VOTE for the Week 6 Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab Wrestler of the Week
It’s time to get your vote in for who had the top performance in the Shore Conference this week to choose the Thrive Spine & Sports Rehab Wrestler of the Week. 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.
Week 6 Wrestler of the Week nominees (listed in alphabetical order)
Nick Boggiano, Sr., 152, Toms River North
Boggiano’s pin of West Essex’s Anthony Lombardi during Toms River North’s 48-18 win made him the Mariners’ all-time wins leader with 129 and counting, passing 2007 state champion Matt Oliver. Boggiano, who was eighth in the state at 145 pounds last season, was 4-0 during the week to run his season record to a perfect 21-0.
Jesse Bowers, Sr., 145, Point Beach
Bowers secured his 100th career win in memorable fashion when he bumped up to 152 pounds and scored a critical 3-2 win over Point Boro’s Jack Bailey during Garnet Gulls’ thrilling 28-27 win on criteria. It was Beach’s first win over Boro since 1998.
Michael Conklin, Jr., 132, Toms River East
Conklin defeated Central’s Tyler Pepe, 13-9, in a marquee matchup at 132 pounds. Conklin won the Region 7 126-pound title last season and is a two-time state qualifier while Pepe is also a two-time state qualifier. Conklin was 4-0 for the week and is 21-1 on the season.
Kyle Epperly, Sr., 195, Jackson Memorial
The Rutgers recruit and returning state seventh-place finisher went 3-0 on Saturday with a major decision, a fall and a win by forfeit to reach the 100-win mark for his career. Epperly is now 17-2 on the season and is the 17th wrestler in program history to hit the century mark.
Julian George, Fr., 126, Christian Brothers Academy
George’s standout freshman season continued as he came away with a 7-6 win over top-ranked Nico Messina in the Colts’ 42-29 win over the Colonials. Messina, a senior at Freehold, is a two-time Region 6 champion and three-time state qualifier, including a top-12 finish last season. George is now 19-2 on the season.
Jessi Johnson, Jr., 151, Manalapan
A returning state champion, Johnson dominated the 151-pound bracket in the inaugural girls Shore Conference Tournament with a pin and a 17-2 technical fall in the championship to be named Most Outstanding Wrestler. She is 11-0 this season.
Jack Maida, Jr., 120, Shore
Maida went 3-0 with two falls to record his 100th career win. Maida, who is 21-1 on the season and a returning state sixth-place finisher (106), is the ninth wrestler in program history to reach 100 victories.
Kyle Nase, Jr., 120, Howell
Nase was 3-0 on the week with his biggest win being a 7-3 decision over South Plainfield’s Jacob DelVecchio to help Howell to an emphatic 43-20 victory. DelVecchio was a state qualifier at 106 pounds last season, reaching the second round of wrestlebacks. Nase is now 17-5 on the season for the top-ranked Rebels.
Thomas O’Keefe, Sr., 126, Middletown North
O’Keefe’s 11-5 decision over Michael Holland during Middletown North’s 49-13 win over rival Middletown South was his 100th career win. He is the 13th wrestler in program history to reach 100 wins and owns a season record of 19-4.
Cole Velardi, Fr., 152, Southern
One of the Shore’s top freshman, Velardi went 3-0 with three falls, including a match-clinching pin in the final bout to give the Rams a 36-24 road victory over Phillipsburg in a marquee state-ranked clash. Velardi is 21-2 on the season.
Jack Zaleski, Fr., 106, Middletown South
Zaleski had a monster week with five wins, which included four falls, two walk-off wins and a victory over a returning state qualifier. Zaleski pinned Howell senior Ethan Liptzin in just 39 seconds for his biggest win of the season. Liptzin reached the third round of wrestlebacks at the state tournament last season. Zaleski bumped up to 113 pounds and defeated Region 6 qualifier Desmond Pleasant, 9-7, in the final bout gave the Eagles 34-28 win over Piscataway. He pinned Franco Graffeo in 1:21 in the final bout to give Middletown South a 40-31 victory over Nutley. He also won by fall in a win over Ridge and against Middletown North. Zaleski is 20-2 on the season and part of a loaded 106-pound weight class in the Shore Conference.
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