By NJ.com Wrestling Staff
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
Jockeying to reach the top
There was plenty of movement in the individual rankings last week as results in county tournament played a major role with top wrestlers meeting up. There were also some reclassifications as wrestlers started to shift down to their target weights to get ready for the individual postseason. Check out the numerous changes as we break down each weight class 1-8.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
Kayal, who finished third in the state at 106 as a freshman, started his season with a title at the Beast of the East and followed up with a second-place finish at the Doc Buchanan Tournament in California. Kayal kept things rolling this past weekend with a win over Blair’s Ryan Miller.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
106 pounds
1-Nick Kayal, Bergen Catholic, Fr.
2-Nico Nardone, Delbarton, Fr.
3-Nick Babin, Emerson/Park Ridge, So.
4-Dean Peterson, St. John Vianney, Fr.
5-Brett Ungar, Hunterdon Central, Fr.
6-Anthony White, South Plainfield, Fr.
7-Joe Lamparelli, Allentown, So.
8-Vince Santaniello, Brick Memorial, Fr.
Notes: Nick Babin of Emerson/Park Ridge is between 113 and 106. Babin was reclassified this week. His move to 106 knocked out once-beaten Jack Maida of Shore.
RELATED: H/W/S champions, medal winners and more
Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media
Clark, a tactician when it comes to giving up points, moved up a weight after winning the 106-pound state title as a freshman. He added his first major title of the season by winning at Escape the Rock on Sunday with a 1-0 decision over Lucas Byrd of LaSalle (Ohio).
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
113 pounds
1-Anthony Clark, Delbarton, So.
2-Joe Manchio, Seneca, Sr.
3-Eddie Ventresca, Pope John, So.
4-Dante Mininno, Gateway, Sr.
5-Dylan Cedeno, Fair Lawn, So.
6-Joey Olivieri, Hanover Park, Fr.
7-Brandon LaRue, High Point, Jr.
8-Enrique Sanchez, Bergen Catholic, Sr.
Notes: Three wrestlers -- Manchio, Mininno and Cedeno -- wrestled at 113 and were reclassified this week. To accommodate the moves, Kyle Kaiser of Paramus was replaced, and Belvidere's Quinn Melofchik was reclassified to 106 after reaching the final round at the HWS Tournament at 106 pounds.
Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media
The 113-pound state champion stayed undefeated through the Virginia Duals, including a 4-2 victory over previously-undefeated Cole McCormick of Poquoson (Va.). Mininno reclassified at 120 pounds this week after previously wrestling at 126 at the start of the season.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
120 pounds
1-Antonio Mininno, Gateway, Sr.
2-Sammy Alvarez, St. Joseph (Mont.), Jr.
3-Robert Howard, Bergen Catholic, So.
4-Mitchell Polito, East Brunswick, Sr.
5-Darby Diedrich, Howell, Sr.
6-Joe King, Colts Neck, Sr.
7-Richie Koehler, Christian Brothers, Sr.
8-Dom Digena, Mendham, Jr.
Notes: It's a new look at 120 after three wrestlers -- Fair Lawn's Dylan Cedeno, Gateway's Dante Mininno and Seneca's Joe Manchio -- were reclassified to 113. Gateway state champion Antonio Mininno moved into the No. 1 spot while Diedrich, King, Koehler and Digena are all new to the rankings. To make room, Cherokee's Cooper Pontelandolfo and Pope John's Kaya Sement were replaced. Both wrestlers took losses this past week.
RELATED: UCT champions and medal winners
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
The Princeton commit is wrestling with the confidence that coincides with being ranked No. 1 in the country. The reigning NJ.com Wrestler of the Year was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at Escape the Rock after rolling to a technical fall.
Andrew Miller | For NJ Advance Media
126 pounds
1-Pat Glory, Delbarton, Sr.
2-Joe Heilmann, South Plainfield, Sr.
3-Michael Kelly, St. Peter's Prep, Sr.
4-Dylan Weaver, Bergen Catholic, Fr.
5-Colin Wickramaratna, Cherokee, Sr.
6-Dom Difrancescantonio, Hanover Park, Jr.
7-Mark Montgomery, Roselle Park, Jr.
8-Anthony Donnadio, Hillsborough, Sr.
Notes: Gateway's Antonio Mininno was reclassified to 120, opening a spot for Donadio, who remained undefeated after winning the Somerset County Tournament. Weaver moved up a spot after pinning Blair's Chris Cannon at the Who's No. 1 Duals.
Chris Monroe | For NJ Advance Media
Raimo, who won the 126-pound state title last season, scored the match-winning takedown with four seconds remaining to defeat Easton’s Jonathan Miers and win the 132-pound title at Escape the Rock.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media
132 pounds
1-Nick Raimo, Hanover Park, Jr.
2-Kyle Slendorn, Howell, Sr.
3-Lucas Revano, Camden Catholic, Jr.
4-Jake Rotunda, Pope John, Sr.
5-Carmen Ferrante, Bergen Catholic, Sr.
6-Hunter Graf, Hunterdon Central, Sr.
7-Charles Cunningham, Seton Hall Prep, Sr.
8-Russell Benson, Raritan, Sr.
Notes: Collingswood's Andy Clark was reclassified as a 126-pounder, opening a spot for Raritan's Benson, whose only loss is to Cunningham.
RELATED: N.J. goes 7-for-7 at Escape the Rock
Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media
The 132-pound state champion captured an Escape the Rock title to go along with his Beast of the East crown from this season. Kinner, recently ranked No. 1 at the weight by Intermat, escaped with one second left in the ultimate tiebreaker to defeat Bethlehem Catholic's Ryan Anderson in a matchup of top-5 wrestlers nationally to close out the Escape the Rock.
Tim Wynkoop | For NJ Advance Media
138 pounds
1-Quinn Kinner, Kingsway, Sr.
2-JoJo Aragona, Pope John, Jr.
3-Jake Benner, Ocean Township, Sr.
4-Andrew Gapas, North Hunterdon, Sr.
5-Cody Harrison, Phillipsburg, Jr.
6-Connor Meytrott, Montville, Sr.
7-Dan Fongaro, Boonton, Sr.
8-Bryan Miraglia, Delran, Jr.
Notes: Ocean Township's reigning state champion Jake Benner made scratch 138 last week and settled in behind Kinner and Aragona. Shane Kobis of High Point fell out of the rankings after losing to Gapas in the H/W/S Tournament.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
Cabanillas is off to a fast start after finishing as a state runner-up last season. Cabanillas won at the Beast of the East and finished third at Powerade Tournament in Pittsburgh. This past week, Cabanillas added a title at the Sam Cali Invitational.
Tim Wynkoop | For NJ Advance Media
145 pounds
1-Ricky Cabanillas, DePaul, Jr.
2-Alex Carida, Hackettstown, Sr.
3-Wade Unger, Bergen Catholic, Jr.
4-Robert Garcia, Pope John, Jr.
5-Travis Tavoso, Delbarton, Sr.
6-Cole Corrigan, Toms River South, Sr.
7-Jacob Stasil, Watchung Hills, Sr.
8-Jack Kelly, Wall, Sr.
Notes: Carida climbed after defeating Garcia in the finals of the H/W/S Tournament, dropping Unger to No. 3. Unger has a victory over Garcia. Corrigan was reclassified at 145 pounds and slid into the No. 6 spot. Tavoso also moved up after winning at Escape the Rock.
RELATED: No. 2 Bergen Catholic takes down No. 1 Blair
John Munson | NJ Advance Media
Angelo, a Cornell commit who is a former state champion and three-time state medalist, dropped a 4-3 decision to Blair’s Willy Kaiser at the Who’s No. 1 Duals.
Tim Wynkoop | For NJ Advance Media
152 pounds
1-Gerard Angelo, Bergen Catholic, Sr.
2-Brian Meyer, Phillipsburg, Sr.
3-Nick O'Connell, Southern, Jr.
4-Anthony Asatrian, Bergen Catholic, Jr.
5-Gerald Jones, Caldwell, Sr.
6-Jeff Johnson, Middlesex, Sr.
7-George Worthy, Paulsboro, Jr.
8-Vincent Andreano, Delbarton, Jr.
Notes: A spot opened when Cole Corrigan of Toms River South reclassified to 145 pounds. Worthy joined the rankings after placing higher than Andreano at Escape The Rock.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media
Griffith, a two-time state champion and three-time finalist, avenged a previous loss to Blair’s Andrew Merola and set himself up with the opportunity to be the country’s top-ranked wrestler at his weight.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
160 pounds
1-Shane Griffith, Bergen Catholic, Sr.
2-Robert Kanniard, Wall, Jr.
3-Joe Casey, Bound Brook, Sr.
4-Michael Petite, Piscataway, Sr.
5-Tim Fitzpatrick, Holy Spirit, Sr.
6-Matt Dallara, Hasbrouck Heights, Sr.
7-John Poznanski, Colonia, So.
8-Corey Fischer, West Deptford, Jr.
Notes: No changes
RELATED: NJ.com Wrestling Top 20
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media
O’Malley is a three-time state medalist who will continue his career at Drexel. This past week, O’Malley went 4-0 to improve to 18-0.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
170 pounds
1-Michael O'Malley, Hasbrouck Heights, Jr.
2-Chris Foca, Bergen Catholic, Jr.
3-Shane Reitsma, Howell, So.
4-Nick Caracappa, St. John Vianney, Sr
5-Brandon Green, Paulsboro, So.
6-A.J. Lonski, Delbarton, Jr.
7-Quinn Haddad, Gov. Livingston, Sr.
8-Nick Addison, Rumson-Fair Haven, Jr.
Notes: Haddad and Addison joined the rankings after Marco Gaita of West Morris and Chris Bolletino of Haddonfield suffered losses last week. Gaita lost twice at the Cali Invitational, though once by injury default.
Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media
Janzer, a defending state champion, had been out since the season-opening Robin Leff Tournament but returned to capture an Escape the Rock title with a semifinal win over Paulsboro's Santino Morina in sudden victory and ultimate tiebreaker win over Malvern Prep's Ryan Karoly in the final.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
182 pounds
1-Billy Janzer, Delsea, Sr.
2-Jacob Cardenas, Bergen Catholic, Jr.
3-Santino Morina, Paulsboro, Jr.
4-Garrett Beam, St. Joseph (Mont.), Sr.
5-Nicko Cofone, Middletown North, Sr.
6-Aaron Carter, Collingswood, Sr.
7-Justin Hayward, Watchung Hills, Sr.
8-Jarod Ostir, Warren Hills, Sr.
Notes: Ostir won at the H/W/S Tournament and moved into the No. 8 spot. Hayward moved up a spot after winning the Somerset County Tournament.
RELATED: Janzer returns, captures ETR title
Chris Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Wustefeld, a state runner-up, captured the championship of the Union County Tournament this weekend with a third-period fall over Cranford's Dylan Budnik.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
195 pounds
1-Sam Wustefeld, Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Sr.
2-Josh McKenzie, Bergen Catholic, Jr.
3-Luke Neimeyer, South Plainfield, Jr.
4-Bryan Martin, Williamstown, Sr.
5-Tommy Maxwell, Delsea, Sr.
6-Sean Lenzsch, St. Augustine, Sr.
7-Robert Gennat, Sparta, Sr.
8-Luke Chakonis, Don Bosco Prep, So.
Notes: Sparta's Robert Gennat pinned Scott Fernandes of Voorhees in the final at the HWS Tournament. Fernandes was replaced by McKenzie, who made his season debut at the Who's No. 1 Duals. Chakonis made his way back into the rankings, replacing Zach Lewis of Emerson/Park Ridge, who he beat at the BCCA Holiday Tournament.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media
Although he considers himself an underdog because of his height, Acciardi wrestles like anything but. Last season, Acciardi was the state runner-up at 220 and picked up a title this weekend at the Sam Cali Invitational.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media
220 pounds
1-Peter Acciardi, Don Bosco Prep, Sr.
2-Zach DelVecchio, South Plainfield, Jr.
3-Lewis Fernandes, Voorhees, Jr.
4-Liridon Leka, Montville, Sr.
5-Devon Starks, Highland, Sr.
6-Jake Brown, Pope John, Sr.
7-Ethan Wolf, Raritan, Sr.
8-Nick Trani, Wayne Valley, Jr.
Notes: Wayne Valley's Nick Trani moved back in and replaced Steven Giannios of St. John Vianney, who was fourth at the Sam Cali Invitational.
RELATED: State team rankings
RELATED: Pound-for-pound rankings
John Munson | NJ Advance Media
Tyle won a battle of the state’s top-ranked heavyweights to win the Somerset County title with a 3-2 victory over Bound Brook’s Jervey Sistrunk. Excelling in the neutral position, Tyle is an athletic heavyweight that can do more than ride out his opponents.
Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media
285 pounds
1-Michael Tyle, Manville, Sr.
2-Joe Andes, Hackettstown, Sr.
3-Drew Flynn, Pompton Lakes, Sr.
4-John High, Bergen Catholic, Jr.
5-Jervey Sistrunk, Bound Brook, Jr.
6-Bailey Paster, Demarest, Sr.
7-Kody Wood, Pennsville, Sr.
8-Brian Sidle, St. Joseph (Mont.)
Notes: Sistrunk fell to No. 5 after losing to Tyle in the final at the Somerset County Tournament. Sidle replaced Camden's Antonio Mercado, who suffered a loss this week.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
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