Teams listed in alphabetical order

ASBURY PARK

Head coach: Kevin Ickles, fourth season.

2014-2015 record: 1-21.

Assistant coach: Matt Ardizzone.

NJSIAA section: Central Jersey Group I.

District: 23.

Returning starters: Kevin Reeves, So., 106/113 (7-14); Sean Hallman, So., 120 (2-17); Woodjerry Cetoute, Sr., 138 (5-12); Fenelon Etienne, Jr., 160 (8-8); Calvin Simmons-Carter, Jr., Hwt. (12-9).

Key newcomers: Johnny Jackson, Fr., 113; Widmaier Beaubram, So., 113; Davonsky Joinvilmar, So., 132; Evenson Alexis, Sr., 132; Jorge Villaviacencio, so., 138; Khassan Johnson, Fr., 145; Johnson Pierre, So., 152; Nehemy Valentin, Sr., 170; Kyrie Moore, So., 195; Milton Simmons, So., 220; Deluxene Cajulus, Jr., 220; Xavier Banks, So., Hwt. Jaylen Paige, So., Hwt.

Duals to watch: Dec. 30 at Lindenwold with Trenton and Camden; Jan. 6 at St. Rose; Jan. 30 at Barringer.

Tournaments: Neptune Classic, Dec. 19; Elizabeth Minutemen Classic, Jan. 2; Buc Classic, Jan. 9.

After not having a team for several seasons, head coach Kevin Ickles has done a great job in getting Asbury Park's program back on its feet and now in its fourth season since its reboot. There are five returning starters and just three seniors, so the interest in the program his certainly risen. The Blue Bishops have a full lineup and a complete schedule that includes three tournaments. It's a great sign for wrestling as a whole.

Junior Calvin Simmons-Carter, a football standout, is the returning wins leader after going 12-9 as a sophomore. And at heavyweight, there is at least a chance he could find himself competing for a trip to the region tournament. Junior Fenelon Etienne was 8-8 last season and starts at 160, while sophomore Kevin Reeves will spit time at 106 and 113 coming off a seven-win freshman season. Sophomore Sean Hallman at 120 and senior Woodjerry Cutout at 138 are the other returning starters.

 

KEANSBURG

Head coach: Chris DeTalvo, eighth season.

2014-2015 record: 9-18.

Assistant coaches: John Thornton, Jason Wombough, Jesse Peppers; Volunteers: Brian Schwartz, Adam Boyle, Jeremy Riley.

NJSIAA section: Central Jersey Group I.

District: 22.

Returning starters: Vanessa Wilson, Jr., 106 (13-19); Aziel Rosado, Sr., 113 (20-13); Hector Triana, So., 120 (5-25); Khalil Moore, So., 138 (11-21); Brian Edwards, Sr., 145 (4-21); Oscar Trujillo, So., 170 (0-10); Will Lambert, Jr., 182 (13-10); Dan Bauman, Sr., 220 (29-5).

Key newcomers: Patrick Edwards, Fr., 120; Dackota Read, So., 126 (1-4); Isaiah Stanton, Fr., 126; Kevin Rogers, Jr., 132; George Burdick, Fr., 152; Basit Khan, Jr., 152; Kason Kelley, Jr., 160; Liam Ricks, Fr., 170; Dylan Hegarty, Sr., 170; Adam Lambert, Fr., 182; Paul Liseno, Fr., Hwt.

Duals to watch: Jan. 2 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven; Jan. 6 vs. Keyport; Jan. 20 at Point Beach;  Jan. 23 vs. Holmdel/Asbury Park/Neptune; Jan. 30 at Lakewood with Shore and Red Bank Catholic.

Tournaments: Buc Classic, Jan. 9.

The spotlight won't shine nearly as bright on the Titans now that state champion Tyree Sutton has graduated, but there are several solid wrestlers back that should have Keansburg competitive in B Central and with other Group I programs.

Senior Dan Bauman quietly racked up 29 wins last season and is the team's returning wins leader as the 220-pound starter. At the other end of the lineup at 113 pounds, senior Aziel Rosado is back after a 20-13 season. Other returning starters in the lower half the lineup include 106-pound junior Vanessa Wilson (13 wins), sophomore Hector Triana at 120, sophomore Khalil Moore at 138 (11 wins) and senior Brian Edwards at 145.

Bauman leads the upperweights with junior Will Lambert at 182 after a 13-win sophomore season. Sophomore Oscar Trujillo also has varsity experience, and will be in the mix at 170.

Despite its small size and lack of big-time high school success outside of Sutton last season, Keansburg has a solid feeder program. Burdick, Riecks and Liseno were all youth standouts, so there is excitement about their potential to form a nucleus for the future.

 

KEYPORT

Head coach: Steve Bower, third season.

Career record: 9-28.

2014-2015 record: 2-20.

Assistant coach: Dominick Amoroso.

NJSIAA section: Central Jersey Group I.

District: 22.

Returning starters: Alex Erven, Sr., 106 (27-4, 3rd D22); Teddy Smith. Sr., 22-6; Sean Walsh, Jr., 126 (6-10); Skye Blanks, Jr., 152 (2-22); Austin Rose, Jr., 160 (5-19); Kenny Harrigan, Sr., 170 (17-6); Jarret Hourihan, Jr., 182 (2-11); Kyle Lewis, Sr., 195 (9-18); Eric Nellis, Jr., Hwt.

Key newcomers: Elijah Luster, So., 132; Barret Bremekamp, Fr., 138; Maddalena Fresnedo, So., 145; Devin Wollner, Fr., 145; Joe Diniz, Fr., 152; Mahonri Flores-Mejia, Jr., 152; Ricardo Velasco, So., 182; Dan Ladjack, Sr., 220 (4-5 in 2014); Charles Fread, Jr., Hwt.

Duals to watch: Jan. 6 at Keansburg; Jan. 9 vs. Lakewood; Feb. 10 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven.

Tournaments: Ewing Tournament, Dec. 19; Holmdel Holiday Tournament, Dec. 29.

Seniors lightweights Alex Erven and Teddy Smith, along with senior 170-pouner Kenny Harrigan lead a Red Raiders squad trying to rebound from a tough 2014-2015 season.

Erven led the team in wins last season with 27 and reached the Region VI Tournament with a third-place finish at districts. Smith posted 22 wins and is a candidate to advance to regions, as well. They man the first two spots in the lineup with junior Sean Walsh, a returning starter, at 126 pounds. The rest of the lower half of the lineup will be filled with either freshman or sophomores in their first year of varsity action.

Junior Skye Blanks is a returning starter and slots in at 152 pounds. Junior Austin Rose is at 160 before Harrigan, a 17-bout winner, at 170. Junior Jarrett Hourihan at 182 and senior Kyle Lewis at 195 are both returning starters.

 

POINT BEACH

Head coach: Jeff Bower, sixth season.

Career record: 95-28.

2014-2015 record: 21-2.

Assistant coaches: Mike McGee, Dave Hamilton, Pat Capriglione, Taylor Fioretti.

NJSIAA section: Central Jersey Group I.

District: 23.

Returning starters: Will Jarvis,  So., 106 (13-17); Aiden Kelly, So., 120 (9-11); Jared Hoeler, So., 126 (6-16); Roddy Rupp, Jr., 138 (25-9, 3rd D23); John Finnerty, Sr., 145 (27-3, 2nd D23); Giancarlo Crivelli, Sr., 152 (28-5); Jimmy Sherlock, So., 160 (10-5); Jack Baker, Jr., 182 (17-7); Cade Watkins, Jr., 220 (14-12); Forrest Gardner, Sr., Hwt. (19-13, 2nd D23).

Key newcomers: Connor Jackson, Sr., 106 (3-2 in 2014); Mike Duffy, So., 113; Dominick Waldman, Jr., 113; Jude Lovgren, So., 120; Jerry Mendoza, Fr., 126; Nick Antognoli, Sr., 132; Ryan Maness, Jr., 132; Danny Savage, So., 132 (0-1); Johan Rosa-Maldonado, Sr., 138 (1-0); Joe Fritsche, So., 152; Ryan Franzoni, Sr., 170; Cody Liguori, Jr., 195; Nick Kenmure, Fr., 195; Chris Benhur, Jr., Hwt.

Duals to watch: Jan. 13 at Shore; Jan. 23 at Jackson Liberty with Shawnee and Toms River East; Jan. 28 vs. Colts Neck; Feb. 5 vs. Point Boro.

Tournaments: TCNJ Pride Tournament, Dec. 19; Secaucus Tournament, Dec. 28.

The five-time defending Class B Central champion Garnet Gulls are primed for another championship run with three 25-bout winners and five double-digit winners among its 10 returning starters.

Senior John Finnerty leads the way at 145 pounds after a 27-3 season and a second-place finish at the district tournament. At 138 is junior Roddy Rupp, a 25-bout winner that was third at districts, and at 152 is senior Giancarlo Crivelli (28 wins). They give Point Beach a fierce trio smack dab in the middle of the lineup that will be hard for opposing teams to navigate.

There's more talent and experience up top with senior Forrest Gardner primed to be one of the top heavyweights in the Shore. He was 19-13 last year with a second-place finish at districts. Junior Jack Baker is at 182 after recording 17 wins a season ago, and junior Cade Watkins will be at 220 coming off a 14-win sophomore season. Sophomore Jimmy Sherlock could be in for a breakout season after posting 10 wins as a freshman, and will be at 160 pounds. Sophomore Vincent Storino at 170 and either junior Cade Watkins or freshman Nick Kenmore at 195 step into starting roles.

There will be several new starters in the lower half of the lineup with sophomores Will Jarvis, Aiden Kelly and Jared Hoeler the only experienced returners. Jarvis was 13-17 last season at 106 and will be back at the same weight. Kelly was 9-11 and is now at 120, and Hoeler, who wrestled in 22 bouts last season, is at 126.

Point Beach has always had great wrestling numbers for a small Group I team, and that's a big reason they won seven of the last eight B Central titles and 19 division titles overall. The Gulls are again the favorite with a Jan. 13 match at Shore the defacto division championship match. With state powerhouse Bound Brook moving out of Central Jersey Group I last year and a very tough Cinnaminson team also in a different section, Point Beach is also a top contender to bring home the program's first sectional championship.

 

ST. ROSE

Head coach: Rob Connelley, 1st season.

NJSIAA section: South Jersey, Non-Public B.

District: 23.

Roster: Alexi Nunez, Jr., 106; Dean Defalco, Fr., 113; Matt Tiernan, Fr., 120; Jerry Werdann, Jr., 126; Jayden Park, Jr., 132; Nick DelRusso, Jr., 138; Evan Peeke, Fr. 145; Jacob Rowohit, Jr., 152; Zachary Reid, Jr., 160; Sonni Li, Jr., 179; Michael Farmer, Fr., 170; Kyle Bacon, Jr., 182; Alex Nappi, Fr., 220; Mitch Reid, Jr., Hwt.

The Purple Roses are back as a varsity program after low numbers had them wrestling as a junior varsity program for the last two years. It's a great sign for wrestling in general they are able to rejoin the Shore as a varsity team.

The roster is comprised entirely of freshmen and juniors, so there will be plenty to build off for the coming seasons.

 

SHORE

Head coach: Dave Porta, seventh season.

Career record: 80-78.

2014-2015 record: 18-11.

Assistant coach: Rich Santangelo.

NJSIAA section: Central Jersey Group I.

District: 23.

Returning starters: Tim Klemser, Sr., 120 (20-9, 3rd D23); Justin Valerio, Sr., 132 (16-20); John Biagi, Sr., 145 (18-13); Dean Smolokoff, Jr., 145 (1-18); Alex Johnson, Sr., 145/152 (39-5, 2nd D23, 4th R6); Paul Tietjen, So., 160 (19-14); Mike Rosati, So., 170 (7-25); Darius Gevas, Sr., 195 (15-15).

Key newcomers: Brad Smuro, So., 106 (0-1); Cody Joyce, Fr., 106; Sterling Finch, Fr., 106; Matt Klemser, Fr., 113; Isaiah Montanez, So., 113; Ian Smith, Fr., 120; Lou Valerio, Fr., 132; Rob Squillari, Sr., 138; Jack MacCrae, Fr., 138; James Danskin, Sr., 138 (1-0); Cooper Walters, Jr., 145; Austin Cannon, Jr., 170 (2-0 at Long Branch); Quadir Lawson, Fr., 170; Joe Aria, Fr., 220.

Duals to watch: Jan. 2 at Manasquan with Point Boro; Jan. 13 vs. Point Beach; Jan. 30 vs. Keansburg/Lakewood/Red Bank Catholic.

Tournaments: Pine Barrens Classic, Dec. 19; Holmdel Holiday Tournament, Dec. 29; Buc Classic, Jan. 9.

With eight returning starters and a potential impact newcomer, Shore is looking to continue its run of strong dual results while challenging for its first division title since 2010.

Senior Alex Johnson leads the way at 145/152 pounds after going 39-5 and finishing one win away from a trip to the state tournament. A pinning machine with a lethal cradle, Johnson is 14 wins away from 100 for his career. Senior Tim Klemser is the Blue Devils' other top returner at 120 pounds. He went 29-9 last season with a third-place finish in the district tournament, and anchors the lower half of the lineup.

Seniors John Biagi at 145 and Paul Tietjen at 160 pounds won 18 and 19 bouts last season, respectively, so Shore is hoping to see them in the 25-win range. Senior Darius Gevas was a 15-bout winner last year and gives Shore an experienced upperweight at 195 pounds.

Other returning starters include senior Justin Valerio, a 16-bout winner, at 132, junior Dean Smolokoff at 145 and sophomore Mike Rosati at 170.

The arrival of Austin Cannon from Long Branch is intriguing. Cannon entered high school with much promise after a great intermediate career, but it hans't panned out so far. He has the potential to be a huge contributor at 170 pounds and find great success in the individual tournament.

The ingredients are there for the Blue Devils to have another very good season, and the match with five-time defending division champion Point Beach on Jan. 13 will almost certainly decide the title. Shore is also in play to contend for the Central Jersey Group I title, which would be the first in program history.

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