NJSIAA State Championship Preview and Predictions
106
Cameron Stonz seemed like the surefire #1 all season until February 8th when he was defeated by fellow freshman phenom Killian Coluccio 8-5. There have been more upsets this past week when Charles Esposito avenged a past loss by locking up a cradle and pinning Oumar Tournkaka in the Region 2 finals, while Jordan Segal beat Southern’s Anthony Mason in the Region 7. Look out for Carmine Sipper of Caldwell and Alex Esposito to shake up the bracket and make a serious run for a state medal.
Dark Horse To Medal: Jr. Oumar Tounkara, Teaneck
Our Favorite First Round Match: So. Augie Szamerta (20) vs So. Michael Lamb (13)
1. Fr. Killian Coluccio, Christian Brothers Academy
2. So. Anthony Mason, Southern
3. Fr. Cameron Sontz, Delbarton
4. So. Jordan Segal, Shawnee
5. Jr. Oumar Tounkara, Teaneck
6. Jr. Tyler Hildebrandt, Williamstown
7. So. Charles Esposito, St Joe’s Montvale
8. So. Michael Daly, Cranford
113
This weight includes a World Champ, a State Champ, a State Finalist, 5 other State Medalists, 3 Blood Round Advancements, and an intriguing freshman. This may be the best weight class in the state and will be a great bracket to watch for excellent matches. Freshman #1 Paul Kenny, a world champ, will be seen as an underdog in many eyes because of a returning state championship in Old Bridge’s #3 Logan Roman. However, there is returning state finalist #4 Nathan Braun looking to ruin Roman’s bid to become a 2-time state champ and prevent Kenny’s possibility of being a 4-timer. This weight class has 5 state medalists: #5 Tyeler Hagensen (4th), #2 Jonathan McGinty (5th), #7 Anthony DiAndrea (7th), and #6 Sal Borrmetti (3rd). We are keeping a close eye on Delsea freshman Amari Vann, who just won Region 8, to make waves in his debut season, but he will have to get through a brutal stretch to get onto the podium.
UPDATE: Logan Roman has sadly had to withdraw from the state tournament due to a medical emergency, we wish the best for Logan and will continue our support through out his career at Kutztown University.
Dark Horse To Medal: Fr. Amari Vann, Delsea
Our Favorite First Round Match: Jr. James McGinty (21) vs Sr. Brady Klinsky (12)
1. Fr. Paul Kenny, Christian Brothers Academy
2. Sr. Tyeler Hagensen, Mount Olive
3. Sr. Logan Roman, Old Bridge
4. So. Anthony DiAndrea, Watchung Hills
5. So. Nathan Braun, Bergen Catholic
6. So. Jonathan McGinty, St Joe’s Montvale
7. So. Matthew Gould, St Johns Vianney
8. So. Sal Borrometi, St. Peters Prep
120
We would likely have gotten a rematch of last year’s 120 final with 2x State Champ Anthony Knox and State Champ Daniel Jones. However, with Daniel Jones withdrawing from districts, it looks like the weight will be wide open for a spot against Knox in the final. This weight class, outside of Anthony, consists of a 2023 state finalist in Seton Hall’s Logan Brozozowski and 3 other state medalists: Kurt Wehner (5th, 7th), Devin Ryan (6th), and Jake Talarico (8th). While they don’t have state medals, wrestlers like Duffy, Bautista, and Rossi will be legitimate contenders in this weight. We like the undefeated Anthony Rossi from Hunterdon Central to finally break through and possibly make it into the state finals. With Brian Little being injured, Warren Hill’s Charlie Piccione will look to contend for a medal.
Dark Horse To Medal: Sr. Charlie Piccione, Warren Hills
Our Favorite First Round Match: Fr. Owen Garriques(20) vs Sr. Chris Nucifora (13)
1. Jr. Anthony Knox, St Johns Vianney
2. Sr. Kurt Wehner, Donovan Catholic
3. So. Bobby Duffy, Christian Brothers Academy
4. Sr. Anthony Rossi, Hunterdon Central
5. Sr. Logan Brozozowski, Seton Hall Prep
6. So. Mikey Bautista, St Joes Montvale
7. Jr. Devin Ryan, New Milford
8. Sr. Noah Michaels, Red Bank Catholic
126
No one is safe in this weight class. With Brian Melamud and Sebastian Ortega out, this weight will only consist of one medalist, Vincent Paino of St. Joe’s Montvale. Ryan DeGeorge emerged as a star after his loss against Sammy Spaulding early in the year at Beast of The East. While Jaden Perez will make his first trip to Atlantic City after finishing fifth in the region, he will aim to reach the podium after his impressive win over a great wrestler, Dalton Weber, in the Region 3 Finals. Laudan Henry, who fell to Sawyer Ostroff in the Region 6 finals, will also make his first appearance in AC. This weight class should be watched closely for upsets, and we could possibly see some low seeds causing some damage.
Dark Horse To Medal: Fr. Mason Tettambel, Immaculata
Our Favorite First Round Match: So. Dalton Weber (6) vs Fr. Mason Tettambel (27
1. Fr. Ryan DeGeorge, Delbarton
2. So. Sammy Spaulding, Camden Catholic
3. So. Dalton Weber, Pope John
4. Sr. Sawyer Ostroff, Donovan Catholic
5. Jr. Jaden Perez, Delaware Valley
6. So. Laudan Henry, St Peters Prep
7. Jr. Vincent Paino, St Joes Montvale
8. Jr. Luke Sherlock, Shawnee
132
Adrian DeJesus will be the leading favorite at 132 pounds. At the same time, we have wrestlers looking to be atop the podium again, like O’Keefe, or wrestlers trying to climb to the top of the podium, such as Carson Walsh, Chase Hansen, and Gino Schinina. Bryce Manera has been very impressive since Escape the Rock where he dropped to 132 and took 2nd. A nice rivalry is brewing with Paramus Catholic’s Nicky Pallitto and Team of the Year Ridge’s Gavin Duran, who had a razor close Region final out in Union. Slotnick, Balella, Quenault will look to break through and finally get their spot on the podium.
Dark Horse To Medal: Sr. Anthony Viscido, Robbinsville
Our Favorite First Round Match: Jr. Gavin Duran (11) vs Jr. Zavier Stokes (22)
1. Jr. Adrian DeJesus, St Joes Montvale
2. Jr. Bryce Manera, Southern
3. Jr. Carson Walsh, Pope John
4. So. Chase Hansen, Lower Cape May
5. Jr. Patrick O’Keefe, St Johns Vianney
6. Jr. Jackson Slotnick, Williamsport
7. So. Nicky Pallitto, Paramus Catholic
8. Sr. Nicolas Balella, Hackettstown
138
It looks like Caedyn Riccardi and Jayden James are on the path to face each other in the finals. Navy Commit and state finalist Caedyn Riccardi will look to reverse the result from last year after falling to now nationally ranked Luke Stanich 1-0, While we have sophomore Jayden James looking for his first finals appearance. He seemed to be a finals favorite all of last year until he fell in the semis to Logan Roman. This weight has a tremendous amount of talented wrestlers who can pose a serious threat, like Dylan Ross, Donny Almeyda, and Blase Mele, who already had a huge upset this year against Blair’s Williams Dekraker. Look for names like Anthony DePaul and Giovanni Scafidi to make noise in this bracket as well.
Dark Horse To Medal: Sr. Noah Kochman, Bergen Catholic
Our Favorite First Round Match: Jr. Jackson Bush (17) vs Sr. Logan Sichelstiel (16)
1. Jr. Caedyn Riccardi, St Peters Prep
2. So. Jayden James, Delbarton
3. Sr. Dylan Ross, Paramus Catholic
4. Jr. Donny Almeyda, St Joes Montvale
5. So. Anthony DePaul, St. Augustine Prep
6. Jr. Blase Mele, Princeton
7. Jr. Jake Zaltsman, St Johns Vianney
8. Sr. Giovanni Scafidi, Howell
144
What a deep top 8.
You have Alex Nini whos been a staple at states, and has been working his way up the podium to where he is now favored by many people this year. There is a freshman phenom from Rumson-Fair Haven to will look to ruin Nini’s dream and start a dream of being a New Jersey 4x state champ. August Hibler will make his first trip to AC as a legitimate title contender; he has just dismantled a state power, Luke Geleta in the Region 2 finals. Jack Myers, Zach Reilly and Wyatt Stout will look to replicate past success and get back on that podium in such a insanely deep weight class. There is Nick Villani and Donovan Distefano looking to get atop of the podium for the first time in their careers. A call back to how deep the weight class is, every match looks to be a gruler and will definitely take a toll through out the tournament, with this being said we wanted to listed some POSSIBLE pre-quarter matchups like Distefano-Marchetto, Craft-Reilly, Myers-Cella, Ortega-Hibler, Geleta-Villani. We want to make sure you all have our eyes on wrestlers trying to bust the bracket open like Carl Huxford, William Cella, Trevor Jones. This will be the bracket to watch
Dark Horse To Medal: Jr. Desmond Lenaghan, St. Johns Vianney
Our Favorite First Round Match: William Cella (19) vs Desmond Lenaghan (14)
1. Fr. Sonny Amato, Rumson-Fair Haven
2. Sr. Alex Nini, Christian Brothers Academy
3. Sr. August Hibler, Leonia/Palisades Park
4. Sr. Jack Myers, Morristown
5. Sr. Zach Reilley, Raritian
6. Jr. Wyatt Stout, Southern
7. Sr. Donovan DiStefano, Wall
8. Sr. Nick Villani, Bernards
150
The most wide open weight, there’s no telling who will be the state champ. James Farina just defeated JJ Fuller in the region finals, and Gabe Logan beat Zach Ballante, who just defeated Gavin Hawk in overtime, who pinned James Farina when they met in the dual meet. There are other big names in this bracket, like Drew Roskos, who gave Henrich a very tough match in the quarters last year. Austin Craft and Jamar Dixon will look to take names while scratching and clawing their way to the top of the podium; just like 144, this weight is deep with names like Washleski, Bish, Monticello, and Jayden Iznaga.
Dark Horse To Medal: Sr. Chase Bish, Paulsboro
Our Favorite First Round Match: Jr. Matthew Di Eduardo (13) vs Sr. Jake Wacha (20)
1. Fr. Gabe Logan, Delbarton
2. Jr. Gavin Hawk, Phillipsburg
3. Sr. JJ Fuller, St Peters Prep
4. Sr. Drew Roskos, Delran
5. Jr. Zach Ballante, St Joes Montvale
6. Sr. James Farina, Ocean Township
7. Jr. Jamar Dixon Jr. Delsea
8. Sr. Austin Craft, Camden Catholic
157
Matt Henrich will look to repeat as a NJ state champ, with top wrestlers like Ryan Ford, Frank DiBella and Kage Jones all looking to ruin those aspirations. Kage Jones will be looking for his first state medal; he knocked off and pinned Bergen Catholic’s Ryan Ford early in the season at the Beast of the East quarterfinal matchup. Ford has since then gone on a tear and has collected some good wins over Frank DiBella, Maxwell Nevlin, Ben Garcia, Austin Craft and PA state champ Anthony Evanitsky. There is a very intriguing freshman from Point Pleasant Boro, Jake Clayton, that everyone should be following closely this state tournament. He only has a pair of losses to Hayden Hochstrasser and a razor close one to Maxell Nevlin. It will be interesting to see how South Plainfield transfer Nick Campagna will fare with him only getting 15 matches in this season, but we still like his chance of placing. After all, It will look like Ford and Henrich in the finals, with a handful of wrestlers competing to climb up to that 3rd place spot.
Dark Horse To Medal: Fr. Jake Clayton, Point Pleasant Boro
Our Favorite First Round Match: So. Tyler Whitford (13) vs Jr. Colin Palumbo (20)
1. Sr. Matt Henrich, Southern
2. Sr. Ryan Ford, Bergen Catholic
3. Sr. Frank DiBella, St Joes Montvale
4. So. Kage Jones, Camden Catholic
5. Sr. Nick Campagna, Christian Brother Academy
6. So. Carl Betz, Delbarton
7. Sr. James Dacunto, North Warren
8. Sr. Roman Onorato, Paulsboro
165
If this weight pans out, it will have the most electrifying finals in recent years. You have an immensely talented wrestler who committed to Cornell in Alessio Perentin, and on the other side, you have a high-flying style of wrestling with Jordan Chapman, who has been a crowd favorite because of his athleticism; many people will call it the “Chapman Show.” These two wrestlers met at Final X in freestyle where Perentin took the match 16-11. Outside of those two, you have established studs in Jacob Zearfoss, Hayden Hochstrasser, John Quinonez, Ben Garcia, They should be on the podium the question will be “where?’. Tanner Hodgins has been a very impressive freshman to follow, since his drop from 175 we think he can go very deep into this bracket and place high, he will definitely make a name for himself this weekend to be a force to be reckon with for the next 3 years. Dalling, Gioia, Caamano and Ruiz will all look to fight for a medal.
Dark Horse To Medal: Fr. Tanner Hodgins, Howell
Our Favorite First Round Match: Jr. Joseph Geleta (19) vs Jr. Riley Boos (14)
- Jr. Alessio Perentin, Delbarton
- Jr. Jordan Chapman, Cranford
- Sr. Jacob Zearfoss, Gloucester City
- Fr. Tanner Hodgins, Howell
- Jr. Hayden Hochstrasser, Southern
- Sr. John Quinonez, Paramus Catholic
- Jr. Cole Stangle, St John Vianneys
- Sr. Ben Garcia, Don Bosco Prep
175
This weight is Burton’s, and everyone knows it. Cerchio is the obvious pick to meet Burton in the finals; these two are on different levels than anyone else at this weight. That said, some talented wrestlers are still in this weight class; Brunetti and Terreri seem to be the best of the rest and will likely prove it. This weight isn’t as deep as other weights, such as 144 and 150; it seems pretty cut and dry on who is going to be competing for a medal. Brother of Mongolian National Champ Temuujin Mendbileg; Temuulen Mendbileg is St Benedict Prep’s first region champ since rejoining the NJSIAA this season, and he has been impressive, to say the least; he has been fun to watch on his feet all season. It is almost like every weight has that freshman that can contend for a state medal, and 175 is no different; after starting the season off slow, Christian Brothers Brock Oizerowitz has morphed into a threat in this weight after dominating the likes of Michael Fuccilli and Mitch Bivona. Early season losses from Oizerowitz can’t just go away; Anthony Verdi welcomed the freshman to New Jersey wrestling and gave him his first career loss; look for Verdi to make some waves in this bracket as well.
Dark Horse To Medal: So. Jaden Simpson, Camden Catholic
Our Favorite First Round Match: Sr. Connor Scuilla (5) vs Sr. Michael Poniros (28)
1. Jr. Ryan Burton, St Joes Montvale
2. Sr. Louis Cerchio, Delbarton
3. Sr. Thomas Brunetti, Hunterdon Central
4. Sr. Eddie Terreri, Paramus Catholic
5. Jr. Temuulen Mendbileg, St. Benedict Prep
6. So. Jaden Simpson, Camden Catholic
7. Sr. Michael Felicano, Colonia
8. Fr. Brock Oizerowitz, Christian Brothers Academy
190
Harvey Ludington… that’s it. Tyler Bienus seems to be the favorite to be in the finals with Ludington after a dominating performance at regions where he pinned Frankie Martino in the finals, and if that’s not enough to convince you here are some of the people he has defeated this season – Frankie Martino, Kaleb Jackson, Vincenzo Lavalle (Most Recent) and Pina, in those 4 wins no one scored any points. With that being stated Lavalle defeated Bienus earlier in the season and Nevin Mattessich scored against Bienus when they met. This weight class is loaded with talented Sophomores like Nevin Mattessich, Sal Marchese and Alexander Reyes, all of these young talents will be looking to end careers to boost their own. Names that have been “State Staples,” like Leo Varga, Kaleb Wright, and Conor Delaney, will look to receive their first medal.
Dark Horse To Medal: So. Sal Marchese, Delsea
Our Favorite First Round Match: Sr. Sam Myers (13) vs So. Sal Marchese, Delsea (20)
- Jr. Harvey Ludington, Brick Memorial
- Sr. Tyler Bienus, Mount Olive
- Sr. Daniel Rella, Paramus Catholic
- Jr. Vincenzo Lavalle, Hanover Park
- So. Nevin Mattessich, Don Bosco Prep
- So. Alexander Reyes, Holmdel
- Jr. Kaleb Jackson, St Joes Montvale
- Sr. Frankie Martino, Passaic Valley
215
It is a very wide-open weight class with Anthony Harris and Aidan Schlett out, and now, with Vinny Lee beating Skove, there is no telling what will happen in this chaotic weight class. The upper echelon consists of Vincent Lee, Hudson Skove, and Xavier Williams. You have Collin French, Nathan Faxon, Rocco Salerno and Dante DeLuca looking to move into that upper echelon and hopefully knock the top guys down a few pegs. Brian Christie should be monitored, as it seems like Christie was all banged up when he had to forfeit in the Region ¾ place match. If healthy, Christie is a legitimate title contender. Cole Hughes, Ben Szuba (Brother of state champ David Szuba), Ethan Mendel, and Tommy Borgia all look to sneak onto the podium.
Dark Horse To Medal: So. Tommy Borgia, West Morris Central
Our Favorite First Round Match Sr. Collin French (7) vs So. Mateo Vinciguerra (26)
1. Sr. Vincent Lee, Delbarton
2. Jr. Xavier Williams, Paramus Catholic
3. Sr. Hudson Skove, Rumson-Fair Haven
4. Sr. Collin French, Southern
5. Jr. Nathan Faxon, Governor Livingston
6. Sr. Ethan Mendal, Northern Highlands
7. So. Rocco Salerno, Seton Hall Prep
8. Sr. Brian Christie, St Joes Metuchen
285
Rocco Dellagatta has been the favorite all year. He will continue to be the favorite after dismantling John Wargo in the region finals, and with the Toranzo upset against Shue, this weight has been shaken up quite a bit. You obviously will likely have Rocco in the finals; the question is, “Who?” well, let’s look at it: you have Toranzo at the 2 seed and Shue at the 3 seed, so rematch, right? Well, there is also a state placer in the works with Lorenzo Portella and a very solid Connor Martin, who has been improving each year. At the same time, at the top, you will probably have a rematch of the Region 2 semi-finals with Daniel Eylash and John Wargo, which will be quite the treat. The looks of Wilkinson, Lynch, Reynolds, Rock and Corodabo can shuffle things up early. Look for Mason Brancato, who is up from 215 to contend. Another person to watch is the 25 seed Hunter Matthews, who has had close matches with some of the top guys at this weight. 285 will be a fun weight to follow
Dark Horse To Medal: Jr. Mason Brancato, Pompton Lakes
Our Favorite First Round Match: Jr. James Lynch (8) vs Sr. Hunter Matthews (25)
1. Jr. Rocco Dellagatta, St Joes Montvale
2. Sr. Brandon Toranzo, Nutley
3. Jr. Ben Shue, Bergen Catholic
4. Sr. Daniel Elyash, Paramus
5. Sr. Connor Martin, Delbarton
6. Sr. John Wargo, Phillipsburg
7. Jr. James Lynch, Toms River East
8. Jr. Mason Brancato, Pompton Lakes