Shore Conference Class B South Wrestlers to Watch for 2021

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As our preview of the 2021 Shore Conference wrestling season continues, we’ll take a look at some of the top wrestlers in the Class B South Division, which features Barnegat, Donovan Catholic, Jackson Liberty, Lacey, Lakewood, Manchester, Pinelands and Point Boro.

Wrestlers are listed in alphabetical order.

Jack Bailey, Sr., Pint Boro, 152

A mainstay for the Panthers over the past three seasons who has been an integral part of their championship success, Baily enters his senior season with 76 wins and is looking to reach his first state tournament before starting his college career at Stevens Institute of Technology. He was the District 23 champion at 152 pounds last season and placed fifth in Region 6, finishing with a 29-9 record. He is a two-time district champion and a three-time region qualifier.

Jose Becerril, Sr., Lakewood, 106/113

Anytime a senior is wrestling at 106 or 113 pounds there is a chance for them to have a big season, and such is the case with Becerril. He is the Piners’ returning wins leader after going 26-10 last season.

Thomas Bodei, Sr., Manchester, 126

Bodei went 20-11 and finished second at the District 27 Tournament last season at 120 pounds.

Matt Bryant, Jr., Manchester, 195

Bryant is the Hawks’ returning wins leader after going 22-8 last season and placing second at the District 27 Tournament. He’ll jump two weight classes after competing at 170 pounds last season.

Brady Carter, Jr., Lacey, 113/120

If there was a comeback wrestler of the year award (maybe there should be?), Carter would certainly be at or near the top of the list of candidates. Carter had a dynamite freshman season in 2019 when he went 32-5 and reached the state tournament via runner-up finishes at District 26 and Region 7, but was limited to a 5-0 record last season and did not participate in the individual postseason. Suffice to say, a return to form this season would be huge for Lacey and make Carter a contender for a state medal.

Vin Ceglie, Sr., Lacey, 195

Ceglie was trending toward another state tournament berth last year before his season came to an unexpected end with a sixth-place finish at the Region 7 Tournament. It was otherwise another very good season for Ceglie, who certainly wants to return to the state tournament and battle for all-state status in his final season. He was 34-5 last season, winning the Shore Conference Tournament title at 220 pounds and placing second at the District 25 Tournament. Ceglie has 80 career wins so he has an outside shot at reaching 100 this season. He is a three-time district finalist (2018 champion).

Nick DiGiantomasso, Sr., Donovan Catholic, 126

DiGiantomasso is the Griffins’ returning wins leader after going 23-9 last season. He enters his senior season with 60 career victories.

Mason Heck, Jr., Lacey, 120/126

Heck got his chance to start last season and showed what he could do with the opportunity by going 21-11 and finishing second at the District 26 Tournament.

Jake Klein, So., Jackson Liberty, 170

Klein was one of two Liberty freshmen who won over 20 bouts last season and did so at 160 pounds. His debut high school season saw him go 21-16 and place third at the District 24 Tournament. He is one of the main building blocks for first-year head coach Devin Biscaha.

Mason Livio, So., Pinelands, 120

Livio put together one of the best seasons any Pinelands freshman has had in the last 20 years by going 27-6 and place third in the District 29 Tournament. The Wildcats are building a new foundation under fourth-year head coach Joe Adelizzi and Livio looks to the centerpiece now and in the year to follow.

Chimdindu Molokwu, So., Jackson Liberty, 195

Molokwu was one of the more underrated wrestlers in the Shore last season when you consider he went 29-7 and won a district title while wrestling at 182 pounds as a freshman. That’s not an easy task for wrestlers who are 14-or 15-years old to go up against mostly upperclassmen on a daily basis. He could be a force this season and a hammer up top for first-year head coach Devin Biscaha.

Gavin O’Connor, Sr., Point Boro, 182

O’Connor had some big wins for the Panthers last season as they won their fourth straight division title. He finished with a 20-13 record and placed third at the District 23 Tournament at 182 pounds last season.

David Olivares, Sr., Lakewood, 152/160

Lakewood has a very experienced roster under first-year head coach Corey Maliff and Olivares returns with some hardware after going 21-16 and finishing third in the District 23 Tournament at 145 pounds last season.

Jonathan Recio, Sr., Jackson Liberty, 145

Recio went 25-12 last season and finished second in the District 24 Tournament at 145 pounds. He is a two-time district runner-up and the centerpiece of the Lions’ middleweights.

Collin Rolak, Sr., Lacey, 138/145

Rolak has been a reliable starter since his freshman year and has upped his win total each season, going from 15 as a frosh to a 30 last season. He finished his junior year (132 pounds) 30-10 with a second-place finish in District 26 and a sixth-place finish in Region 7.

Lucas Sabo, Sr., Point Boro, 120

A Delaware Valley recruit, Sabo went 15-11 last season and placed third in the District 22 Tournament. He’ll anchor the Panthers’ lightweight group as the lone senior in the first seven weights.

Steven Schmitz, Sr., Jackson Liberty, 160

Schmitz posted an 18-9 record last season wrestling at 152 pounds and earned a district medal by placing third at the District 24 Tournament.

Gavin Stewart, Sr., Pinelands, 160

Stewart is the Wildcats’ returning wins leader after going 28-11, placing second at the District 29 Tournament and earning a region medal with a sixth-place finish at 160 pounds. He’ll be back at 160 for the third straight year where he is a two-time district medalist.

Levi Wilkins, Jr., Donovan Catholic, 220

Along with teammate Nick DiGiantomasso, Wilkins is one of the few returning starters the Griffins have and both are the only returners who posted winning records last season. Wilkins was 21-10 and will anchor the upperweight group.

Justice Wilson, Sr., Manchester, 220

Wilson is back at 220 pounds and gives Manchester a solid 1-2 combo up top with junior Matt Bryant at 195 pounds. Wilson went 18-13 last season and placed second in the District 27 Tournament.

Others to keep an eye on:

Jorge Ramos, Jr., Barnegat, 113 (14 wins last season)

Christian Bacciagalupi, So., Barnegat, 126/132 (12-9 last season)

Ryan Kinsman, So., Jackson Liberty, 120 (15 wins last season)

Devin Mark, Sr., Jackson Liberty, 138 (15 wins last season)

Max Bandelt, So., Jackson Liberty, 145 (13-11 last season)

Andrew Ferraiuolo, Jr., Lacey, 132/138 (22-10 last season)

Kevin Fazio, Jr., Lacey, 152/160 (23-13 last season at Barnegat)

James Circle, Jr., Lacey, 170 (28-10 last season at Barnegat)

Gerard O’Connor, Sr., Lacey, 220 (22-5 last season)

Scott Stevens, Jr., Lacey, 285 (18-7 last season)

Edgar Silva, So., Lakewood, 132 (21-14 last season)