Wrestling – NJSIAA District Tournaments Primer

The road to an individual state wrestling championship begins this weekend with 32 NJSIAA District Tournaments throughout New Jersey. From there, the top three in each weight class in each district advance to the eight region tournaments, which will be contested on Wednesday, Feb. 21, Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24. The top four finishers in each weight at the region tournaments will advance to the NJSIAA State Championship Tournament at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City from Friday, March 2 through Sunday, March 4.

The 44 Shore Conference schools are spread across 15 districts.

Key regulations

-The seeding meetings must be held on Thursday, 2/15

-A wrestler must make the flat/scratch weight and appear on the mat prior to or at the start of the districts to establish the lowest possible weight that wrestler can compete at in the postseason. For example, a wrestler wishing to compete at 120 pounds for the postseason has to make 120 without any weight allowances either during the season or at the district tournament.

-Host schools have the option of running either a two-day or one-day tournament. In the event of a two-day tournament, the preliminary and quarterfinal rounds will be held on Friday and the semifinals, third-place bouts and finals will be held on Saturday. Friday sessions will start no later than 6 p.m.

-Two-day tournaments will have an additional one-pound allowance for Saturday (Original: 106; Friday: 108; Saturday: 109). One-day tournaments will have only the two-pound growth allowance that went into effect on Jan. 15.

-Wrestlers will be pre-seeded by TrackWrestling based on their 20 best in-state matches. The pre-seed is based on prestige points (points a wrestler starts the season with based on past performance in a previous state tournament) and quality points (points earned for wins and some close losses during the current season). Head-to-head results from the current season will then be used to determine the final district seeds. Round robin sets of losses between three or more wrestlers (triangles, quadrangles, etc.) are eliminated.

TIDBITS

Note: Nearly all of the statistics listed below would not be possible to include without the tireless work of Frank D'Esposito at theShoreConference.com. He's a Hall of Famer for good reason!

-Brick Memorial has had a district champion for 36 consecutive seasons, which is a Shore Conference record.

-Jackson Memorial's 184 total district champions are the most for any Shore Conference program. The Jaguars' streak of 33 straight years with a district champion was snapped last season.

-Point Boro and Southern have each had a district champion every year since 1997

-Raritan has had a district champion every year since 2002

-Ocean has had a district champion every year since 2004

-Howell has had a district champion every year since 2005

-Toms River South has had a district champion every year since 2008

-St. Rose has the longest drought since its last district champion (Andrew Caccamise, 189, 1992).

-Manasquan has not had a district champion since 2004.

FOUR-TIME DISTRICT CHAMPIONS

Brick Memorial: Vin Santaniello (1987-1990), Marc Rosenfeld (1999-2002); Steve Santos (2006-2009); D.J. Santos (2008-2011); Alec Donovan (2012-2015); Nick Rivera (2014-2017).

CBA: Dave Santamaria (1995-1998); Erik Beshada (2011-2014).

Central: Maurice Worthy (1994-1997); Mark Worthy (1996-1999)

Howell: Zac Cunliffe (2000-2003).

Jackson Memorial: Lour Durant (1975-1978); Scott Goodale (1987-1990); Rob Johnson (1988-1991); Doug Withstandley (1998-2001).

Lakewood: Muneer James (1992-1995); Damion Hahn (1996-1999).

Long Branch: Luke Skove (1978-1981); Sam Cole (1985-1988); Craig Mammano (1991-1994).

Manalapan: Joe DiMario (1986-1989); Mike Gaeta (2000-2003).

Marlboro: Nick Parisi (2003-2006).

Middletown North: Mike Florio (1993-1996); John Hockin (1997-2000).

Middletown South: Glenn Pritzlaff (1991-1994); Blair Tugman (1995-1998).

Southern: Luke Lanno (2004-2007); Frank Molinaro (2004 at Midd. North, 2005-2007); Glenn Carson (2006-2009); Brian Broderick (2006-2009).

Toms River East: Devin Mesanko (1999-2002).

Toms River South: B.J. Clagon (2010-2013); Owen McClave (2013-2016).

Wall: Blaine Woszczak (2004-2007); Brett Donner (2013-2016).

Wrestlers who can win their fourth district title this year

Kyle Slendorn, Howell

Jake Benner, Ocean

Cole Corrigan, Toms River South

DISTRICT ALIGNMENT

DISTRICT 17 (at Middletown South)

Hunterdon Central

Hillsborough

Middletown North

Middletown South

Franklin

Keansburg

South River

Spotswood

West Windsor-Plainsboro South

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Tyler Klinsky, So., Middletown North, 106; Jack Bauer, Jr., Hunterdon Central, 113; Hunter Graf, Sr., Hunterdon Central, 120; Anthony Donnadio, Jr., Hillsborough, 126; Vincent Romaniello, Jr., Hunterdon Central, 132; Stanley Wojdylak, Sr., Middletown North, 145; Steven O'Campo, Jr., West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 152; Nicko Cofone, Sr., Middletown North, 160; Kyle Baszak, Sr., South River, 195.

DISTRICT 18 (at Red Bank)

Bound Brook

Hopewell Valley

East Brunswick

Keyport

Montgomery

Manville

Piscataway

Red Bank

North Brunswick

Rutgers Prep

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Chris Lanciano, Jr., Hopewell Valley, 106; Mitchell Polito, Sr., East Brunswick, 113; Shane Demeter, Sr., Manville, 132; Joe Casey, Sr., Bound Brook, 145; Nick Recine, Jr., Piscataway, 170; Paris Foster, Sr., Piscataway, 195.

DISTRICT 19 (at Delaware Valley)

Delaware Valley

Old Bridge

Edison

Marlboro

Princeton

Pingry

Rumson-Fair Haven

St. John Vianney

Sayreville

West Windsor-Plainsboro North

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Tyler Pepe, So., St. John Vianney, 106; Jake Wiatroski, Sr., Old Bridge, 113; Mike Botte, Sr., Old Bridge, 120; Alec Bobchin, Jr., Princeton, 126; Nick Addison, Jr., Rumson-Fair Haven, 152; Nick Caracappa, Sr., St. John Vianney, 170; Josiah Walker, Sr., St. John Vianney, 182; Steven Giannios, Sr., St. John Vianney, 220: Paul Liseno, Jr., St. John Vianney, Hwt (won District 17 last season while at Keansburg).

DISTRICT 20 (at South Brunswick)

Raritan

Monroe

South Brunswick

Bishop Ahr

Matawan

Perth Amboy

Holmdel

New Brunswick

Highland Park

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Robert Taddeo, Sr., Raritan, 106; Charles Barrale, Jr., Raritan 113; Russell Benson, Sr., Raritan, 132; Dean Gallo, Jr., Holmdel, 138; Scott Dupont, Sr., Holmdel, 152; Gustavo Palacio, Sr., South Brunswick, 182; Ethan Wolf, Sr., Raritan, 220;

DISTRICT 21 (at Manalapan)

Brick Memorial

Point Boro

Manalapan

Colts Neck

Bordentown/Florence

Burlington City

Burlington Township

New Egypt

Trenton Central

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Paul Santomarco, Jr., Manalapan, 106; Joey King, Sr., Colts Neck, 113; Kareem Ghiada, Jr., Manalapan, 120; Michael Jannucci, Jr., Colts Neck, 182; Billy Borowsky, Jr., Point Boro, 195; Jajuan Hayes, Jr., Bordentown/Florence, 220.

DISTRICT 22 (at Howell)

Howell

Jackson Liberty

Northern Burlington

Allentown

Robbinsville

Neptune

Lawrence

Ewing

Riverside

St. Rose

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Joey Lamparelli, So., Allentown, 106; Luke Rada, Jr., Howell, 113; Darby Diedrich, Jr., Howell, 120; Kyle Slendorn, Sr., Howell, 126; Dan Esposito, Sr., Howell, 132; Garrett Bilgrav, Jr., Robbinsville, 145; Anthony Giampietro, Jr., Northern Burlington, 152; Christian Murphy, Jr., Howell, 160; Shane Reitsma, So., Howell, 170.

DISTRICT 23 (at Long Branch)

Long Branch

Wall

Delran

Point Beach

Hightstown

Steinert

Freehold

Lakewood

Manasquan

Asbury Park

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Nico Messina, So., Freehold, 106; Christian Charache, Sr., Hightstown, 113; Bryan Miraglia, Jr., Delran, 126; Jack Kelly, Sr., Wall, 145; Rob Kanniard, Jr., Wall, 152; Jalen Paige, Sr., Asbury Park, Hwt.

DISTRICT 24 (at Freehold Township)

CBA

Ocean

Freehold Township

Nottingham

Shore

Red Bank Catholic

Monmouth

Notre Dame

Hamilton West

Willingboro

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Richie Koehler, Sr., CBA, 113; Alex Poniros, So., Ocean, 126; Jake Benner, Sr., Ocean, 138; Christian Recantini, Sr., CBA, 145; Sam Houstan, Sr., CBA, 182; Eric Quartey, Sr., Freehold Township, 195; Sylvester Freeman, Sr., Nottingham, Hwt.

DISTRICT 25 (at Cherokee)

Jackson Memorial

Cherokee

Camden Catholic

Seneca

Moorestown

Audubon

Holy Cross

Sterling

Haddon Heights

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Chase Mullarkey, Sr., Holy Cross, 106; Joe Manchio, Sr., Seneca, 113; Lucas Revano, Jr., 120, Camden Catholic; Anthony Croce, Jr., Camden Catholic, 132; Christopher Tenenbaum, Sr., Moorestown, 138; Ryan Burke, Sr., Cherokee, 145; Jeremy Nutt, Jr., Camden Catholic, 182; Lamar Price, Sr., Sterling, Hwt.

DISTRICT 26 (at Gloucester Community College)

Paulsboro

Cinnaminson

Cherry Hill West

Eastern

Pennsauken

Toms River East

Manchester

Westampton Tech

Triton

Donovan Catholic

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Georgio Mazzeo, So., Paulsboro, 106; Geno Duca, Jr., Paulsboro, 113; Gabe Onorato, So., Paulsboro 132 (won D28 title while at Collingswood last season); Cristiaan Dailey, Sr., Donovan Catholic, 138; George Worthy, Jr., Paulsboro, 145; Conor Panzarella, Sr., Donovan Catholic, 152; Anthony Morina, Jr., Paulsboro, 170; Sal DiSalvo, Sr., Donovan Catholic, 195.

DISTRICT 27 (at Lacey)

Brick

West Deptford

Haddonfield

Haddon Township

Lacey

Rancocas Valley

Central

Cherry Hill East

Lindenwold

Camden/Woodrow Wilson

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Hunter Gutierrez, Jr., Lacey, 106; Jiya Gannone, Jr., Rancocas Valley, 120; Corey Fischer, Jr., West Deptford, 145; Chris Bolletino, Sr., Haddonfield, 152; Gabriel Klaus, Jr., Haddonfield, 195; Will Murray, Sr., Haddonfield, 220.

DISTRICT 28 (at Collingswood)

Toms River South

Collingswood

Shawnee

Toms River North

Lenape

Paul VI

Pemberton

Gloucester City

Maple Shade

Palmyra

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Andrew Clark, So., Collingswood, 106; Nick Reilly, Jr., Toms River North, 113; Matt Higgins, Sr., Shawnee, 120; Nick Boggiano, So., Toms River North, 126; Cole Corrigan, Sr., Toms River South, 145; Joe Wilson, Jr., Pemberton, 152; Aaron Carter, Sr., Collingswood, 182.

DISTRICT 29 (at Kingsway)

Southern

Woodstown

Kingsway

Washington Township

Ocean City

Cedar Creek

Schalick

Holy Spirit

Atlantic City

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): McKenzie Bell, So., Kingsway, 106; Jack Prendergast, So., Woodstown, 113; Giovanni Chiesa, Sr., Woodstown, 126; Quinn Kinner, Sr., Kingsway, 132; Nick O'Connell, Jr., Southern, 145; Cody Wolf, Sr., Woodstown, 152; Tim Fitzpatrick, Sr., Holy Spirit, 160; Michael Waszen, Sr., Holy Spirit, 182;

DISTRICT 31 (at Absegami)

Delsea

Highland

Timber Creek

Absegami

Pennsville

Mainland

Pitman

Pinelands

Overbrook

Gloucester Catholic

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Nick Digiacomo, Jr., Timber Creek, 106; Justin Cariss, Jr., Highland, 126; Nick Bennett, Jr., Delsea, 138; Billy Janzer, Sr., Delsea, 170; Tommy Maxwell, Sr., Delsea, 195; Devon Starks, Sr., Highland, 220; Kody Wood, Sr., Pennsville, Hwt.

DISTRICT 32 (at Williamstown)

St. Augustine

Buena

Clayton/Glassboro

Hammonton

Winslow

Williamstown

Oakcrest

Barnegat

Cumberland

St. Joseph (Hammonton)

Returning champions (name, grade, school, last year's weight): Danial Martini, Jr., St. Augustine, 106; Shamun Smith, Sr., Williamstown, 120; Connor Kraus, Jr., St. Augustine, 126; Brett Bodnar, Jr., St. Augustine, 138 (questionable to wrestle, out since 1/12/18); Bryce Dunn, Sr., Cumberland, Hwt.

Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.