What do we have the first week of the baseball season? Well, today it rained, today's schedule would have been wiped out if it was April 1, the first day of the spring season...
But, the first day of the spring season is April 1...
Among the games that look intriguing this week are:
Tuesday
Bridgewater-Raritan at Hillsborough, 3:45: Bridgewater-Raritan has a new coach in Max Newell and Hillsborough lost a ton of players to graduation. Can Bridgewater-Raritan get back to the North 2 Group IV playoffs this year? A win over Hillsborough to start the season would be a great confidence builder.
Westfield at Cranford, 4 p.m. Defending Union County Tournament champ Cranford has eight players back from last year when the Cougars made the state Group II final. Westfield should be a serious challenger to unseat the Cougars this year.
Wednesday
Scotch Plains-Fanwood at Watchung Hills, 3:45: The Warriors are our third ranked team. Scotch Plains-Fanwood is seventh. Too bad this game is so early in the season.
Thursday
Immaculata at Hunterdon Central, 3:45: Central is the defending Hunterdon/Warren Tournament champion. Immaculata has won nine of the past 11 Somerset County Tournament titles. There's a little twist added this year. Immaculata junior lefty Evan DeLuca transferred over from Hunterdon Central during the off-season.
FRIDAY
Franklin at Rutgers Prep, 4 p.m.: Rutgers Prep believes it will be much better than it was last year. Franklin's Bill Nickel is looking for much more than the 2-23 his Warriors produced last year.
SATURDAY
St. Joseph of Metuchen at South Plainfield, 10 a.m.: The Falcons should be an outstanding club this year and was ranked 15th in the first Gannett New Jersey Poll last week. South Plainfield is always a strong club.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
New football coach at Bernards; Ridge's Roussey steps down
Bernards High School has announced that Jon Simoneau will be their head football coach in 2008 at a board meeting this week. He replaces longtime coach Joe Milde.
Simoneau is a 1996 graduate of John F. Kennedy High where he played football and baseball. David Carmon, a 2001 JFK graduate and a former Mustangs' standout, will be the offensive coordinator. Simoneau had been the team's offensive coordinator.
Milde stepped down as head coach of the Mountaineers after eight years. His team made the sectional playoffs three times, including this past season when the Mountaineers qualified as a North 2 Group II school.
Milde, who has had one of the longest tenure of any Mountaineer football coach in their long history, has been affiliated with the team for 15 years -- seven as an assistant. He will continue to coach girls basketball and golf.
Jay Roussey, the head coach of the Ridge wrestling team the past eight years, has also stepped down. The Red Devils set a school record for dual meet wins with 20 this past season and also made the sectional playoffs for the first time since 1990. No replacement has been named, but assistant coach Steve Hendershot is expected to replace Roussey.
Simoneau is a 1996 graduate of John F. Kennedy High where he played football and baseball. David Carmon, a 2001 JFK graduate and a former Mustangs' standout, will be the offensive coordinator. Simoneau had been the team's offensive coordinator.
Milde stepped down as head coach of the Mountaineers after eight years. His team made the sectional playoffs three times, including this past season when the Mountaineers qualified as a North 2 Group II school.
Milde, who has had one of the longest tenure of any Mountaineer football coach in their long history, has been affiliated with the team for 15 years -- seven as an assistant. He will continue to coach girls basketball and golf.
Jay Roussey, the head coach of the Ridge wrestling team the past eight years, has also stepped down. The Red Devils set a school record for dual meet wins with 20 this past season and also made the sectional playoffs for the first time since 1990. No replacement has been named, but assistant coach Steve Hendershot is expected to replace Roussey.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Gannett Pre-season Top 20
Immaculata High School right fielder Frank DeNick (right) -- led the Spartans' football team as their quarterback the last two years when they went a combined 23-1. He'll be the Spartans' leadoff hitter for the second straight year.
Pre-season Top 20
1. Don Bosco Prep 27-2
2. Seton Hall Prep 32-1
3. Immaculata 24-3
4. Shawnee 15-9
5. Toms River South 21-8
6. Randolph 24-8
7. Gloucester Catholic 23-6
8. Cranford 26-5
9. Sacred Heart 28-5
10. Cherokee 24-5
11. Washington Township 20-11
12. Colts Neck 22-7
13. Morris Hills 22-7
14. St. Joseph-Metuchen 16-13
15. Toms River East 20-7
16. Hunterdon Central 22-7
17. Christian Brothers 25-6
18. Bishop Eustace 21-7
19. Pequannock 18-8
20. Watchung Hills 18-8
BASEBALL PODCAST
The Courier News baseball and softball podcast will be done Friday afternoon and should be up by Friday night!
Sim Pincus, Jerry Carino and I will do it.
Sim Pincus, Jerry Carino and I will do it.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Beisbol!
It starts April 1. As long as it's not 18 degrees and pouring rain. The way our Aprils have gone, a nice day would be a major surprise.
OK, high school baseball and softball previews runs in Saturday's Varsity sections of the Courier News and Home News and Tribune.
The Trentonian had a great pullout section in Thursday's paper on the Colonial Valley Conference. Great stuff.
Our Top 10 in baseball will run as well. It's just a list, so the blog gives me a chance to talk about what goes into my thinking.
Our No. 1 pre-season team is going to be Somerset County Tournament and Skyland East champ Immaculata, 24-3 last year. I don't know how anybody else can be ranked ahead of the Spartans. Senior Chas Crane moves from third base to short. Crane will be terrific as well in the Spartan outfield. Junior Evan DeLuca in left; senior Matt Marquis in center and senior Frankie DeNick in right. It'll be fun to watch them. The pitching might be better than last year with Johnny Schoberl and DeLuca, who transfers over from Hunterdon Central.
Speaking of Central, I think the Red Devils -- 22-7 last year -- are going to have a another fruitful season. They won the Hunterdon/Warren Tournament last year. There's some concern about the pitching, but they will definitely have the offense with the likes of third baseman Danny Fitzsimmons. Freshman Josh Ake will be shortstop. A freshman playing shortstop at a monstrous school like Central is a very, very impressive thing.
Watchung Hills -- 18-9 a year ago -- has just about everybody back from last year. Of course, they will miss center fielder Jeff D'Annunzio and lefty pitcher Joe Giaimo. The Warriors have a dozen letter winners back, including junior pitchers Travis Zilg, senior catcher Cameron Edwards and senior first baseman Patrick Doyle.
Those will be the top three.
North Hunterdon will be ranked fourth. I think the Lions are going to have a very good year. They were 13-11 last year, but with North Carolina-bound Jason Knapp throwing every few days and a solid team behind him, the Lions should be a strong contender in the North 2 Group IV playoffs. Knapp was 3-3 last year with a 1.99 earned run average with 56 ks.
Hillsborough (20-6) is young and will be starting two or three freshman. Westfield (16-10) has an outstanding pitcher in junior righty Chris Jenkins and senior Justin Olson behind the plate. Olson is going to Rutgers next year. I might flip those two clubs.
Watchung Conference defending co-champion Scotch Plains-Fanwood (19-8) is right behind with Skyland Raritan champ Somerville right behind. Somerville (23-6) has a fine senior center fielder in Eric Fowler and a reliable senior lefty on the mound in Ryan Zamorsky.
I'm taking a risk at ninth and 10th. I'm expecting Bridgewater-Raritan and Ridge -- both 11-14 a season ago -- to be significantly better. Just a feeling on my part.
New Providence, which has a new coach in former Hillside coach Chris Brodeur, will be playing all of its games on the road this year since a new field is being renovated.
God I hate the New York Rangers.....I had to get that out of my system. Hang in there Devils. I heard Ranger fans chanting "You can't beat us,'' tonight during the Rags 3-2 win. The Rags have beaten the Devs seven straight times this year.
But their fans have short memories. Just a few years ago, the Devils had something like a 22-0-1 streak against the Rags. Oh well.
OK, high school baseball and softball previews runs in Saturday's Varsity sections of the Courier News and Home News and Tribune.
The Trentonian had a great pullout section in Thursday's paper on the Colonial Valley Conference. Great stuff.
Our Top 10 in baseball will run as well. It's just a list, so the blog gives me a chance to talk about what goes into my thinking.
Our No. 1 pre-season team is going to be Somerset County Tournament and Skyland East champ Immaculata, 24-3 last year. I don't know how anybody else can be ranked ahead of the Spartans. Senior Chas Crane moves from third base to short. Crane will be terrific as well in the Spartan outfield. Junior Evan DeLuca in left; senior Matt Marquis in center and senior Frankie DeNick in right. It'll be fun to watch them. The pitching might be better than last year with Johnny Schoberl and DeLuca, who transfers over from Hunterdon Central.
Speaking of Central, I think the Red Devils -- 22-7 last year -- are going to have a another fruitful season. They won the Hunterdon/Warren Tournament last year. There's some concern about the pitching, but they will definitely have the offense with the likes of third baseman Danny Fitzsimmons. Freshman Josh Ake will be shortstop. A freshman playing shortstop at a monstrous school like Central is a very, very impressive thing.
Watchung Hills -- 18-9 a year ago -- has just about everybody back from last year. Of course, they will miss center fielder Jeff D'Annunzio and lefty pitcher Joe Giaimo. The Warriors have a dozen letter winners back, including junior pitchers Travis Zilg, senior catcher Cameron Edwards and senior first baseman Patrick Doyle.
Those will be the top three.
North Hunterdon will be ranked fourth. I think the Lions are going to have a very good year. They were 13-11 last year, but with North Carolina-bound Jason Knapp throwing every few days and a solid team behind him, the Lions should be a strong contender in the North 2 Group IV playoffs. Knapp was 3-3 last year with a 1.99 earned run average with 56 ks.
Hillsborough (20-6) is young and will be starting two or three freshman. Westfield (16-10) has an outstanding pitcher in junior righty Chris Jenkins and senior Justin Olson behind the plate. Olson is going to Rutgers next year. I might flip those two clubs.
Watchung Conference defending co-champion Scotch Plains-Fanwood (19-8) is right behind with Skyland Raritan champ Somerville right behind. Somerville (23-6) has a fine senior center fielder in Eric Fowler and a reliable senior lefty on the mound in Ryan Zamorsky.
I'm taking a risk at ninth and 10th. I'm expecting Bridgewater-Raritan and Ridge -- both 11-14 a season ago -- to be significantly better. Just a feeling on my part.
New Providence, which has a new coach in former Hillside coach Chris Brodeur, will be playing all of its games on the road this year since a new field is being renovated.
God I hate the New York Rangers.....I had to get that out of my system. Hang in there Devils. I heard Ranger fans chanting "You can't beat us,'' tonight during the Rags 3-2 win. The Rags have beaten the Devs seven straight times this year.
But their fans have short memories. Just a few years ago, the Devils had something like a 22-0-1 streak against the Rags. Oh well.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Wrestling season doesn't end does it?
Happy Easter to all of our Christian readers.
I know the high school wrestling season has wrapped up -- at least for us who cover it, but I do realize that it really goes year round for a lot of folks out there. We'll try to stay on top of it, college signings, major off-season tournament results, etc...
I was able to cover the Easton Lions Classic Monday at Easton Area High and had the chance to talk to former South Plainfield High star Patrick Hunter, who recently completed his first season at St. Benedict Prep in Newark. Hunter, beaten in the 2007 state 112-pound final by Delaware Valley's Dan Kelly, won the State Preps this year and was second at the National Preps. Hunter was third in the state as a sophomore at 103.
Hunter, who will wrestle in the Senior High School Nationals in Virginia next weekend, beat Easton Area's Kegan Handlovic 8-7 at 119 at the Easton Classic. It was the final bout of the event.
"I had a great year,'' said Hunter. "I buckled down in school. I put a committment into school work. I messed up (when he was at South Plainfield)not taking school as seriously.
"I take some blame (about his departure from South Plainfield), but God works in mysterious ways,'' he added.
Hunter said he's not sure what his plans are for next year. He said he would consider another year at St. Benedict as a fifth-year student.
In case you haven't seen it, here's the Hunterdon Democrat's All Hunterdon team picked by my friend John Siipola.
http://www.nj.com/sports/hunterdon/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1206022225209560.xml&coll=12
I know the high school wrestling season has wrapped up -- at least for us who cover it, but I do realize that it really goes year round for a lot of folks out there. We'll try to stay on top of it, college signings, major off-season tournament results, etc...
I was able to cover the Easton Lions Classic Monday at Easton Area High and had the chance to talk to former South Plainfield High star Patrick Hunter, who recently completed his first season at St. Benedict Prep in Newark. Hunter, beaten in the 2007 state 112-pound final by Delaware Valley's Dan Kelly, won the State Preps this year and was second at the National Preps. Hunter was third in the state as a sophomore at 103.
Hunter, who will wrestle in the Senior High School Nationals in Virginia next weekend, beat Easton Area's Kegan Handlovic 8-7 at 119 at the Easton Classic. It was the final bout of the event.
"I had a great year,'' said Hunter. "I buckled down in school. I put a committment into school work. I messed up (when he was at South Plainfield)not taking school as seriously.
"I take some blame (about his departure from South Plainfield), but God works in mysterious ways,'' he added.
Hunter said he's not sure what his plans are for next year. He said he would consider another year at St. Benedict as a fifth-year student.
In case you haven't seen it, here's the Hunterdon Democrat's All Hunterdon team picked by my friend John Siipola.
http://www.nj.com/sports/hunterdon/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1206022225209560.xml&coll=12
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
FINAL TOP 10 (and an explanation)
While it may be easy to pick a first team for all area wrestling, choosing the area's Top 10 teams isn't so clear.
This year's final top team was pretty clear -- it was District 12 champ South Plainfield (14-4) which beat Delaware Valley 34-20. South Plainfield made it to the Central Group II final where it lost to Brearley. The Tigers were also runnersup at the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament. It wasn't a terrific season for the Tigers, but they were good enough to be our top team.
Now, here was the trick.
Number 2?
North Hunterdon beat Delaware Valley, but Delaware Valley beat Hunterdon Central, which beat North Hunterdon.
I went with Delaware Valley with these tiebreakers -- the Terriers (18-5) made it to the Central Group II sectional final where it wrestled well in a loss to Long Branch. The Terriers also won the District 17 title for the fourth straight year and finished second at the last Hunterdon/Warren Tournament to Phillipsburg. Del Val also wrestled well against Phillipsburg, losing 37-16.
North Hunterdon (14-5) earns the third spot -- two ahead of Hunterdon Central -- because the Lions (13-5) got to the North 2 Group IV final where it lost to Phillipsburg and the win over Del Val. The Lions also beat Watchung Hills twice. Watchung Hills beat Hunterdon Central early in the season.
Watchung Hills (21-6) is fourth since it won the Somerset County Tournament, beat Hunterdon Central Central and finished with a school record for dual meet wins with 21. The Warriors also finished second at District 12.
Hunterdon Central (13-9) is fifth. The Red Devils were 8-9 going into the final week of the regular season. Nice job beating North and the Red Devils beat Livingston, Nutley, J.P. Stevens, Somerville and Plainfield to finish the year. Hunterdon Central should be pretty good next year.
Hillsborough (16-13) is sixth in the final poll. The Raiders won District 18 and beat Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament and North 2 Group III champ Sayreville during the year. What hurt Hillsborough? The 34-25 loss to Hunterdon Central, a 39-32 loss to North Warren and a 29-23 setback to Skyland East champ Watchung Hills. Those are three close losses.
Montgomery (17-8) is seventh. The Cougars had an outstanding second year of varsity competition. The Cougars were proud of beating Bound Brook, Somerville and Bridgewater-Raritan. But their biggest fesat was making it to the North 2 Group III sectional final. That's what gets them a seventh. They did lose to Ridge, which didn't make the Top 10.
Somerville (14-14). The Pioneers, seventh in the Top 10, got a state champ in senior 125-pounder Jim Kirchner and finished second -- ahead of Bound Brook and behind Hillsborough -- at District 18. The Pioneers were seventh at December's Somerset County Tournament. Nice progress.
Bound Brook (10-15). 10-15? Well, you might not have seen it since the boxscores never ran in our paper the day after -- but the ninth-ranked Crusaders finished the dual meet season Feb. 16 by beating Middlesex, Lodi and Scotch Plains-Fanwood. The Crusaders were not a good dual meet team. But they did have a rugged schedule and finished third at the Somerset County and District 18 tournaments. That final day in the regular season pushes them into ninth.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood (14-14). The Raiders beat Ridge in the North 2 Group III quarterfinals. That's all I had to go on. Despite Ridge's 20-win season, I had to go with Scotch Plains-Fanwood on the strength of its 37-27 win over Ridge and an early-season 38-28 win over Bridgewater-Raritan, which beat Ridge.
This year's final top team was pretty clear -- it was District 12 champ South Plainfield (14-4) which beat Delaware Valley 34-20. South Plainfield made it to the Central Group II final where it lost to Brearley. The Tigers were also runnersup at the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament. It wasn't a terrific season for the Tigers, but they were good enough to be our top team.
Now, here was the trick.
Number 2?
North Hunterdon beat Delaware Valley, but Delaware Valley beat Hunterdon Central, which beat North Hunterdon.
I went with Delaware Valley with these tiebreakers -- the Terriers (18-5) made it to the Central Group II sectional final where it wrestled well in a loss to Long Branch. The Terriers also won the District 17 title for the fourth straight year and finished second at the last Hunterdon/Warren Tournament to Phillipsburg. Del Val also wrestled well against Phillipsburg, losing 37-16.
North Hunterdon (14-5) earns the third spot -- two ahead of Hunterdon Central -- because the Lions (13-5) got to the North 2 Group IV final where it lost to Phillipsburg and the win over Del Val. The Lions also beat Watchung Hills twice. Watchung Hills beat Hunterdon Central early in the season.
Watchung Hills (21-6) is fourth since it won the Somerset County Tournament, beat Hunterdon Central Central and finished with a school record for dual meet wins with 21. The Warriors also finished second at District 12.
Hunterdon Central (13-9) is fifth. The Red Devils were 8-9 going into the final week of the regular season. Nice job beating North and the Red Devils beat Livingston, Nutley, J.P. Stevens, Somerville and Plainfield to finish the year. Hunterdon Central should be pretty good next year.
Hillsborough (16-13) is sixth in the final poll. The Raiders won District 18 and beat Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament and North 2 Group III champ Sayreville during the year. What hurt Hillsborough? The 34-25 loss to Hunterdon Central, a 39-32 loss to North Warren and a 29-23 setback to Skyland East champ Watchung Hills. Those are three close losses.
Montgomery (17-8) is seventh. The Cougars had an outstanding second year of varsity competition. The Cougars were proud of beating Bound Brook, Somerville and Bridgewater-Raritan. But their biggest fesat was making it to the North 2 Group III sectional final. That's what gets them a seventh. They did lose to Ridge, which didn't make the Top 10.
Somerville (14-14). The Pioneers, seventh in the Top 10, got a state champ in senior 125-pounder Jim Kirchner and finished second -- ahead of Bound Brook and behind Hillsborough -- at District 18. The Pioneers were seventh at December's Somerset County Tournament. Nice progress.
Bound Brook (10-15). 10-15? Well, you might not have seen it since the boxscores never ran in our paper the day after -- but the ninth-ranked Crusaders finished the dual meet season Feb. 16 by beating Middlesex, Lodi and Scotch Plains-Fanwood. The Crusaders were not a good dual meet team. But they did have a rugged schedule and finished third at the Somerset County and District 18 tournaments. That final day in the regular season pushes them into ninth.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood (14-14). The Raiders beat Ridge in the North 2 Group III quarterfinals. That's all I had to go on. Despite Ridge's 20-win season, I had to go with Scotch Plains-Fanwood on the strength of its 37-27 win over Ridge and an early-season 38-28 win over Bridgewater-Raritan, which beat Ridge.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
New Jersey wins Easton Lions Classic
New Jersey beat Pennsylvania 27-19 tonight in the annual Easton Lions Club Wrestling All Star Classic at Easton Area High School.
Somerville state champ Jim Kirchner scored a 13-4 major decision over Dieruff's Jose Arzuaga at 125. Delaware Valley's Nick LaFevre beat Freedom's Joe Finocchio 2-1 in overtime at 140 and St. Benedict's Patrick Hunter, the former South Plainfield High star, capped the night by beating Easton's Kegan Handlovic 8-7 at 119. Handlovic is a two-time Pa. Class AAA champ.
Bridgewater-Raritan's Wayne Hampton lost in three overtimes to Northampton's Mike Wechsler at 160.
Handlovic was ranked 10th in some national polls and Hunter was sixth.
Easton senior Jordan Oliver is terrific by the way. He pinned Blair Academy's Joe Stanzione at 130 pounds. Oliver finished the season with a 40-0 record and had a 175-5 career mark.
Somerville state champ Jim Kirchner scored a 13-4 major decision over Dieruff's Jose Arzuaga at 125. Delaware Valley's Nick LaFevre beat Freedom's Joe Finocchio 2-1 in overtime at 140 and St. Benedict's Patrick Hunter, the former South Plainfield High star, capped the night by beating Easton's Kegan Handlovic 8-7 at 119. Handlovic is a two-time Pa. Class AAA champ.
Bridgewater-Raritan's Wayne Hampton lost in three overtimes to Northampton's Mike Wechsler at 160.
Handlovic was ranked 10th in some national polls and Hunter was sixth.
Easton senior Jordan Oliver is terrific by the way. He pinned Blair Academy's Joe Stanzione at 130 pounds. Oliver finished the season with a 40-0 record and had a 175-5 career mark.
EASTON LIONS CLASSIC
We have four area wrestlers who'll be competing tonight at the Easton Lions Club Wrestling Classic at the 25th Street Gym in Easton. The meet pits senior all stars from the Lehigh Valley against New Jersey stars.
Former South Plainfield High star Pat Hunter, who recently won the New Jersey State Prep Tournament title for St. Benedict, will wrestle at 119 against Easton's Kegan Handlovic.
Somerville state champ Jim Kirchner will wrestle Dieruff's Jose Azruaga at 125.
Delaware Valley's Nick LaFevre will wrestle Freedom-Bethlehem's Jake Finocchio at 140 pounds.
Bridgewater-Raritan's Wayne Hampton will wrestle Northampton's Mike Wechsler at 160.
Former South Plainfield High star Pat Hunter, who recently won the New Jersey State Prep Tournament title for St. Benedict, will wrestle at 119 against Easton's Kegan Handlovic.
Somerville state champ Jim Kirchner will wrestle Dieruff's Jose Azruaga at 125.
Delaware Valley's Nick LaFevre will wrestle Freedom-Bethlehem's Jake Finocchio at 140 pounds.
Bridgewater-Raritan's Wayne Hampton will wrestle Northampton's Mike Wechsler at 160.
NCAAS
Here's a list of former area high school wrestlers who've qualified for this weekend's NCAA Tournament in St. Louis.
125: Ross Gitomer (Virginia, Blair Academy, Hunterdon Central). He won the Atlantic Coast Conference title at Virginia. He's 37-11 and is a red shirt sophomore.
133: Billy Ashnault (Lock Haven, South Plainfield). He was beaten by his high school teammmate Jim Conroy (Pitt) in the finals of the EIWA. Ashnault, a freshman, is 12-15.
Jim Conroy (University of Pittsburgh). Conroy, a sophomore, is 17-11 after winning the EIWA title a week ago Saturday.
141: Kellen Russell (Michigan, Blair Academy, High Bridge). Russell was the Big 10 champion as a freshman. Russell is 25-5.
149: Eddie McCray (Gardner-Webb, South Plainfield). McCray, who transferred last fall from Virginia State to Gardner-Webb, got a wild card in the East Regional. He was third and is 7-3.
165: Zack Shanaman (Penn, Blair Academy, Pingry). The Bernards Township resident, a junior, was second at the EIWA Tournament. He's 20-5.
174: Alex Caruso (Lehigh, Watchung Hills). The Green Brook native, a red shirt freshman, is 24-12, having taken fourth place at the EIWA Tournament.
Caruso's high school teammate, Shane Riccio, now at Bucknell, got a wild card in the EIWA Tournament. He's 25-9.
125: Ross Gitomer (Virginia, Blair Academy, Hunterdon Central). He won the Atlantic Coast Conference title at Virginia. He's 37-11 and is a red shirt sophomore.
133: Billy Ashnault (Lock Haven, South Plainfield). He was beaten by his high school teammmate Jim Conroy (Pitt) in the finals of the EIWA. Ashnault, a freshman, is 12-15.
Jim Conroy (University of Pittsburgh). Conroy, a sophomore, is 17-11 after winning the EIWA title a week ago Saturday.
141: Kellen Russell (Michigan, Blair Academy, High Bridge). Russell was the Big 10 champion as a freshman. Russell is 25-5.
149: Eddie McCray (Gardner-Webb, South Plainfield). McCray, who transferred last fall from Virginia State to Gardner-Webb, got a wild card in the East Regional. He was third and is 7-3.
165: Zack Shanaman (Penn, Blair Academy, Pingry). The Bernards Township resident, a junior, was second at the EIWA Tournament. He's 20-5.
174: Alex Caruso (Lehigh, Watchung Hills). The Green Brook native, a red shirt freshman, is 24-12, having taken fourth place at the EIWA Tournament.
Caruso's high school teammate, Shane Riccio, now at Bucknell, got a wild card in the EIWA Tournament. He's 25-9.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Hillsborough Hall of Fame
Hillsborough High School will hold its annual Athletic Hall of Fame dinner Saturday, March 29 at 5 p.m. at the Redwood Inn in Bridgewater.
Former boys soccer coach Rob Richards highlights the class along with versatile star leads
Erin Fuller ('01, soccer, basketball, track), Aubrey Horvath ('00, swimming) and Jessica Galli
('02, cross country, track) join basketball star Alex Marsh ('90) and multi-sport standout
Dustin Sheppard ('98, soccer, basketball).
The 2001 track and field relay team of Lauren Kloss, Kristen Meyer, Jaci Pfeiffer, and
Deanna Willard will also be inducted. That foursome won a national title. Contributor Angelo
Vitale will be inducted.
Call 908-874-6483 for ticket information.
Former boys soccer coach Rob Richards highlights the class along with versatile star leads
Erin Fuller ('01, soccer, basketball, track), Aubrey Horvath ('00, swimming) and Jessica Galli
('02, cross country, track) join basketball star Alex Marsh ('90) and multi-sport standout
Dustin Sheppard ('98, soccer, basketball).
The 2001 track and field relay team of Lauren Kloss, Kristen Meyer, Jaci Pfeiffer, and
Deanna Willard will also be inducted. That foursome won a national title. Contributor Angelo
Vitale will be inducted.
Call 908-874-6483 for ticket information.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Easton Lions Classic
Somerville's state champ Jimmy Kirchner (right) will wrestle in the annual Easton Lions All-Star Classic at the 25th St. Gym in Easton Tuesday night at 8 p.m. A youth tournament will begin at 6 p.m.
Kirchner is scheduled to wrestle Easton Area High senior Kegan Handlovic at 125 pounds. Handlovic won the PIAA AAA state title at 119 last weekend at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa.
Prep state champ Patrick Hunter, the former South Plainfield High star now at St. Benedict Prep, is also supposed to wrestle Tuesday night.
The meet features seniors from Pennsylvania's District XI and outstanding seniors from New Jersey.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Hunterdon County: 0
Delaware Valley senior 140-pounder Nick LaFevre (right) was one victory away from having at least an eighth place in the NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament last weekend. How close was he? He lost to Trenton's Jaazziah Bethea 4-2 in overtime. So close.
But when LaFevre and teammate Rich Gebert (135) were eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the wrestlebacks, it ended a 50-year stretch where Hunterdon County had at least one place winner.
Not so long ago, it might have seemed unbelievable for Hunterdon County's four wrestling programs to come away without one -- 1 -- state tournament place winner. But this past weekend, that's exactly what happened. Mercer County had two -- Bethea, who was eighth, and Hopewell Valley's George Saliba, who took fourth at 189.
My friend of the Hunterdon Democrat has a column in today's paper aboutJohn Siipola how long it's been since Hunterdon County went place less -- it was in 1957. That's a 50-year run of having had at least once place winner.
The best year for Hunterdon was in 1993 when the county had 11 with two champions in Delaware Valley's Brent Conly and Ricky Krieger at 119 and 180 respectively.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
STATE CHAMPS ON PARADE
Somerset County's three state champs -- Jimmy Kirchner of Somerville, Andrew Campolattano of Bound Brook and Brendan Ard of Watchung Hills -- will have something of a victory lap at Sunday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Somerville. So look for them.
Kirchner, the 125-pound champ, was feted with a ride around the borough Sunday night (pictured above) after returning from Atlantic City. He stopped by former longtime Somerville coach and two-time state champ Dave Kinney's house before stopping at his home where a crowd of more than 70 celebrated the Pioneers' first state title since 1962.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Local wrestlers at NCAA Tournament
Here's a list of former area high school wrestlers who've qualified for this weekend's NCAA Tournament in St. Louis.
125: Ross Gitomer (Virginia, Blair Academy, Hunterdon Central). He won the Atlantic Coast Conference title at Virginia. He's 37-11 and is a red shirt sophomore.
133: Billy Ashnault (Lock Haven, South Plainfield). He was beaten by his high school teammmate Jim Conroy (Pitt) in the finals of the EIWA. Ashnault, a freshman, is 12-15.
Jim Conroy (University of Pittsburgh). Conroy, a sophomore, is 17-11 after winning the EIWA title Saturday.
141: Kellen Russell (Michigan, Blair Academy, High Bridge). Russell was the Big 10 champion as a freshman. Russell is 25-5.
149: Eddie McCray (Gardner-Webb, South Plainfield). McCray, who transferred last fall from Virginia State to Gardner-Webb, got a wild card in the East Regional. He was third and is 7-3.
165: Zack Shanaman (Penn, Blair Academy, Pingry). The Bernards Township resident, a junior, was second at the EIWA Tournament. He's 20-5.
174: Alex Caruso (Lehigh, Watchung Hills). The Green Brook native, a red shirt freshman, is 24-12, having taken fourth place at the EIWA Tournament.
Caruso's high school teammate, Shane Riccio, now at Bucknell, got a wild card in the EIWA Tournament. He's 25-9.
125: Ross Gitomer (Virginia, Blair Academy, Hunterdon Central). He won the Atlantic Coast Conference title at Virginia. He's 37-11 and is a red shirt sophomore.
133: Billy Ashnault (Lock Haven, South Plainfield). He was beaten by his high school teammmate Jim Conroy (Pitt) in the finals of the EIWA. Ashnault, a freshman, is 12-15.
Jim Conroy (University of Pittsburgh). Conroy, a sophomore, is 17-11 after winning the EIWA title Saturday.
141: Kellen Russell (Michigan, Blair Academy, High Bridge). Russell was the Big 10 champion as a freshman. Russell is 25-5.
149: Eddie McCray (Gardner-Webb, South Plainfield). McCray, who transferred last fall from Virginia State to Gardner-Webb, got a wild card in the East Regional. He was third and is 7-3.
165: Zack Shanaman (Penn, Blair Academy, Pingry). The Bernards Township resident, a junior, was second at the EIWA Tournament. He's 20-5.
174: Alex Caruso (Lehigh, Watchung Hills). The Green Brook native, a red shirt freshman, is 24-12, having taken fourth place at the EIWA Tournament.
Caruso's high school teammate, Shane Riccio, now at Bucknell, got a wild card in the EIWA Tournament. He's 25-9.
Coach Fred Christ passes away
Former longtime Somerville High wrestling coach Fred Christ, a member of the National Wrestling Hall, Fame and Region 5 and Somerville High School Athletic Hall of Fames, died March 9 in Florida. He was 87.
He began teaching and coaching at Somerville High in 1950 and became the Pioneers' head coach in 1953. He remained head coach until 1974. His highlights included 12 state champions -- three in 1961 -- a 141-49 dual meet record and two unbeaten seasons.
The 1959 team was unbeaten and regarded as the best team in the state. Somerville High School played host to the state wrestling tournament in 1957 and '58.
"The biggest thrill is to see a kid succeed, to see a kid who really didn't have the ability of an outstanding wrestler to come through and do something,'' he said in 2003. "Sometimes that just meant making the team.''
One of Christ's state champions was Wayne Hicks, a two-time winner, who won at 106 pounds in 1961 and at 115 in 1962.
Hicks was the last state champion Somerville had until Sunday -- the day Christ passed -- when Jim Kirchner won the 125-pound title at Atlantic City.
He began teaching and coaching at Somerville High in 1950 and became the Pioneers' head coach in 1953. He remained head coach until 1974. His highlights included 12 state champions -- three in 1961 -- a 141-49 dual meet record and two unbeaten seasons.
The 1959 team was unbeaten and regarded as the best team in the state. Somerville High School played host to the state wrestling tournament in 1957 and '58.
"The biggest thrill is to see a kid succeed, to see a kid who really didn't have the ability of an outstanding wrestler to come through and do something,'' he said in 2003. "Sometimes that just meant making the team.''
One of Christ's state champions was Wayne Hicks, a two-time winner, who won at 106 pounds in 1961 and at 115 in 1962.
Hicks was the last state champion Somerville had until Sunday -- the day Christ passed -- when Jim Kirchner won the 125-pound title at Atlantic City.
Monday, March 10, 2008
5 from Somerset and a Somerville correction
Just to append to my earlier post, Somerset County had five place winners -- four from District 18, the other from District 12.
Champions Jimmy Kirchner (125 of Somerville), Brendan Ard (171 of Watchung Hills) and Andrew Campolattano (189 of Bound Brook). Bridgewater-Raritan senior Andrew Hampton was fourth at 160 and Franklin freshman Colin Hewitt was seventh at 135. Those four are out of 18. Ard is out of District 12.
Just a correction. The last two days I've written that Wayne Hicks, the last Somerville wrestler to win a state title before Kirchner's win, won at 106 pounds in 1962. He actually won at 106 in 1961 and at 115 in 1962.
Somebody from Florida, who wrestled Hicks back in the day, checked in to remind me. Thanks, Frankie C!
Champions Jimmy Kirchner (125 of Somerville), Brendan Ard (171 of Watchung Hills) and Andrew Campolattano (189 of Bound Brook). Bridgewater-Raritan senior Andrew Hampton was fourth at 160 and Franklin freshman Colin Hewitt was seventh at 135. Those four are out of 18. Ard is out of District 12.
Just a correction. The last two days I've written that Wayne Hicks, the last Somerville wrestler to win a state title before Kirchner's win, won at 106 pounds in 1962. He actually won at 106 in 1961 and at 115 in 1962.
Somebody from Florida, who wrestled Hicks back in the day, checked in to remind me. Thanks, Frankie C!
How did my (mediocre) picks turn out?
For fun, let me induldge myself and see how things went with my picks over the weekend at the NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament.
I was 6-8.
103:
My pick: Tyler Bisacha (Jackson).
What happened: He won. But I had Bisacha beating Old Bridge's Conor Hayes in the final. Hayes lost in the pre-quarterfinals and didn't place.
112
My pick: Frank Cagnina (Queen of Peace).
What happened: Cagnina was third. I had Cagnina beating Joe Duca of Paulsboro for the title. Howell's Joe Langel beat Ocean Township's Mike Beradesco 6-2 for the title.
119
My pick: Vinnie Dellefave (Toms River East)
What happened: Dellafave beat Camden Catholic's Taylor Walsh 9-7 in overtime. I had Dellafave beating Belleville's Filberto Colon in the semis -- he did 7-3 -- and beating Don Bosco Prep's Vin Fava for the title. Fava didn't place.
125
My pick: Joe Trause (Bergen Catholic)
What happened: Somerville senior Jimmy Kirchner, who should have won the tournament's OW, seemed to beat everybody on the "experts'' list of predicted place winners. He opened with a thrilling win over Lakeland's Colton Chalkley, knocked off two-time state champ Trause in the semifinals, then won the wild overtime final over Anthony Curcio of Washington Township. I had Trause beating Curcio in the final. Wrong.
130
My pick: Bobby Dabal (North Bergen)
What happened: Kittatinny's Derek Valenti beat Wallkill Valley's Kodie Silvestri 2-0 for the title. Dabal, the top seed, was knocked out 1-0 by Valenti in the quarterfinals and wound up eighth.
135
My pick: Hank Stinson (Eastern)
What happened: Stinson won. I had Stinson beating Westwood senior Dan Butcher in the final. Butcher didn't place.
140
My pick: Trevor Melde (DePaul)
What happened: I took the easy way out, going with a defending state champ. Melde was pinned by Delsea's Anthony Baldosaro in the final. I had Melde beating Baldosaro.
145
My pick: Sean Byrnes (Jackson)
What happened: I was right. Byrnes beat Brick Memorial's Steve Santos 7-1 for the title.
152
My pick: Nick Menditto (Ocean)
What happened: Menditto beat J.P. Stevens' Greg Zannetti 1-0 for the title. My projected runnerup -- Newton's Austin Alpaugh -- was seventh.
160
My pick: Scott Winston (Jackson)
What happened: Winston finished his amazing career with a 2:14 fall over Sacred Heart senior Scott Kelly. I had Winston beating Camden Catholic's Dakota Moore. Moore was eighth.
171
My pick: Dan Seidenberg (Raritan)
What happened: Seidenberg, second at 160 last year, was second again. He was beaten in overtime by fellow junior Brendan Ard in overtime. I had it the other way around.
189
My pick: Jon Becker (Bergen Catholic)
What happened: Bound Brook freshman Andrew Campolattano beat Becker 4-2 for the title. I had Becker beating last year's finalist -- Tyler Smith of Belvidere -- for the championship. Campolattano beat Smith in the quarters and pinned Isiah Miles of Sterling in the semifinals. Smith was third.
215
My pick: Glen Carson (Southern)
What happened: I picked Carson to beat Brearely's Jesse Boyden. But Boyden beat Carson.
285
My pick: Harry Turner (Howell)
What happened: Turner did make it to the final. But he was beaten 4-3 by Manchester sophomore Jimmy Lawson.
I was 6-8.
103:
My pick: Tyler Bisacha (Jackson).
What happened: He won. But I had Bisacha beating Old Bridge's Conor Hayes in the final. Hayes lost in the pre-quarterfinals and didn't place.
112
My pick: Frank Cagnina (Queen of Peace).
What happened: Cagnina was third. I had Cagnina beating Joe Duca of Paulsboro for the title. Howell's Joe Langel beat Ocean Township's Mike Beradesco 6-2 for the title.
119
My pick: Vinnie Dellefave (Toms River East)
What happened: Dellafave beat Camden Catholic's Taylor Walsh 9-7 in overtime. I had Dellafave beating Belleville's Filberto Colon in the semis -- he did 7-3 -- and beating Don Bosco Prep's Vin Fava for the title. Fava didn't place.
125
My pick: Joe Trause (Bergen Catholic)
What happened: Somerville senior Jimmy Kirchner, who should have won the tournament's OW, seemed to beat everybody on the "experts'' list of predicted place winners. He opened with a thrilling win over Lakeland's Colton Chalkley, knocked off two-time state champ Trause in the semifinals, then won the wild overtime final over Anthony Curcio of Washington Township. I had Trause beating Curcio in the final. Wrong.
130
My pick: Bobby Dabal (North Bergen)
What happened: Kittatinny's Derek Valenti beat Wallkill Valley's Kodie Silvestri 2-0 for the title. Dabal, the top seed, was knocked out 1-0 by Valenti in the quarterfinals and wound up eighth.
135
My pick: Hank Stinson (Eastern)
What happened: Stinson won. I had Stinson beating Westwood senior Dan Butcher in the final. Butcher didn't place.
140
My pick: Trevor Melde (DePaul)
What happened: I took the easy way out, going with a defending state champ. Melde was pinned by Delsea's Anthony Baldosaro in the final. I had Melde beating Baldosaro.
145
My pick: Sean Byrnes (Jackson)
What happened: I was right. Byrnes beat Brick Memorial's Steve Santos 7-1 for the title.
152
My pick: Nick Menditto (Ocean)
What happened: Menditto beat J.P. Stevens' Greg Zannetti 1-0 for the title. My projected runnerup -- Newton's Austin Alpaugh -- was seventh.
160
My pick: Scott Winston (Jackson)
What happened: Winston finished his amazing career with a 2:14 fall over Sacred Heart senior Scott Kelly. I had Winston beating Camden Catholic's Dakota Moore. Moore was eighth.
171
My pick: Dan Seidenberg (Raritan)
What happened: Seidenberg, second at 160 last year, was second again. He was beaten in overtime by fellow junior Brendan Ard in overtime. I had it the other way around.
189
My pick: Jon Becker (Bergen Catholic)
What happened: Bound Brook freshman Andrew Campolattano beat Becker 4-2 for the title. I had Becker beating last year's finalist -- Tyler Smith of Belvidere -- for the championship. Campolattano beat Smith in the quarters and pinned Isiah Miles of Sterling in the semifinals. Smith was third.
215
My pick: Glen Carson (Southern)
What happened: I picked Carson to beat Brearely's Jesse Boyden. But Boyden beat Carson.
285
My pick: Harry Turner (Howell)
What happened: Turner did make it to the final. But he was beaten 4-3 by Manchester sophomore Jimmy Lawson.
The Ville, The Brook and Wayne Hicks
Bound Brook and Somerville were tied for the lead for most state champions in Somerset County at 15 for about 55 minutes Sunday afternoon.
Bound Brook freshman 189-pounder Andrew Campolattano and Bergen Catholic's Jon Becker were the first to wrestle Sunday at the NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament since a random draw was used for the first time.
Campolattano won 4-2 to deliver BBHS its 15th state champ, but about an hour later, Somerville senior Jim Kirchner won the 125-pound title in overtime with a thrilling 14-12 overtime win over Washington Township junior Anthony Curcio.
That gave Somerville its 16th state champion and first since Wayne Hicks won at 115 pounds in 1962. Hicks was a two-time state champ, having won at 106 in 1961.
For those looking for ironies -- Kirchner's mother, Paulette, is a Bound Brook High graduate, his uncle, Jim Lopa, wrestled for the Crusaders and Anthony Curcio is the name of a former Bound Brook mayor.
Bound Brook freshman 189-pounder Andrew Campolattano and Bergen Catholic's Jon Becker were the first to wrestle Sunday at the NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament since a random draw was used for the first time.
Campolattano won 4-2 to deliver BBHS its 15th state champ, but about an hour later, Somerville senior Jim Kirchner won the 125-pound title in overtime with a thrilling 14-12 overtime win over Washington Township junior Anthony Curcio.
That gave Somerville its 16th state champion and first since Wayne Hicks won at 115 pounds in 1962. Hicks was a two-time state champ, having won at 106 in 1961.
For those looking for ironies -- Kirchner's mother, Paulette, is a Bound Brook High graduate, his uncle, Jim Lopa, wrestled for the Crusaders and Anthony Curcio is the name of a former Bound Brook mayor.
Keep em coming
Numbers that is...
Consider -- District 17 had one - ONE! -- place winner at the NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament. And where was he from? Hopewell Valley. Senior George Saliba was fourth at 189. Good for HoVal and Mercer County, but for District 17? Not good.
Hunterdon County didn't have a single place winner, something that wasn't entirely surprising. Delaware Valley senior 135 pounder Rich Gebert was the closest to making it. Gebert lost to Highland's Matt Catalano 6-5 in the quarterfinals. He would have been in the semifinals and would have sealed at least a fifth/sixth place.
Gebert was beaten 5-1 by Franklin freshman Colin Hewitt in a wrestleback and eliminated from medal contention. Hewitt beat Gebert for the region title a week ago Saturday.
Consider -- District 17 had one - ONE! -- place winner at the NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament. And where was he from? Hopewell Valley. Senior George Saliba was fourth at 189. Good for HoVal and Mercer County, but for District 17? Not good.
Hunterdon County didn't have a single place winner, something that wasn't entirely surprising. Delaware Valley senior 135 pounder Rich Gebert was the closest to making it. Gebert lost to Highland's Matt Catalano 6-5 in the quarterfinals. He would have been in the semifinals and would have sealed at least a fifth/sixth place.
Gebert was beaten 5-1 by Franklin freshman Colin Hewitt in a wrestleback and eliminated from medal contention. Hewitt beat Gebert for the region title a week ago Saturday.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
AMAZING PART II
Somerville has a state champ for the first time since 1962!
Senior 125-pounder Jim Kirchner won a wild, wild 14-12 overtime final over Washington Township junior Anthony Curcio. Kirchner, Somerville's all-time winningest wrestler with 132 wins, became the Pioneers' first state champ since 1962 when Wayne Hicks won at 106 pounds.
Somerset County is in position to have three state champions for the first time since 1974 when Ernie VanNess (Bridgewater-Raritan West), Dave Specian (Manville) and Tim Farrell (Bernards) were champions.
Sunday's attendance at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall was 10,844 -- and 39, 883 for the three days.
Senior 125-pounder Jim Kirchner won a wild, wild 14-12 overtime final over Washington Township junior Anthony Curcio. Kirchner, Somerville's all-time winningest wrestler with 132 wins, became the Pioneers' first state champ since 1962 when Wayne Hicks won at 106 pounds.
Somerset County is in position to have three state champions for the first time since 1974 when Ernie VanNess (Bridgewater-Raritan West), Dave Specian (Manville) and Tim Farrell (Bernards) were champions.
Sunday's attendance at Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall was 10,844 -- and 39, 883 for the three days.
CAMPOLATTANO WINS 189 title
Bound Brook freshman Andrew Campolattano won the 189-pound state championship by beating Bergen Catholic's Jon Becker 4-2. Camp is BBHS's 15th state wrestling champ. He scored a takedown with 1:30 left in the first period, but was reversed by Becker in the second period. Camp got two escapes and was able to defend two deep single leg shots by Becker along the way.
He finishes his season with 43-0 record. Amazing.
He finishes his season with 43-0 record. Amazing.
189
that's what weight was pulled from the random draw by State Association Executive Director Steve Timko. That means Bound Brook freshman Andrew Campolattano will start off the event with opponent Jon Becker of Bergen Catholic.
Camp told us during the wrestleback rounds that he wrestled Becker during the summer. He said he had sucess against Becker in Greco Roman, but that Becker beat him in freestyle.
We'll see.
Camp told us during the wrestleback rounds that he wrestled Becker during the summer. He said he had sucess against Becker in Greco Roman, but that Becker beat him in freestyle.
We'll see.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
ABSECON AT NIGHT
Well, we have 3 finalists -- Somerville senior 125-pounder Jim Kirchner, Watchung Hills junior 171-pounder Brendan Ard and Bound Brook freshman 189-pounder Andrew Campolattano.
Can they all win? Campolattano has wrestled Bergen Catholic's Jon Becker during the summer. Kirchner wrestles Anthony Curcio of Washington Township. The way Kirchner is wrestling, does it really matter who he's got in the final?
Ard wrestles Dan Seidenberg of Raritan.
I'm predicting 3 local champs...
How's this? Somerset County has 3 finalists -- Hunterdon County will have not one place winner. Mercer County has one in Hopewell Valley 189-pounder George Saliba. You need to go back a very, very long time to find out the last time Hunterdon County didn't have a place winner.
Atlantic City may be the best place to host this tournament, but I do know that those that run the Prudential Center in Newark would like to host it some day.
If you ever get to downtown Absecon, please try the Phoenix Diner. Good turkey clubs, BLTS, grilled cheese sandwiches and soups...:)
Can they all win? Campolattano has wrestled Bergen Catholic's Jon Becker during the summer. Kirchner wrestles Anthony Curcio of Washington Township. The way Kirchner is wrestling, does it really matter who he's got in the final?
Ard wrestles Dan Seidenberg of Raritan.
I'm predicting 3 local champs...
How's this? Somerset County has 3 finalists -- Hunterdon County will have not one place winner. Mercer County has one in Hopewell Valley 189-pounder George Saliba. You need to go back a very, very long time to find out the last time Hunterdon County didn't have a place winner.
Atlantic City may be the best place to host this tournament, but I do know that those that run the Prudential Center in Newark would like to host it some day.
If you ever get to downtown Absecon, please try the Phoenix Diner. Good turkey clubs, BLTS, grilled cheese sandwiches and soups...:)
Colin Hewitt
Colin Hewitt, Franklin's fine 135-pound freshman, has clinched being Franklin's third state tournament placewinner since 1980. Hewitt, who is currently wrestling in the wrestleback rounds, can wrestle up to third place. He will join Chris Marino (third place at heavyweight in 1983) and Kevin Arline (sixth place at heavyweight in 1988) as Warrior state place winners.
AC, RAIN AND RIDING
One of the things I've seen here durng the first two days of the NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament is outstanding riding skills. Whether it's legs or just body to body, wrestlers have been able to keep their opponents down and win close bouts
Both Somerville senior Jimmy Kirchner and Watchung Hills junior Brendan Ard at 125 and 171 respectively are in the semifinals in large part because of it. But they aren't alone.
"I don't know what it is, but I think guys are doing it to prepare for college,'' Kirchner said. "Leg riding is a art. But I don't particularly like legs. I'm just a guy who'll ride you hard. I don't like to give up points. I don't like to let them up. I like top. It's fun.''
Kirchner rode defending state champ Joe Trause of Bergen Catholic for the entire second period in the state quarterfinal before winning 4-2 in overtime. He also heard cries to cut Lakeland's Colton Chalkley in a state pre-quarterfinal third period as time was running out, but tilt Chalkley with six seconds to win 9-8.
"I'm confident with being on top,'' Kirchner said. ""Those two or three points down here are gonna win you some matches.""
Ard beat zenior Kyle Hess of Cinnaminson 1-0 to advance into the semifinals. Ard was third at 160 last year. He also blanked Middletown North's Justin Persico 5-0 in the state pre-quarterfinals Friday night.
Ard rode Hess out for the entire third period.
"One of my goals down here is to ride a guy out, it'll make it tough for the other guy to win,'' Ard said. "I'm tryiing to stay dominant. If I'm winning 1-0 mentally, you see a zero up there an dyou know you can shut the kid down. you have to be mentally focused, keep on moving and be confident. Hess was moretough to move, more square bodies, but anyway to win ..''
Bound Brook freshman Andrew Campolattano won a memorable 6-5 win over top seed Tyler Smith of Belvidere in the 189-pound state quarterfinals.
"I just stuck to my game plan. I told Andrew (Flanagan)I was going to wear and tear and (hand) fight for a a minute thiry and then open up with shots when there were 30 seconds left,'' said Campolattano, 41-0.
Camp scored on a double leg, then rode Smith out for the rest of the period. Smith deferred in the second period and Camp escaped to make it 3-0. He scored another takedown on the edge in the third period.
"He's really funky on bottom.I couldn't really ride him,'' Campolattano said. "I knew he had a good single and he did cradles.''
Both Somerville senior Jimmy Kirchner and Watchung Hills junior Brendan Ard at 125 and 171 respectively are in the semifinals in large part because of it. But they aren't alone.
"I don't know what it is, but I think guys are doing it to prepare for college,'' Kirchner said. "Leg riding is a art. But I don't particularly like legs. I'm just a guy who'll ride you hard. I don't like to give up points. I don't like to let them up. I like top. It's fun.''
Kirchner rode defending state champ Joe Trause of Bergen Catholic for the entire second period in the state quarterfinal before winning 4-2 in overtime. He also heard cries to cut Lakeland's Colton Chalkley in a state pre-quarterfinal third period as time was running out, but tilt Chalkley with six seconds to win 9-8.
"I'm confident with being on top,'' Kirchner said. ""Those two or three points down here are gonna win you some matches.""
Ard beat zenior Kyle Hess of Cinnaminson 1-0 to advance into the semifinals. Ard was third at 160 last year. He also blanked Middletown North's Justin Persico 5-0 in the state pre-quarterfinals Friday night.
Ard rode Hess out for the entire third period.
"One of my goals down here is to ride a guy out, it'll make it tough for the other guy to win,'' Ard said. "I'm tryiing to stay dominant. If I'm winning 1-0 mentally, you see a zero up there an dyou know you can shut the kid down. you have to be mentally focused, keep on moving and be confident. Hess was moretough to move, more square bodies, but anyway to win ..''
Bound Brook freshman Andrew Campolattano won a memorable 6-5 win over top seed Tyler Smith of Belvidere in the 189-pound state quarterfinals.
"I just stuck to my game plan. I told Andrew (Flanagan)I was going to wear and tear and (hand) fight for a a minute thiry and then open up with shots when there were 30 seconds left,'' said Campolattano, 41-0.
Camp scored on a double leg, then rode Smith out for the rest of the period. Smith deferred in the second period and Camp escaped to make it 3-0. He scored another takedown on the edge in the third period.
"He's really funky on bottom.I couldn't really ride him,'' Campolattano said. "I knew he had a good single and he did cradles.''
KIRCHNER
Somerville senior 125-pounder Jimmy Kirchner continued his great run in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Wrestling Tournament Saturday morning with a 4-2 overtime win over Bergen Catholic's defending state champion Joe Trause.
Kirchner becomes the first Somerville wrestler since Allan Van Ness in 2003 to reach the semifinals
"I just kept driving him and driving him,'' said Kirchner, who lost to Trause in the pre-quarterfinal round last year.
Trause scored a takedown off a high single early in the first period but Kirchner escaped with 47 seconds left. Trause got in deep with another single late in the period, but Kirchner was able to keep his feet and the period ended 2-1.
Kirchner rode Trause out for the entire second period to keep it tied, then got out in he third to tie it at two.. He then scored a takedown in overtime to win it.
"He tried to do it again (the second single in the first period), but I controlled that one side,'' Kirchner said. "I tried to control that one side because I knew he'd try to shoot that way.''
Kirchner becomes the first Somerville wrestler since Allan Van Ness in 2003 to reach the semifinals
"I just kept driving him and driving him,'' said Kirchner, who lost to Trause in the pre-quarterfinal round last year.
Trause scored a takedown off a high single early in the first period but Kirchner escaped with 47 seconds left. Trause got in deep with another single late in the period, but Kirchner was able to keep his feet and the period ended 2-1.
Kirchner rode Trause out for the entire second period to keep it tied, then got out in he third to tie it at two.. He then scored a takedown in overtime to win it.
"He tried to do it again (the second single in the first period), but I controlled that one side,'' Kirchner said. "I tried to control that one side because I knew he'd try to shoot that way.''
Friday, March 07, 2008
33=14=7
We started with 33 wrestlers in contention for a state title, was reduced to 14 for the state prequarters and now just seven remain for Saturday' NJSIAA State Wrestling Tournamnt quarterfinals. We had 12 the past two years and 15 in 05.
Pete Terrezza (New Providence, 112), Jimmy Kirchner (Somerville, 125), Rich Gebert (Delaware Valley, 135), Nick LaFevre (Delaware Valley, 140), Mike Dessino (Middlesex, 152), Brendan Ard (Watchung Hills, 171) and Andrew Campolattano (Bound Brook, 189)....
Who has the best chance of advancing to Saturday evening's semifinal?
Terrezza has to wrestle top seed Joey Langel of Howell in quarterfinals. Kirchner, who surprised previously unbeaten Colton Chalkley of Lakeland in the pre-quarters, gets returning state champ Joe Trause of Bergen Catholic. Gebert wrestles Highland Regional junior Matt Catalano and LaFevre gets returning state champ Trevor Melde of DePaul in a 140-pound quarterfinal. Dessino draws Pennsville's Dustin Deckard. Dessino was eighth at 152 last year.
Campolattano will wrestle Belvider's Tyler Smith, who was the state runnerup at 189 last year. Ard, a third-place finisher last year at 160, will meet Cinnaminson's Kyle Hess in the quarters.
Wrestleback wrestlers number (9):
Erik Biago (Montgomery, 103), Bobby Stevely (Delaware Valley, 112), Nick Heilmann (South Plainfield, 119), Kevin Catullo (North Hunterdon, 130), Colin Hewitt (Franklin, 135), Nick Vallone (South Plainfield, 145), Mike Hafke (Voorhees, 145), Wayne Hampton (Bridgewater-Raritan, 160), Jeramie Powell (Piscataway, 285).
Stevely, Hewitt, Hafke, Hampton and Powell were Region 5 champs. Vallone won the Region 3 tile.
Pete Terrezza (New Providence, 112), Jimmy Kirchner (Somerville, 125), Rich Gebert (Delaware Valley, 135), Nick LaFevre (Delaware Valley, 140), Mike Dessino (Middlesex, 152), Brendan Ard (Watchung Hills, 171) and Andrew Campolattano (Bound Brook, 189)....
Who has the best chance of advancing to Saturday evening's semifinal?
Terrezza has to wrestle top seed Joey Langel of Howell in quarterfinals. Kirchner, who surprised previously unbeaten Colton Chalkley of Lakeland in the pre-quarters, gets returning state champ Joe Trause of Bergen Catholic. Gebert wrestles Highland Regional junior Matt Catalano and LaFevre gets returning state champ Trevor Melde of DePaul in a 140-pound quarterfinal. Dessino draws Pennsville's Dustin Deckard. Dessino was eighth at 152 last year.
Campolattano will wrestle Belvider's Tyler Smith, who was the state runnerup at 189 last year. Ard, a third-place finisher last year at 160, will meet Cinnaminson's Kyle Hess in the quarters.
Wrestleback wrestlers number (9):
Erik Biago (Montgomery, 103), Bobby Stevely (Delaware Valley, 112), Nick Heilmann (South Plainfield, 119), Kevin Catullo (North Hunterdon, 130), Colin Hewitt (Franklin, 135), Nick Vallone (South Plainfield, 145), Mike Hafke (Voorhees, 145), Wayne Hampton (Bridgewater-Raritan, 160), Jeramie Powell (Piscataway, 285).
Stevely, Hewitt, Hafke, Hampton and Powell were Region 5 champs. Vallone won the Region 3 tile.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
33
33 of our wrestlers remain alive for this weekend's state tournament at Atlantic City.
Here's a breakdown by class:
Freshman (3): Colin Hewitt (Franklin, 135), Dawud Hicks (Plainfield, 152), Andrew Campolattano (Bound Brook, 189),
Sophomores (6) : Erik Biago (Montgomery, 103), Bobby Stevely (Delaware Valley, 112), Brian Bistis (Hunterdon Central, 112), Nick Heilmann (South Plainfield, 119), Jerry Somma (Hunterdon Central, 140), Mike Hafke (Voorhees, 145)
Juniors (11): Tom Reynolds (Montgomery, 119), John Barnes (Westfield, 125), Gabe Gleason (Bound Brook, 130), Eric Norgard (Middlesex, 135), Nestor Taffur (Bound Brook, 135), Nick Vallone (South Plainfield, 145), Mike Dessino (Middlesex, 152), Brendan Ard (Watchung Hills, 171), Jon Conroy (South Plainfield, 189), Jeramie Powell (Piscataway, 285), Joe Kania (Westfield, 285)
Seniors (13): Vin Zaccardi (Middlesex, 103), Peter Terrezza (New Providence, 112), Jimmy Kirchner (Somerville, 125), KEVIN Catullo (North Hunterdon, 130), Rich Gebert (Delaware Valley, 135), Nick LaFevre (Delaware Valley, 140), Matt Ellery (Middlesex, 145), Trevor Cannon (Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 152), Luke Dawson (Hillsborough, 152), Wayne Hampton (Bridgewater-Raritan, 160), Mark Wagner (South Plainfield, 160), Kent Woolf (Hunterdon Central, 171), Colin Curzi (North Hunterdon, 285)...
10 from Somerset County
9 from Hunterdon County
9 from Middlesex County (South Plainfield, Piscataway and Middlesex)
5 from Union County (New Providence, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Westfield)
Here's a breakdown by class:
Freshman (3): Colin Hewitt (Franklin, 135), Dawud Hicks (Plainfield, 152), Andrew Campolattano (Bound Brook, 189),
Sophomores (6) : Erik Biago (Montgomery, 103), Bobby Stevely (Delaware Valley, 112), Brian Bistis (Hunterdon Central, 112), Nick Heilmann (South Plainfield, 119), Jerry Somma (Hunterdon Central, 140), Mike Hafke (Voorhees, 145)
Juniors (11): Tom Reynolds (Montgomery, 119), John Barnes (Westfield, 125), Gabe Gleason (Bound Brook, 130), Eric Norgard (Middlesex, 135), Nestor Taffur (Bound Brook, 135), Nick Vallone (South Plainfield, 145), Mike Dessino (Middlesex, 152), Brendan Ard (Watchung Hills, 171), Jon Conroy (South Plainfield, 189), Jeramie Powell (Piscataway, 285), Joe Kania (Westfield, 285)
Seniors (13): Vin Zaccardi (Middlesex, 103), Peter Terrezza (New Providence, 112), Jimmy Kirchner (Somerville, 125), KEVIN Catullo (North Hunterdon, 130), Rich Gebert (Delaware Valley, 135), Nick LaFevre (Delaware Valley, 140), Matt Ellery (Middlesex, 145), Trevor Cannon (Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 152), Luke Dawson (Hillsborough, 152), Wayne Hampton (Bridgewater-Raritan, 160), Mark Wagner (South Plainfield, 160), Kent Woolf (Hunterdon Central, 171), Colin Curzi (North Hunterdon, 285)...
10 from Somerset County
9 from Hunterdon County
9 from Middlesex County (South Plainfield, Piscataway and Middlesex)
5 from Union County (New Providence, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Westfield)
Monday, March 03, 2008
The qualifiers
Area qualifiers and their first matches
103
Erik Biago (Montgomery) vs. Darryl Albonico (St. Joseph Montvale), preliminary
Vinny Zaccardi (Middlesex) vs. Dan Miller (Haddon Heights), preliminary
112
Bobby Stevely (Del Val) vs. Joey Langel (Howell), pre-quarterfinal
Pete Terrezza (New Providence) vs. winner of James Higgins (Washington Township)-Nick Adamo (Demarest). Terrezza will wrestle the winner in the prequarterfinals
Brian Bistis (Hunterdon Central) vs. Mike Beradesco (Ocean Township), preliminary
119
Tom Reynolds (Montgomery) vs. Chris Rankin (Bergenfield), preliminary
Nick Heilmann (South Plainfield) vs. Rick Dellanno (Passaic Valley), preliminary
125
John Barnes (Westfield) vs. Tyler Forbeck (High Point), preliminary
Jim Kirchner (Somerville) vs. Colton Chalkley (Lakeland), pre-quarterfinal
130
KEVIN Catullo (North Hunterdon) vs. Glenn Ulrich (Garfield), preliminary
Gabe Gleason (Bound Brook) vs. Zach Kane (Livingston), preliminary
135
Eric Norgard (Middlesex) vs. Joe Gaccione (High Point), preliminary
Colin Hewitt (Franklin) vs. Matt Spataro (Bergen Catholic), pre-quarterfinal
Rich Gebert (Delaware Valley) vs. Nick Digablo (St. Augustine, preliminary
Nestor Taffur (Bound Brook) vs. Dan Butcher (Westwood), preliminary
140
Nick LaFevre (Delaware Valley) vs. Mike Trasso (Queen of Peace), pre-quarterfinal
Jerry Somma (Hunterdon Central)vs. Troy Hernandez (Kittatinny), preliminary
145
Nick Vallone (South Plainfield) vs. Sean Byrnes (Jackson), pre-quarterfinals
Mike Hafke (Voorhees) vs. Gavin Tarsa (High Point), pre-quarterfinals
Matt Ellery (Middlesex) vs. Mike Digalbo (St. Augustine), preliminary
152
Dawud Hicks (Plainfield) vs. Brian Dack (Don Bosco Prep), preliminary
Trevor Cannon (Scotch Plains-Fanwood) vs. Bobby Moat (Dumont), preliminary
Luke Dawson (Hillsborough) vs. Brian Broderick (Southern), preliiminary
Mike Dessino (Middlesex) vs. Jon Rizzitello (Paramus)
160
Wayne Hampton (Bridgewater-Raritan) vs. Scott Kelly (Sacred Heart), pre-quarterfinals
Mark Wagner (South Plainfield) vs. Joe Favia (Christian Brothers), preliminary
171
Brendan Ard (Watchung Hills) will face winner of Justin Persico (Middletown North) and Dan Lasso (North Warren) in a pre-quarterfinal
John Lorio (Ridge) vs. Skylar Engelken (Point Pleasant Borough), preliminary
Kent Woolf (Hunterdon Central) vs. Baret Preuninger (Montclair), preliminary
189
Andrew Campolattano (Bound Brook) vs. Hany Elshiekh (Brearley), pre-quarterfinal
Jon Conroy (South Plainfield) vs. Joe Donahue (High Point), preliminary
215
Nobody
285
Jeramie Powell (Piscataway) will face Dan Suarez (New Milford)-Kyle Hopler (Mount Olive) winner in pre-quarterfinal
Colin Curzi (North Hunterdon) vs. Dan Walker (Delsea), preliminary
103
Erik Biago (Montgomery) vs. Darryl Albonico (St. Joseph Montvale), preliminary
Vinny Zaccardi (Middlesex) vs. Dan Miller (Haddon Heights), preliminary
112
Bobby Stevely (Del Val) vs. Joey Langel (Howell), pre-quarterfinal
Pete Terrezza (New Providence) vs. winner of James Higgins (Washington Township)-Nick Adamo (Demarest). Terrezza will wrestle the winner in the prequarterfinals
Brian Bistis (Hunterdon Central) vs. Mike Beradesco (Ocean Township), preliminary
119
Tom Reynolds (Montgomery) vs. Chris Rankin (Bergenfield), preliminary
Nick Heilmann (South Plainfield) vs. Rick Dellanno (Passaic Valley), preliminary
125
John Barnes (Westfield) vs. Tyler Forbeck (High Point), preliminary
Jim Kirchner (Somerville) vs. Colton Chalkley (Lakeland), pre-quarterfinal
130
KEVIN Catullo (North Hunterdon) vs. Glenn Ulrich (Garfield), preliminary
Gabe Gleason (Bound Brook) vs. Zach Kane (Livingston), preliminary
135
Eric Norgard (Middlesex) vs. Joe Gaccione (High Point), preliminary
Colin Hewitt (Franklin) vs. Matt Spataro (Bergen Catholic), pre-quarterfinal
Rich Gebert (Delaware Valley) vs. Nick Digablo (St. Augustine, preliminary
Nestor Taffur (Bound Brook) vs. Dan Butcher (Westwood), preliminary
140
Nick LaFevre (Delaware Valley) vs. Mike Trasso (Queen of Peace), pre-quarterfinal
Jerry Somma (Hunterdon Central)vs. Troy Hernandez (Kittatinny), preliminary
145
Nick Vallone (South Plainfield) vs. Sean Byrnes (Jackson), pre-quarterfinals
Mike Hafke (Voorhees) vs. Gavin Tarsa (High Point), pre-quarterfinals
Matt Ellery (Middlesex) vs. Mike Digalbo (St. Augustine), preliminary
152
Dawud Hicks (Plainfield) vs. Brian Dack (Don Bosco Prep), preliminary
Trevor Cannon (Scotch Plains-Fanwood) vs. Bobby Moat (Dumont), preliminary
Luke Dawson (Hillsborough) vs. Brian Broderick (Southern), preliiminary
Mike Dessino (Middlesex) vs. Jon Rizzitello (Paramus)
160
Wayne Hampton (Bridgewater-Raritan) vs. Scott Kelly (Sacred Heart), pre-quarterfinals
Mark Wagner (South Plainfield) vs. Joe Favia (Christian Brothers), preliminary
171
Brendan Ard (Watchung Hills) will face winner of Justin Persico (Middletown North) and Dan Lasso (North Warren) in a pre-quarterfinal
John Lorio (Ridge) vs. Skylar Engelken (Point Pleasant Borough), preliminary
Kent Woolf (Hunterdon Central) vs. Baret Preuninger (Montclair), preliminary
189
Andrew Campolattano (Bound Brook) vs. Hany Elshiekh (Brearley), pre-quarterfinal
Jon Conroy (South Plainfield) vs. Joe Donahue (High Point), preliminary
215
Nobody
285
Jeramie Powell (Piscataway) will face Dan Suarez (New Milford)-Kyle Hopler (Mount Olive) winner in pre-quarterfinal
Colin Curzi (North Hunterdon) vs. Dan Walker (Delsea), preliminary
CAMP AND SMITH IN TOP BRACKET
Just got a copy of the NJSIAA State Wrestling Tournament brackets and I noticed that Bound Brook freshman Andrew Campolattano and Belvidere senior Tyler Smith are in the top bracket at 189. Smith, beaten 7-1 in last year's state final at 189 by Holy Spirit's Mac Mancuso, will face the winner of the Billy George (Long Branch)-Nick Zurla (Rutherford) bout in the pre-quarterfinal round.
Campolattano, 39-0, will face Brearley senior Hany Elshiekh (36-3) in the pre-quarterfinals. If Campolattano and Smith win, we'll get Smith-Campolattano in the state quarterfinals.
Smith and Camp missed each other when Belvidere wrestled a dual meet at Bound Brook last month.
Campolattano, 39-0, will face Brearley senior Hany Elshiekh (36-3) in the pre-quarterfinals. If Campolattano and Smith win, we'll get Smith-Campolattano in the state quarterfinals.
Smith and Camp missed each other when Belvidere wrestled a dual meet at Bound Brook last month.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
LaFevre,Hafke,Hampton, Kirchner..
Most unheralded Region 5 champs Saturday?
Voorhees second-seeded 145-pound sophomore Mike Hafke, second last year at 130, beat Bishop Ahr's top seeded Joe McAuley 6-2. Bridgewater-Raritan second-seeded senior Wayne Hampton, second last year at 152, won the 160-pound title by beating Perth Amboy top seed Craig Battista. Battista had two first period falls to advance to the final, while Hampton beat Old Bridge junior Trevor Haughney 2-1 in the semifinal.
McAuley, a Dunellen resident, placed seventh in the state last year after having been the Region 5 outstanding wrestler.
""I saw Joe at states last year and I was impressed with him, he's really good, but I watched his style more and more and I picked out some flaws,'' Hafke said. ""I've had so much support. My whole family and friends never stopped supporting me."
Hafke had some shoulder injuries early on. He said last year's experience in the region final helped me.
"It gave me a lot of confidence and experience, going into the regions last year and being in the finals, I was kind of nervous, but this year I was more relaxed and used to the surroundings,'' Hafke said.
By the way, Hafke joins an esteemed group of Voorhees wrestlers who won region titles as sophomores. Only four have done it. The others were Dan Moody, Glenn Hall and Eric Hall. Moody and Glenn Hall were state champs and Eric was a runnerup.
The top seeded Kirchner, whose uncle Jim Lopa was formidable wrestler at Bound Brook, placed third two times at the region before winning the 125-pound title Saturday. He blanked South River junior Adam Mongelli 5-0.
"I'm escatic right now, I'm just so happy. I feel like a million bucks. I had so much fun. It's the best time in my life,'' Kirchner said. "In the beginning (of the match) I was feeling the kid out, once you get that first shot, once you get those first points -- that was big.
Kirchner had a takedown at the edge to seal the win in the third period.
"Right when I had that single, I stepped back at first to see if he'd come back in,'' he said. "He wouldn't come back in, so I dove for that and I got it. I wasn't sure at first if I got it, but I did. I had his one leg and brought him back in to see if he wanted to come back in. He wouldn't come back in, so I just dove."
Like Hafke, Kirchner relied on the experience of having been here before.
"Being somewhere before and coming here three straight years makes it like like second nature,'' Kirchner said.
LaFevre, a top seed at 140, was beasten in the region semifnals last year, then didn't qualify as he placed fourth. This year, he made it by beating Sayreville's Ramon Santiago 4-1.
""Whoever I have to wrestle it doesn't matter, when I go in there I'm going to give it all I have,'' LeFevre said. "I'm feeling extremely confident in what I'm doing right now. I'm feeling better and better.''
Voorhees second-seeded 145-pound sophomore Mike Hafke, second last year at 130, beat Bishop Ahr's top seeded Joe McAuley 6-2. Bridgewater-Raritan second-seeded senior Wayne Hampton, second last year at 152, won the 160-pound title by beating Perth Amboy top seed Craig Battista. Battista had two first period falls to advance to the final, while Hampton beat Old Bridge junior Trevor Haughney 2-1 in the semifinal.
McAuley, a Dunellen resident, placed seventh in the state last year after having been the Region 5 outstanding wrestler.
""I saw Joe at states last year and I was impressed with him, he's really good, but I watched his style more and more and I picked out some flaws,'' Hafke said. ""I've had so much support. My whole family and friends never stopped supporting me."
Hafke had some shoulder injuries early on. He said last year's experience in the region final helped me.
"It gave me a lot of confidence and experience, going into the regions last year and being in the finals, I was kind of nervous, but this year I was more relaxed and used to the surroundings,'' Hafke said.
By the way, Hafke joins an esteemed group of Voorhees wrestlers who won region titles as sophomores. Only four have done it. The others were Dan Moody, Glenn Hall and Eric Hall. Moody and Glenn Hall were state champs and Eric was a runnerup.
The top seeded Kirchner, whose uncle Jim Lopa was formidable wrestler at Bound Brook, placed third two times at the region before winning the 125-pound title Saturday. He blanked South River junior Adam Mongelli 5-0.
"I'm escatic right now, I'm just so happy. I feel like a million bucks. I had so much fun. It's the best time in my life,'' Kirchner said. "In the beginning (of the match) I was feeling the kid out, once you get that first shot, once you get those first points -- that was big.
Kirchner had a takedown at the edge to seal the win in the third period.
"Right when I had that single, I stepped back at first to see if he'd come back in,'' he said. "He wouldn't come back in, so I dove for that and I got it. I wasn't sure at first if I got it, but I did. I had his one leg and brought him back in to see if he wanted to come back in. He wouldn't come back in, so I just dove."
Like Hafke, Kirchner relied on the experience of having been here before.
"Being somewhere before and coming here three straight years makes it like like second nature,'' Kirchner said.
LaFevre, a top seed at 140, was beasten in the region semifnals last year, then didn't qualify as he placed fourth. This year, he made it by beating Sayreville's Ramon Santiago 4-1.
""Whoever I have to wrestle it doesn't matter, when I go in there I'm going to give it all I have,'' LeFevre said. "I'm feeling extremely confident in what I'm doing right now. I'm feeling better and better.''
(a whole bunch) of Region 5 leftovers (your name might be here!)
So many stories happen at region tournaments, it's hard to fit them into one story Sunday, so here's some leftovers...
Franklin freshman 135-pounder Colin Hewitt is not only winning championships, but he's also notching outstanding wrestler awards as he goes along. He won the District 18 title and OW by beating Bound Brook's Nestor Taffur 13-2 last week, then he won the Region 5 title with a 6-2 win over Delaware Valley's Rich Gebert. Hewitt doesn't look like a wrestler. He's tall and rangy. He looks more like a basketball player, but the kid is solid and smart wrestler. He also has a sense of humor.
"Some of the kids (he has wrestled) look at me, laugh at me and then I just go out and kill em,'' said Hewitt, who estimates that he has wrestled 200 bouts in a season.
Hewitt went through a very difficult weight class. Gebert was a third-place finisher last year. Taffur rebounded to place third by beating Notre Dame's Dave Decamp, who came into the tournament with a 37-0 record and a second seed. DeCamp was also the District 17 Outstanding Wrestler. Taffur pinned Greater Middlesex Conference champ Dan Keiser to place third.
Montgomery's Erik Biago (103) and Tom Reynolds (119) became the Cougars first-ever state tournament qualifiers in back-to-back bouts on the same mat. Both were third. Biago hit a switch with 30 seconds left in regulation to beat Hunterdon Central sophomore Spencer Parcel 6-4. Reynolds, the sixth seed, beat Tony Fusco, the third-seed from North Hunterdon, to take third. Reynolds won 7-3 and also beat Fusco 4-2 in a quarterfinal round match.
Ridge senior 171-pounder John Lorio hit two milestones Saturday afternoon. By taking third, he became the first Red Devil to qualify for the state tournament since 1996 when Bruce Kim and Hosh Ishikawa did it. He also won his 37th bout of the season, which is a Red Devil record. He broke the former record of 36 set by two-time state champion John Welch.
Lorio scored a takedown 27 seconds into sudden death to beat North Hunterdon's Dan Shust to place third.
Mercer County schools had seven champions in the District 17 Tournament a week ago Saturday. Region 5 was an entirely different story. Hopewell Valley's 189-pounder George Saliba was the only Mercer County wrestler to place, taking third. Amazing.
Franklin freshman 135-pounder Colin Hewitt is not only winning championships, but he's also notching outstanding wrestler awards as he goes along. He won the District 18 title and OW by beating Bound Brook's Nestor Taffur 13-2 last week, then he won the Region 5 title with a 6-2 win over Delaware Valley's Rich Gebert. Hewitt doesn't look like a wrestler. He's tall and rangy. He looks more like a basketball player, but the kid is solid and smart wrestler. He also has a sense of humor.
"Some of the kids (he has wrestled) look at me, laugh at me and then I just go out and kill em,'' said Hewitt, who estimates that he has wrestled 200 bouts in a season.
Hewitt went through a very difficult weight class. Gebert was a third-place finisher last year. Taffur rebounded to place third by beating Notre Dame's Dave Decamp, who came into the tournament with a 37-0 record and a second seed. DeCamp was also the District 17 Outstanding Wrestler. Taffur pinned Greater Middlesex Conference champ Dan Keiser to place third.
Montgomery's Erik Biago (103) and Tom Reynolds (119) became the Cougars first-ever state tournament qualifiers in back-to-back bouts on the same mat. Both were third. Biago hit a switch with 30 seconds left in regulation to beat Hunterdon Central sophomore Spencer Parcel 6-4. Reynolds, the sixth seed, beat Tony Fusco, the third-seed from North Hunterdon, to take third. Reynolds won 7-3 and also beat Fusco 4-2 in a quarterfinal round match.
Ridge senior 171-pounder John Lorio hit two milestones Saturday afternoon. By taking third, he became the first Red Devil to qualify for the state tournament since 1996 when Bruce Kim and Hosh Ishikawa did it. He also won his 37th bout of the season, which is a Red Devil record. He broke the former record of 36 set by two-time state champion John Welch.
Lorio scored a takedown 27 seconds into sudden death to beat North Hunterdon's Dan Shust to place third.
Mercer County schools had seven champions in the District 17 Tournament a week ago Saturday. Region 5 was an entirely different story. Hopewell Valley's 189-pounder George Saliba was the only Mercer County wrestler to place, taking third. Amazing.
Andrew Camp's birthdate is here for inspection
Bound Brook freshman 189-pounder ANDREW CAMPOLATTANO was born Jan. 9, 1992. He will turn 19 his senior year -- he will be eligible all four years. I've been asked that question 13 times this season. So everybody knows. I've suggested to Andrew that he wear a t-shirt with his birthdate written across it at Atlantic City this weekend....
Bound Brook assistant coach Marty Gleason has Andrew's birth certificate for inspection..
As for Campolattano's match with Sayreville's Mike Knight in the Region 5 final. Campolottano, 39-0, was taken down and trailed 2-1 after one period, but pinned Knight at 3:19.
""I came out sloppy at the beginning of the match and got taken down, I got my escape -- but then as soon as he started to lay there I knew I was going to turn him,'' Campolattano said. "I got a leg in and stuck a half in deep real quick. He bridged up and I stepped over and pinned him. That's what I needed.''
Bound Brook assistant coach Marty Gleason has Andrew's birth certificate for inspection..
As for Campolattano's match with Sayreville's Mike Knight in the Region 5 final. Campolottano, 39-0, was taken down and trailed 2-1 after one period, but pinned Knight at 3:19.
""I came out sloppy at the beginning of the match and got taken down, I got my escape -- but then as soon as he started to lay there I knew I was going to turn him,'' Campolattano said. "I got a leg in and stuck a half in deep real quick. He bridged up and I stepped over and pinned him. That's what I needed.''
Saturday, March 01, 2008
REGION 5 TIDBITS
District 20 leads with nine finalists at Region 5, followed by eight from District 17, six from 19 and five from 18. Two freshman have made the region finals -- Franklin's Colin Hewitt at 135 and Bound Brook's Andrew C ampolattano at 189.
There will be two district rematches in the region final -- Hunterdon Central's Brian Bistis will wrestle Delaware Valley's Bobby Stevely at 112 in a District 17 rematch and South Brunswick's Dave Armheim and Monroe's Jake Nale at 215 will present a District 20 rematch. Bistis and Armheim were district champs.
North Hunterdon's 119-pounder Tony Fusco, pinned by Voorhees' Mike Moriarty in the District 17 final, beat Moriarty 8-6 in a region wrestleback semifinal.
There will be two district rematches in the region final -- Hunterdon Central's Brian Bistis will wrestle Delaware Valley's Bobby Stevely at 112 in a District 17 rematch and South Brunswick's Dave Armheim and Monroe's Jake Nale at 215 will present a District 20 rematch. Bistis and Armheim were district champs.
North Hunterdon's 119-pounder Tony Fusco, pinned by Voorhees' Mike Moriarty in the District 17 final, beat Moriarty 8-6 in a region wrestleback semifinal.
Region 5 Saturday
Semifnals
103
Quintana (Perth Amboy) d. S. Parcel (Hunterdon Central) 7-2; Conor Hayes (Old Bridge) d. Erik Biago (Montgomery) 8-4
wrestlebacks
Peterson (Edison) d. Jensen (Monroe) 7-3; Anderson (Sayreville) p. Buttitta (Kennedy) 5:00
112
Bistis (Hunterdon Central) d.Delacruz (Bishop Ahr) 4-3; Stevely (Delaware Valley) md. DeLaNuez (Edison) 15-5
wrestlebacks
Guidice (Hillsborough) won by disqualification over Jairo Bernal (Perth Amboy), 2:58; Levandowski (North Hunterdon) md. Brendan Hodel (Monroe) 15-5
119
FrancoBandiero (Edison) d. Moriarty (Voorhees) 11-7; Emburgia (Monroe) md. Reynolds (Montgomery) 12-0;
wrestlebacks
Schaeffer (Old Bridge) d. Shapiro (Bound Brook) 10-4; Fusco (North Hunterdon) md. Santiago (Sayreville) 12-4
125
Jim Kirchner (Somerville) d. Andrew Roberto (Notre Dame) 5-3; Adam Mongelli (South River) d. Chris Kane (North Hunterdon) 10-7
wrestlebacks
Rosocha (Delaware Valley) d. Doerr (Bound Brook) 8-3; Peterson (Edison) d. Ronan (Sayreville) 14-10
130
KEVIN Catullo (North Hunterdon) d. Gleason (Bound Brook) 6-4; Giusti (Old Bridge) d. D. Powell (Piscataway) 8-2
wrestlebacks
Steinbeiser (Delaware Valley) d. Leva (Notre Dame) 3-1; Buttita (Kenney) p. Thiele (Bishop Ahr) 2:21
135
Gebert (Delaware Valley) d. Keiser (Stevens) 3-2; Hewitt (Franklin) d. DeCamp (Notre Dame) 6-3
Wrestlebacks
Taffur (Bound Brook) p. Martinez (Perth Amboy) 5:36; Boulton (Sayreville0 d. Saley (Monroe) 4-3;
140
LaFevre (Delaware Valley) d. Somma (Hunterdon Central); Santiago (Sayreville0 p. Jachim (Metuchen) 3:23
wrestlebacks
Blair (Somerville) d. Dunn (Old Bridge) 5-1; Raspa (Bishop Ahr) d. Rielly (Ridge) 10-3
145
Hafke (Voorhees) d. Sanquini (Hunterdon Central) 6-2; McCauley (Bishop Ahr) d. W. Goddiess (Hillsborough) 11-8
wrestlebacks
Kitchen (Old Bridge) d. Foor (Delaware Valley) 10-4; Deluco (Sayreville) d. Sattler (J.P. Stevens) 9-4
152
Zannetti (J.P. Stevens) d. Loftus (North Hunterdon) 5-0; Smith (South Brunswick) d. Soffer (Somerville) 7-0
Wrestlebacks
Dawson (Hillsborough) d. Sottile (Montgomery) 3-2; Adams (Piscataway) d. Matlack (Ewing) 7-4
160
Batista (Perth Amboy) p. G. Goddiess (Hillsborough) 1:58; W. Hampton (Bridgewater-Raritan) d. Haughney (Old Bridge) 2-1
Pearson (Lawrence) p. Lewis (Hunterdon Central); Jordan (Kennedy) d. Youngblood (Bernards) 3-1
171
Chris Suozzo (Old Bridge) d. Shust (North Hunterdon) 7-3; Woolf (Hunterdon Central) d. Lorio (Ridge) 1-0
Wrestlebacks
Morales (Perth Amboy) d. Fischer (Sayreville) 9-6; Leon (Hillsborough) md. Newman (J.P. Stevens) 14-5
189
Campolattano (Bound Brook) md. Lockwood (Perth Amboy) 9-1; Knight (Sayreville) d. Saliba (Hopewell Valley) 3-1;
wrestlebacks
Ryder (East Brunswick) d. A. Hampton (Bridgewater-Raritan) 7-2; Campanale (Hillsborough) won by injury dissqualification over Fodor (South River)
215
Armhein (South Bruswick) p. Szwast (Metuchen) 4:52; Nale (Monroe) d. Zafrani (Old Bridge) 1-0
wrestlebacks
Borisenko (Hillsborough) p. Farrell (Kennedy) 2:13; O'Connor (Notre Dame) d. Huff (Delaware Valley)2-0
285
J. Powell (Piscataway) d. Mackey (Somerville) 10-6; Curzi (North Hunterdon) d. Santiago (Sayreville) 4-1
wrestlebacks
Olexson (Monroe) d. Stiefken (Delaware Valley) 8-5; Perez (Perth Amboy) p. Baicher (Franklin) :34
103
Quintana (Perth Amboy) d. S. Parcel (Hunterdon Central) 7-2; Conor Hayes (Old Bridge) d. Erik Biago (Montgomery) 8-4
wrestlebacks
Peterson (Edison) d. Jensen (Monroe) 7-3; Anderson (Sayreville) p. Buttitta (Kennedy) 5:00
112
Bistis (Hunterdon Central) d.Delacruz (Bishop Ahr) 4-3; Stevely (Delaware Valley) md. DeLaNuez (Edison) 15-5
wrestlebacks
Guidice (Hillsborough) won by disqualification over Jairo Bernal (Perth Amboy), 2:58; Levandowski (North Hunterdon) md. Brendan Hodel (Monroe) 15-5
119
FrancoBandiero (Edison) d. Moriarty (Voorhees) 11-7; Emburgia (Monroe) md. Reynolds (Montgomery) 12-0;
wrestlebacks
Schaeffer (Old Bridge) d. Shapiro (Bound Brook) 10-4; Fusco (North Hunterdon) md. Santiago (Sayreville) 12-4
125
Jim Kirchner (Somerville) d. Andrew Roberto (Notre Dame) 5-3; Adam Mongelli (South River) d. Chris Kane (North Hunterdon) 10-7
wrestlebacks
Rosocha (Delaware Valley) d. Doerr (Bound Brook) 8-3; Peterson (Edison) d. Ronan (Sayreville) 14-10
130
KEVIN Catullo (North Hunterdon) d. Gleason (Bound Brook) 6-4; Giusti (Old Bridge) d. D. Powell (Piscataway) 8-2
wrestlebacks
Steinbeiser (Delaware Valley) d. Leva (Notre Dame) 3-1; Buttita (Kenney) p. Thiele (Bishop Ahr) 2:21
135
Gebert (Delaware Valley) d. Keiser (Stevens) 3-2; Hewitt (Franklin) d. DeCamp (Notre Dame) 6-3
Wrestlebacks
Taffur (Bound Brook) p. Martinez (Perth Amboy) 5:36; Boulton (Sayreville0 d. Saley (Monroe) 4-3;
140
LaFevre (Delaware Valley) d. Somma (Hunterdon Central); Santiago (Sayreville0 p. Jachim (Metuchen) 3:23
wrestlebacks
Blair (Somerville) d. Dunn (Old Bridge) 5-1; Raspa (Bishop Ahr) d. Rielly (Ridge) 10-3
145
Hafke (Voorhees) d. Sanquini (Hunterdon Central) 6-2; McCauley (Bishop Ahr) d. W. Goddiess (Hillsborough) 11-8
wrestlebacks
Kitchen (Old Bridge) d. Foor (Delaware Valley) 10-4; Deluco (Sayreville) d. Sattler (J.P. Stevens) 9-4
152
Zannetti (J.P. Stevens) d. Loftus (North Hunterdon) 5-0; Smith (South Brunswick) d. Soffer (Somerville) 7-0
Wrestlebacks
Dawson (Hillsborough) d. Sottile (Montgomery) 3-2; Adams (Piscataway) d. Matlack (Ewing) 7-4
160
Batista (Perth Amboy) p. G. Goddiess (Hillsborough) 1:58; W. Hampton (Bridgewater-Raritan) d. Haughney (Old Bridge) 2-1
Pearson (Lawrence) p. Lewis (Hunterdon Central); Jordan (Kennedy) d. Youngblood (Bernards) 3-1
171
Chris Suozzo (Old Bridge) d. Shust (North Hunterdon) 7-3; Woolf (Hunterdon Central) d. Lorio (Ridge) 1-0
Wrestlebacks
Morales (Perth Amboy) d. Fischer (Sayreville) 9-6; Leon (Hillsborough) md. Newman (J.P. Stevens) 14-5
189
Campolattano (Bound Brook) md. Lockwood (Perth Amboy) 9-1; Knight (Sayreville) d. Saliba (Hopewell Valley) 3-1;
wrestlebacks
Ryder (East Brunswick) d. A. Hampton (Bridgewater-Raritan) 7-2; Campanale (Hillsborough) won by injury dissqualification over Fodor (South River)
215
Armhein (South Bruswick) p. Szwast (Metuchen) 4:52; Nale (Monroe) d. Zafrani (Old Bridge) 1-0
wrestlebacks
Borisenko (Hillsborough) p. Farrell (Kennedy) 2:13; O'Connor (Notre Dame) d. Huff (Delaware Valley)2-0
285
J. Powell (Piscataway) d. Mackey (Somerville) 10-6; Curzi (North Hunterdon) d. Santiago (Sayreville) 4-1
wrestlebacks
Olexson (Monroe) d. Stiefken (Delaware Valley) 8-5; Perez (Perth Amboy) p. Baicher (Franklin) :34
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