 1 and Warren Hills looked primed for a run at its third Group 3 title and first since 1997. Central also had a strong chance in Group 5. All three teams should have that opportunity in 2022, especially the Blue Streaks, who had no seniors in the starting lineup this season and return two state placewinners, as well as junior Stephen Malia, a qualifier in 2020.

It's also the first time Hills, which should be one of the area's best teams along with P'burg (14 returning starters) has had two medal winners in a season since 1997 -- Justin Colaluce (first at 145), Shane Folks (third at 135), Ryan Kanewski (fourth at 140) and the late Mitch Markle (third at 171). McCatharn is the school's ninth heavyweight placewinner and first since Andrew Pacheco (sixth in 2014).

A team to watch outside the area in the coming years could be Passaic Tech, which had a sixth-place finisher in Laith Hamdeh (138). The Bulldogs, from what I've been told, have about 90 wrestlers in the program.

Numbers crunch

The North 1 super region led the way with 36 state medals, followed by North 2 (26), South Jersey (28) and Central Jersey (22). N1 had three weights (126, 138 and 220, where all four qualifiers earned medals), while N2 (106) and SJ (145) only had one weight each where that happened. 

Here's the total broken down by traditional regions: R1 (21), R3 and R8 (17), R2 (15), R6 (14), R7 (11) R4 (9) and R5 (8). The Skyland Conference produced eight medals among its 20 schools, with the HWS area collecting seven (Watchung Hills' Blake Bahna was fifth at 160). The HWS numbers (17 schools) by themselves are impressive with 13 medals among eight programs that had at least one qualifier.

You also have to think the results would have looked much different in a traditional season where the wrestlers have to make weight multiple times over districts, regions and states (all three days in AC). With the super regions and states held on one day for selected classes, wrestlers only had to make weight twice in the span of a week. It's highly plausible that, for example, some of the 126-pounders weighing close to 140 by the later rounds.

Here's some astounding stats involving longtime powers Phillipsburg and Paulsboro. The Stateliners did not have a state placewinner for the second straight season -- something that's only happened twice before (1961-62 and 1964-65). In fact, the 'Liners have been shut out five times since 2005 after a run of missing just once (1978) from 1966 through 2004. This was the first season that both P'burg and Paulsboro were held without a medal since 1964. It was a crazy year to say the least when you also factor in that Mercer County didn't have a placewinner for the first time since 2009.

Boresch Duals

The 16th Boresch Duals are set for Jan. 15, 2022.

The highly anticipated and premiere event statewide will take place on Jan. 15, 2002. It appears that Kingsway, the top public school this season, and Paulsboro will not be back due to conflicts with the Escape the Rock Tournament held on the same date. Normally, the Boresch Duals take place on the first Saturday in January, but that's New Year's Day and the HWS Tournament is slated for Jan. 8. North Hunterdon is also sorting out its schedule, but South Plainfield, Toms River North, Caldwell and Hanover Park have already committed to attending in '22. The 2020 event featured the Group 1 (Paulsboro) and Group 4 (North Hunterdon) champions and runners-up in Group 4 (Kingsway) and Group 2 (South Plainfield).

Wrestling: Soldano (2nd title) adds to HP history

With little fanfare, High Point junior Brian Soldano goes about his business on the wrestling mat. 

And business is good.

Brian Soldano is 48-1 over the last 2 seasons.

As expected, Soldano rolled through the field at 182 pounds on Sunday to capture his second straight state title by decking Shawnee senior Isaac Dean in 3:16 in the 88th State Championships at Phillipsburg High School.

Soldano (10-0), who registered three pins and a decision on the day, is the Sussex County school's 12th champ overall and its 14th finalist. He joined Nick Francavilla (2009-11) and Ethan Orr (2010-11) as the only Wildcats to win at least two titles.

"It feels great," said Soldano, now 89-5 overall. "I still want to chase after Nick for that third one, but I'm happy to be in the big three."

In all, 13 wrestlers out of 22 from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area took home medals this weekend -- including Pope John senior Nick Lodato, the 195-pound champion and North Hunterdon sophomore Logan Wadle (second at 106). Sussex County went 6-for-7 over the two-day event with Kittatinny duo Steve Dalling (eighth at 152) and Jackson Crawn (fourth at 220), along with Pope John junior Jack Stoll (sixth at 220) and Newton senior Nathan Fitt (seventh at 126) earning their first medals.

High Point coach John Gardner, a state champ for the 'Cats in 1990, is among the program's all-time greats who view Soldano as its best ever with one year of high school remaining until he heads off to Rutgers University. 

"He's pretty special," Gardner said. "I'm happy for him. He works extremely hard and is always well prepared. He's a pleasure to coach."

True to form, Soldano came out looking to pin as he got the first takedown and immediately locked up a nearside cradle -- turning Dean for two back points and a 4-0 lead about one minute into the bout. Dean, a No. 3 seed and the South Jersey region champion, managed to avoid the pin -- with a little help.

"It was tight," Soldano said. "I saw the grey on the mat and thought I we were out of bounds. "[I let up] a little bit because I thought we were going out of bounds."

After an escape and a another takedown in the second period, Soldano iced his second championship on top where he's the most deadly with legs and a power half to record his ninth pin this season and 66th of his career. It also extended his match winning streak to 37 in a row dating to 2020 -- with only five going the full six minutes in his last 49 bouts, including Butler's Justin Chrostowski (3-0 in the quarterfinals on Sunday).

"I really wanted to get that first-period pin," Soldano said. "I just kept the pressure on [Dean] and went for it in the second."

Soldano and the medalists (Courtesy of Gardner)

As the biggest favorite in the tournament, Soldano carried that burden as well as the expectation to cruise through the bracket. But he took it all in stride and when it was over, he simply walked back to the corner, shared a congratulatory moment with Gardner and then headed over to hug his parents (Pete and Cheryl) who were proudly watching matside.

"I work hard enough that in my right mindset, I don't think anybody can beat me," Soldano said. "I'm not a fan of flexing and showboating after matches, so I try to avoid that. I just smile and go hug my parents."

Gardner wasn't the least surprised by the outcome or lack of a postmatch celebration.

"That's his approach. It's nice to see he's having fun," said Gardner, who has coached 10 of the school's state champions. "He's not real big in the celebration department. He kind of keeps it low key. The way he trains and prepares, I hate to say it, but it's almost what he expects. 

"The way he trains and practices when no one is watching is what sets him apart from other people. I imagine the work on [winning his third title] will start rather quickly."

Wrestling: State Tournament information, stats

What: 88th New Jersey State Wrestling Championships.

Where: Phillipsburg High School, Lopatcong Township.

When: Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday's schedule (106-145): Preliminaries, 10 a.m.; quarterfinals, 12:10 p.m.; wrestleback one, 1:15 p.m.; wrestleback two, 3:05 p.m.; semifinals and wrestleback three, 4:15 p.m.; wrestleback four, 5:45 p.m.; consolation finals (third, fifth and seventh), 7 p.m.; championship finals, 7:45 p.m.

Phillipsburg hosts its first state tournament.

Sunday's schedule (152-285): Preliminaries, 10 a.m.; quarterfinals, 12:10 p.m.; wrestleback one, 1:15 p.m.; wrestleback two, 3:05 p.m.; semifinals and wrestleback three, 4:15 p.m.; wrestleback four, 5:45 p.m.; consolation finals (third, fifth and seventh), 7 p.m.; championship finals, 7:45 p.m.

Returning state champions (3, 2020 weights): Jr. Evan Mougalian, Kinnelon (first-2020, 106); Sr. Joey Olivieri, Hanover Park (first-2018, fourth-2019, first-2020, 132); Jr. Brian Soldano, High Point (first-2020, 160).

Returning medal winners (43, previous finishes, 2020 weights): So. Anthony Santaniello, Brick Memorial (second-2020, 106); So. Tyler Vazquez, Delbarton (third-2020, 106); Jr. Evan Tallmadge, Brick Memorial (fourth-2020, 106); So. Jack Zaleski, Middletown South (fifth-2020, 106); So. Luke Stanich, Roxbury (sixth-2020, 106); So. Aidan Wallace, Bergen Catholic (seventh-2020, 106); Jr. Jared Brunner, Eastern (eighth-2020, 106); Jr. Joseph Cangro, Bergen Catholic (third-2019, third-2020, 113); Sr. Kelly Dunnigan, Don Bosco Prep (fourth-2019, second-2020, 113); Jr. Ty Whalen, Clearview (fourth-2020, 113); Jr. Garrett Totten, Christian Brothers (seventh-2020, 113); So. Brady Conlin, Washington Township (eighth-2020, 113); Sr. Vincent Santaniello, Brick Memorial (eighth-2018, third-2019, second-2020, 120); Sr. Ethan Fernandez, Westwood (fourth-2020, 120); Sr. Nicholas Nardone, Delbarton (third-2018, sixth-2019, third-2020, 126); Jr. Alex Almeyda, St. Joseph-Montvale (seventh-2019, fourth-2020, 126); So. Simon Ruiz, Delbarton (third-2020, 132); Sr. Anthony White, South Plainfield (fourth-2020, 132); Sr. Austin Jack, Jefferson (eighth-2020, 132); Sr. Eddie Hummel, Southern (sixth-2019, third-2020, 138); Sr. Michael Cetta, St. Joseph-Montvale (sixth-2020, 138); Jr. Andrew Troczynski, Delbarton (second-2020, 145); So. Michael Dellagatta, St. Joseph-Montvale (fourth-2020, 145); Sr. Colton Washleski, Hunterdon Central (sixth-2020, 145); Jr. Dakota Morris, Kingsway (seventh-2020, 145); St. Max Brignola, Rumson-Fair Haven (eighth-2020, 145); Sr. Aaron Ayzerov, Paramus (second-2020, 152); Sr. Dylan Weaver, Lyndhurst-North Arlington (third-2019, fourth-2020, 152); Jr. Colin Calvetti, Delbarton (fifth-2020, 152); So. Jared Schoppe, Delsea (eighth-2020, 152); Jr. Shay Addison, Rumson-Fair Haven (fifth-2020, 160); Sr. Blake Bahna, Watchung Hills (sixth-2020, 160); Sr. Nate Camiscioli, Bergen Catholic (seventh-2020, 160); Sr. Norman Cella, Hunterdon Central (eighth-2020, 160); Sr. Jack Kelly, Rumson-Fair Haven (fifth-2020, 170); Sr. Blake Clayton, St. John Vianney (third-2020, 195); Sr. Kevin Pandorf, Kingsway (eighth-2020, 195); Sr. David Szuba, Brick Memorial (second-2020, 195); Sr. Mike Misita, Williamstown (eighth-2019, third-2020, 195); Sr. Thomas Renna, South Plainfield (seventh-2020, 195); Sr. Michael Toranzo, St. Joseph-Montvale (sixth-2020, 220); Sr. Cody Thurston, West Deptford (eighth-2020, 2020); Jr. Liam Akers, North Hunterdon (seventh-2020, 285).

Previous placewinners (2, 2020 weights): Sr. Jack Maida, Shore Regional (sixth-2019, 132); Sr. Cooper Pontelandolfo, Kingsway (sixth-2019, 138).

Returning medal winners by super region (Note: Jack and Renna withdrew on Thursday):

Region 1-2 (14, Mougalian, Stanich, Wallace, Cangro, Dunnigan, Fernandez, Almeyda, Jack, Cetta, Dellagatta, Ayzerov, Camiscioli, Soldano, Toranzo)
Region 3-4 (11, Vazquez, Nardone, Ruiz, White, Troczynski, Olivieri, Weaver, Calvetti, Bahna, Renna, Akers)
Region 5-6 (9, Zaleski, Maida, Totten, Washleski, Brignola, Addison, Cella, Kelly, Clayton)
Region 7-8 (14, A. Santaniello, Tallmadge, Brunner, Whalen, Conlin, V. Santaniello, Pontelandolfo, Hummel, Morris, Schoppe, Pandorf, Misita, Thurston, Szuba)

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area qualifiers (22)

North Hunterdon -- Logan Wadle (106), Frank DiEsso (126), James Holder (170), Alex Uryniak (182), Andrew Franklin (220), Akers (285)
Hunterdon Central -- Anthony Rossi (106), Nick Canonica (138), Tanner Peake (152), Washleski (160), Cella (170)
Phillipsburg -- James Day (120), David Pierson (220)
Warren Hills -- Jarett Pantuso (220), Tyler McCatharn (285)
High Point -- Clayton Utter (113), Soldano (182)
Kittatinny -- Steve Dalling (152), Jackson Crawn (220)
Pope John -- Lodato (195), Jack Stoll (220)
Newton -- Nathan Fitt (126)

Open Mike championship picks

106 -- Nico Calello, St. Joseph-Metuchen
113 -- Evan Tallmadge, Brick Memorial
120 -- Evan Mougalian, Kinnelon
126 -- Joseph Cangro, Bergen Catholic
132 -- Nico Nardone, Delbarton
138 -- Joey Olivieri, Hanover Park
145 -- Michael Cetta, St. Joseph-Montvale
152 -- Cooper Pontelandolfo, Kingsway
160 -- Hunter Mays, Howell
170 -- Aaron Ayzerov, Paramus
182 -- Brian Soldano, High Point
195 -- Blake Clayton, St. John Vianney
220 -- Mike Misita, Williamstown
285 -- John O'Donnell, Toms River North