VOTE for the Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab Wrestler of the Week

The Shore Sports Network Wrestler of the Week poll is back for 2020 and sponsored by our friends at Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab in Spring Lake. For the first poll, we’ll take a look at the top performances from the start of the season spanning from Dec. 19-Jan. 4. The winner will be announced on Wednesday right here on ShoreSportsNetwork.com. Voting will end Tuesday at midnight.

Scroll down to see the candidates and make your selection. If you'd like to vote more than once, just wait one hour and come back.

Wrestler of the Week nominees from Dec. 19-Jan. 4 (listed in alphabetical order) 

Max Brignola, Jr., 145, Rumson-Fair Haven 

A returning state qualifier who was one win from a top-eight finish last season, Brignola has been untouchable with nine pins and one major decision to start the season 10-0. He won titles at the Caldwell and Holmdel Christmas Tournaments.

Thomas Lidondici, Sr., 285, Colts Neck 

Lidondici emerged as a Shore Conference Tournament title contender at heavyweight when he won the Mustang Classic, defeating Ocean’s Joe Teresi, 3-2, in the championship bout. Lidondici has also made a name for himself with eight pins in the opening minute of the bout, including a 5-second pin in the first match of the season. He’s 9-1 overall.

Nico Messina, Sr., 126, Freehold 

Messina earned the 111^th and 112^th victories of his career this past weekend to become the winningest record in Freehold history. He is 10-1 with his only defeat coming in the Mustang Classic finals and has six pins, two major decisions and one technical fall.

Dean Peterson, Jr., 120, St. John Vianney 

Last season’s 113-pound state champion has picked up right where he left off with a 12-0 record and titles at the Beast of the East and the Sam Cali Memorial Battle for the Belt tournaments. The nation’s No.2-ranked 120-pounder became the first Shore Conference wrestler to win the prestigious Beast of the East since 2007.

Shane Reitsma, Sr., 170, Howell 

Reitsma is 11-1 with his only defeat coming in the final of the prestigious Powerade Tournament. In finishing second at one of the nation’s toughest tournaments, Reitsma defeated two top-10 nationally-ranked opponents, including DePaul’s Connor O’Neil. The Rider University commit has seven pins and two technical falls thus far.
Anthony Santaniello, Fr., 106, Brick Memorial

Santaniello has had a fantastic start to his high school career with a 12-0 record and titles at the Mustang Classic and TCNJ Pride Tournaments. Only one of his bouts have gone the full six minutes with nine pins, one technical fall and one forfeit.

Evan Tallmadge, So., 106, Brick

After an offseason where he won a freestyle national championship, Tallmadge is wrestling up to his No. 2 national ranking during the first few weeks of his sophomore season. He has secured bonus points in all 12 of his wins and none have gone the distance with five pins, six technical falls and one win by forfeit.

Ryan Zimmerman, Sr., 138, Long Branch

Zimmerman won the Mustang Classic when he pinned Paulsboro’s Jacob Eli-Perez – a returning state runner-up, to deliver a seismic win and stamp himself as a contender for a state medal. Zimmerman also won the Battle of the Bay tournament and is 12-0 with nine wins by fall.

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