Month: August 2023

23-24 Howell Preview/Possible Lineup

Howell heads into the 23-24 season as one of the top teams in group 5. They always seems to be in contention for the title when the end of the year rolls around no matter how the season started for them. 

Howell will be led by returning state qualifiers Xavier Ortega (consolation round 4), Sebastian Ortega (consolation round 4), Giovanni Scafidi (consolation round 3) and Kylie Gudewitz (3rd Girls States). Numerous wrestlers with varsity matches under their belt also return to the Howell lineup.

Newcomer to watch is Tanner Hodgins who was a 23 Tulsa National Champion. We expect to see Tanner in the lineup around 165.

You can bet the house that Coach Jon Gagliano will use the season to get the team ready for an end of season run.

106 – Mason Haultman

113 – Kylie Gudewitz

120 – Manuel Laurido

126 – Xavier Ortega

132 – Sebastian Ortega

138 – Giovanni Scafidi

144 – JJ Machnik

150 – Aidan Grant

157 – Dylan Maghan

165 – Tanner Hodgins

175 – Ray Purreli

190 – Jason Willey

215 – Dane Colfer

285 – Jaxson Campese

Phillipsburg heads into the 23-24 school year with no head coach as Brad Gentzle stepped down unexpectedly at the end of the summer. Lots of rumors about who is interested and who wants the job but nothing solid so we will not post names yet.

Even with no head coach Phillipsburg has an experienced lineup returning which is lead by two returning state place winners Luke Geleta (6th), John Wargo (7th) and Gavin Hawk who made it to consolation round 4. Other returning starters include Massimo Gonzalez, Dawson McWilliams, Gavin Geleta, Kyle Beenders, John Roth, Patrick Day, Liam Packer and Caleb Rivera

Newcomer to watch is freshman Owen Garriques who is the son of Centenary University Head Coach John Garriques.

We like Phillipsburg to contend like always for the Group 5 championship.

106 – Anthony Pettinelli
113 – Massimo Gonzalez
120 – Owen Garriques
126 – Dawson McWilliams
132 – Gavin Geleta
138 – Kyle Beenders
144 – Luke Geleta
150 – John Roth
157 – Gavin Hawk
165 – Patrick Day/Liam Packer
175 – Patrick Day/ Liam Packer
190 – Caleb Rivera
215 – Nathan Smith
285 – John Wargo

Southern comes into 23-24 after a season for the ages in 22-23. They had a state champ, a state finalist and four other state place winners. They dominated group 5 which included handing perennial power Phillipsburg one of their worst losses in history.

Southern lost a lot high quality wrestlers to graduation but they still are loaded with returning talent and incoming freshmen. Below is the projected lineup for the start of the season.

106 – Anthony Mason
113 – Sam Pari
120 – Scottie Sari
126 – Attila Vigilante
132 – Jacob Chambers
138 – Wyatt Stout
144 – Owen Parker
150 – Hayden Hochstrasser
157 – Matt Henrich
165 – Tyler Chase
175 – Levi Foote
190 – Mitch Bivona
215 – Collin French
285 – Anthony Bonacasta/Caleb Counts/Anthony Marcano

Boys Wrestler of the Month

Jayden James

Jayden went 7-0 at Fargo outscoring his opponents 79-13 to win his title. He beat current nationally ranked* wrestlers Dean Anderson (20) 8-0 in the semifinals and Manny Saldate (19) 13-7 in the finals.

Girls Wrestler of the Month

Ava Rose

Ava went 5-2 at Fargo and placed 7th. Sadly injury prevented us from seeing Ava wrestle nationally ranked** Emma Albanese (2 @ 112) in the 7th place match.

Congratulations to both wrestlers! Every NJWrestle.com Wrestler of the Month will be given a free t-shirt. Please have your parents/guardians or coach contact us with shirt size and shipping info.

*Matscouts current rankings

**Flowrestling July 7, 2023 rankings