The state team wrestling playoffs continue to intensify with sectional semifinal action. JSZ has highlights from several marquee matches!
Delbarton 45 Bergen Catholic 12 | Non-Public A North
Bergen Catholic’s 96-match win streak over NJSIAA competition came to a screeching halt Wednesday night as the Green Wave pounded the Crusaders from start to finish. Luke Chakonis (220 lbs.) and PJ Casale (285 lbs.) each scored key pins before the turn of the lineup, while Joe Davi (120 lbs.) and Nico Nardone (126 lbs.) notched eye-opening upsets over multi-year state finalists.
JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights and more from Morristown:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of all Bergen Catholic athletics throughout the 2019-2020 season is brought to you by Rothman Orthopaedics.
Moorestown 30 Highland 27 | South Jersey Group 4
After an upset win over #3 Central in the opening round, the sixth-seeded Quakers kept it rolling with a victory over #2 Highland. Rob Damerjian returned from injury to make his season debut, earning a major decision for Moorestown. John Dalmass and Adam Robinson both picked up pins for the Quakers. Jurius Clark won by fall for the Tartans in the loss. Moorestown advances to face top-seeded Kingsway for the South Jersey Group 4 title on Friday night.
JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights from Blackwood:
Coverage of Moorestown is brought to you by NJM Insurance.
Coverage of Highland is made possible by Cooper University Health Care.
Rumson-Fair Haven 32 Point Pleasant Boro 31 | Central Jersey Group 2
Michael Ponenti scored a 6-1 decision at 170 pounds in the final match to give Rumson-Fair Haven a one-point win against the #2 seed and a spot in the Central Jersey Group 2 finals against top seed South Plainfield. RFH scored two pins by Shay Addison and Jack Kelly to race out to a 12-0 lead. Point Boro would rally from 15-0 down to take a 22-21 lead on a pin by Jack Thompson. The Brignola twins would ultimately set the stage for Rumson’s win. Max got a pin at 145 pounds and Tyler scored a critical 2-1 OT win at 152 to make it 29-25 RFH. Ty Bailey’s pin gave Point Boro a 31-29 advantage heading into the final match at 170 where Ponenti scored early and controlled the entire six minutes. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights from an All-Shore Conference battle:
Jersey Sports Zone was at this great match because of ACI Medical & Dental School. ACI supports JSZ’s coverage of Rumson-Fair Haven. One of the top technical schools in NJ, Advantage Career Institute Medical & Dental School in Central New Jersey offers a variety of programs in the in-demand medical and dental industries. Visit ACI.edu to learn more!
Phillipsburg 43 Middletown North 20 | North Jersey 2 Group 4
Middletown North got off the bus ready to scrap as they won the first four bouts, three coming by bonus point victories and they jumped out to an early 17-0 lead. The Stateliners slowly chipped away as they won nine of the last ten and eight were in a row. Joe Innamorato got the momentum started as he won by major decision at 132 lbs. The Stateliners also got bonus point wins as Matt Donofrio won by major decision, Nate Zastowny won by tech fall, Jacob Wicks won by pin and Cody Cruts won by pin. Fred Luchs won by pin while Tyler Klinksy and Colin Oden won by major decision in the loss.
JSZ’s Kenneth Bradley has the highlights from Phillipsburg:
Coverage of tonights match is brought to you by a pair of sponsors ACI Medical and Dental School (Middletown North) and The Garnet Booster Club (Phillipsburg). We thank our sponsors as our work would not be possible without their help and support!
