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Wrestling rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference preseason Top 10

andy mendlowitz, mycentraljersey.com
·3 min read

It should be another competitive season on the Greater Middlesex Conference mats. Here is our GMCT early rankings.

PRESEASON TOP 10

(last year's team records for both teams and individuals in parenthesis)

1. St. Joseph (17-5): There’s no debate this year. Even with graduating 135 wins and half a dozen stars such as state finalist Gio Alejandro, the Falcons bring back enough fire power with talented newcomers to man the top spot. Brian Christie (215) is closing in on 100 career wins and pins and sophomore Morgan Schwarz (138) earned some big wins in the state tournament last season.

The St. Joseph wrestling team poses after beating Old Bridge and clinching the GMC Red Division on Jan. 18, 2023
The St. Joseph wrestling team poses after beating Old Bridge and clinching the GMC Red Division on Jan. 18, 2023

2. St. Thomas Aquinas (14-10): The Trojans return five wrestlers with more than 20 wins littered throughout the lineup. That balance should keep STA near the top of the county. Last season they finished third in the GMCT. Ben DiCocco (113), Jahir Aguilar (132), Reed Kerstetter (138), Nazareth Pina (190) and Steve Coghan (215) lead the way.

3. Monroe (18-12): The Falcons return nine starters and five region qualifiers from an 18-win team. As a bonus, Monroe moves as the lone GMC team in Region 6 back to Region 5. Nick Cavallo (120) and Omar Cholula (175) were both district gold medalists.

4. Old Bridge (19-5): The Knights had a big-time season in which they were senior-led and state-ranked. Old Bridge, though, graduated nine key starters and must build up that depth. One good starting point – state champion Logan Roman. He’ll keep the intensity up after winning in Atlantic City at 113 last March. State qualifier Jake Tenebruso is back along with a promising sophomore class.

5. South Plainfield (12-6): It seems strange to rank the county’s gold standard program this low. Oh, the Tigers have talent and should still contend for a sectional title and a Top 5 GMCT finish. It’s just the team is in a cycle with several underclassmen and varsity newcomers manning the lineup. Guys like Nolan Hook (138), who started late last year coming off an injury, should make names for themselves. Check back in late January.

6. East Brunswick (16-9): The Bears are coming off a breakout season with several underclassmen getting a taste of varsity action. East Brunswick placed sixth in the 24-team GMCT and earned 16 wins. Now, a bulk of the team is back as they look for a White Division title.

7. Edison (20-4): The Eagles are another program on the upswing with a Top 10 finish in the GMCT and 20 wins. Edison did graduate a handful of starters like GMCT champ Julian Dawson. However, four wrestlers are back with at least 20 wins in Sean Eagle, Jeremy Negron, Fernando Avellana and Nyekir Eato.

8. Colonia (10-7): The Patriots always seem to be in the Top 10 conversation as a pesky dual and tournament team. Colonia does have questions with a handful of freshmen cracking the varsity lineup. The Patriots flex a strong building block trio in region champ Mikey Feliciano (175, 33-6), Noah Bone (132, 20-13) and Josh Parks (120, 23-10).

9. Sayreville (16-10): You have to like that Sayreville has a hammer down low and up top. CJ McCrea (126) and Connor Walsh (285) should be among the GMC’s best with several proven pieces in between.

10. Piscataway (12-11): The Chiefs have half a dozen wrestlers with double-digit wins from last season. That’s always a good starting point. Piscataway Brian Butler (144, 33-6) reached the GMCT final and won a district title.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ wrestling rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference preseason Top 10