Jersey Sports Zone is about capturing great video highlights. As we get ready to turn the page towards the 2019-20 school year, we take one more look back at the top games captured by our cameras. Our series continues with wrestling.
Plain and simple, New Jersey high school wrestling never disappoints. The state produces legit Division I talent year in and year out, and the 2018-2019 season was no different. Our list is a mix of the most viewed dual meets and state championship bouts from the season.
#10: St. John Vianney’s Dean Peterson wins the 113-Pound State Championship
It was a year to remember for Dean Peterson. The super sophomore rolled through his opponents all season long to a 39-0 record and his first state title.
#9: Hunterdon Central’s Brett Ungar win the 106-Pound State Championship
Brett Ungar and Tyler Klinksy each hadn’t lost a match all season long, but that would change when Ungar earned a major decision on his way to a state title.
#8: Wall’s Rob Kanniard wins the 160-Pound State Championship
Rob Kanniard might have had the most dominating season ever in New Jersey high school wrestling. He completed an undefeated 46-0 season, did not allow a single offensive point to be scored on him and won his first state. Kanniard now heads to Rutgers University to wrestle.
#7: Howell 30 South Plainfeld 28
Howell and South Plainfield boast two of the most storied public school programs ever in New Jersey. The two powers clashed for bragging rights as the top public team in the Garden State.
#6: Bergen Catholic’s Jacob Cardenas wins the 195-Pound State Championship
Jacob Cardenas became the seventh wrestler in Bergen Catholic history to win multiple state championships after defeating Paramus’ Kyle Jacob, 6-3, in the state final.
#5: Pope John’s JoJo Aragona wins the 138-Pound State Championship
JoJo Aragona was ranked as the consensus No. 1 138-pound wrestler all season long and proved it once more by winning his first state championship.
#4: Bergen Catholic 48 Delbarton 17 | Non-Public A North Sectional Final
Bergen Catholic won 10 bouts and cruised through Delbarton to win its eighth-straight sectional crown.
#3: Camden Catholic’s Lucas Revano wins the 145-Pound State Championship
Anyone that’s seen Lucas Revano wrestle knows he has a thing for theatrics. Revano won his second consecutive state championship with an overtime pin.
#2: St. Joseph (Mont.)’s Sammy Alvarez wins the 126-Pound State Championship
It was the most heart-pounding, tense bout of the night in Atlantic City and it did not disappoint. In the first overtime period, Alvarez blocked, shrugged and spun for two against Robert Howard to win his first ever state championship. Alvarez, now committed to Rutgers University, also was named Most Outstanding Wrestler.
#1: Blair Academy 45 Bergen Catholic 20
Bergen Catholic’s defeat of Blair Academy in 2018 was one of the most wild wins in all of America. The Bucs, however, used that loss as motivation to get revenge on Bergen Catholic at Lehigh University and secure their spot as the No. 1 high school team in America.
