Wrestling: Barnett, O’Connell, Stout Win Region 8 Titles as Southern Sends Eight to A.C.

Southern senior Matt Barnett and juniors Nick O’Connell and John Stout each captured Region 8 titles on Saturday at Egg Harbor Township High School as the Rams had a huge day with eight total state qualifiers.

The trio combined to snap a two-year region champion drought for Southern since Matt Wilhelm won a Region 6 title in 2015.

O’Connell coasted to his first region title by downing Clearview’s David McCullough, 7-2, in the 152-pound final. Barnett and Stout both won their first region titles in dramatic fashion by scoring late in the match. Barnett used a takedown with 17 seconds left for a 2-1 win over Highland’s Justin Cariss in the 132-pound final while Stout reversed Delsea’s Mason Maxwell with just two seconds on the clock for a wild 5-3 victory at 170 pounds.

Finishing in fourth place and qualifying for the state tournament were Owen Kretschmer (120), Sebastian Delligatti (126), Robert Woodcock (138), Dan Gorman (160) and Matt Mackanic (220).

Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.