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Weight-by-weight Morris/Sussex preview of the 2024 NJ state wrestling tournament

nick gantaifis, morristown daily record
·7 min read

The 2024 NJSIAA wrestling championships get started Thursday at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, and 54 Morris/Sussex athletes will compete for a spot on the podium.

Take a weight-by-weight look at what to watch for this weekend and our champion pick in each weight class.

106 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Cameron Sontz (Delbarton); Frank Figel (Jefferson); Logan Forgatch (Parsippany Hills); Brody Neill (West Morris); Conor Hallowich (North Warren); Jake Holly (Pope John)

Mt Olive, NJ -- January 27, 2024 -- Cameron Sontz of Delbarton won this 106 lb. semi-final, defeating Brody Neill of West Morris in the Morris County Wrestling Tournament held in Mt. Olive, NJ on January 27, 2024.
Mt Olive, NJ -- January 27, 2024 -- Cameron Sontz of Delbarton won this 106 lb. semi-final, defeating Brody Neill of West Morris in the Morris County Wrestling Tournament held in Mt. Olive, NJ on January 27, 2024.

2023 medalists: none

The eventual champion will likely emerge from the bottom half of the bracket where freshmen and No. 2 seed Killian Coluccio of Christian Brothers and No. 3 seed Sontz are on a collision course to meet in the semifinals. The two met earlier this month in the Non-Public A semifinals with Coluccio coming out with an 8-5 decision in Morristown.

Junior Tyler Hildebrandt of Williamston is the top seed.

Our pick: Killian Coluccio, CBA

Mt Olive, NJ -- January 27, 2024 -- Tyeler Hagensen of Mt. Olive won this 113 lb. semi-final, defeating Isa Kupa of Boonton in the Morris County Wrestling Tournament held in Mt. Olive, NJ on January 27, 2024.
Mt Olive, NJ -- January 27, 2024 -- Tyeler Hagensen of Mt. Olive won this 113 lb. semi-final, defeating Isa Kupa of Boonton in the Morris County Wrestling Tournament held in Mt. Olive, NJ on January 27, 2024.

113 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Tyeler Hagensen (Mount Olive); Peter Terranova (Delbarton); James McGinty (Parsippany Hills)

2023 medalists: Old Bridge's Logan Roman (first), Nathan Braun (second), St. Peter's Sal Borrometi (third), St. Joseph’s Jonathan McGinty (fifth), Watchung Hills' Anthony DiAndrea (seventh) and St. John Vianney's Matthew Gould (eighth).

Returning champion and top seed Roman will not have the opportunity to defend his title after withdrawing from the tournament on Tuesday night due to a medical issue. That leaves the door wide open for freshman phenom and No. 4 seed Paul Kenny, the 2023 U17 World champion, to claim his first state title. Bergen Catholic sophomore No. 2 seed Nathan Braun and Hagensen have good shots of making it out of the bottom half of the bracket.

Our pick: Paul Kenny, CBA

120 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Nick DiFrancescantonio (Hanover Park); Jason Chrostowski (Butler); Anthony Piemonte (Mount Olive); Rafe Fonte (Mendham)

Mt Olive, NJ -- January 27, 2024 -- Nick DiFrancescantonio of Hanover Park won this 120 lb. semi-final, defeating Anthony Piemonte of Hanover Park in the Morris County Wrestling Tournament held in Mt. Olive, NJ on January 27, 2024.
Mt Olive, NJ -- January 27, 2024 -- Nick DiFrancescantonio of Hanover Park won this 120 lb. semi-final, defeating Anthony Piemonte of Hanover Park in the Morris County Wrestling Tournament held in Mt. Olive, NJ on January 27, 2024.

2023 medalists: St. John Vianney's Anthony Knox (first), Seton Hall’s Logan Brzozowski (second), Donovan Catholic's Kurt Wehner (fifth), New Milford’s Devin Ryan (sixth) and St. Peter's Jake Talarico (eighth).

Two-time state champion Knox is the top seed and clear-cut favorite to win a third title in as many years. St. Joseph sophomore Mikey Bautista, seeded third, has a path to the finals.

Our pick: Anthony Knox, St. John Vianney

126 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Ryan DeGeorge (Delbarton); Dalton Weber (Pope John); Michael VanderMeulen (Jefferson); Brandon Beres (Mount Olive)

Florham Park, NJ -- December 28, 2023 -- Dalton Webber of Pope John defeated Joey Petriello of Dumont in the finals of the 126 lb. match to win the Sam Cali Wrestling Invitational that took place at Ferguson Recreation Center on the campus of FDU-Madison
Florham Park, NJ -- December 28, 2023 -- Dalton Webber of Pope John defeated Joey Petriello of Dumont in the finals of the 126 lb. match to win the Sam Cali Wrestling Invitational that took place at Ferguson Recreation Center on the campus of FDU-Madison

2023 medalists: St. Joseph’s Vincent Paino (fifth)

This loaded bracket is up for grabs. Sophomore Sammy Spaulding of Camden Catholic is the top seed, and freshman DeGeorge is right behind. The two met in the Beast of the East semifinals with Spaulding winning by fall. Region champions DeGeorge and St. Joseph junior Vincent Paino could meet in the quarterfinals. DeGeorge defeated Paino, 7-1 in the Non-Public A team finals two weeks ago.

Our pick: Sammy Spaulding, Camden Catholic

132 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Nick Clayton (High Point); Carson Walsh (Pope John); Chase Quenault (Delbarton); Nicolas Balella (Hackettstown); Nicholas Gregory (Randolph)

Feb 24, 2024; West Orange, NJ, USA; Region 3 Wrestling Finals at West Orange High School. (Left) Carson Walsh (Pope John) and Nicolas Balella (Hackettstown) in their 132 pound match.
Feb 24, 2024; West Orange, NJ, USA; Region 3 Wrestling Finals at West Orange High School. (Left) Carson Walsh (Pope John) and Nicolas Balella (Hackettstown) in their 132 pound match.

2023 medalists: St. Joseph’s Adrian DeJesus (third), Pope John's Carson Walsh (fifth), St. Peter's Prep's Giovanni Schinina (seventh), Lower Cape May's Chase Hansen (seventh) and St. John Vianney's Patrick O'Keefe (eighth).

DeJesus, a 2022 state champion and two-time state medalist, is the top seed. The Parsippany resident is on track to run into O’Keefe in the semifinals, which would be a rematch of the 2022 106-pound state final. Walsh, the No. 2 seed and two-time state medalist, eyes his first trip to a state final.

Our pick: Adrian DeJesus, St. Joseph

138 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Jayden James (Delbarton); Justin Holly (Pope John); Logan Hrenenko (Sparta); Mario Fornini (Parsippany Hills)

Florham Park, NJ -- December 27, 2023 -- Logan Hrenenko of Sparta defeated Benicio Reborio of Westwood in the 138 lb. match in the opening round of the Sam Cali Wrestling Invitational taking place at Ferguson Recreation Center on the campus of FDU-Madison
Florham Park, NJ -- December 27, 2023 -- Logan Hrenenko of Sparta defeated Benicio Reborio of Westwood in the 138 lb. match in the opening round of the Sam Cali Wrestling Invitational taking place at Ferguson Recreation Center on the campus of FDU-Madison

2023 medalists: St. Peter's Prep's Caedyn Ricciardi (second), Delbarton's Jayden James (third), St. Joseph’s Donny Almeyda (fourth) and Paramus Catholic’s Dylan Ross (eighth).

Ricciardi, a two-time state medalist and last year’s runner-up at 126 pounds, is the top seed in a parochial-heavy bracket. James, last year’s bronze medalist at 113 pounds, is a favorite to emerge out of the bottom half of the bracket.

Our pick: Jayden James, Delbarton

144 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Jack Myers (Morristown); Trevor Jones (Delbarton); Joey Catalano (Newton)

Trevor Jones, of Delbartan, takes on James Sloan, of St. Joseph Regional, at the NJSIAA Wrestling Team Wrestling Championships, in Piscataway, Sunday, February 11, 2024. Jones went on to win the 144 pound match.
Trevor Jones, of Delbartan, takes on James Sloan, of St. Joseph Regional, at the NJSIAA Wrestling Team Wrestling Championships, in Piscataway, Sunday, February 11, 2024. Jones went on to win the 144 pound match.

2023 medalists: Morristown's Jack Myers (third), CBA's Alex Nini (third), Raritan's Zach Reilley (fifth), Phillipsburg's Luke Geleta (sixth) and Southern's Wyatt Stout (sixth).

Nini, a three-time state medalist, is the top seed and is expected to make a run to the finals. Myers, last year’s bronze medalist at 132 pounds, is seeded third and is a two-time region champion. The senior looks to become Morristown’s second-ever state champion and first since Renard Haskins won back-to-back titles in 1970-71.

Our pick: Jack Myers, Morristown

150 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Gabe Logan (Delbarton); Tanner Perez (Mount Olive); Reece Smith (Kittatinny)

Dumont's Jeremy Quezada gets a shot in on Kittatinny's Reece Smith in the Region 1 wrestling semifinal at 150 pounds. February 24, 2024 at West Milford High School.
Dumont's Jeremy Quezada gets a shot in on Kittatinny's Reece Smith in the Region 1 wrestling semifinal at 150 pounds. February 24, 2024 at West Milford High School.

2023 medalists: St. Peter's Jonathan Fuller (fifth), St. Joseph’s Zach Ballante (sixth), Delsea's Jamar Dixon Jr. (seventh), Delran's Drew Roskos (seventh) and Camden Catholic's Austin Craft (seventh).

This loaded bracket has several viable challengers. Fuller is the top seed despite losing in the Region 5 finals to No. 8 seed James Farina of Ocean Township. Logan is seeded third and could meet up again with Ballante in the semifinals in a rematch of the Non-Public A state final in which Logan won, 6-3.

Our pick: Jonathan Fuller, St. Peter’s Prep

157 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: James Dacunto (North Warren); Carl Betz (Delbarton); Roger Barrezueta (Morris Hills)

North Warren's James Dacunto tries to finish off a pin against Lakeland's Sean Walker in the Region 1 wrestling final at 157 pounds. February 24, 2024 at West Milford High School.
North Warren's James Dacunto tries to finish off a pin against Lakeland's Sean Walker in the Region 1 wrestling final at 157 pounds. February 24, 2024 at West Milford High School.

2023 medalists: Southern's Matt Henrich (first), Bergen Catholic’s Ryan Ford (fourth) and St. Joseph’s Frank DiBella (fourth).

All eyes are on top seed and two-time medalist Henrich after claiming gold last year at 150 pounds. Betz makes his Boardwalk Hall debut and could potentially meet up with second seed Kage Jones of Camden Catholic in the quarterfinals.

Our pick: Matt Henrich, Southern

165 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Alessio Perentin (Delbarton); Ethan Dalling (Kittatinny); Gavin Gomes (Morris Knolls); Nando Ott (Hanover Park); Ryan Flammer (Jefferson)

Kittatinny's Ethan Dalling (right) battles Don Bosco's Ben Garcia in the Region 1 wrestling final at 165 pounds. February 24, 2024 at West Milford High School.
Kittatinny's Ethan Dalling (right) battles Don Bosco's Ben Garcia in the Region 1 wrestling final at 165 pounds. February 24, 2024 at West Milford High School.

2023 medalists: Delbarton's Alessio Perentin (first), Cranford's Jordan Chapman (third), Paramus Catholic’s John Quinonez (sixth) and Southern's Hayden Hochstrasser (eighth)

Returning state champion Perentin has been flawless this season against New Jersey competition. The top seed has a clear path to a second straight title.

Our pick: Alessio Perentin, Delbarton

175 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Louis Cerchio (Delbarton); Bryce Coesfeld (Kittatinny); Nicolas Gonzalez (Mount Olive); Jack McCaffrey (Madison)

Mt Olive, NJ -- January 27, 2024 -- Louis Cerchio of Delbarton won this 175 lb. semi-final, defeating Jack McCaffrey of Madison in the Morris County Wrestling Tournament held at Mt. Olive, NJ on January 27, 2024.
Mt Olive, NJ -- January 27, 2024 -- Louis Cerchio of Delbarton won this 175 lb. semi-final, defeating Jack McCaffrey of Madison in the Morris County Wrestling Tournament held at Mt. Olive, NJ on January 27, 2024.

2023 medalists: Delbarton's Louis Cerchio (first), St. Joseph’s Ryan Burton (third) and Paramus Catholic’s Edward Terreri (eighth)

Burton is the top seed after going undefeated this season against New Jersey competition. The junior defeated defending state champion and No. 2 seed Cerchio twice this season - a 6-3 decision in the Powerade semifinals and by fall in the Non-Public A finals. A third meeting appears to be in the cards.

Our pick: Ryan Burton, St. Joseph

190 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Tyler Bienus (Mount Olive); Vincenzo LaValle (Hanover Park); Elbrus Majagah (Delbarton)

Vincenzo LaValle (top), of Hanover Park, takes on Anthony Moscatello, of Mount Olive, at the Morris County Wrestling Tournament. LaValle went on to be victorious in the190 pound weight class. Sunday, January 30, 2022
Vincenzo LaValle (top), of Hanover Park, takes on Anthony Moscatello, of Mount Olive, at the Morris County Wrestling Tournament. LaValle went on to be victorious in the190 pound weight class. Sunday, January 30, 2022

2023 medalists: Brick Memorial's Harvey Ludington (second), Hanover Park's Vincenzo LaValle (third), Paramus Catholic’s Dan Rella (fourth) and Mount Olive's Tyler Bienus (seventh)

Ludington, a 2022 state champion and two-time finalist, is the top seed. He’s expected to reach another title bout, where he could potentially meet Bienus for gold. Bienus looks to become the Marauders’ second-ever state champion since Anthony Guidi won it all in 1988.

Our pick: Harvey Ludington, Brick Memorial

215 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: William Knapp (Roxbury); Tom Borgia (West Morris); Vincent Lee (Delbarton); Tyler Cumming (Mount Olive)

Jan 12, 2024; Morristown, NJ, USA; Pope John wrestling at Delbarton. (Left) Vincent Lee, of Delbarton, and Shawn Baumann, of Pope John, in their 215 pound match.
Jan 12, 2024; Morristown, NJ, USA; Pope John wrestling at Delbarton. (Left) Vincent Lee, of Delbarton, and Shawn Baumann, of Pope John, in their 215 pound match.

2023 medalists: Rumson-Fair Haven's Hudson Skove (first) and Paramus Catholic's Xavier Williams (eighth)

Lee, a Duke commit, earned the top seed after stunning defending state champion Skove in the region finals. If the chalk holds, the two would meet up again in the title bout for the second time in as many weeks.

Our pick: Vincent Lee, Delbarton

285 pounds

Morris/Sussex qualifiers: Connor Martin (Delbarton); Timmy Connolly (Jefferson); Luke Abilio (Montville)

Mt Olive, NJ -- January 27, 2024 -- Timothy Connolly of Jefferson won this 285 lb. semi-final, defeating Luke Abilio of Montville in the Morris County Wrestling Tournament held at Mt. Olive, NJ on January 27, 2024.
Mt Olive, NJ -- January 27, 2024 -- Timothy Connolly of Jefferson won this 285 lb. semi-final, defeating Luke Abilio of Montville in the Morris County Wrestling Tournament held at Mt. Olive, NJ on January 27, 2024.

2023 medalists: St. Joseph’s Rocco Dellagatta (fourth), Bergen Catholic’s Benjamin Shue (fourth), Paramus’ Daniel Elyash (fifth) and Phillipsburg's John Wargo (seventh).

Four returning medalists fill the bracket with top seed Dellagatta looking to continue the heavyweight tradition etched by former Green Knights standout and three-time champion Jimmy Mullen. A potential final pitting former teammate and No. 2 seed Brandon Toranzo of Nutley, makes for an intriguing championship bout.

Our pick: Rocco Dellagatta, St. Joseph

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Morris/Sussex NJ wrestling: State tournament preview