Class A Central

 Teams: Holmdel, Manasquan, Monmouth Regional, Raritan, Red Bank Catholic, Rumson-Fair Haven, St. John Vianney.

Defending champion: Raritan

Teams listed in alphabetical order

Holmdel

Head coach: Dan Franke, 3rd season (14-44)

Coaching staff: Rob Micheliche

District: 21

Section: Central Jersey Group II

2012-2013 record: 5-22

Team accomplishments: 10th place District 21, 5th place Class A Central, 10th place Buc Classic, 3rd place Holmdel Holiday Tournament.

Varsity returners: Pat Ammirati, Jr., 113; Tyler Marchiano, So., 132; Marco Lamberti, Jr., 138/145; Matt Scocco,  Jr., 138/145; Luke Braga, So., 145; Nick Lehaf, Sr., 152; Eugene Layne, So., 160; Garrett Hilsheimer, So., 170; Max Kuleshov, So., 182; SJ Merhi, So., 182; Robbie Reddington, Jr., 195/220.

Newcomers: Dan Jankiwitz, Fr., 106; Troy Gallo, Fr., 106/113; Chris Ammirati, Fr., 126; Pedro Braga, Fr., 145; Ryan Joffe, Fr.; Seamus Wood, Fr., 182; Chris Farag, Sr., 195/220; George Petrou, So.; Saleem Khan, Fr.

Season outlook: Having graduated three 20-match winners from last season, including region qualifier Anthony Fernicola at heavyweight, the Hornets are a young squad with just two seniors in their lineup. Junior Patrick Ammirati (24-9) is the returning wins leader at 113 pounds, and he’’ll be surrounded by a promising group of freshmen. Troy Gallo will be at 106 and 113 during the season after going 14-2 as an eighth-grader and placed second in his division, according to Franke. The mid-to-top half of the lineup is led by double-digit winners Marco Lamberti and Nick Lehaf.

 

Manasquan

Head coach: Matt Voskian, 5th season

Coaching staff: James Wladich, Mike Crann, John Menafra

District: 23

Section: Central Jersey Group II

2012-2013 record: 6-19

Team accomplishments: 7th place District 23, 6th place Class A Central, 6th place Holmdel Holiday Tournament, 5th place Matawan Icebreaker.

Varsity returners: Benjamin Meseroll, Jr., 132; Larissa Brown, Jr., 132; Phil Costigan, Sr., 138; Kevin Pompilio, So., 145; Phil Vorbach, So., 145; Adam Haste, Sr., 145/152; Joe Sangine, Jr., 152; Evan Walsh, Sr., 152/160; Ian McNamara, Sr., 160/170; Brian Gianforte, Sr., 160/170, Jerry Taylor, Sr., 220.

Newcomers: Shawn Saulys, Fr., 106; Brendan Gillespie, Fr., 106; Francis Faasen, Fr., 113; Connor Critchley, Fr., 113; Jack Warner, Fr., 120; Joe Ostberg, Fr., 126; Rory O’Connell, So., 132; Jack Lueddeke, Fr., 132; Saul Paz-Garnica, Fr., 138; Eduardo Angel, Fr., 138/145; Tom Pollock, Fr., 160; Dave Meehan, Jr., 170; Oliver Warner, Fr., 182; Eric Keosseian, Fr., 195; Angel Ramos, Jr., 182/195; Jordy Martinez, Fr., 220.

Season outlook: The Warriors graduated a pair of double-digit match winners from their upperweight group in Anthony Deseno and Harry Warner, plus region qualifier Spencer Govel. Senior Brian Gianforte is the squad’s top returner after going 24-7 last season to lead the top half of the lineup that also features senior Ian McNamara (15-14). Junior Benjamin Meseroll  is Manasquan’s most experienced wrestler in the bottom half coming off a 14-13 season. Senior Phil Costigan wrestled in 30 matches last season to add some experience to a lower half that will see mostly freshman occupying the starting spots, including all ninth-graders from 106 through 126.

 

Monmouth Regional

Head coach: Pat Tedeschi

District: 23

Section: Central Jersey Group II

2012-2013 record: 6-21

Team accomplishments: 11th place District 23, 4th place Class A Central, 4th place Matawan Icebreaker.

Varsity returners: Alex Britton, So., 113/120; Matt Moynihan, Jr., 120/126; Jon Johnson, So., 132/138; Jose Hernandez, Sr., 138/145; Brian Sheldon, Jr., 145/152; Rafael Reyes, Jr., 145/152; Dan Armenti, Sr., 160/170; Mike Montefinese, Jr., 160/170; Shannen McCue, Jr., 182/195.

Newcomers: Tyler Flynn, Fr., 106; Lito Quinones, Fro., 106/113; Abimelec Gutierrez, Jr., 120; Joe Lapatriello, Fr., 160; Luis Cepeda, 170; Jose Garcia, Jr., 170/182; Matt Orrico, Fr., 182/190; Rich Johnson, Sr., Hwt.;

Season outlook: Pat Tedeschi takes over as the Falcons’ head coach after seven seasons as an assistant at Red Bank. He lost wins leader Sean Sanderson to graduation, but returns four wrestlers that won at least 13 matches along with several newcomers that will see action. Junior Mike Montefinese is the returning wins leader after going 23-9 and will be at 160 pounds. He’s followed in the lineup by senior Dan Armenti, who posted 15 wins last season, and junior Shannen McCue, who tallied 13 victories a season ago. The lower half of the lineup will be manned by mostly first-year varsity wrestlers, but includes experienced grapplers in Alex Britton and Matt Moynihan.

 

Raritan

Head coach: Rob Nucci, 13th season (234-70)

Coaching staff: Rich Dunnells, Eric Pritchard, Chris Villa, Allen Mui, Matt DeNardo; Mike Mason, Matt Pendle, Shawn Putnam, Jason Sagos, Greg Alexander, Corey Hanwacker, Dan Bilowus, Cody Mooney, Matt Walsh (volunteers).

District: 22

Section: Central Jersey Group 2

2012-2013 record: 20-7

Team accomplishments: 4th place District 22, state sectional semifinalists, Class A Central division champions, 3rd place Hawk Classic, 4th place TCNJ Pride Tournament.

Varsity returners: Erick Drake, Jr., 113; Ryan Broderick, Sr., 120; Anthony Gigantino, So., 120; Kevin Courtney, Sr. 126; Dan Geirgio, Jr., 126; Dylan Seidenberg, Jr., 132; Mike Chadwick, Jr., 138; Jared Lonnay, So., 152; Connor Sheehan, Sr., 160; Tyler Jones, Sr., 170; Kyle Lynch, Sr., 182, Alex Bryant, Sr., 195; Kyle Polonsky, Sr., 220; Brandon Ramirez, Sr., 220; Pat Toal, Sr., Hwt; Malcom Daniels, Jr., Hwt.

Newcomers: Ed Barrett, So., 106; James Wilder, So., 106; Jimmy Vanfechtmann, Fr., 113; Nick Bohal, So., 145; Sean Ennis, So., 152.

Season outlook: Despite losing region qualifiers Anthony Scarcella and Jason Bohal, and a total of five double-digit winners to graduation, Raritan is primed for a big season in the Shore Conference and at the state level. The Rockets will ride a very strong upperweight group that can win matches by itself from 160 pounds and up. Seniors Connor Sheehan (27-8, 2nd D-22) at 160, Kyle Lynch (28-8, 2nd D-22) and Pat Toal (28-5, 3rd D-22) at heavyweight are the teams leading returners, and along with Tyler Jones (15-9) at 170, Alex Bryant at 195 and Kyle Polonsky (16-14) at 220. Raritan returns has three wrestlers returning in the lower half who won over 10 matches last season, led by junior Dylan Seidenberg (22-13, 2nd D-22) at 132 pounds. Junior Eric Drake slots in at 113 with senior Ryan Broderick (17-12) at 120. Raritan usually has lowerweights that can make an impact in their first seasons as varsity starters, and if the Rockets get that kind of production down low they’ll be in contention for titles at every level of competition in 2013-2014.

 

Red Bank Catholic

Head coach: Joe Gallagher, 7th season

Coaching staff: Dan Hall, Jeff Embry

District: 22

Section: Non-Public South A

2012-2013 record: 13-10

Team accomplishments: 10th place District 22, 3rd place Class A Central, 4th place Clayton Tournament, 3rd place Matawan Icebreaker.

Varsity returners: John Puchalski, So., 120; Tom Meer, Sr., 132/138; Brendan Clark, Sr., 138/145; Alex Spiezio, Sr., 145/152; Aiden Byrnes, Sr., 170/182; Dylan Murphy, so., 170/182; Max von Suskill, So., 195; Shawn McCord, Sr., 195/220; Justin Sullivan, Jr., Hwt.

Newcomers: Ethan Byrne, Fr., 106; Alessandro Lombardo, Sr., 120; Luciano DiNardi, Sr., 126; Brian Riccio, Jr., 132/138.

Season outlook: Seven double-digit winners from last season, including district runner-up and 30-match winner Shawn McCord at 195/220 pounds. McCord was also a Shore Sports Network All-Shore first-team defensive end from the Caseys’ dominant football program. Senior Tom Meer went 22-10 last season and can wrestle at either 132 or 138 pounds. Senior Brendan Clark (18-13) at 138/145, senior Alex Spiezio at 145/152, senior Aiden Byrnes (18-8) at 170/182, sophomore Max von Suskill at 195 and junior Justin Sullivan at heavyweight all won at least 10 matches last season and help comprise the core of the Caseys’ lineup.

 

Rumson-Fair Haven

Head coach: Bryan Heller, 1st season

Coaching staff: Seth Herman

District: 22

Section: Central Jersey Group II

2012-2013 record: 2-16

Team accomplishments: 8th place District 22, 7th place Class A Central, 8th place Buc Classic, 9th place Holmdel Holiday Tournament, 6th place Matawan Icebreaker.

Varsity returners: Cole Bisaccia, Jr., 113/120; Vincent Mazzeo, So., 126/132; Marcus Iwama, Jr., 132; Matt Giannotto, Sr., 138/145; Michael Munger, So., 145; Vinnie Ottoviano, Jr., 152; Will Pelizzi, So., 152; Jake Shea, So., 182/195; Tucker Briggs, Jr., 182/195.

Newcomers: Coleman Gould, Fr., 106; Luis Cogger, So., 113; Theo Addison, Fr., 138/145, Dakota Sexton, So., 145; John Robinson, Fr., 152/160; Bryce Clark, So., 152/160; Aron Atallah, So., 170; Timmy Leonard, Fr., 220.

Season outlook: Bryan Heller, a Region VI champ and state medalist in 2002 and 2003 who was an NCAA Tournament qualifier at Penn State takes over a program that features two standout lowerweights. Juniors Cole Bisaccia and Marcus Iwama were two of the biggest surprises in the Shore last season as they combined for 56 wins. Bisaccia went 23-9 and won a district title, while Iwama was a state qualifier with a 33-5 record. They are the team’s anchors, and form the best stretch of Rumson’s lineup with Vincent Mazzeo at 126/132 and Matt Giannotto at 138/145. The top half of the lineup has three experienced wrestlers in Vinnie Ottoviano at 152, Jake Shea at 182/195 and Tucker Briggs, who did not wrestle last year but was a varsity starter in 2012, at 182/195. Bisaccia and Iwama could be in store for big years as they chase the program’s first region champion since Heller and Patrick Berger in 2003.

 

St. John Vianney

Head coach: Dennis D’Andrea, 1st season (at SJV)

Coaching staff: Tony Caravella, Rob Phillips

District: 21

Section: Non-Public South A

2012-2013 record: 13-8

Team accomplishments: 8th place District 21, 2nd place Class A Central, 3rd place Elizabeth Tournament, Matawan Icebreaker champions.

Varsity returners: Shane Whalen, Sr., 113; Paul Piccione, Jr., 120; Nick Barrett, Sr., 126; Dan Keough, So., 126/132; Nick Landi, Sr., 132; Aiden Cole, Jr., 138; Kevin Grady, Jr., 145; Lous Thompson, Sr., 145; John Cummins, Sr., 152; Terrance Davis, Sr., 160, Tom Hopkinson, Sr., 160, Ryan Chrzanowski, Jr., 160; Matt Falco, Sr., 170; Pat Lynch, Jr., 182; Jake White, So., 182/195; Phil Walsh, Jr., 220; Brandon Furrer, Sr.,  Hwt.

Newcomers: Luke Eckloff, Fr., 106; Joe Vasile, So., 120; John Duffy, Fr., 138; Seamus Coyle, Fr., 182; Raphael Auguste, Fr., 195; Micah Clark, Fr., Hwt.

Season outlook: Former Manalapan head coach and longtime Brick Memorial assistant Dennis D’Andrea takes over as the Lancers head coach with legendary Brick Memorial head coach Tony Caravella and former Brick Memorial wrestler Rob Phillips as assistants for a new-look St. John Vianney program. Senior Terrance Davis is the leading returner after a 34-5 season and a third-place district finish. He anchors the team from the middle of the lineup at 152 or 160, and is weight-certified at 145 pounds. Junior Paul Piccione had a breakout year as a sophomore, going 29-7. He’ll lead the lowerweights with Nick Landi (19-9) at 132, Aiden Cole (18-12) at 138 and Kevin Grady (21-11) at 145. Eight total wrestlers that won at least 10 matches are back, with Tim Hopkinson (160) and Matt Falco (20-10, 170) adding strength to the upperweights. Some freshman with potential dot the lineup, including intermediate state tournament runner-up Luke Eckloff.

 

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