CYANMAGENTAYELLOWBLACK

B4 – Saturday, February 5, 2011 SPORTS www.thedailyjournal.com/sports The Daily Journal

SOUTH JERSEY
NCAA Championships to be in Philadelphia
MEAN 15
1. Timber Creek (19-2)
Local grapplers
anxious to see
want to look forward to.”
Of course St. Augustine Prep
head coach Joe Melchiore is about
as familiar with the NCAA cham-
pionships as anyone in South Jer-
2. Haddonfield
3. Paulsboro
(26-1)
(16-1)
what event is like sey. Melchiore is a four-time
NCAA Division I All-American
4. Delsea (18-3) and finished second in the nation
he NCAA Division I Cham-
5. Pennsville
6. West Deptford
7. Buena
8. Collingswood
(18-2)
(13-3)
(14-4)
(16-6)
T pionships are the pinnacle of
scholastic-style wrestling
and they’re coming to Philadel-
to Oklahoma State’s John Smith
in 1988 when he was at Iowa.
That final was the first to be
televised live. Since then, the
phia. event has taken off and become
9. Camden Catholic (18-4) The Wells Fargo Center is the what it is today.
10. Cherokee (15-4) site of the 2011 championships “All the stuff that goes on
11. St. Augustine (15-7) March 17-19, giv- around it, between rounds,” Mel-
12. Clearview (16-3) ing South Jer- chiore said. “They have the big fes-
13. No. Burlington (12-4) sey wrestling tival now, they have freestyle
14. Lower Cape May (10-6) fans a rare matches between sessions, there’s
15. Absegami (12-8) opportunity to a lot more fanfare now, it’s not just
*Records through Thursday see one of the going to watch wrestling, there’s a
sports’ great- AP photo
Nebraska’s Jordan Burroughs (right), a Winslow Township graduate, wrestles lot the media has done to make it
LOCAL RECORDS* est specta-
Iowa’s Brent Metcalf during the 149-pound Division I NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals an experience for the fans rather
cles. The than to just go watch wrestling.”
103 in 2008. Burroughs a former New Jersey state champion and NCAA champion will
site for the Melchiore has been to the last
Tom Gattinella, St. Aug. 23-4 likely compete at this year’s NCAA tournament, which will be held in Philadelphia.
Jake Martin, Millville 15-6
event 12 NCAA championships, six as a
patrick
Sal Marandino, Buena 12-8 changes three-time state champion, and wrestlers — it’s research. coach at Drexel University and
each year, BUGANSKI Nebraska’s Jordan Burroughs, a “I want to watch how they
Jesse Swope, Delsea 13-4 the last six just as a spectator.
112 but is typ- Winslow graduate and state wrestle,” Cumberland’s Will “Not being a coach, you can sit
John Hennelly, Delsea 22-0 ically in the Midwest — Omaha, champion, will both be looking to Elliott said. “I want to mix their back and really watch the tourna-
Connor Palmieri, Buena 19-6 Neb. hosted it last year. win their second NCAA titles. wrestling with mine so I can be ment, and being a true wrestling
119 Expectedly, wrestlers are Throw in the top teams in the the dominant kid. I just want to fan, that’s what it’s all about,”
Billy Ward, Buena 24-1 jumping on the opportunity to country such as Iowa, Penn State, feed off their knowledge so it can Melchiore said.
Newt Richardson, Schalick 19-3 check out the event first hand. Oklahoma State and Minnesota help me out and so I can see where Spectators looking to purchase
Ed Donohue, St. Aug. 14-11 “It’s just a great place to watch and there’s plenty to get excited I’m hopefully going in a few years. tickets might be out of luck, how-
Dan DeTetta, Vineland 9-7 wrestling,” Delsea Regional High about. I’m going to use it to get better. ever. The Wells Fargo Center’s
125 School’s Curt Delia said. “You’ve “College wrestling is great, it’s “If I see it in person, I remem- website says six-session tickets,
Joe Esposito, St. Augustine25-3 got the top wrestlers in the nation, so competitive, it’s so intense,” ber it more, but if I see it on which went from $135 to $165, are
William Elliott, Cumberland14-1 you have to go watch it. I’ve never
130
Buena’s Connor Palmeiri said. YouTube, it’s just like another sold out, but you can sign up on be
been there, but I bet it’s a great “The day the tickets went on sale, movie trailer just going through on a waiting list.
Matt Hennelly, Delsea 20-0 experience.”
Justin Pierotti, Buena 19-7 we were calling. We bought a my mind.”
Among some of the sport’s stars whole bunch.” Delia said he’s looking at the
Rian Lamanteer, Cumb. 12-10 that are likely to be in action is a Patrick Buganski covers high
Daireck Hatton, Millville 8-8 For some wrestlers, the event tournament as a career goal.
pair of New Jersey products. school wrestling for The Daily Jour-
135 isn’t just an interesting entertain- “It’s just like when I was in sev-
North Carolina State’s Darrion nal. Contact him at (856) 563-5255 or
Curt Delia, Delsea 27-3 ment alternative to a movie or enth grade going to states,” Delia pbuganski@thedailyjournal.com.
Dillan Berghof, Buena 23-2
Caldwell, a Rahway graduate and trip to the mall. For some said. “It’s that next step that you
Nick Quiles, Millville 15-3
Jarrett Kelly, Buena 11-10
Cruz Flores, Cumberland 12-11
140
THE INSIDE STUFF NEWS AND NOTES
Ricky Azeglio, Delsea 24-6 ■ Paulsboro became just ■ Collingswood beat

Q &A
Junior 215-pounder Nick Pustizzi
Joe Devone, St. Augustine 22-6 has been one of the bright spots for the the third program in the Camden Catholic Wednes-
Richard Morris, Cumb. 14-7 Schalick High School wrestling team country to score its 1,000th day, 36-28, in one of the
145 this season. The Cougars are winless as win when it beat Haddon more surprising upsets of
Dylan Dobzanski, Delsea 26-3 a team, 0-13, entering the weekend, but Township, 59-6, Wednesday. the season. Two of
Devon Fennimore, Vineland11-5 Pustizzi, fresh off a third-place finish at Nick Pustizzi The Red Raiders, who Collingswood’s most cru-
Tyler Sentman, St. Aug. 19-9 are 16-1 this season, are cial wins came at 135
a Tri-County Conference Tournament, Schalick
Rico Rivera, Millville 9-6 now 1,000-77-12 since the pounds with Jim Hatzell
is 16-5. Pustizzi isn’t only in the minori- 215/Junior
152 program started in 1939. beating Aaron Lambert, 3-
Ed Shockley, Millville 16-5 ty in the lineup for his outstanding
record, he’s one of the few members of Granite City, Ill., has 2, and at 140 with Alex
James Bennett, St. Aug. 18-10 and everything. We’ve got kids who will be pretty nearly 1,400 all-time victo- Irwin beating Frank Var-
John Scavelli, Delsea 13-6 the team in either 11th or 12th grade — good by the time they’re juniors and seniors.
only three other juniors or seniors have ries and Vacaville, Calif. allo, 6-5.
Zack Rahl, Schalick 14-8 Q: You have one of the youngest coaches in
seen significant time. Pustizzi recently reached 1,000 wins in Jan- ■ Barringer has
Mike Jacobs, Delsea 14-10 South Jersey in Justin Martin. What’s it like
Qwantrelle Merrill, Buena 11-10 spoke with The Daily Journal about his uary. dropped out of the NJSI-
having a young coach as opposed to someone
160 season, the team and a little football. who hasn’t been on the mats in a competitive In honor of the histori- AA North 2 Group III
Adam Schroeder, St. Aug. 21-5 QUESTION: You were 10-15 last year and sense in a long time? cal milestone, the tournament due to a skin
Rob Elliott, Cumberland 14-3 you’re 16-5 right now. Where did that kind of A: I like it. It brings a different atmosphere to the wrestlers wore throwback problem that had affected
Robert Keener, Delsea 10-6 improvement come from? room. We have Justin Martin and coach Mike warmups and many wore the team. Nutley will take
171 ANSWER: Just a lot of work in the weight room. Cullen — they’re up to date with everything that’s throwback singlets. over at the No. 6 seed —
Sergio Cortes, Buena 12-9 I think I missed maybe one or two days from the going on, they pay attention to the college ■ Speaking of Pauls- which is where Barringer
189 end of last season to the beginning of football sea- wrestling on TV. And the best part about it is they boro and throwback uni- was placed — and wrestle
Bryan Dobzanski, Delsea 23-3 son. I did a little bit of club wrestling, I wrestled in can still come in and wrestle with us and pick us forms… third-seeded Warren Hills
Eric Hensel, Buena 22-3 (a couple tournaments) over the summer. The apart and see what we’re doing wrong and what The Red Raiders will on Monday.
Steffen Rodriguez, Vine. 12-3 improvement just started happening, I could see I we need to work on. They get you better. faceoff at home today ■ Emerson-Park Ridge
Sean Redden, Delsea 17-11 just started to be beat people I wouldn’t beat the Q: The team is winless right now. How do against another of the coach Stan Woods is near-
215 year before. This year everything just felt good. My you stay motivated and keep working hard so state’s most historic pro- ing the all-time coaching
Nick Pustizzi, Schalick 16-5 conditioning is right and everything. I’m eating you’ll be ready for districts and regions? grams — Phillipsburg. The wins record held by Ralph
Noah Repko, Buena 17-7 right and stuff, which I didn’t do last year. I’m a lot A: Last year, I just think about how I didn’t have two teams, which have Ross Sr. Woods notched
Emad Ziyahdeh, Buena 13-4 more devoted to it this year than I was last year. a good season and I went into districts and got shared a lengthy rivalry career victory No. 599
Chris Johnson, Millville 15-7 Q: Schalick is a very young team. In fact the pinned in the quarters and just wrestled bad. I just due to the similarities Tuesday. Ross, who coached
HWT majority of the roster is freshmen and sopho- keep getting motivated by the wins I’m getting. It’s between the history and at Highland and Triton
Jeremy Wilson, Millville 18-4 mores. How difficult is it to go into a season a big motivation when I’m winning, especially
without many experienced wrestlers? success of the their pro- Red, retired with 601.
A. Baumgardner, St.Aug. 18-2 when no one else is, you have to go out there and
A: You just have to get better every match. grams, will also both be Woods, who has been with
Steven Paul, Cumberland 13-4 win one match for your team.
Tre Porch, Delsea 12-4 Sometimes when it’s just me and a couple other wearing throwback uni- the team since 1967, can
Q: What’s your super bowl prediction?
*Wrestlers must have a .500 guys winning matches, you have to keep the A: I’m thinking the Steelers are going to win by forms. break the record during a
record and a minimum of 11 younger guys encouraged and working hard. Some at least two touchdowns. The match is scheduled quad meet today.
matches, based on reported guys are coming up from middle school and getting — Patrick Buganski for 1 p.m. — Patrick Buganski
results through Thursday. thrown into varsity. We’ve shown a lot of promise

improvement all the time. That’s

probably what we feel the most
pressure to do. We want the kids

Coaching an elite program isn’t

to go from A to B.
On balancing newcomers
and state champions in the
same room:
That’s really tough. We do a lot
What high
school sport helps “ (Football) keeps
you in shape.
You’re always
always the easiest task, but that’s what of individual work. Sometimes we
Sawyer have to split the room and come
wrestlers most? fighting against
someone else, like
How many weight classes should Delsea Regional High School’s Greg
in wrestling.
there be in high school?
■ 10
■ 11
Sawyer is faced with. At a school such as
Delsea, there’s pressure to win year-after-
year. Also, a strong feeder program and
up with almost individual plans
for each kid and work from there. It’s not always one
thing for everybody, it’s really individualized. Each
Other
6
Soccer
3 ”
■ 12 proud tradition makes for a mix of elite kid has got to have his own plan of attack.
■ 13 On support from the school and community: Cross
■ 14
wrestlers and very green athletes on the
mat for the first time. So what’s it like We get a lot of (support). Delsea is the best place country,
■ 15 to be if you’re involved with athletics. We have an track
■ 16 keeping the Crusaders’ wheels greased? 22
athletic-friendly administration. They realize the
Cast your vote at The Daily
Journal’s wrestling blog, “The
On pressure to win:
Honestly, I don’t feel a lot of pressure in the sense
importance of athletics. They realize our kids are Football Ricky Azeglio
Mat Pack.” of having to win. I feel pressure and responsibility to
more disciplined academically because of what we 54 Delsea, Senior
Visit do with our program. We get a lot of support. 140 pounds
have the kids improve constantly. It’s not that we
blogs.thedailyjournal.com/matpack — Patrick Buganski
have to be the best all the time, but we have to show

THE DAILY JOURNAL’S REGION 7 AND 8 RANKINGS

103 5) Jovanni Arroyo, Oakcrest (24-1) 4) Kevin Birmingham, Timber Creek (23-4) 3) Robert Shade, Timber Creek (25-2) 2) Mike Zeuli, Cherokee (14-0)
1) Tom Gattinella, St. Augustine (23-4) 125 5) Dan Pak, Delran (23-2) 4) Kenny Emmons, Pennsville (24-3) 3) Eric McMullen, Paulsboro (21-3)
2) John Gentile, Paulsboro (22-3) 1) Coley O’Brien, Ocean City (23-0) 140 5) Jake Siegfried, Highland (20-1) 4) Carson Stack, Haddonfield (26-1)
3) Connor Muli, Shawnee (23-0) 2) Donte Scott, Paulsboro (13-4) 1) Wayne Stinson, Northern Burlington (19-3) 160 5) Rigo Morfin, New Egypt (21-1)
4) Zach Valcarce, Lower Cape May (18-1) 3) Joe Esposito, St. Augustine (25-3) 2) Travis McDowell, Delran (23-3) 1) Ben Fanjoy, Cherokee (24-0) 215
5) Nick Virgilio, Timber Creek (20-3) 4) Jason Gallagher, Bishop Eustace (22-5) 3) Drew Spector, West Deptford (20-1) 2) Steve Nelson, Haddon Township (25-0) 1) Kris Rahn, Haddonfield (25-4)
112 5) Brandon Keller, Timber Creek (22-3) 4) Austin Wetterau, Shawnee (21-1) 3) Codie Spatz, Burlington Twp. (20-2) 2) Kevin Stadtmueller, Absegami (22-2)
1) Kyle Klaus, Haddonfield (26-3) 130 5) Ricky Azeglio, Delsea (24-6) 4) Robert Schlitt, Haddonfield (26-3) 3) Dan Garwood, Clearview (24-1)
2) John Hennelly, Delsea (22-0) 1) Matt Sausman, Camden Catholic (19-2) 145 5) Anthony Dawson, Paulsboro (23-4) 4) Mauro Correnti, Holy Cross (23-1)
3) John Van Brill, Clearview (24-1) 2) Chalie Huff, Washington Township (20-1) 1) C.J. Cobb, Williamstown (21-1) 171 5) Matt Bauer, Bordentown (19-2)
4) Josh Dickenson, Lower Cape May (18-1) 3) Matt Hennelly, Delsea (20-0) 2) Will Dengler, Haddonfield (24-3) 1) Steve Swayze, Washington Township (18-2) HWT
5) Tyler Kaminski, West Deptford (18-3) 4) Dan Cornew, Clearview (24-1) 3) Eric Hamrick, Collingswood (23-4) 2) Taylor Venanzi, Collingswood (25-2) 1) Greg Webb, Paul VI (18-0)
119 5) Ron Hoover, Haddon Township (23-3) 4) Dylan Dobzanski, Delsea (25-3) 3) Matt Cosgrove, Paulsboro (21-5) 2) Andrew Baumgardner, St. Augustine (18-2)
1) Robert Deutsch, Eastern (27-0) 135 5) Monty Krough, Pennsville (23-5) 4) Bryan Rozier, Pennsauken (24-4) 3) Cody Melton, Northern Burlington (21-4)
2) Kevin Devoy, Burlington Twp. (21-1) 1) Tyler Scotton, Willingboro (18-0) 152 5) Declan Devaney, Seneca (23-1) 4) Nick Curl, Paulsboro (21-4)
3) Chad Walsh, Camden Catholic (24-3) 2) T.J. Miller, Camden Catholic (27-0) 1) James Green, Willingboro (16-0) 189 5) Tom Rementer, Clayton (21-1)
4) Billy Ward, Buena (24-1) 3) Curt Delia, Delsea (26-3) 2) Phil Bakuckas, Hammonton (20-2) 1) Brian Lussier, Cherry Hill East (21-1) *Records through Thursday.