Big week by St. John Vianney results in major movement in Shore Conference Wrestling Top 10

St. John Vianney has been the mover and shaker in the Asbury Park Press Top 10 all season.

The Lancers, with the addition of a talented freshman class and several transfer to go with some returning wrestlers who have solid resumes, began the season ranked No. 2.

They then dropped to No. 6, when without their full lineup, they were defeated by Governor Livingston and Northern Highlands in a quad at River Dell.

Then, last week, when two-time state qualifier Jasiah Queen, two-time region qualifier Thomas Cleary and returning region qualifier Kevin McBride became eligible under NJSIAA transfer rules, the Lancers showed what they can do with a full lineup.

St. John Vianney won the Patriot Duals at North Warren with wins over Livington, North Hunterdon and Kingsway. Those three teams were ranked No. 20, 13 and 5 in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20 at the time.

Those three wins enabled the Lancers to move back to No. 2 in this week's rankings.

The Shore Conference Tournament, which began Tuesday night with preliminary-round matches and gets underway in earnest with the round of 16 and quarterfinal matches Thursday night at the top four seeds, will further clarify the rankings.

Related: St. John Vianney wrestling is thinking big with tournament season looming

The SCT semifinals and championship match are scheduled for Saturday, weather permitting at 3 and 5:30 p.m. at Middletown South. If snow forces a postponement, then the makeup date will be Sunday at Middletown South.

The only other change in this week's top 10 sees Rumson-Fair Haven moving in at No. 10 over Ocean via comparative scores against No. 9 Lacey. Ocean was defeated 45-22 by Lacey; Rumson-Fair Haven lost 40-36.

Here is this week's top 10.

1. Southern (12-0): Last week: No. 1. The Rams defeated Toms River North 62-16; South Plainfield 40-23, Monroe 62-3 and Toms River East 58-19 The Toms River East enabled Southern to clinch a tie for the Shore Conference Class A South championship. It is the second straight season the Rams have won the divisional title. This week: Wednesday vs. Lower Cape May (12-3): Saturday vs. Phillipsburg (9-1).

2. St. John Vianney (10-2): Last week: No. 6. The Lancers defeated Red Bank Catholic 59-24 won the Patriot Duals at North Warren with 47-21, 37-32, 37-34 wins over Livingston, North Hunterdon and Kingsway respectively. and clinched a tie for the Shore Conference Class A Central championship with a 47-28 win over No. 7 Raritan. This week: Shore Conference Tournament Thursday: vs. Red Bank Catholic (10-2) at Brick Memorial in Shore Conference Tournament round of 16 match; winner vs. No. 6 Brick Memorial (12-2)-Freehold (9-4) winner.

Related: St. John Vianney makes big entrance into NJWWA Wrestling Top 20 after Patriot Duals win

3. Christian Brothers Academy (10-2): Last week: No. 2. The Colts defeated St. Peter's Prep, ranked No. 5 in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20, 34-30 Tuesday night. Before that, they defeat Middletown North 45-22 and were defeated 51-12 by Bergen Catholic., This week: Thursday: Shore Conference Tournament vs-Freehold Township (10-6) winner; vs. No. 10 Rumson-Fair Haven (6-5)-Lacey (14-3) winner; Saturday at Middletown South vs. Brick Memorial site winner.

4. Middletown South (9-3): Last week: No. 3. The Eagles defeated Oakcrest 66-18 and Manalapan 53-15; This week: Thursday: Shore Conference Tournament vs. Toms River East (9-7) winner; vs. No. 8 Jackson Memorial (11-4) vs. Point Pleasant Boro (11-1) winner; Saturday at Middletown South vs. Howell site winner.

5. Howell (14-3): Last Week: No. 4. Howell defeated Watchung Hills 59-14, Cinnaminson 57-16; Long Branch 61-12 and Morris Hills 66-15 and were defeated 37-21 and 39-22 by Delsea and Warren Hills respectively. This week: Thursday: vs. Middletown North (4-7); winner vs. No. 7 Raritan (13-5)-Ocean (9-3) winner.

6. Brick Memorial (12-2): Last week: No. 5. The Mustangs defeated Toms River South 67-0; Rancocas Valley 54-16 and Northern Burlington 61-6; This week: Wednesday at No. 8 Jackson Memorial (11-4); Thursday: Shore Conference Tournament vs. Freehold (9-4) winner vs. No. 2 St. John Vianney (10-2)-Red Bank Catholic (10-2) winner.

Related: Shore Conference Wrestling Schedule for Week of January 24-29.

7. Raritan (13-5): Last week: No. 7. This Rockets defeated No. 10 Rumson-Fair Haven 37-31; were defeated 34-32 by Delaware Valley; defeated Burlington Township 60-24; Shawnee 37-25 and were defeated 54-18 and 47-28 by No. 2 St. John Vianney respectively. This week: Thursday: Shore Conference Tournament at Howell vs. Ocean (9-3); winner vs. No. 3 Howell (14-3); vs. Middletown North (4-7 winner.

8. Jackson Memorial (11-4): Last week: No. 8. The Jaguars defeated Wall 42-25 in their only match in the past week. This week: Wednesday vs. No. 6 Brick Memorial (12-2); Thursday: Shore Conference Tournament at Middletown South vs. Point Pleasant Boro (11-1); winner vs. No. 4 Middletown South (9-3)-Toms River East (9-7) winner.

9. Lacey (14-3): Last week: No. 9. The Lions defeated Barnegat 76-6; Marlboro 43-27 , No. 10 Rumson-Fair Haven 40-36; Colts Neck 59-18 and Manchester 57-18; This week: Thursday: Shore Conference Tournament at Christian Brothers Academy vs. No. 10 Rumson-Fair Haven (6-5); winner vs. No. 3 Christian Brothers Academy (10-2)-Freehold Township (10-6) winner.

10. Rumson-Fair Haven (6-5): Last week: Not ranked. The Bulldogs were defeated by Raritan 37-31 and No. 9 Lacey 40-36 and defeated Colts Neck 63-18 and Manchester 57-22; This week: Thursday: Shore Conference Tournament at Christian Brothers Academy vs. No. 9 Lacey (14-3); winner vs. No. 3 Christian Brothers Academy (10-2)-Freehold Township (10-6) winner Friday at Ocean (9-3).

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore NJ Wrestling: St. John Vianney moves back up in top 10