Wrestling preview: Storylines to follow for Central Jersey
With the wrestling season underway, here are six storylines to follow in the MyCentralJersey.com area (Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon counties and part of Union County – Governor Livingston, Plainfield, New Providence, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Westfield).
Girl star power
They’ll be an added buzz when the girls state wrestling tournament returns to Boardwalk Hall. Several area competitors will be in the mix for medals, including three returning state runners-up.
Bound Brook’s Lennix Horsburgh, Somerville’s Valarie Maldonado and St. Thomas Aquinas’ Saniyah Queen are all exciting wrestlers and should wow crowds this winter.
Top boys
Some years, there are several returning state placewinners. This season, there are just three returners. One, though, is back after winning the big one. Old Bridge’s Logan Roman captured the 113-pound title. Watchung Hills’ Anthony DiAndrea, who placed seventh at 106, and Delaware Valley’s Matt Roche (eighth at 126) are also among the state’s top wrestlers.
Somerset supremacy
Hillsborough has had a two-year run as Somerset County Tournament champions. The Raiders were hit with some key graduation losses, but should once again be strong with 20-win wrestlers Logan McDermid (106), Tommy Kester (113), Corey Iannucci (126), Zach Iannucci (132) and Matt Jones (215).
Ridge seems next in line with 10 returning region qualifiers, while Watchung Hills and Bridgewater-Raritan are also looming.
Postseason realignment
Once again, some teams are on the move come district tournament time. The latest NJSIAA realignment keeps regional groupings but spreads out the state's top programs, particularly the non-public teams.
The majority of local teams are still in Region 4 (Union) and Region 5 (Franklin).
With some teams, though, you had to shake your head and look twice when seeing their new postseason home for this season.
For one, powerhouse Delbarton is moving to Region 5, the home of many Middlesex programs. St. Joseph-Metuchen goes to Region 4 from R5 and is in District 15, along with South Plainfield. Hunterdon Central, the longtime host of R5, is now in Region 4.
Monroe, which had been the lone area team in Region 6 with several Shore Conference and Burlington schools, moves back to Region 5.
Other moves of note include Delaware Valley going to Region 3 and St. Thomas Aquinas heading to Region 2.
New whistles
There’s something about a new coach coming in and putting his stamp on things, creating excitement. The MyCentralJersey area has several new head coaches. The biggest name is Dave Bell taking over at North Hunterdon. The former Bergen Catholic skipper made statewide news when he was hired in the summer.
The Greater Middlesex Conference has seven new head coaches – nearly one-third of the league. They are Jim Jacob (J.P. Stevens), Nick Zaneto (Metuchen), Michael Petite (New Brunswick), Dave Saley (North Brunswick), Matthew Van Doren (Sayreville), Jay Jairdullo (South Brunswick) and Brandon Russo (South River).
In Somerset County, Matt Bloom takes over at Somerville and at Manville, David Markowitch replaces veteran coach Pat Gorbatuk, who is now the school’s athletic director. Matt Liberato, meanwhile, replaces Rick Ortega at Governor Livingston.
New mats, new team
Not only does Immaculata have a new coach in Rodney Van Ness, but the Somerville school has a whole new team. Immaculata, which opened in 1967, hired the former Somerville assistant and Rutgers star for its new program. Many of the 27 wrestlers don’t have much mat experience, but players from the football team have helped to fill out the lineup. South Plainfield transfer Adam Bowles (region finalist) provides leadership in the room.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ wrestling: Storylines to follow for Central Jersey
