Wrestling: Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament guide for lower weights, 106-132

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 lower weights (106 to 132).

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 preview for middle weights, 138 to 165

More: Wrestling: Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament guide for upper weights, 175-285

Lower Weights Preview

Note: The places in parentheses are from last year’s GMCT.

106

The skinny: You want contenders? Just hit Ctrl C and then Ctrl V from last year’s results. Copy and paste. Three of the top six finishers are back at this weight. Throw in the usual array of talented freshmen, and the podium order seems wide-open.

Top medal contenders: One new name is Old Bridge rookie Gavin Young, who beat St. Joseph’s Julian Arango, 10-4, in his 106 debut on Jan. 17 after starting at 113. Arango (third, 106) missed a few weeks early, but returned Jan. 10. East Brunswick’s Dominick Lezark (fifth, 106) was a light 106-pounder in 2023, but is now bigger and stronger at the weight. Promising South Plainfield freshman Logan Stoeckel is also in the mix.

Sleepers: Colonia’s Cameron Roodenberg (sixth, 106) has split matches with Edison’s Sean Eagle. St. Thomas Aquinas’ Nikolas Rivas (Fr.) is unbeaten in the GMC with a m.d. over Eagle.

Predicted champ: Old Bridge’s Gavin Young

113

The skinny: St. Thomas Aquinas’ Beniamino DiCocco enters undefeated after winning at 106 last year and just missed placing in the state tournament. The drama in this weight class might be the positioning for medals among several talented freshmen.

Top medal contenders: Here comes the youngsters. Take these two freshmen who haven’t lost yet against GMC opponents. St. Joseph’s Nico DeRado won four matches in the tough Beast of the East and looks to be one of the latest Falcons’ stars. Yes, there’s another Maglione at J.F. Kennedy. Giovanni and Sergio were both stars and now Armani Maglione (16-2) is making a name for himself. Colonia’s Hudson Platt (Fr.) is also having a strong start and his only GMC loss was to DiCocco. Old Bridge’s Joseph Nalewajko (So., fourth, 106) recently bumped up from 106 and can be a factor.

Sleepers: South Plainfield’s Alex Pigna took some losses but seeing the tough opponents could help. South River’s Thomas Nielson’s only GMC loss at 113 was to Maglione. North Brunswick’s Antonio Pizza didn’t debut this season until Jan. 6, but has four pins against GMC opponents.

Predicted champ: St. Thomas Aquinas’ Beniamino DiCocco

120

The skinny: The first bit of vital info: Old Bridge state champion Logan Roman won’t be competing this weekend. Roman, who has been dealing with an injury and last wrestled Jan. 6, is expected back this season, Knights coach John Post said. That leaves this weight class wide-open and the tussle for the gold should be a donnybrook.

Top medal contenders: East Brunswick’s Jake Gujski (fourth, 113) recently dropped from 126 and has a pin over Woodbridge’s Andrew Roy (sixth, 113). Monroe’s Nick Cavallo (fifth, 113) is undefeated versus the GMC, which includes three close wins. Piscataway’s Aiden Wallace-Rodriguez lost to Cavallo, 8-7, and pinned Sayreville’s Robert Fritz, who’s in the mix. The Bombers freshman edged Roy (7-6, TB-1) and lost 5-3 to Cavallo, so he can hang with the medal contenders. St. Joseph’s Damian Pipitone also pinned Fritz.

Sleepers: In place of Roman, Old Bridge’s Viktor Ilnytskyi gets the call. He may be the ultimate sleeper. The sophomore has a judo background but is new to wrestling. He’s been exciting and is 5-1 with four pins and a 17-14 win while filling in.

Predicted champ: East Brunswick’s Jake Gujski

126

The skinny: The impressive names just keep popping up as you go through the box scores. St. Joseph’s Zach Beadling is a returning champion after winning at 120 last season, but the division includes several fledgling stars, making this a fun weight class to follow.

Top medal contenders: South Plainfield’s Joseph Stanzione (second, 106) and J.P. Stevens’ Adolfo Malabanan (fourth, 120)both haven’t lost to GMC opponents yet. Several contenders have recently descended from 132. Monroe’s Anthony Caponegro and Edison’s Jeremy Negron are in the midst of breakout sophomore seasons. Negron split matches with East Brunswick’s Aedan Samson-Huggins (sixth, 126).

Sleepers: J.F. Kennedy’s Alejandro Montalvo (20 wins last year) decisioned Carteret’s Siddiq Qasim twice, who is also in the mix. Metuchen’s Nate DeCoite had 21 wins last season, pinned Qasim in Tuesday’s dual and edged Middlesex/Dunellen’s Dominick McQuone, 2-1, who could be a tough out. Sayreville’s Logan Skulski is another wrestler to watch.

Predicted champ: St. Joseph’s Zach Beadling

132

The skinny: This bracket is full of mystery with a deep field. Any number of wrestlers could emerge with the gold medal. Expect several close matches, perhaps an overtime or two thrown in.

Top medal contenders: Sayreville’s CJ McCrea, a returning silver medalist (113), has seen time at both 126/132. St. Thomas Aquinas state qualifier Jahir Aguilar (second, 120) recently returned after missing three weeks and decisioned McCrea 11-4 last Saturday. How’s this for seeding madness – Old Bridge’s Griffin Nugent won 10-6 over St. Joseph’s John Whitacre (third, 113). South Plainfield’s Anthony Mateo edged Nugent 2-0 (at 138). Naturally, Whitacre topped Mateo, 5-3. The dreaded triangle. Additionally, Monroe’s Josh Shumsky pinned Nugent in the opener at 138. Throw in Colonia’s Noah Bone (fifth, 126) – and there could be several intriguing outcomes.

Sleeper: North Plainfield’s Mohammad Ahsan had 17 wins entering the week.

Predicted champ: St. Thomas Aquinas’ Jahir Aguilar

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ wrestling Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament preview 106-132