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With a little over a week’s worth of wrestling having been completed, the Shore Conference landscape has started to take shape.

Make no mistake, however, what is a long and arduous wrestling season around the state is even more so in the rugged Shore Conference. There could be several changes at the top of the rankings throughout the year, in fact I expect it. Especially considering Class A South, which features six(!) teams ranked in the Shore Sports Network Top 10 and generally produces the Shore’s top team, looks pretty wide open this season.

Neither of those teams claim the No. 1 spot this week, however. Thanks to Howell’s huge 27-23 win over Phillipsburg on Tuesday, the Rebels have ascended to the top spot in the Shore Conference top 10. The Rebels never trailed against the Stateliners, who are the defending NJSIAA Group IV champions and entered ranked No. 5 in New Jersey, and did a fantastic job saving bonus points against Phillipsburg standouts Brandon Paetzell, Max Elling and Jimmy Schuitema.

Brick Memorial is right behind the Rebels after winning the TCNJ Pride Tournament, dominating No. 10 Toms River North and crowning a pair of champions in its own Mustang Classic. Despite graduating three wrestlers who won state medals during their careers, Brick Memorial has plenty of firepower back and looks like it will continue to challenge for division, conference and state titles.

Southern hasn’t wrestled as much as the rest of the Shore, but performed well at its own Robin Leff Invitational and opened its dual season with a win over Toms River East. The Rams lost a ton off last season’s squad, but they always reload and will be right there in the end. They’ve earned the benefit of the doubt to be highly-ranked no matter the familiarity with the names in their lineup.

The team that could knock the usual suspects from the top of the rankings is Brick, which checks in at No. 5. The Green Dragons have won both the CBA Colt Classic and the Manchester Hawk Classic Tournaments behind a daunting group of upperweights. The defending Central Jersey Group III champions can officially throw their name into the division title race when they take on No. 4 Jackson Memorial on New Year’s Eve.

No. 6 Wall is still without standout junior Brett Donner, but the third-place finisher in last season’s state tournament said he is close to returning from a high-ankle sprain that has kept him out of action. The Crimson Knights are short on depth, but if they stay healthy they’ll be a team to be reckoned with all season and are among the favorites to win all of Group III.

Toms River South, Long Branch, CBA and Toms River North round out the top 10 with Raritan lurking. The Rockets are a usual fixture in the top 10 and should be right there in the end, but right now they’re breaking in several new starters, so they’re just on the outside. The best part about ranking these teams is that most, if not all, will wrestle each other at some point, settling any disputes on the mat.

 

 

1. Howell (2-0). Last week: No. 2

The Rebels sent shockwaves throughout the state with their 27-23 victory over visiting Phillipsburg on Tuesday night, and it was that victory that propelled Howell to the top spot in this week’s rankings. The Rebels also excelled at the John and Betty Vogeding Tournament on opening day, and opened their dual schedule with a win over Freehold as they go for their 10th straight Class A North division title. At the Mustang Classic, freshman Kyle Slendorn won the 106-pound title and Kris Lindemann, Nick Ciaccia and Eric Keosseian finished second. Howell’s slate continues with a road match at Parsippany on Tuesday and the Henry Boresch Duals on Saturday at Newton High School.

 

2. Brick Memorial (1-0). Last week: No. 3

The Mustangs captured the team title at the TCNJ Pride Tournament with Alec Donovan, Cliff Ruggiero and Nick Rivera each winning titles. At the Mustang Classic, Gianni Ghione won the 113-pound title and Rivera captured the heavyweight crown to improve to 7-0 with five pins. Brick Memorial also earned a 45-22 victory over No. 10 Toms River North to open its dual schedule. The Mustangs host a tri-meet on Saturday with Roxbury and Raritan, and will then host New Jersey’s top-ranked team, Bergen Catholic, in a dual that evening.

 

3. Southern (1-0). Last week: No. 1

Falling from the top spot down to No. 3 has little to do with anything the Rams did or didn’t do, but it’s of my personal belief to reward the teams that have performed to a certain level. Howell and Brick Memorial have done more so far this season, but the Rams have so many big matches on their schedule they will have numerous chances to climb back to the top. Southern had a pair of champions at its own Robin Leff Invitational - seniors James Knoeller at 132 and Matt Wilhelm at 160. The Rams also defeated Toms River East 51-18 to open their title defense in Class A South. Southern is at the Governor Mifflin Tournament in Pennsylvania today and hosts a tri-match with Cherokee and defending Group II champion High Point on Saturday.

 

4. Jackson Memorial (1-0). Last week: No. 4

Adante Davis (195) and Brody Graham (HWT) won titles at the Robin Leff Invitational and the Jaguars had six top-three finishers at the Walter Woods Tournament to finish third in the team standings. Graham also captured the heavyweight title there and is 7-0 with five pins. Sophomore Matt McGowan also captured a Walter Woods title, winning the 106-pound bracket. The Jaguars have depth and balance, and displayed both in a 41-21 victory over No. 7 Toms River South. Another huge Class A South match lies ahead on Wednesday when the Jaguars welcome No. 5 Brick to Joe Perry Gymnasium. The Jaguars then travel to Lower Cape May for a quad with Absegami and Ocean City.

 

5. Brick (1-0). Last week: No. 5

The Dragons are the most polarizing team in the Shore Conference right now because of their potential to break the A South reign of Southern, Brick Memorial and Jackson Memorial. Brick, which has won back-to-back sectional titles, boasts a formidable group of upperweights who have dominated from 152 through 195 pounds. The Dragons won the team title at both the Colt Classic and the Hawk Classic, and crushed Cherry Hill West 58-13 in their only dual so far. Seniors Will Scott (160), Kyle Wojtaszek (170) and Dean Sherry (182) are all undefeated. Brick’s first chance to prove it is among the Shore’s elite is on New Year’s Eve when it travels to No. 4 Jackson Memorial for one of many crucial divisional matches. The Dragons also have a tri-match with No. 8 CBA and Middletown South on Saturday, so a big week awaits.

 

6. Wall (1-0). Last week: No. 6

Junior standout Brett Donner, last season’s Region VI 152-pound champ and state third-place finisher who is now ranked among the top 10 in the nation at 170 pounds, appears poised to return after missing the start of the season with an ankle injury. His presence obviously upgrades an already balanced lineup, but one that lacks depth and simply cannot afford any long-term injuries. The Crimson Knights were third at the Colt Classic with champions Denzel Tovar (120) and Matt McKenzie (195), and those two also won titles at the Mustang Classic. Donner could return for this Saturday’s Minutemen Wrestling Classic at Elizabeth, but the Knights could also elect to hold him out longer since their first big Class B North match against Long Branch isn’t until January 10.

 

7. Toms River South (0-1). Last week: No. 7

The Indians finished second at the TCNJ Pride Tournament with junior Owen McClave, senior Joe Salvato and freshman Cole Corrigan winning titles. Corrigan has made a big splash so far with an impressive victory over Point Boro’s Dan Nobbs, a state qualifier, in the final. The Indians lost to No. 4 Jackson Memorial, 41-21, in a dual, and were then hit with the flu bug that forced most of their team out of the Walter Woods Tournament. Senior Antrez Clagon did win the 170-pound title to remain undefeated. The good news for the Indians is that they’re off until facing Brick Memorial on January 6, so they have some time to get healthy before another crucial match.

 

8. Long Branch (1-0). Last week: No. 8

The Green Wave finished second at the Grapple at the Garden high school tournament with Jason Hernandez (113), Andy Hernandez (132) and Danny Mullan (145) winning titles, and placed third at the Hawk Classic with junior T.J. Conlon (120), Andy Hernandez and junior Joey Jasio (HWT) winning titles. Long Branch also opened its B North schedule with a 63-3 victory over Red Bank. The Green Wave haven’t had their full lineup yet with Tommy Flannigan and Ocean transfer Grant Brown yet to wrestle, but this is a very deep and balanced team that should only get better as the season progresses. Long Branch will compete at the Rock Yard Duals on Saturday at Council Rock North High School in Newtown, Pa.

 

9. Christian Brothers Academy (1-0). Last week: No. 9

The Colts have enjoyed a great start with a second-place finish at the Colt Classic and winning the team championship at the Walter Woods Tournament. Junior 113-pounder Sebastian Rivera, who is nationally ranked and a state title contender, leads the way for CBA. He and junior Dylan VanSickell remain undefeated, and VanSickell is off to a phenomenal start with two tournament wins, including a 12-2 major decision over Jackson Memorial’s Fred Terranova, a state qualifier last season, in the Walter Woods 126-pound final. CBA also earned a 55-9 win over Manalapan in A North to open its dual schedule. The Colts are at a quad with Newark Academy, Cedar Grove and Morristown today, then have an opportunity to make a statement when they host No. 5 Brick, Middletown South and Monroe in a quad on Saturday.

 

10. Toms River North (0-1). Last week: No. 10

Senior Mike Siwiec has led the Mariners so far with a perfect 7-0 record that includes titles at the Colt Classic and Hawk Classic. Toms River North finished fifth at the Colt Classic with Alex Scherer also winning a title at heavyweight, and placed fourth at the Hawk Classic with Ricky Diaz claiming the 113-pound title. The Mariners fell to Brick Memorial, 45-22, in their dual opener. Siwiec has been a hammer so far, and this is a squad that has the balance (six district medalists) to remain a factor. The Mariners are idle until a home match against No. 5 Brick on January 7.

 

Dropped out: none

 

Teams to watch: 

Raritan (1-0): The Rockets are tying to reload after being decimated by graduation, and appear on their way after picking up a crucial early-season 35-27 victory over St. John Vianney to take a big step toward another Class A Central division title. Senior Dylan Seidenberg posted a 5-4 win over Khalil Haskins at 138 pounds to key the victory. The Rockets will wrestle in a tri-meet with Roxbury and No. 2 Brick Memorial on Saturday.

 

Ocean (1-0): Like Raritan, the Spartans are usually a mainstay in the top 10, but graduation took three district medalists from the program. State medalist Zach Hertling leads the way at 182 pounds while junior T.J. Saldutti and freshman Jake Benner have enjoyed fast starts. Ocean takes on Point Boro in a nondivisional match on Tuesday and hosts a quad with Colts Neck, Neptune and Red Bank Catholic on Saturday.

 

Middletown North (1-0): The Lions are very close to a top 10 team when standout junior Chad Freshnock is in the lineup, but with him out with an injury the Lions are a notch below the rest of the ranked teams. Still, the stretch from 145 to 182 is very good and will win plenty of duals for them throughout the season. They host Lacey in a nondivisional match on Saturday.

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