Wrestling: A primer for area teams in districts in Region 5 and District 24
DISTRICT 17
Location: Hunterdon Central
Schools: Franklin, Hillsborough, Hunterdon Central, Manville, Montgomery, Princeton, Rutgers Prep, Sayreville, St. John Vianney, West Windsor-Plainsboro North
Approximate Schedule (subject to change and can run late): Session 1: Preliminaries, quarterfinals and semifinals 10 a.m.; Session 2: Consolations and finals 3 p.m. (at same time on two mats)
The skinny: While St. John Vianney has a superstar-heavy lineup, Hunterdon Central and Hillsborough both can advance at least half a dozen wrestlers with other local teams featuring standouts.
Hillsborough brings a veteran team that repeated as Somerset County Tournament champions and went 24-4. The balanced squad has four returning champions with its heavy weight hammers. Jack Miller (Sr., 165, 32-3), Joseph Witcoski (Sr., 190, 32-2), Matt Jones (Jr., 215, 24-4) and Christian Quandt (Sr., 285, 30-4) are all looking to repeat. Two runners-up from 2022 – Christopher Spinelli (Sr., 120, 25-8) and Peter Quandt (Sr., 175, 21-13) – are in the mix. Other Raiders to watch include their lower-weight stalwarts Logan McDermid (So., 106, 22-6), Tommy Kester (Fr., 113, 22-7), Zach Iannucci (So., 120, 21-11) and Corey Iannucci (So., 126, 23-11).
Hunterdon Central finished 16th in the final New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20. Now, they get two juniors back who have missed time for the postseason in Evan Thompson (132, 12-4, 2nd last year) and William Cella (138, 19-3, 3rd last year 126). One question was where will junior Anthony Rossi (28-3) wrestle at? He wrestled early in the season and in the H/W/S Tournament at 113, but has recently competed at 120. Now, he’s the top seed at 113 after placing second last season at 106, falling 5-2 to state runner-up Patrick O`Keefe (St. John Vianney) in the final. He went on to reach the Consolation Round 4 in the state tournament. Freshman Rhett Washleski (144, 24-3) seems primed to continue his terrific rookie campaign and earned the top seed. State qualifier Thomas Brunetti (Jr., 175, 24-4, 3rd last year at 165), Henry Wilkinson (Sr., 150, 17-2, 2nd last year at 138) and Ryan Sherlock (Jr., 106, 18-6) are among other top Red Devils wrestlers to watch. Two wrestlers who placed in last year’s district tournament aren’t entered in Peter Plesh (3rd last year at 113) and Bennett Cayero (3rd at 215).
Possible Top Rematches: At 215, Montgomery’s second-seeded Lucas Allen (Sr., 26-2) can meet third-seeded Matt Jones (Hillsborough in the semifinals). The two wrestlers with contrasting body types – Allen is taller –have met several times the past two seasons. Allen took down Jones in SV to win 3-1 to win the SCT gold medal on Jan. 7. Last season, Jones topped Allen three times – 10-2 in the SCT quarterfinals, 7-4 in the District 17 final and 7-4 in a dual. Both qualified for the state tournament as Allen took second in the region and Jones placed third. They also met Dec. 30 with Allen winning on an injury default.
At 106, Hillsborough’s second-seeded Logan McDermid edged Hunterdon Central’s third-seeded Ryan Sherlock 3-2 (TB-1) in a dual on Jan. 20. The two can possibly meet in the semifinals.
Other Somerset Wrestlers to Watch
Manville is coming off a program-record 22 wins this season. Now, they hope that hand-raising transfers to the individual postseason. The Mustangs’ lone returning region qualifier is Lucas Velando (Jr., 25-7, 3rd last year), who drew the No. 2 seed at 157. The Mustang’s Trip Freitag captured the SCT 175-pound title as the fifth-seed and is 25-6 in his sophomore season. Manville’s Danny Wildgoose (Sr., 27-5), the SCT runner-up, is in the top half of the bracket.
Geoffrey Mathis (Sr., 190, 25-3) and Marvin Valverde-Bonilla (Sr., 285, 17-7) each took fourth in 2022, losing by a point each in the third-place match. Other Manville wrestlers having breakout seasons include Justin Petti (Jr., 106, 26-6), Isaiah Bennett (Fr., 126, 23-9) and Brandon Rivera (Sr., 132, 25-6).
Montgomery also has a returning region qualifier in Elhadji Diara (Sr., 175, 22-7, 3rd last season). He split with Hillsborough’s Peter Quandt this season, winning 2-0 on Dec. 30 and falling 10-8 in SV-1 in the SCT consolation semifinals. They could possibly meet in the semifinals. Unfortunately, two of the Cougars better wrestlers are out with injuries in senior John Walter (165, 3rd at 190 last season) and sophomore Jackson Obe (138, 10-1, 4th last year at 126).
Franklin brings back one returning region qualifier in Johan Aguilar (Sr., 126, 24-7, 3rd last season at 120). The Warriors also have hungry seniors looking to advance in Jayden Moore (120, 20-7), Fernando Duran Rivera (150, 21-9) and Malik Reid (165, 23-7), Additionally, two freshmen are looking to make their mark in Victor Perez-Alvarado (106, 17-10) and Evan Hartel (285, 17-12).
Rutgers Prep’s Payce Lamb just missed advancing last season with a fourth-place finish at 157. Now Lamb (Jr., 157, 17-5) Also watch Jaden Mendez (Jr., 150, 19-9).
Lone GMC Team: Sayreville is the only Greater Middlesex Conference team in the district. Bombers fans have good new – two of their better wrestlers are back from recent time missed in CJ McCrea (113, 20-3) and heavyweight Connor Walsh (285, Jr., 15-2). Both juniors earned third-place medals last season. Sayreville’s other best chances to advance include William Marks (Sr., 138, 17-11) and sophomores Bryce Bouchard (175, 15-11) and Sean Sylvester 215, 17-12).
St. John Vianney Star Power: The Holmdel school brings the biggest names with three state placewinners. They include returning state champion Anthony Knox (So., 120, 28-0, won at 113 last season) and Jasiah Queen (Sr., 30-3, 165, 5th in state at 157). Sophomore Patrick O`Keefe (14-3) was the 106-pound runner-up last year. He now jumps to 132 for the postseason after wrestling the majority of his matches at 113 and 120 this winter. He told the Asbury Park Press, "It was hard to make weight and maintain it. I wasn't wrestling the best I could at the time. I went up where it felt good and where I could compete the best.''
St. John Vianney also features returning state qualifiers Jake Zaltsman (So., 126, 22-9), Cole Stangle (So., 150, 18-6) and Kevin McBride (Sr., 157, 20-12).
DISTRICT 18
Location: Manalapan
Schools: East Brunswick, Holmdel, Hopewell Valley, Manalapan, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, South Brunswick, South River, Spotswood
Approximate Schedule (subject to change and can run late): Preliminaries and quarterfinals 10 a.m.; The other rounds will follow. Semifinals 12 p.m. (approximate time); consolations 1 p.m. (approximate time); finals 2 p.m. (approximate time)
The skinny: Last season’s team champion Manalapan and runner-up Hopewell Valley again have strong squads. However, the six Middlesex County schools should get their fair share of wrestlers through to the region.
North Brunswick’s Willie Wilson (28-0) is the biggest-name GMC wrestler in the district. The returning champion and state qualifier at 165 captured the GMC Tournament title at 175 this season with a dominant performance. However, he’s back at 165 for the postseason after making his debut in the weight on Feb. 11. The Raiders also have two other returning region qualifiers in Jomar Mena (Jr., 150, 18-11) and Omar Elhomossy (Sr., 138, 17-5).
Last season, East Brunswick advanced two to the region. The Bears seem to have a good chance to at least double that this season with breakout freshmen and improving upperclassmen. Aedan Samson-Huggins (Jr., 27-7, 2nd last year at 120) is the No. 1 seed at 126 and Bailey Cuomo (Sr., 150, 25-9, 3rd last season) is the third seed. Freshmen Dominick Lezark (106, 28-7, 3rd seed), Jake Gujski (113, 27-5, 2nd seed) and George Crostewitz (144, 24-11, 2nd seed) look to be tough outs.
South Brunswick wrestlers earned high seeds and are good bets to advance. Senior Adam Derbala (Sr., 24-10) drew the top-seed at heavyweight. Michael Kurilla (Sr., 26-8) competed at 157/165 this season, but had his first match at 150 on Feb. 11. He’ll stay there for the postseason and earned the No. 2 seed in the weight. Also getting second seeds were Brandon Castro (132, Sr., 20-14) and Shahnawaz Asif (Sr., 157, 12-9). Other Vikings to watch include Garv Sen (120, So., 19-12) and Mustafa Oudeh (144, Sr., 25-9)
New Brunswick senior Yasir Johnson (215, 20-5) drew the top seed and placed fourth in the GMC Tournament this year. Other Zebras to watch include James Gonzalez (So.,106, 20-10), Dorian Pena (120, 19-13), James Ratajczak (Jr., 132, 16-11) and Kevin Garrido (Sr., 144, 19-3).
South River junior Dylan Soares (9-5, 4th last season at 113), senior Joseph Lepore (132, 14-3), Dylan Zargo (Jr. 150, 13-5)
Spotswood’s highest returning finisher is Matt Varga (Sr., 165, 16-5, 4th last season at 157). William Schwemmer (Sr., 175, 13-8) is also having a good season.
DISTRICT 19
Location: St. Joseph-Metuchen
Schools: Edison, Marlboro, Metuchen, Middlesex/Dunellen, Old Bridge, Piscataway, Rumson-Fair Haven, St. Joseph-Metuchen, Woodbridge
Approximate Schedule (subject to change and can run late): Preliminaries and quarterfinals 9 a.m.; semifinals 11 a.m.; Lunch break 12:30 p.m.; consolations 1 p.m.; finals 2:30 p.m.
The skinny: This district is sure to please GMC fans with the two best teams competing in St. Joseph and Old Bridge, as well as other standouts. In all, there are 10 GMCT champions and seven runners-up in the brackets.
St. Joseph rolled to a GMCT team championship and emerged as a state power. The Falcons advanced an astonishing 12 out of 14 wrestlers last season and look to again put through double-digits, including four freshmen and three sophomores in the lineup. Among the stars, Giovanni Alejandro (Sr., 138, 30-2) stands out with his accomplishments. The two-time district champ (there were no districts in 2021 because of the shortened season due to Covid), two-time state qualifier and Beast of the East placewinner looks for a deep postseason run. The Falcons also have top seeds in Zach Beadling (So., 120, 22-7), Tyler Whitford (Fr., 144, 26-6), Evan Mendez (Sr., 150, 18-8), Andrew Bouchard (So., 175, 18-8), Brian Christie (190, Jr., 27-5) and Jake Tulli (285, Sr., 25-6).
St. Joseph’s second seeds include John Whitacre (Jr., 113, 20-12), Vincent Genna (Sr., 156, 20-6) and Jake Zargo (165, 12-4).
Old Bridge earned top seeds in Logan Roman (Jr., 113, 34-1), Jesse Koczon (Sr., 126, 31-4), Brandon Koczon (Sr., 132, 26-9), Tyler Sagi (Sr., 157, 32-1), Dan Hennessey (Sr., 165, 29-2) and Avery Mack (Sr., 175, 24-4). Sagi and Roman are two of the bigger names in this district and both look to kick off their postseason runs with titles. Among the other Knights to watch is No. 2 seeded Jake Tenebruso (So., 144, 22-11) and third-seeded Robert Orzol (Sr., 215, 27-6).
At 106, Old Bridge’s Joseph Nalewajko (13-14) and St. Joseph’s Julian Arango (17-13) are on different sides of the bracket, but both freshmen have a shot of getting through to the region.
Three possible rematches of the GMCT finals.
At 126, Edison’s Julian Dawson pinned Old Bridge’s Jesse Koczon in the GMCT final. Dawson (Sr., 33-1) was named the Lower Weights Outstanding Wrestler for his efforts. Also looming in the division is St. Joe’s freshman Morgan Schwarz (25-7). The third-seed dropped close decisions to Koczon, 7-4 on Jan. 18, and to Dawson 13-9 in the GMCT semifinals.
At 150, top-seeded Evan Mendez decisioned Middlesex/Dunellen’s RJ Stradling 6-1 in the final. Stradling (Sr., 24-3) drew the No. 3 seed and can possibly meet No. 2 seed Francesco Rossiter (29-3). The Metuchen senior and returning state qualifier reached the GMCT final at 157, but made his debut at 150 on Feb. 11. Old Bridge’s Austin Miller (Sr., 20-14) looms in the top half of the bracket.
At heavyweight, St. Joseph’s Jake Tulli won the GMCT 3-2 UTB with a dramatic ride out in the final against Piscataway’s Malachi Wyatt (Sr., 25-4). They’re now seeded 1-2 and can possibly meet in the district final. Old Bridge’s Nicholas Caruso (Sr., 24-10) is seeded third and fell 1-0 to Wyatt on Jan. 11.
Piscataway’s Brian Butler (Jr., 28-4) reached the GMCT final at 138, but made his 132 debut on Feb. 1 and earned the No. 2 seed in the lower weight. Piscataway’s Ossie Hilliard (Sr., 12-2, 190, third seed) and Richard Boateng Baah (Sr., 24-4, 215, second seed) are other Chiefs to watch.
Edison is coming off a 19-4 season and sports several wrestlers looking to reach the podium in addition to Dawson. That includes talented freshmen in Sean Eagle (106, 20-9), Jeremy Negron (120, No. 2 seed, 21-7) and Fernando Avellan (138, 3rd seed, 25-6). Others to watch include seniors Joaquin Cruz (144, 17-11) and Josh Pizzaia (157, 23-4) and sophomore Eli Sanchez (So., 113, 19-11).
Metuchen’s other top wrestlers include Nate DeCoite (So., 120, 19-9), Daniel Ayala (So., 16-10, 144) and Ben Michaliszyn (So., 157, 20-12).
Middlesex/Dunellen also features Dominick McQuone (Fr., 120, 19-6) and Sam Kleiber (Jr., 132, 17-8).
Woodbridge’s strength is in the middle to upper weights – Felix Medina-Rodriguez (157, 21-11), Tyler Boelhower (165, 21-2), James Boelhower (175, 21-9), Mario Carbonaro (190, 16-10) and Kaelyb Barahona (215, 23-6).
DISTRICT 20
Location: Middletown North
Schools: Highland Park, Keansburg, Keyport/Hudson, Matawan, Middletown North, Middletown South, Perth Amboy, Raritan, Red Bank Catholic, Red Bank Regional
Approximate Schedule (subject to change and can run late): Preliminaries start at 9 a.m. with the following round going straight through to the finals without a break; semifinals 12 p.m. (approximate time); consolations 1:30 p.m. (approximate time); finals 2 or 2:30 p.m. (approximate time)
The skinny: Highland Park’s best bet is Ernie Botteon (Jr., 132, 19-13, 4th seed). The district has a Shore Conference flavor with Red Bank Catholic likely to have the most team points.
DISTRICT 24 (Region 6)
Location: Monroe
Schools: Burlington City, Ewing, Hamilton North (Nottingham), Hightstown, Jackson Memorial, Lawrence, Monroe, Northern Burlington, Notre Dame, West Windsor-Plainsboro South
Approximate Schedule (subject to change and can run late): Preliminaries and quarterfinals 9:30 a.m.; semifinals 12:30 p.m.; immediately followed by consolations on two mats; finals 2:30 p.m.
The skinny: Monroe is once again the only Greater Middlesex Conference team in Region 6. The Falcons, though, should be well prepared having scheduled meets against several district and region teams during the season.
Monroe’s high seeds include top-seeds Josh Bouchard (Sr., 144, 22-8) and Omar Cholula-Conde (Jr., 175, 20-13); second seeds Chris Guzzo (Sr., 190, 15-15) and Wyatt Olma (26-8) at 138. The junior placed third in the GMCT as the No. 8 seed and he looks to continue that tournament momentum.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Wrestling: A primer for area teams in districts in Region 5 and D24
