Wrestling: Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament guide for upper weights, 175-285
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 upper weights (175 to 285).
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 INFO: Wrestling: Schedule and key info for the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament
LOWER WEIGHTS: Wrestling: Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament guide for lower weights, 106-132
MIDDLE WEIGHTS: Wrestling: Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament preview for middle weights, 138 to 165
Upper Weights Preview
Note: The places in parentheses are from last year’s GMCT.
175
The skinny: Here’s proof how hard it is to win a GMCT championship – Colonia’s Michael Feliciano finished fifth last season at 175. He went on to capture district and region titles en route to 33 wins. Now, the senior is no longer under the radar and is 18-0 splitting time at 175/190. He’s the favorite with other wrestlers looking to break through.
Top medal contenders: Monroe’s Omar Cholula-Conde is a district champ and owns a 10-0 win over St. Joseph’s Giovanni Spallino, who is well-tested from his team’s difficult schedule and looks to make a run to the podium. East Brunswick’s Yisreal Thomas is a returning region qualifier and his only GMC loss at 175 was to Woodbridge’s Tyler Boelhower, who’s entering at 165.
Sleepers: Middlesex/Dunellen’s Aben Rojas-Dominguez made his season debut on Jan. 11 in a 3-2 loss to Thomas. Since then, he’s 6-0 with five GMC wins. St. Thomas Aquinas’ Anthony Pasquale missed some time, but is undefeated against GMC competition.
Predicted champ: Colonia’s Michael Feliciano
190
The skinny: St. Thomas Aquinas senior Nazareth Pina captured the GMCT gold medal as a sophomore and placed second last season. Now, he’s a favorite to again wrestle under the spotlight and possibly top the podium. His only losses were to a state champion, a state placewinner and to Colonia’s Feliciano, 11-7.
Top medal contenders: Pina did have a close one in a 5-3 win over Woodbridge’s Mario Carbonaro on Jan. 3. The senior placed sixth last season and looks for a rematch with Pina. Old Bridge’s Dominick Paulino started the season at 215, but now has a home at 190. His quality wins include topping Danny Internoscia, 5-2. The St. Joseph wrestler looks to medal. Sayreville junior Bryce Bouchard has 18 wins with his only GMC loss an injury default to Pina. Monroe’s Akbar Rizvi lost 4-0 to Bouchard and can score team points for the Falcons.
Sleepers: You tend to see some upsets in the upper weights. Names from the Blue Division to follow include J.F. Kennedy’s Duvell Jones-King, Carteret’s Muhammad Abubakar and South River’s Filipe Granadiero.
Predicted champ: St. Thomas Aquinas’ Nazareth Pina
215
The skinny: This could feature one of the marquee finals between defending champs. St. Joseph’s Brian Christie, last year’s winner at 190, recently got his 100th career win and, incredibly, is closing in on 100 career pins. St. Thomas Aquinas’ Steve Coghan captured the GMCT gold at 215 last season and is also a state qualifier. Christie likely has an edge on paper based off his greater success against elite competition. He lost 3-1 to state champion Hudson Skove of Rumson-Fair Haven and placed third in the Beast of the East.
Top medal contenders: Highland Park’s Noah Berlin-Langston might be the Owls best chance to medal and sports an 18-1 record. Old Bridge’s Zach Florio has 15 wins and is in the podium mix.
Sleepers: Several wrestlers are so close to one another the hand raise will come down to just who’s better that day. For example, Carteret’s Hassan Khan and J.F. Kennedy’s Emmauel Perez Quijano have traded pins this season. Also trading falls were Metuchen’s Michael Montemuro and Middlesex/Dunellen’s Joseph Lawler-McDaniel.
Prediction: St. Joseph’s Brian Christie
285
The skinny: Heavyweight is often the most unpredictable – and balanced – weight class. That’s a definite checkmark in this bracket. Big, skillful and athletic athletes going at it means matches can end quickly. Check back Saturday around 5 p.m.
Top medal contenders: Sayreville’s Connor Walsh, who missed last year’s GMCT, is a returning region qualifier and placed fourth at 285 in 2022. He’s undefeated in the conference and has a 1-0 win over St. Thomas Aquinas’ Caden Sternlieb and edged Monroe’s Josiah Gibson, 3-1 – both tough outs. North Plainfield’s Yexon Mercado (sixth, 215) hasn’t lost against GMC competition this winter and is the lone returning placewinner from 2023. Sternlieb also won 10-8 over Woodbridge’s Jancarlos Mena-Rodriguez, who’s making an impact in his first season starting.
Sleepers: Old Bridge’s Eloi Latouche made his season debut on Jan. 10 and has five wins (four pins and a forfeit). Middlesex/Dunellen’s Connor Martin has one GMC loss to J.P. Stevens’ Isaiah Dennis
Predicted champ: Sayreville’s Connor Walsh
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ wrestling Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament preview 175-285
