Varsity team manager with autism "pins" opponent in wrestling debut Greg Tufaro, @GregTufaro



On the way to extending its state record by winning a 35th consecutive district title on Saturday, the host South Plainfield High School wrestling team crowned nine individual champions.

The District 17 field featured five Greater Middlesex Conference schools including Sayreville, which had a strong showing, advancing nine wrestlers to the regions, which will be contested Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

CHECK IT OUT: Complete district tournament results and full list of Region 4 and Region 5 qualifiers

South Plainfield advanced a tournament-high 12 wrestlers to the next round and rolled to the team title with 277 points.

Led by 182-pound champion Nnamdi James, Franklin sent five wrestlers to the regions, while Old Bridge and Bishop Ahr advanced two wrestlers apiece.


Hunterdon Central crowned six individual champions, including Jack Bauer, who won an individual title for a fourth consecutive year, as the Red Devils ran away from the pack en route to capturing the District 18 Tournament at Hillsborough.

The Red Devils advanced a total of 11 wrestlers to the regions.

With a team score of 254.5, Hunterdon Central outdistanced runner-up Piscataway, which scored 174 points.

Brett Ungar (106), Colton Washleski (120), Tanner Peake (132), Pasquale Vizzoni (145), Ryan Joyce (285) and Bauer (126) all placed first for the Red Devils.

Piscataway qualified 10 wrestlers for the regions including individual champions Gabe Rodrigues (170) and Nick Recine (195).

Hillsborough’s Ryan O’Callaghan (152) and Pingry’s Brandon Spellman (113) won district titles.

Edison and Pingry advanced four and three wrestlers, respectively, to the region, while Rutgers Prep’s Charlie Phillips (132) became his school’s first region qualifier in four years.

South River’s Kenny Cross (285) also advanced.


Watchung Hills captured its second-straight district championship with 249 points.

The host Warriors advanced 13 wrestlers with three champions – Nick Ciraulo (138), Frank Medina (160) and Vincent Mattaliano (170).

Bound Brook, which placed second with 172.5, advanced seven, including champions Max Parra (126), Xavier Pena (132), Carlos Ugalde (152) and JJ Sistrunk (285).

Colonia advanced three highlighted by John Poznanski (182) taking first. Ridge advanced five with Kevin Fern (195) capturing a title. In one of the marquee matches, Rahway’s Joshua Darisme edged Ridge’s Jake Hendershot 3-2 in overtime in the 220-pound final.

Additionally, Middlesex/Dunellen advanced three and J.P. Stevens advanced one wrestler.


Westfield dominated the lower weights while rolling to the District 14 team championship as the Blue Devils claimed individual titles at 106 through 126 pounds.

Luke Jacobs (106), Quinn Gimblette (113), Luke Hoerle (120) and CJ Composto (126) won their respective weight classes to help Westfield finish with a team score of 231.5. Teammate Jordan Simpson (160) also won an individual title.

The Blue Devils advanced a tournament-best 11 wrestlers to the regions.

Voorhees shined in the upper weights with Sam Huff (220) and Lewis Fernandes (285) each winning their respective weight classes.

Fernandes, an incumbent state champion, improved his record to 39-0, while Bridgewater-Raritan’s Matt Sacco also remained undefeated, winning the 145-pound title.

Mike Winchock (170) and Brett MacMath (182) also placed first for the Panthers.

St. Joseph, which reinstated its wrestling program this season after a 26-year hiatus, advanced three wrestlers to the regions including district champions Anthony Bistany (106) and Derek Zelesnick (138).


AJ DeRosa (132) was named Outstanding Wrestler, while teammates Anthony DeRosa (152) and Shawne Ramsby (170) also won individual titles to lead host Delaware Valley to a second-place finish in the District 19 tournament.

The Terriers, who were runner-up to Hopewell Valley, a team it had defeated during the dual meet season, advanced eight wrestlers to the regions.

Perth Amboy’s James Rodriguez (126) and Johan Coria (285) won individual titles

Perth Amboy, Manville and Spotswood each advanced four wrestlers. Manville’s Alex Abarca (182) and Spotswood’s Eddie Rogers (195) won their respective weight classes.


North Hunterdon won four individual titles and advanced 11 wrestlers to the regions while fending off a strong challenge from runner-up Manalapan to win the District 20 team championship.

The Lions finished with 223.5 points, 10.5 more than the Braves.

East Brunswick’s Christian Perrine, who scored a 7-6 decision over Manalapan’s Gavin Claro in the 182-pound final, was named Outstanding Wrestler.

North Hunterdon’s champions were Frank DiEsso (113), Connor Robinson (120), Nate Fossett (170) and Lorenzo Becerril (285).

New Brunswick’s Keshon Davila (220), who hopes to become the school’s first state qualifier, won his weight class.

South Brunswick advanced four wrestlers to the regions, while Highland Park advanced one.


Host Phillipsburg cruised to the team title with 273 points. Plainfield, which finished second with 133 points, advanced five to Region 4 with one champion in Ki`zuran Casey (170).

New Providence claimed two champions. At 160, Joe Delia defeated Carteret’s Jacob Vega 9-2, while Nadeem ElMahroukey captured the heavyweight title.

Somerville advanced seven wrestlers and Bernards got five through.

Carteret and Woodbridge each advanced two wrestlers.


In a race between two teams recognized in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20 poll, St. Peter’s Prep edged Seton Hall Prep, 220.5 to 213 points.

Host Scotch Plains-Fanwood advanced four with two champs in Brandon Bowles (113) and Zachary Zimmerman (195). Additionally, Governor Livingston advanced five wrestlers and North Plainfield had one in the top three.


The lone Greater Middlesex Conference representative in the district, Monroe placed third behind team champion Ocean and host Delran.

Monroe sent five wrestlers to the regions including Joseph Fiordaliso (120), Chris Fanelli (145), Ian McCabe (152) and Nicholas Weikel (170), who all won individual titles for the Falcons.