Shore Sports Network Wrestling Shore 16 Team Rankings for Jan. 12
There's a new No. 1 team in the Shore Conference for the first time in four years.
Yes, it's been that long since a team other than Southern Regional was ranked No. 1 in the Shore Sports Network team ranking, but after Tuesday's thrilling 30-28 victory over the Rams, Christian Brothers Academy has ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the Shore.
Check out the rest of the Shore 16 team rankings heading into the busiest dual-meet portion of the season where division titles will be clinched and contenders will emerge for sectional and group championships.
Shore Sports Network Wrestling Shore 16 Team Rankings
1. Christian Brothers Academy (6-1)
The Colts avenged last season's loss to Southern with a 30-28 victory in another instant classic between the two powerhouses to jump over the Rams and take over as the No. 1 team in the Shore. CBA also owns victories over Don Bosco Prep and St. Joseph (Metuchen). Up next: Escape the Rock Tournament (Saturday, 1/13 & Sunday, 1/14); vs. No. 6 Howell (Wednesday, 1/17).
2. Southern (7-1)
The Rams drop down to No. 2 after a 30-28 loss to CBA in another outstanding match between two of New Jersey's best teams. The Rams are well on their way to another Class A South title having already defeated Brick Memorial and Jackson Memorial and they also have wins over Mount Olive and High Point. With No. 1 in the Shore likely settled, the Rams' full attention goes toward gearing up for another run at a Group 5 state title. Up next: Escape the Rock Tournament (Saturday, 1/13 & Sunday, 1/14); at Phillipsburg (Wednesday, 1/17).
3. St. John Vianney (3-0)
The Lancers are unbeaten heading into Friday's road match at Bergen Catholic. They won the Shore Conference Tournament team title and had three champions - Anthony Knox (126), Patrick O'Keefe (132), and Cole Stangle (165), plus three additional top-five finishers. Within Class A Central, SJV has already defeated Red Bank Catholic, Holmdel, and Raritan to set up a clash with Rumson-Fair Haven for the division crown on Jan. 24. Up next: at Bergen Catholic (Friday, 1/12); at Monmouth (Wednesday, 1/17).
4. Rumson-Fair Haven (4-0)
Rumson finished second at the Shore Conference Tournament and had two champions (Sonny Amato at 144 and Hudson Skove at 215) and a total of six medalists. Rumson is 4-0 with all four victories coming within Class A Central. They still have to wrestle and defeat Red Bank Catholic to set up a division-title match with St. John Vianney on Jan. 24. Up next: Quad at Jackson Liberty and vs. Westfield (Saturday, 1/13); vs. No. 7 Red Bank Catholic (Wednesday, 1/17).
5. Brick Memorial (4-1)
The Mustangs' only loss is to No. 2 Southern and on Thursday they defeated No. 14 Jackson Liberty. They finished seventh at the Shore Conference Tournament with four medalists, led by 215-pound runner-up Ben Szuba. Up next: Tri-meet at St. Thomas Aquinas with Cranford (Saturday, 1/13); vs. Toms River North (Wednesday, 1/17).
6. Howell (5-0)
The Rebels showcased their resolve and depth with a 49-15 victory that came without two of their senior standouts, Sebastian Ortega and Giovanni Scafidi. Ortega suffered a knee injury in the 138-pound Shore Conference Tournament final and is out for the season, while Scafidi was serving the first of a two-match suspension after being issued a flagrant misconduct at the SCT. Howell was fourth at the SCT with six medalists, led by freshman 175-pound champion and M.O.W. Tanner Hodgins. Up next: vs. No. 8 Middletown North (Friday, 1/12); Quad at Monroe with Absegami and Hightstown (Saturday, 1/13); at No. 1 CBA (Wednesday, 1/17).
7. Red Bank Catholic (3-1)
Sophomore Michael DiBiase won the 106-pound Shore Conference Tournament title to become RBC's first SCT champion. Junior Frank Romeo also had a great tournament and finished second at 165. The Caseys nearly knocked off St. John Vianney in a 40-34 loss on Jan. 3 and have some big Class A Central matchups coming up. Up next: Quad at Egg Harbor with Highland and Sterling (Saturday, 1/13); at No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven (Wednesday, 1/17).
8. Middletown North (6-1)
The Lions' lone loss came to No. 1 CBA on opening night and they have been dominant in every dual since to set up an intriguing clash with No. 6 Howell on Friday night. Senior Matthew Castelli finished second at 157 pounds at the Shore Conference Tournament to headline four medalists that paced Middletown North to a seventh-place finish. Up next: at No. 6 Howell (Friday, 1/12); Quad at Wall with Somerville and Lower Cape May (Saturday, 1/13); at Middletown South (Wednesday, 1/17).
9. Jackson Memorial (5-3)
The Jaguars own a 32-28 win over No. 10 Point Boro and their two conference losses are to No. 2 Southern and No. 6 Howell. Jackson was ninth at the Shore Conference Tournament with four medalists, including a third-place finish from senior Cael Huxford at 150 pounds. Up next: Quad at No. 13 Ocean with Freehold Township and DePaul (Saturday, 1/13).
10. Point Boro (3-1)
Point Boro comes in right behind the Jaguars via a 32-28 loss in December and leads a very even group of teams ranked 10th through 16th. The Panthers were third at the Shore Conference Tournament and had four total medalists and two individual SCT champions with junior Joey DeAngelo winning at 113 and freshman Jake Clayton winning at 157. They already have a win over No. 15 Donovan Catholic but still have to get through Lacey and No. 14 Jackson Liberty to retain the Class B South championship. Up next: vs. Lacey (Friday, 1/12); at Lakewood (Wednesday, 1/17).
11. Holmdel (7-2)
Holmdel comes in at No. 11 thanks to a 37-25 win over Colts Neck back on Dec. 16. It was early, but it's still a tangible result to sort out the logjam with the Hornets, Colts Neck, Ocean, and Jackson Liberty. The team's two losses are to No. 3 St. John Vianney and No. 4 Rumson. Sophomore Alex Reyes won the 190-pound Shore Conference Tournament title to become Holmdel's first SCT champion. Up next: Buc Classic tournament (Saturday, 1/13); at Red Bank (Wednesday, 1/17).
12. Colts Neck (6-1)
With a loss to Holmdel and wins over both Ocean and Jackson Liberty, Colts Neck slots in at the No. 12 spot. The Cougars also have a win over No. 16 Long Branch and are in the driver's seat to claim the Class B North division title. Sophomore Ethan Michaels finished second at 106 pounds at the Shore Conference Tournament while seniors Tyler Russ (150) and Amir Shakhnavazov (215) each finished fourth. Up next: at Freehold (Friday, 1/12); Quad vs. Lacey, Manalapan, Toms River East (Saturday, 1/13); at Raritan (Wednesday, 1/17).
13. Ocean (4-1)
The Spartans sit firmly at No. 13 with a win over Jackson Memorial and a loss to Colts Neck. Senior James Farina won the 150-pound Shore Conference Tournament championship to lead Ocean's four medalists. Ocean received a boost on Wednesday with the debut of senior 175-pounder Michael Poniros, a returning district runner-up who had been out with an injury sustained during football season. Up next: at Raritan (Friday, 1/12).; Quad vs. No. 9 Jackson Memorial, Freehold Township, DePaul (Saturday, 1/13); at No. 16 Long Branch (Wednesday, 1/17).
14. Jackson Liberty (3-3)
First-year head coach Gianni Ghone has the Lions in contention for a Class B South division title but they are still searching for their signature win of the season. They beat Lacey by 22 points in December but have suffered losses to No. 13 Ocean (39-20), No. 12 Colts Neck (48-25), and No. 5 Brick Memorial (40-28) in non-division matches. Liberty was sixth at the Shore Conference Tournament with senior Anthony Urso finishing as the runner-up at 113 pounds to lead five total medalists. Big matches await within the division with No. 10 Point Boro and No. 15 Donovan Catholic still on the schedule. Up next: Quad with No. 4 Rumson, No. 16 Long Branch, Westfield (Saturday, 1/13); at No. 15 Donovan Catholic (Wednesday, 1/17).
15. Donovan Catholic (3-1)
The Griffins finished fifth at the Shore Conference Tournament despite having just four entrants. Senior Kurt Wehner won the 120-pound title to become Donovan's first SCT champion while seniors Sawyer Ostroff (126) and Sam Rock III (Hwt) finished second and Riley Gutierrez placed sixth at 138. They still have to prove it in duals, however. They faced No. 10 Point Boro on Jan. 3 and were dealt a 41-23 loss. Important division matches vs. No. 14 Jackson Liberty and Lacey await. Up next: Quad at St. Joseph (Metuchen) with Delsea and Seton Hall Prep (Saturday, 1/13); vs. No. 14 Jackson Liberty (Wednesday, 1/17).
16. Long Branch (4-2)
The Green Wave had four medalists at the Shore Conference Tournament, led by a third-place finish at 165 pounds by Cristian Cunalata. Long Branch's two losses are to No. 7 Red Bank Catholic and No. 12 Colts Neck. Up next: Quad at No. 14 Jackson Liberty with Westfield; vs. No. 13 Ocean (Wednesday, 1/17).
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