CYANMAGENTAYELLOWBLACK

B4 – Saturday, February 12, 2011 SPORTS www.thedailyjournal.com/sports The Daily Journal

SOUTH JERSEY
New weight class arrangements being discussed
MEAN 15
1. Timber Creek (21-2)
Debate rages whether fewer
bouts would be beneficial
magine football without 11 players on
2. Haddonfield
3. Paulsboro
4. Delsea
5. Pennsville
(28-1)
(19-1)
(19-2)
(22-3)
I
ers.
offense and defense or asking baseball teams
to use five outfielders and only two infield-

Seems a little odd, doesn’t it? But, essentially,

6. Buena (17-5) wrestling faces just such a scenario.
7. West Deptford (17-4) As recently as April, the National Federa-
8. Collingswood (18-9) tion of State High School Associations (NFHS)
9. Camden Catholic (20-6) voted on rearranging the weight classes. Faced
10. Cherokee (20-4) with four options — one of three
11. St. Augustine (15-8) new arrangements or the cur-
12. Clearview (19-5) rent one — the federation
13. No. Burlington (17-4) decided to keep the 14
14. Haddon Township (12-11) weight classes as is.
15. Lower Cape May (10-9) The NJSIAA stands
*Records through Thursday behind the NHFS.
“We’re 100 percent fed-
LOCAL RECORDS* eration rules,” NJSIAA
103
Executive Director
Steve Timko said. “We Staff photo/Cody Glenn
Tom Gattinella, St. Aug. 23-5 Buena Regional’s Eric Hensel (bottom) defeated Hammonton’s Brian Beebe at 215 pounds duriung a match ear-
Jake Martin, Millville 18-6 support all the rules of patrick
the federation. So if lier this season. There have been discussions about raising the 215-pound weight class by the National Federation
Sal Marandino, Buena 13-11 BUGANSKI of State High School Associations.
Jesse Swope, Delsea 13-5 that’s the decision of
112 the federation, that’s what we support.” “I’ve said for a long time it’s too many weight 99 local wrestlers had a different outcome. Just
John Hennelly, Delsea 23-0 While nothing has changed since 2006 when classes,” Delsea athletic director and former four votes were cast for a reduction in weight
Connor Palmieri, Buena 20-9 the upper weight limit of the heavyweight class coach Steve Iles said. “I understand you’re giv- classes by the wrestlers themselves.
119 was raised from 275 to 285 pounds, the debate on
Billy Ward, Buena 27-2 ing more kids an opportunity to participate at “I think it’s fine, I think it should stay at 14,”
the number and arrangement of weight classes the varsity level, but I still feel like you’re put- Delsea 140-pounder Ricky Azeglio said. “You
Newt Richardson, Schalick 20-3 in high school wrestling remains strong.
Ed Donahue, St. Aug. 15-11 ting kids in the lineup that aren’t necessarily just have to find people who are committed to
The last change to the number of bouts came ready for varsity-level competition.” the team and who will do what they need to do
Dan DeTetta, Vineland 12-8
125
in 1996 when New Jersey added the 215-pound Iles, who supports a drop to at most 12 and to make weight.”
Joe Esposito, St. Aug. 26-3 weight class, bringing the number up to its cur- ideally 11 weight classes, said it’s also a matter of The three options the NHFS voted on each
William Elliott, Cumberland 17-1 rent 14 format. numbers. addressed the current weight class system. Each
130 The difficult task is balancing participation “I think most sports are struggling with option raised the lightest bout to 106, spread the
Matt Hennelly, Delsea 21-0 with keeping the quality of the sport at a high numbers,” Iles said, adding he had 30 kids on his weight classes from 125 to 145 out and raised the
Justin Pierotti, Buena 22-8 level. freshman team alone in 1982. 215 class to a higher number.
Rian Lamanteer, Cumb. 13-11 “Keeping the weight classes the way they are The NCAA uses just 10 weight classes, the For now, it was all for naught, but the conver-
Daireck Hatton, Millville 10-9 without reducing them allows more kids to stay lowest being 125 and heavyweight ranging from sation is increasing in intensity and change
135 in the program,” Timko said. “Keeping more
Curt Delia, Delsea 28-3 198 to 285 pounds. could be on the near horizon.
kids in the programs is our goal.” Through Friday, 107 votes were cast on a poll
Dillan Berghof, Buena 25-4 But freshman teams are a thing of the past,
Nick Quiles, Millville 17-4 posted on The Mat Pack online asking what the
junior varsity matches have become more and number of weight classes should be in high Patrick Buganski covers high school wrestling
Jarrett Kelly, Buena 13-11 for The Daily Journal. Contact him at (856) 563-
Cruz Flores, Cumberland 15-12
more scarce and forfeits, even in the lineups of school. The top vote was for 12 weight classes
elite programs, are becoming commonplace. 5255 or pbuganski@thedailyjournal.com.
140 with 34 percent of the vote. However, a survey of
Ricky Azeglio, Delsea 24-7
Joe Devone, St. Augustine 23-6
Richard Morris, Cumb.
145
18-7 THE INSIDE STUFF NEWS AND NOTES
Dylan Dobzanski, Delsea 26-4 ■ Since the inception of major decision. Franklin’s

Q &A
Delsea’s Matt Hennelly is having an
Devon Fennimore, Vineland 14-5 outstanding senior season despite miss- the 215-pound weight class 30-28 win was reversed into
Tyler Sentman, St. Aug. 19-9 ing nearly two weeks with a partially in 1996, South Jersey has a 34-26 victory for Hills-
Rico Rivera, Millville 9-8 torn labrum. Together with his brother, earned 10 of the 15 state borough, which was sched-
152 titles awarded. One of those uled to wrestle at Hunter-
sophomore 112-pounder John Hennelly,
Ed Shockley, Millville 19-5 Matt Hennelly state champions was Pauls- don Central on Friday.
James Bennett, St. Aug. 18-11 they’re anchoring a Delsea team that
surprised a lot of people with its ability Delsea boro’s Isaac Redman, who ■ The Group state
John Scavelli, Delsea 13-7
to cover its losses from graduation. Matt 130/Senior won in 2003. Last Sunday, he championships will be
Zack Rahl, Schalick 19-8
Mike Jacobs, Delsea 14-11 recently spoke with The Daily Journal played in Super Bowl XLV held on Sunday at the
Qwantrelle Merrill, Buena 12-11 about his season and the team’s run to junior year, about to make it back to states, up 7-0 and for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ritacco Center at Toms
160 the top of South Jersey. rushing twice for 19 yards. River North High School.
getting caught (by Timber Creek’s Kevin Birmingham).
Adam Schroeder, St. Aug. 22-5 QUESTION: What’s it like to not only have a broth- ■ Franklin was bounced Wrestling will begin at
Going back a step isn’t the best. It makes you more
Rob Elliott, Cumberland 16-3 er on the team, but one who is having as much suc- motivated for the next year though. from the state tournament 10 a.m. with Group II and
Robert Keener, Delsea 10-7 cess as John is? Q: You’re not wrestling with the brace anymore; when the NJSIAA ruled III semifinals. Group I and
171 ANSWER: It shows that there’s something to work how does your shoulder feel? Friday that the Warriors IV will hold its semifinals
Sergio Cortes, Buena 14-11 with, it’s not just the one of us, it’s the both of us work- A: It feels good. That brace was just holding me from wrestled an ineligible at 12:30.
189 ing together. You’re competing with each other as much doing what I want. I feel like I can wrestle just fine with- wrestler during their 30-28 Championships for
Eric Hensel, Buena 26-3 as you’re competing with everyone else. I feel like we’re out the brace. It’s only six minutes anyway. My shoulder Group IV North II semifi- Groups II and III will be
Bryan Dobzanski, Delsea 24-3 competing together, like me and him are side by side. can get healed after that.
Q: Personally, were you worried about how the
nal win over Hillsborough wrestled at 3:30. Groups I
Steffen Rodriguez, Vineland 16-3 Q: Do you feel like you’re behind at all after you
team was going to fill the holes left by Eric Reger two days earlier. and IV will be contested at
Sean Redden, Delsea 17-11 missed about two weeks this season?
215 and Rob Jillard coming into the season? Franklin’s Anthony 6 p.m.
A: I feel like my record was behind, but since then I
Nick Pustizzi, Schalick 19-6 A: I knew we were going to be successful and I knew feel like I’ve caught up with everyone. The only (thing) Messner wrestled at 152 The Non-Public A state
Noah Repko, Buena 21-7 we were gong to be able to fill (those holes), just not that was left back was my record. pounds, a weight he wasn’t final will be contested at
Emad Ziyahdeh, Buena 15-5 with someone at their level. I wasn’t worried because I Q: Your father is a tattoo artist and you have eligible to compete at on 3:30 while Non-Public B
Chris Johnson, Millville 18-7 knew we would be able to put somebody in there that some tattoos already. What’s the next ink? Wednesday. The sophomore will be wrestled at 6 p.m.
Hwt. would be able to do a little something for us. A: One of two things. Possibly the same thing my made 152 pounds for the ■ The South Jersey
Jeremy Wilson, Millville 20-5 Q: You went to states as a sophomore, but brother has on my back (the USA Wrestling logo), or match, but according to Wrestling Coaches and Offi-
A. Baumgardner, St. Aug. 19-2 missed qualifying for a trip to Boardwalk Hall last hands holding rosary beads on my chest. I’m getting national rules, Messner cials Association will hold
Steven Paul, Cumberland 16-4 year. How disappointing was that? both of them either way.
A: It was real disappointing, especially going into my hadn’t followed a decent its 38th annual Region 7/8
Tre Porch, Delsea 13-4 — Patrick Buganski plan and didn’t make the banquet on March 14 at
*Wrestlers must have a .500 record weight prior to the manda- Masso’s Caterers in
and a minimum of 11 matches, their first wrestling coach. So it’s tory Jan. 23 when the two- Williamstown.
based on reported results through gotten progressively easier as the
Thursday. pound allowance kicked in. — Tom McGurk
two years went past.
On what he’s learned in his Messner won the bout by
time at Schalick:
Every day you’re going to get
surprised. Something is either going
Justin Martin, 24, is among the to go wrong or go right every single
day, whether it’s in practice or dur-
youngest wrestling coaches in South

“
Martin ing a match. And it’s just trying to
Jersey, and this is his third year leading
Schalick’s program. He took over at his
explain to the kids to keep your
head up, you’re doing the right thing, just keep going at
How many There should
alma mater as a fresh graduate from
Elizabethtown College, where he wres-
it. We’re a young team and I preach to them the formula
that I used when I was in high school and in college — weight classes be one
tled for four years. In high school, how- wrestle all summer long, especially if you’re not doing between
Which South Jersey district will
should there be? 215 and
ever, Martin wasn’t a state champion —
”
send the most wrestlers to the state another sport.
his senior year he placed 5/6 in Region On the opportunity to wrestle at the next level: heavyweight.
championships in Atlantic City?
I had a great time in college — athletically, academ-
Other 20
■ District 25 8, which proves collegiate wrestling 9 votes 8 votes (Answer: 15)
■ District 26 isn’t just for the most elite. ically, I had a blast. If you get into a D-III school because
■ District 27 On being such a young coach:
you’re athletic, that degree sticks with you the rest of
■ District 28 I guess it helps a little bit, I’m close to the kids, I’m
your life. D-III sports is not the jayvee of college, there’s
■ District 29
close to everyone on the team. I know what they go
some tough kids that go there. (But) you don’t have to 16
■ District 30
■ District 31
through, it makes it easier to get on the mat every day.
(But) it’s weird. Sometimes it’s an advantage, but other
win a (state) championship to go there. There’s only a
handful of colleges you have to be a stud to wrestle for.
11 votes
15
14
■ District 32
times it’s a disadvantage. Sometimes during my first
You can continue wrestling in college. I did it for four 54 votes
Cast your vote at The Daily years straight, and I didn’t set the world on fire in col- 19 votes
Journal’s wrestling blog, “The couple of years, especially my first year, those were kids
lege, but if you have the passion for it, there are oppor-
Mat Pack.” who I went to high school with their brothers. So it was Newt Richardson
tunities for you.
Visit definitely weird coaching a kid like Andrew Corbett. But Schalick, Freshman
— Patrick Buganski Note: Only six wrestlers voted for less than
blogs.thedailyjournal.com/matpack with Zach Rahl, Nick Pustizzi and Newt (Richardson), I’m 119 pounds
14 weight classes, which is the current total.

THE DAILY JOURNAL’S REGION 7 AND 8 RANKINGS

103 5) Jovanni Arroyo, Oakcrest (27-1) 4) Kevin Birmingham, Timber Creek (26-4) 3) Robert Shade, Timber Creek (28-2) 2) Mike Zeuli, Cherokee (18-0)
1) Tom Gattinella, St. Augustine (23-5) 125 5) Dan Pak, Delran (28-3) 4) Dymere Rappa, Paulsboro (18-9) 3) Eric McMullen, Paulsboro (23-3)
2) John Gentile, Paulsboro (24-4) 1) Coley O’Brien, Ocean City (26-0) 140 5) Kenny Emmons, Pennsville (28-4) 4) Carson Stack, Haddonfield (28-1)
3) Connor Muli, Shawnee (25-0) 2) Donte Scott, Paulsboro (15-4) 1) Wayne Stinson, Northern Burlington (23-4) 160 5) Bryan Dobzanski, Delsea (23-3)
4) Zach Valcarce, Lower Cape May (19-2) 3) Joe Esposito, St. Augustine (26-3) 2) Travis McDowell, Delran (28-4) 1) Ben Fanjoy, Cherokee (29-0) 215
5) Matt Carr, New Egypt (29-1) 4) Jason Gallagher, Bishop Eustace (26-5) 3) Drew Spector, West Deptford (23-2) 2) Steve Nelson, Haddon Township (31-0) 1) Kris Rahn, Haddonfield (27-4)
112 5) Brandon Keller, Timber Creek (25-3) 4) Austin Wetterau, Shawnee (25-1) 3) Codie Spatz, Burlington Twp. (22-2) 2) Mike Zeuli, Cherokee (18-0)
1) Kyle Klaus, Haddonfield (28-3) 130 5) Bryce Shade, Timber Creek (25-5) 4) Robert Schlitt, Haddonfield (27-3) 3) Kevin Stadtmueller, Absegami (25-2)
2) John Hennelly, Delsea (23-0) 1) Matt Sausman, Camden Catholic (21-2) 145 5) Anthony Dawson, Paulsboro (24-4) 4) Dan Garwood, Clearview (29-1)
3) John Van Brill, Clearview (29-1) 2) Chalie Huff, Washington Township (21-1) 1) C.J. Cobb, Williamstown (24-1) 171 5) Mauro Correnti, Holy Cross (29-2)
4) Ricky Carter, Timber Creek (3-1) 3) Matt Hennelly, Delsea (21-0) 2) Will Dengler, Haddonfield (26-3) 1) Steve Swayze, Washington Township (19-2) HWT
5) Josh Dickinson, Lower Cape May (20-1) 4) Ron Hoover, Haddon Township (29-3) 3) Eric Hamrick, Collingswood (28-4) 2) Matt Cosgrove, Paulsboro (24-5) 1) Greg Webb, Paul VI (21-0)
119 5) Dan Cornew, Clearview (27-3) 4) Dylan Dobzanski, Delsea (26-4) 3) Bryan Rozier, Pennsauken (27-4) 2) Andrew Baumgardner, St. Augustine (19-2)
1) Robert Deutsch, Eastern (32-0) 135 5) Monty Krough, Pennsville (27-5) 4) Declan Devaney, Seneca (26-2) 3) Tom Rementer, Clayton (24-1)
2) Kevin Devoy, Burlington Twp. (23-1) 1) Tyler Scotton, Willingboro (22-0) 152 5) Alex Gong, Absegami (24-5) 4) Trent Hampton, Pennsville (26-1)
3) Chad Walsh, Camden Catholic (28-3) 2) T.J. Miller, Camden Catholic (31-0) 1) James Green, Willingboro (19-0) 189 5) Nick Curl, Paulsboro (23-5)
4) Billy Ward, Buena (27-2) 3) Curt Delia, Delsea (28-3) 2) Phil Bakuckas, Hammonton (24-2) 1) Brian Lussier, Cherry Hill East (26-1) *Records through Thursday.