Class B Central

 

Teams: Asbury Park, Keansburg, Keyport, Point Beach, Shore.

Note: St. Rose will not compete at the varsity level this season.

 

Teams listed in alphabetical order

 

Asbury Park

Head coach: Kevin Ickles, 2nd season (1-14)

Coaching staff: Matt Ardizzone

District: 23

Section: Central Jersey Group I

2012-2013 record: 1-14

Team accomplishments: Ninth place District 23, 6th place Class B Central, 13th place Buc Classic.

Varsity returners: Angel Sanchez, So., 106; Jarrod Fletcher, Jr., 120; Brandon Mendez, Sr., 126; Rafael Mozo, So., 138; Raymond Davis, Jr., 138; Romel Lahens, Sr., 182; Ricky Cortes, Sr., 220.

Newcomers: Tyrone Bailey, Fr., 113; Cavialy Romulus, Fr., 113; Fenelson Etienne, Fr., 132; Angel Rosario, So., 138; Eshawn Richardson, So., 145; Clevy Feliz, So., 145; Ismael Rodas, Fr., 145; Keith White, So., 152; Davon Byers, So., 160; Johnny Wilkerson, So., 160; Amir Archer, Sr., 170; Jeffrey Duval, So., 170; Kyrie Moore, Fr., 195; Damon Brown, Sr., 220; Reggie McNeil, So., Hwt; Jonathan Diaz, Fr., Hwt.

Season outlook: After going several years without a program, the Blue Bishops returned to varsity action in 2007 and have seen an increase in numbers and success during that span. The program graduated heavyweight Domingo Perez, who won a pair of district titles to shed positive light on a program needing it. Although he is no longer in the room, his success can only help the future of the Bishops’ program. The numbers are solid for Asbury Park this season and the team looks like it will be able to fill a full lineup starting the season, which is a huge step in the right direction. Junior Jarrod Fletcher is the leading returner after posting a 15-5 mark at 113 pounds last season. He’ll begin this season at 120. Sophomore Angel Sanchez at 106, senior Brandon Mendez at 126, senior Romel Lahns at 182 and junior Ricky Cortes at 220 all picked up victories in varsity action last season and return to the lineup in 2013-2014. Although a young and inexperienced team, Asbury Park has a base to build from and will look to be competitive with the city schools from Newark, Camden, Plainfield, Paterson and New Brunswick on its schedule.

 

Keansburg

Head coach: Chris DeTalvo, 6th season (52-66)

Coaching staff: Dave Alsieux, John Thornton, Chris Damian.

District: 22

Section: Central Jersey Group I

2012-2013 record: 17-7

Team accomplishments: Seventh place District 22, state sectional qualifiers, 3rd place Class B Central, 2nd place Buc Classic, 2nd place Holmdel Holiday Tournament.

Varsity returners: Aziel Rosado, So. 106; Bryan Harris, Sr., 120; Nic Vloyanetes, Sr., 132; Carlos Fontanez, Sr., 138; Damian Zitzman, Sr., 145; Dylan Alt, Jr., 170; David Wilson, Sr., 182; Tyree Sutton, Jr., 195.

Newcomers: Kevin Rogers, Fr., 113; Jimmy Beveridge, Fr., 126; Dan Bauman, So., 220.

Season outlook: The Titans had a solid 2013 season with 11 wrestlers winning at least 10 matches. Six of those wrestlers have graduated, however, but three standouts will lead the way for Keansburg as it tries to climb the ladder in B Central. Senior Carlos Fontanez went 30-3 last season at 138 pounds while advancing to the region tournament. He’ll be at the same weight this season as the anchor in the bottom half of the lineup. Senior Nic Vloyanetes won 15 matches last season and is slotted in at 132, and senior Damian Zitzman is at 145 coming off a 16-9 campaign and senior Bryan Harris wrestled in 29 matches last year to help form the nucleus of the lowerweights. Sophomore Aziel Rosado went 5-4 last season at 106, and he’s back in the same spot with the hopes of increasing that win total with more matches. Junior Dylan Alt (22-7) and senior David Wilson (10-3) return at 170 and 182, respectively, to lead the upperweights. The Titans will receive a major boost with the return of junior Tyree Sutton, who did not wrestle last season after a stellar 22-8 freshman campaign in which he won a district title and was named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler. The Titans have two candidates for good postseason runs in Fontanez and Sutton, while Alt could break through in the district tournament, as well. Team-wise, Keansburg will need contributions from several newcomers if they are going to catch Shore and Point Beach in the division race.

 

Keyport

Head coach: Steve Bower, 1st season (0-0).

District: 22

Section: Central Jersey Group I

2012-2013 record: 10-8

Team accomplishments: 11th place District 22, 4th place Class B Central, 7th place Buc Classic, 4th place Holmdel Holiday Tournament, 6th place Ewing Tournament.

Varsity returners: Alex Erven, So., 106; Teddy Smith, So., 113; Ron Cox, Jr., 132; Jake Andrews, Sr., 138; Darnell Holmes, Sr., 145; Alex Meza, Sr., 170; Dan O’Steen, Sr., 220; Dan Ladjack, So., Hwt.

Newcomers: Skye Blanks, Fr., 120; Austin Rose, Fr., 138; Jeff Kleiber, Jr., 160; John Fisler, Sr., 182; Kyle Lewis, So., 195.

Season outlook: The graduation of the Prevost quadruplets, who combined for 82 wins last season, leaves the top half of the lineup without many experienced wrestlers. Senior Alex Meza at 170 returns after winning 13 matches last season, while senior Dan O’Steen at 220 and sophomore Dan Ladjack add experience to the upperweights. The Red Raiders’ strength will be in the bottom half with sophomores Alex Erven (15-13) and Teddy Smith (14-11) giving them a solid combination at 106 and 113. Senior Darnell Holmes is the returning wins leader coming off a 20-8 season and will wrestle at 145 pounds. Junior Ron Cox at 132 and senior Jake Andrews at 138 give Keyport two additional experienced grapplers down low, and Skye Banks (120) and Austin Rose (138) will get opportunities at starting roles as freshmen. The Red Raiders posted a winning season last year for the first time since 2006, and will look to keep the ball rolling in head coach Steve Bower’s first season.

 

Point Beach

Head coach: Jeff Bower, 4th season (47-21)

Coaching staff: Mike McGee, Brendan Neary, Bruce Fioretti, Dave Hamilton, Brian Spader, Mike Sirchio, Pat Capriglione, Mike Boccelari.

District: 23

Section: Central Jersey Group I

2012-2013 record: 20-5

Team accomplishments: Class B Central division champs, 6th place District 23, state sectional  qualifiers, Holmdel Holiday Tournament champs, 8th place Colt Classic.

Varsity returners: Vincent Storino, Sr., 106; Nick Antognoli, So, 113; John Finnerty, So., 120; Giancarlo Crivelli, So., 126; Trey Watkins, Sr., 126; Zack Schaller, Jr., 132; James Finnerty, Sr., 138; Brian Barnes, Jr., 138; Tore Capriglione, Sr., 145; Riley Kelly, Sr., 152; Jake DeLorenzo, Jr., 152; Cory Gross, Jr., 160; Jake Fioretti, Jr., 170; Bronson Liguori, Sr., 182; Forrest Gardner, So., 195; Tom D’Amore, Sr., Hwt.

Newcomers: Roddy Rupp, Fr., 113; Jason Bowers, Fr., 132; Jack Baker, Fr., 145; Cody Liguori, Fr., 220.

Season outlook: The three-time defending Class B Central division champion Garnet Gulls return nearly every major piece from last season’s 20-5 squad, losing only 220-pounder Tim Morris to graduation. Nine wrestlers who won at least 10 matches return, including seven that posted over 20 victories. Teams on Point Beach’s schedule will have a difficult time handling its bottom half of the lineup, which boasts six double-digit match winners. Sophomore John Finnerty leads the pack here after a standout freshman season in which he went 30-7 and reached a district final at 106 pounds. He’ll move up to 120 ahead of senior Vincent Storino (16-4) at 106 and before a strong run of sophomore Giancarlo Crivelli (23-9) or senior Trey Watkins (27-6) at 126, senior James Finnerty (22-10) at 138 and senior Tore Capriglione (20-7) at 145. The upperweight group is nearly as balanced with senior district champ Riley Kelly (27-6) at 152 and senior heavyweight Tom D’Amore (23-6, 3rd D-21) leading the way. Junior 170-pounder Jake Fioretti, the quarterback on Point Beach’s first ever state championship football team, should improve on his 16 wins from last season, while junior Jake DeLorenzo at 152 and senior Bronson Liguori at 182 could approach 15 wins. With almost all of its lineup back plus some freshmen that could contribute, Point Beach will be in line to repeat as division champions and make a deep run in the sectional tournament while also pushing individuals into the region tournament.

 

Shore Regional

Head coach: Dave Porta, 5th season (42-61)

Coaching staff: Rich Santangelo

District: 23

Section: Central Jersey Group I

2012-2013 record: 15-13

Team accomplishments: Eighth place District 23, 2nd place Class B Central, 6th place Buc Classic, 5th place Holmdel Holiday Tournament, 6th place Pine Barrens Tournament.

Varsity returners: Tim Klemser, So., 106; Danny Welsh, Jr., 113; Justin Valerio, So., 120; Kevin Newenhouse, Sr., 126; Alex Johnson, So., 138; Sam Koenig, Sr., 145; Conor Dowd, Sr., 152; Zach Goldberg, Sr., 170; Austin Lucisano, Jr., 182; Dom Liana, Jr., 195; Dave Musselman, Sr., Hwt; Rob Fallon, Jr., Hwt.

Newcomers: John Biagi, So., 132; Paul Tietjen, So., 160; Cole Barrale, Jr., 160; Luke Lonnie, Jr., 160; Darius Gevas, So, 220.

Season outlook: With eight wrestlers returning who won over 10 matches last season and only a view spots without an experienced wrestler, Shore hopes to build off its first winning season in five years and make a run at the division title. Senior Sam Koenig is the team’s anchor at 145 pounds. He finished 28-9 last season and is a two-time region qualifier. He’s also 18 wins away from becoming the fourth Blue Devils wrestler to reach 100 career victories. Behind him is sophomore Alex Johnson at 138, who won 17 matches a season ago and could be poised for a breakout season. At 152 is senior Conor Dowd, a team captain coming off a 20-win season. Higher in the lineup are double-digit winners junior Austin Lucisano at 182, junior Dom Liana at 195 and senior Dave Musselman at heavyweight. Junior Darius Gevas, a transfer from California, slots in at 220 pounds. Shore has a solid pair at 106 and 113 with sophomore Tim Klemser (15-11) and junior Danny Welsh (18-16) back-to-back. Senior Kevin Newenhouse returns after sitting out last season to add to the roster’s experience and will wrestle at 126 pounds. Sophomore Jon Biagi is a wrestler Porta is high on winning matches on toughness alone at 132 pounds. With a few wrestlers that have a chance to advance to the region tournament and a fairy balanced lineup, Shore should contend for the division title and could make a run at a berth in the Central Jersey Group I tournament.

 

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