Wrestling: Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament preview for middle weights, 138 to 165
The Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament promises another two days of drama-filled action on the mat Friday and Saturday at Piscataway High School.
Here is a primer on the middle weights (138 to 165).
NOTE: This was written before the seeding meeting Thursday night. Wrestlers may move up or down or withdraw from the tournament. I used the best available information and asked coaches for updates. Thanks for understanding and following our coverage.
More: Wrestling: Schedule and key info for the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament
More: Wrestling: Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament guide for lower weights, 106-132
More: Wrestling: Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament guide for upper weights, 175-285
Middle Weights Preview
Note: The places in parentheses are from last year’s GMCT.
138
The skinny: St. Joseph’s Morgan Schwarz (third, 126) got a late start this season and has just four matches, but the sophomore earned 33 wins and nearly placed in the state tournament as a rookie.
Top medal contenders: Could there be a Round 3 between Middlesex/Dunellen’s Sam Kleiber (sixth, 132) and Metuchen’s Emilio Rossiter? The two split decisions this season. Monroe’s Matt Shumsky (fifth, 132) has wrestled 11 matches at 144/150 to help the team in duals, but seems settled in at 138. South Plainfield’s Nolan Hook, a region qualifier who missed last year’s GMCT to injury, is in the medal mix. Edison’s Fernando Avellan (15-3) is having a breakout sophomore season. One notable scratch is St. Thomas Aquinas’ Reed Kerstetter (fourth, 132), who is expected to miss the tournament.
Sleepers: South Brunswick’s Garv Sen is a region qualifier. North Brunswick’s Joldin Miranda’s quality wins include a pin of Sen and m.d. of J.F. Kennedy’s Peter Chun, who has typically wrestled tough against strong opponents.
Predicted champ: St. Joseph’s Morgan Schwarz
144
The skinny: This could have a fantastic, fierce semifinal round with four wrestlers making strong cases for the gold medal. Other entrants are well capable of pulling upsets, making this a must-follow weight.
Top medal contenders: Piscataway’s Brian Butler (second, 138) is 21-1 and edged St. Joseph’s Mason Atkins, 9-7. Atkins was a regional qualifier last year as a freshman. St. Thomas Aquinas’ Liam Zeh missed the GMCT last year after his season was cut short by injury. The junior is now 17-1. Monroe’s Wyatt Olma (third, 138 last season) has seven losses all by decision. That includes Wednesday’s 5-4 loss to North Brunswick’s Jomar Mena, a hungry senior looking to medal.
Sleepers: South Plainfield’s Ryan Balent lost 7-4 to Olma and is one of those Tigers looming under the radar. Highland Park’s Ernie Botteon (Sr.) is also in the mix.
Predicted champ: Piscataway’s Brian Butler
150
The skinny: This was already an intriguing weight class and it got even more interesting with the recent entrance of Old Bridge’s Jake Tenebruso, who’s mostly been at 157. Tenebruso (fifth, 138, state qualifier) is 18-3 and placed third in the Sam Cali Battle for the Belt.
Top medal contenders: St. Joseph’s Sebastian Blumberg looked impressive last season when called on. Now, as a fulltime starter, the junior has quality decisions over Monroe’s Olma and Piscataway’s Sean Love and is 15-3. Love (19-2) can score points, witness his 15-11 win over Matt Shumsky. East Brunswick’s George Crostewitz had 26 wins as freshman in 2022-23. Monroe’s Anthony Ramirez is having a breakout senior year.
Sleeper: South Plainfield’s Jose Rodriguez has been wrestling well recently with a handful of bonus-point wins.
Predicted champ: Old Bridge’s Jake Tenebruso
157
The skinny: You want a certified star? It’s a short list.St. Joseph’s Tyler Whitford (second, 144) is the only expected returning medalist. He won 33 matches as a breakout freshman in 2022-23. Sure, there’s talent here, just not a lot of veterans. The GMC’s middle weights were dominated by seniors last season. That makes this a fun bracket with hungry wrestlers jostling for placement.
Top medal contenders: East Brunswick’s Devan Monahan is unbeaten vs. the GMC thus far. Sayreville’s Michael Zaunczkowski has nine-straight wins after falling 12-2 to Whitford. Woodbridge’s Felix Medina-Rodriguez had 21 wins last year but was sidelined until Jan. 12 off a preseason injury and had just two matches entering the week. He did pin Colonia’s Brandon Crespo, who has his share of GMC wins.
Sleeper: Piscataway’s Jonathan Monasterio also missed time and has five matches, including three GMC pins since he’s returned.
Predicted champ: St. Joseph’s Tyler Whitford
165
The skinny: St. Joseph’s Andrew Bouchard is Example A that wrestlers don’t always move up in weight. The junior spent all of last season at 175 and took second in the GMCT. Now at 165 from the start, he may be on a collision course to meet Woodbridge’s Tyler Boelhower in the final.
Top medal contenders: Boelhower (fifth, 165) has looked sensational with 15 pins in the first period. Piscataway’s Garrett Pech has split time at 157/165 and piled up an 18-2 record. Monroe’s Youseph Abdeljawad (fifth, 157) missed some time and doesn’t have many GMC matches. The division includes wrestlers who have had their moments and all can challenge for a podium spot. They include Sayreville’s Logan Appleby, Middlesex/Dunellen’s Dakota Clark, Edison’s Jaden Delabarrera and Old Bridge’s Temiloluwa Odumbo.
Sleepers: Metuchen’s Daniel Montemurno wrestled his first eight matches at 190, but has gone 165 since Jan. 13. J.F. Kennedy freshman Sheraj Salman entered the week at 14-3.
Predicted champ: St. Joseph’s Andrew Bouchard
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ wrestling: Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament preview 138-165
