South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame to induct Class of 2022 on Nov. 5

The South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be held on Nov. 5 at Masso’s Catering in Glassboro.

The Class of 2022 to be inducted is: Pennsville’s John Doran, Holy Spirit’s Mac Mancuso, Oakcrest’s CJ Mays, Cinnaminson’s TJ McStravick, Ocean City’s Bill Nickles, Holy Cross’ Chris Notte and Eastern’s Anthony Orio.

Tickets for the event are $50. Cocktail hour starts at 5 p.m. with the procession starting promptly at 6 p.m. Contact Chris Ormsby at (609) 841-5293 for tickets.

More:H.S. wrestling: Ranking South Jersey's top 100 wrestlers of last five decades

The inductees (bios are from the SJWHOF):

John Doran, Pennsville

As a freshman wrestling at 101 pounds, Doran made the most of seeing action behind teammate and NJ State Champion (Greg Griffith) in 1985. He used his sub-varsity year of undefeated wrestling to guide him to his own state title the following year. As a sophomore in 1986, Doran won District 31 and Region 8 Championships to qualify for the NJSIAA Wrestling Championships. John began his assault on the title by downing Emerson's Joe Harriman in the pre-quarter final match, 8-2. He then followed up that victory in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 overtime win against John Maute of Morris Hills. In the semifinals Doran bested Drew Black of Mahwah, 3-2 to earn his spot in the finals, where he cemented a perfect season (29-0) and grabbed the gold medal with a 12-3 major decision over Steve Rivera of Manalapan. In 1988, wrestling at 119 pounds, Doran garnered runner-up medals in both the District and Region tournaments, thus qualifying him for another shot at reaching the podium in the NJSIAA tournament. Doran opened with a fall over Delbarton's John Faccanni in 4:04 and added an 8-1 decision over Hunterdon Central's Mike Darlington, thus setting up a quarterfinal match with Matawan's Jared Michinga, whom he defeated via a 9-4 verdict. The run for the title hit a snag as Doran dropped a hard-fought 5-2 overtime loss to Mike Indorato (Paramus) and after the wrestle back rounds, finished with sixth place honors. Doran finished his high school career with an 86-9 record which boasted having never lost a dual match in three years of varsity wrestling. Doran spent one year competing for Gloucester County College, where he was again undefeated in dual meet competition, was the Mid-Atlantic Zone Champion at his weight class and was a Junior College (JUCO) All-American, finishing the tournament in 6th place. Doran ended his career at Gloucester County College in 1989 after being named to the All Garden State Wrestling Team and compiling a record of 32-3. John cites his successes with the Pennsville Youth Program and Seagull Wrestling Club as highlights of his career and adds that winning his NJSIAA title in 1986 was his most memorable moment. The wrestling bug, never far from Doran's thoughts, he went on to coach at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling Academy for three years, where he worked with students from youth to adult athletes. Employed by Window Nation in Cherry Hill, Doran is an exterior design specialist. He and his wife, Judy, live in Ventnor, NJ. The couple has three children: Cierrah (27), Cateris (24) and Ave (10).

Mac Mancuso, Holy Spirit

A 2009 graduate, Mancuso was a three-time District 32 and Region 8 Champion who placed in all three of his trips to the state championships in Atlantic City. Mancuso got his high school career off to a great start by placing 6th at the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament in Delaware, where he would add a 4th and a 6th place finish in the same tournament prior to graduating. After his first district and region titles, Mancuso made his debut in the NJSIAA Tournament as a freshman in a predominately upperclassman's weight class (189), where he rattled off wins of 13-7 and 6-1 before dropping his semifinal match and finishing 6th. As a sophomore, Mancuso enjoyed his best ever finish by capturing a NJSIAA State Championship. Mancuso won by a 6-1 decision over Joe Bozzomo of Middlesex, an 8-7 decision over Anthony LiSanti of Westwood and a 3-1 victory over Central Regional's Nick Tenpenny in the semifinals. Mancuso pulled off his state title by defeating Tyler Smith of Belvidere via a 7-1 decision in the championship match. As a junior, Mancuso had an undefeated dual meet season going, but two weeks prior to the post season, he sustained a season-ending injury and was unable to compete until his senior year. In 2009, Mancuso returned to Atlantic City after winning his third district and region titles and was rolling along with a technical fall over Jared Holliday of Burlington Twp. (17-1, 4:36) and a pair of decisions, both by 3-1 verdicts (AJ Mott of DePaul and Nick Vetterlien of Don Bosco). This year Mancuso was denied a second championship when he dropped an exciting 10-7 match to defending state champion, Andrew Campolattano of Bound Brook. Mancuso closed out his high school career with a record of 130-9, but was not yet done competing. He entered West Virginia University in 2009, and under head coach, Craig Turnbull, acquitted himself well, placing 5th in the Eastern Wrestling League and earning 3rd place honors in the Big 12 Tournament (when WVU switched conferences). After graduating from WVU in 2014, Mancuso coached for six years as an assistant coach at Holy Spirit where he was named District 29's Assistant Coach of the Year in 2018. Mancuso cites defeating two-time Delaware State Champion, Jamelle Jones (a transfer to Winslow) 5-3 in the Region 8 finals as a most memorable moment. Jones had been nationally ranked at the time Mancuso defeated him. Mancuso also recalls vividly having never lost a dual meet match and his NJSIAA Championship his sophomore year.

CJ Mays, Oakcrest

A 2003 graduate, Mays was a four-time District 32 and four-time Region 8 Champion. In Mays' freshman year, after winning his district and region, he qualified for the NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament in Atlantic City, but did not place. The following year at the same weight (103 pounds), Mays was on his way to the best state finish of his high school career. He reeled off a fall in 0:49 over Dave Tomasette of Washington Twp. and followed with a 1-0 decision over Brian Nunziato of Bergen Catholic in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Mays outscored longtime friend and rival, Ivan Wiggins (Sterling) via an 8-1 decision. A heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Patrick Dattalo of Randolf left Mays with runner-up honors. During his junior campaign at 112 pounds, Mays once again, as a result of winning district and region titles, found himself in Atlantic City vying for the elusive state championship. Mays won by a 3:29 fall in the first round of states and added an 8-2 decision in the quarterfinals, but found heartbreak in the semis when he lost a squeaker (6-4 overtime) match to Zack Tanelli of Millburn. In the wrestle backs, Mays went 1-1 to finish in 4th place on the podium. As a senior, wrestling at 125 pounds, Mays impressed in Atlantic City, notching a 16-0 technical fall (6:00) over Matt Button of West Morris and scoring a fall in 1:51 over Sean Cullen of Cinnaminson before once again bowing out of the championship round when he lost to Zack Cunliffe of Howell, 3-0 in the semifinals. Mays ended his high school career by decisioning Matt Kaplan of Randolf (15-3) and upending Derek Francavilla of Scotch Plains by fall in 3:01 to come away with the bronze medal and a career record of 122-10. Mays stated that winning his first District 32 Championship, a 3-1 overtime decision, over Brian Dempsey of Absegami was one of his career highlights, but quickly added that his silver medal finish at the end of his sophomore year also stood out. Mays is quick to point out that his long history of matches against Absegami's Nick Bridge and his many matches against Sterling's Ivan Wiggins will remain life-long memories. Mays said his career may well have stalled had it not been for his father's coaching and the love and understanding of his Uncle Chris, who was always in his corner and a constant reminder of steadfast love of family. Before working for Community Options in Manahawkin as a support advocate in charge of the well-being of his clients, Mays served two tours in Iraq during his eight-year tenure in the United States Army. Mays is entering his second year as an assistant wrestling coach at Cedar Creek High School and today, He lives in Hammonton with his wife, Sasha and their children, Clarence IV, Chasedy, Chaneyl, Saniah, Kalila and Kaylani.

TJ McStravick, Cinnaminson

Unlike many of his contemporaries, McStravick did not arrive in high school as a heralded wrestler; however, after he earned a pair of District 27 silver medals and a pair of bronze finishes in Region 7, and a qualifying spot at the NJSIAA Tournament, he served notice about his potential to do big things. McStravick really got things rolling once he graduated from Cinnaminson in 1985. He enrolled at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) and demonstrated that he was a bonafide threat to earn All American honors. In 1990, McStravick rolled to a Division III National Championship finish. He began the tournament by racking up decisions over Rich Pawlewicz of Lawrence (5-2) and Craig Wagner of Augustana (8-6) before upending Tim McMillen, the number 2 seed from Wisconsin (5-3) in the semifinals. In the finals McStravick scored a 9-4 decision over Dave Buckiso of John Carroll to come away with the title. In 1991, as a senior, McStravick once again earned All American honors when he captured the bronze medal. McStravick ended his college wrestling career with a record of 104-27-1, 53-7-1 in dual meets, undefeated in the 89-90 season. His junior year he was 33-1 and 67-5 over the last two years. Not ready to walk away from wrestling, McStravick began his coaching career by stepping in as a graduate assistant at TCNJ (formerly Trenton State College). Following a one year stint at TCNJ, McStravick began an odyssey that would take him to a total of nine different SJ high schools, junior high schools and area clubs. McStravick's biggest success would come at his alma mater, where in 2000, he was named the Coach of The Year in District 27, the COY in Region 7 and was named the Burlington County Times COY. McStravick's accolades include being inducted into the Cinnaminson Sports Hall of Fame and the Glassboro/Rowan Athletic Hall of Fame. Prior to his current coaching position at Pennsauken, he worked in various positions at the Brookfield School for twenty years, where his duties created a hiatus in his coaching. During his years in the sport, McStravick cites his Glassboro State College team's 18-15 upset over Trenton State as a most memorable moment for himself, his teammates and his head coach, Mel Pinckney. He also fondly recalls the legendary all-time college pins leader and Division I National Champion, Wade Schalles (Clarion University), who was broadcasting the 1990 Division III National Tournament, cite McStravick as being the odds on favorite in the tournament. TJ added that winning a National Title was the highlight of his career. Currently employed by Pennsauken High School as a guidance counselor, TJ has served as a volunteer assistant coach under John Chisolm before taking over as the head coach for the school's girls wrestling team. Single, TJ lives in Cherry Hill and has a son, Damon Williams (32).

Bill Nickles, Ocean City

As a 1970 honors graduate of Ocean City and a 1974 cum laude graduate of Millersville University, Nickles had no idea that his pursuit of knowledge would lead him to the heights he achieved as a high school wrestling coach. Upon graduating from Millersville University, Nickles accepted a position at his alma mater as an industrial arts instructor, and in 1977, was appointed as the school's head wrestling coach. Having never wrestled, Nickles immersed himself enthusiastically with the task of learning as much as he was able through reading and attending as many clinics as possible. He gladly accepted the tips his fellow Cape Atlantic Conference coaches had to offer him and, particularly, benefited from the influx of wrestlers from his area’s youth program (Upper Twp.), which was coached by Tony Galante, who became his long-time assistant at Ocean City. An innovator by nature, Nickles quickly became an excellent strategist who studied his opponent's lineups and their strengths and weaknesses and was quick to learn how to motivate the ever-changing personalities of his wrestlers. Nickles was a pioneer of the new wave of coaches who played the popular music of his team's choosing during team practices and prior to home wrestling meets. His individual charts of expectations and personal gains motivated his charges and gave him great rapport in gaining higher numbers in the wrestling room. Nickles always seemed to find new and effective ways to keep his wrestlers focused and optimistic about their time in the sport. Nickles' tenure, from 1977-2008, led to over 310 wins, as his teams finished in the top five in District 32 twenty-one times, winning the District 32 title one season and qualifying for the South Jersey Group Championships on two occasions. Along with the team's successes, Nickles coached forty-one District 32 Champions, six Region 8 Champions and six state place winners. His two-time state champion, Patrick Lynch ('89 and '90), and state finalists, Greg Austin ('99) and Joe Galante ('02) aided in bringing notoriety to the Ocean City program. Nickles was named District 32 Coach of the Year once, and he was inducted into the Ocean City Sports Hall of Fame in 2021, an honor he cites as being a highlight of his career. Of his years in the sport, Nickles enjoys reminiscing with former wrestlers and coaches in what he calls our "special fraternity." Retired from education, he lives in Ocean City with his wife, Camille. They have five children: Ashley, Kristin, Kirsten, Kelsey and William IV.

Chris Notte, Holy Cross

A 2006 graduate, Notte was a four-time District 26 and a three-time Region 7 Champion who made four trips to the NJSIAA State Championships in Atlantic City, placing three times. As a freshman at 119 pounds Nottes dropped his first two matches and did not place. More determined his sophomore year, Notte returned at the same weight and won his first two matches by decision (8-6 and 10-9) before coming up short in the semifinals against Darrion Caldwell of Rahway and wrestling back to a 6th place finish. The following year, up at 125 pounds, Notte won his first match by a 12-4 major decision then lost a 3-2 squeaker to Jordan Burroughs of Winslow Twp. He followed with a major decision (9-0) and a fall (4:32). A very exciting 10-8 loss forced Notte into the consolation match for 5th/6th, which he won, earning 5th place honors. In his final bid in Atlantic City in 2006, Notte entered the tournament at 130 pounds and duplicated his previous 5th place finish by decisioning Aaron Wilcox of Schalick. Also, during his high school career, Notte was a football standout, a 1,000-yard rusher with a 6.2 yards per carry average at running back. He served as captain his junior and senior seasons. After graduating in 2006, he took his high school record of 138-22 with him to Nassau Community College where he wrestled for Paul Schmidt for two years and was a two-time All-American (JUCO) wrestler, placing 3rd in '07 and winning the title in '08. He also was a bronze medalist at the New York State Collegiate Championships in 07 and was a Champion in 08. Upon graduating from Nassau, Notte made his next stop in Stillwater, Oklahoma (Oklahoma State University), where he competed for the legendary John Smith. At OSU, Notte was an Oklahoma Central University Open Champion in '08 and a 3rd place finisher in '07. He also racked up a 2nd place finish in the Central Missouri Open and two 2nd place finishes at the Reno Tournament of Champions in '09 and '10. In OSU's NCAA qualifier, the Big 12, he took runner-up honors in '09 and was a 3rd place finisher in '10. He made two Division 1 appearances, but did not place. Chris was named team captain at OSU in '10 and earned Academic Dean's List honors in '11. Chris graduated from OSU in '11 with a combined (Nassau/Oklahoma State) record of 122-29. Notte cites his third-place finish in the prestigious Beast of the East Tournament and his three state finishes in Atlantic City as most memorable moments of his high school career, and adds that his successes at both Nassau and Oklahoma State were standout experiences. He states that his mom (Theresa), with her undying support and guidance, aided him in becoming the man he is today. Chris is quick to point out that coaches Mike Berger and Jim Mullarkey were men who kept him focused on life both on and off the mat and were the men who encouraged him to enter the ranks of coaching wrestling. Notte coached for two years at Palmyra High School before being hired as an academic advisor and wrestling coach at St. John Vianney in Holmdel. He lives in Bordentown and continues to coach wrestling at St. John Vianney.

Anthony Orio, Eastern

A 2004 graduate, Orio was a three-time District 26 Champion and a two-time Region 7 Champion while competing for coaches John Sanders and Gary Worthington. Along the way to a career record of 88-9, Orio made three trips to the state championships in Atlantic City. As a freshman in an overwhelmingly upperclassman's weight class (160 pounds), Orio failed to place, but was encouraged by his razor-thin loss in his first match. He acquitted himself well the following year at 171 pounds when he earned victories of 3-1, 9-2, and 8-7 before dropping his semifinal match and finishing in 6th place. In 2003, Orio took a year off from wrestling to concentrate on football, his number one love. The year off seemed to have invigorated Orio, because he returned to the mat in grand fashion, winning his third district title and his second region title. Finding himself in Atlantic City his senior year at 215 pounds, he reeled off a fall in 1:25 over James Cullere of Indian Hills before winning a tight 6-5 decision over Brandon Perez of Pope John and a close 3-2 victory over Bill Beiermeister of Boonton, thus setting up a finals match with Zeb Davis of Lenape, an opponent Orio had beaten in the Region 7 finals the week before. This time the outcome was the same, with Orio sealing a 3-1 decision and the NJSIAA State Championship. Orio cites being nationally ranked 15th at 215 pounds, his state championship and his first District 26 Championship as highlights in his high school wrestling career. Upon graduating in '04, Orio received a full scholarship to Northeastern University where he was the school's starting quarterback four years running. His academic and athletic accolades at Northeastern are staggering. He was twice a semifinalist for the nation's top scholar athlete (Vincent de Paul Draddy Trophy), was named four-time FCS Academic All-Conference. He was also a three-time FCS All Star, the winner of the 2008 Herbert W. Gallagher Award for Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, the Brooks Irvine FCS Player of the Year the same year, as well as the 2008 Touchdown Club FCS Player of the Year and was recognized as the 2009 National Football Hall of Fame Hampshire Honor Society. Upon graduation from Northeastern, Orio furthered his education by attending what is now Rutgers Medical School, then spent five years completing his orthopedic surgery residency at Boston University, followed by a one year fellowship in adult reconstructive surgery. Currently an orthopedic surgeon with Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists, Orio lives in Manlius, N.Y. with his wife, Ashley and their two children, Anthony, Jr (5) and Colton (2).

Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Class of 2022 to be inducted into South Jersey Hall of Fame on Nov. 5