CYANMAGENTAYELLOWBLACK

B4 – Saturday, February 19, 2011 SPORTS www.thedailyjournal.com/sports The Daily Journal

SOUTH JERSEY Wall of Champions recognizes a program’s greats

MEAN 15
1. Timber Creek (22-3)
Grapplers aim to have their
names on their schools’walls
aseball fields don’t have the best pitch-
2. Paulsboro
3. Haddonfield
4. Delsea
(22-1)
(28-2)
(20-3)
B ers’ and hitters’ names painted on the
dugout and soccer fields don’t have the
names of the top scorers listed on the goal
5. Pennsville (23-3) posts, but almost every wrestling team’s most
6. Buena (17-6) accomplished grapplers are on full display in
7. West Deptford (19-4) the wrestling room.
8. Collingswood (19-9) A Wall of Champions, which often lists
9. Camden Catholic (22-6) state, regional and district champions for the
10. Cherokee (20-5) program, provides a constant reminder of who
11. St. Augustine (15-8) worked the hardest and was
12. Clearview (19-6) the most dedicated every
13. Northern Burlington (17-5) day in that room. Having
14. Hammonton (22-6) your name bestowed upon
that very wall for every
15. Bordentown (17-4)
wrestler to see in the future
*Records through Thursday is an honor like no other.
“I look at that wall
LOCAL RECORDS* every single day when I
103 walk into the room,”
Tom Gattinella, St. Aug. 23-5 Buena senior Eric
Jake Martin, Millville 18-6 patrick Staff photo/Charles J. Olson
Hensel said. “It’s the Millville High School wrestlers practice near the Thunderbolts’ Wall of Champions on Wednesday. Most grapplers
Sal Marandino, Buena 13-11 people who worked BUGANSKI dream of seeing their name on the wall for eternity.
Jesse Swope, Delsea 13-5 hard and gave every-
112 thing.” at the history of a program, it can also high- Carolina’s room and they have five national
John Hennelly, Delsea 23-0 The wall is often mentioned by wrestlers light its struggles. finalists, they’ve had All-Americans five, six,
Connor Palmieri, Buena 20-9 when asked about preseason goals or what Millville, for example, has the fourth most seven years in a row.”
119 drives them after winning district or regional state champions in South Jersey behind Similarly, in high school, a young grappler
Billy Ward, Buena 27-2 titles. It’s a history lesson of who’s who among Paulsboro (25), Absegami (12) and Eastern (11) can look at the wall and see the level of excel-
Newt Richardson, Schalick 20-3 wrestlers who donned the school’s singlet. It’s with eight. But the Thunderbolts haven’t won lence that’s expected when they step on the
Ed Donahue, St. Aug. 15-11 omnipresent motivation. a district title since Martin Kuhn’s triumph mat.
Dan DeTetta, Vineland 12-8 “I think it does mean something,” Millville at heavyweight in 2007. The last name up on Throughout the state, 448 district champi-
125 coach Scott Stay said. “Maybe it builds confi- the regional title wall was in 1998 (Darrick ons will be crowned today. Next Saturday, 112
Joe Esposito, St. Aug. 26-3 dence and when you’ve seen people every year Warfle). regional champions will earn the right to
William Elliott, Cumberland17-1 get up on the wall and it’s your workout part- Stay even takes the importance of a wall of have their names bestowed on their respective
130 ner or your friend, it drives you.” champions a step further — he used it to help walls. Those accomplishments forever immor-
Matt Hennelly, Delsea 21-0 The walls bring a sense of permanence to choose a college. talized for the next generation of Chiefs, Cru-
Justin Pierotti, Buena 22-8 an accomplishment on the mats, whether it be “When I was being recruited, when I would saders, Thunderbolts and Hermits to see.
Rian Lamanteer, Cumb. 13-11 100 wins or placing in the state. visit someplace, I would look for their wall,”
Daireck Hatton, Millville 10-9 “It’s a goal,” St. Augustine sophomore Tom Stay, who attended North Carolina, said.
135 “When I had gone to Drexel, they had zero All- Patrick Buganski covers high school wrestling
Gattinella said. “It’s going to be up there for for The Daily Journal. Contact him at (856) 563-
Curt Delia, Delsea 28-3 forever.” Americans. As a person going to college with
Dillan Berghof, Buena 25-4 5255 or pbuganski@thedailyjournal.com.
But while constantly looking at the names those expectations, why would I go to a college
Nick Quiles, Millville 17-4 on the wall can provide motivation and a look with zero All-Americans? I walk into North
Jarrett Kelly, Buena 13-11
Cruz Flores, Cumberland 15-12
140
Ricky Azeglio, Delsea 24-7
THE INSIDE STUFF NEWS AND NOTES
■ With the addition of Brearley (Group II), Del-

Q &A
Joe Devone, St. Augustine 23-6 Don’t sleep on Cumberland Regional
Richard Morris, Cumb. 18-7 at districts. The Colts have six wrestlers Cedar Creek, District 32 barton (Non-Public A) and
145 with 20-or-more wins, which might be a now boasts 12 teams — the Camden Catholic (Non-
Dylan Dobzanski, Delsea 26-4 little surprising considering the team most of any district in the Public B) were the other
Devon Fennimore, Vine. 14-5 is 8-10. Junior Richard Morris, at 21-8, is entire state. District 31 has state group champions
Tyler Sentman, St. Aug. 19-9 one of the wrestlers who could surprise Richard Morris nine teams. crowned on Sunday.
Rico Rivera, Millville 9-8 people. Morris recently spoke with The Cumberland Regional ■ Paulsboro owns the ■ Bound Brook’s
152 Daily Journal about the Colts’ team 140/Junior most district team titles in Andrew Campolattano
Ed Shockley, Millville 19-5 and season. South Jersey history with captured career victory No.
James Bennett, St. Aug. 18-11 QUESTION: The team went 5-3 in its final 57. Highland and Lenape 165 last weekend to become
John Scavelli, Delsea 13-7 eight matches. What was different toward the wins have come by fall. Is that something are tied for second with 20 New Jersey’s all-time win
Zack Rahl, Schalick 19-8 end of the season that led to that nice run? you strive for or just how things have fallen while Delsea comes in leader, surpassing Queen
Mike Jacobs, Delsea 14-11 ANSWER: A couple of the newer guys started into place? fourth with 18. of Peace’s Frank Cagnina,
Qwantrelle Merrill, Buena 12-11 developing and staying off their backs and we A: I always try to pin the guy. The coach looks ■ Trivia time: Which who finished with 164 last
160 had a full lineup compared to the beginning of at the top guys to get the pins and that’s how South Jersey school has season. The senior, who is
Adam Schroeder, St. Aug. 22-5 the season. It was mainly the newer guys that we’ve been winning our matches lately, by get- the longest active streak of 165-1 in his career, will
Rob Elliott, Cumberland 16-3 started getting better. ting extra points. I just try to go out and get the team titles in the same dis- begin his quest for a fourth
Robert Keener, Delsea 10-7 Q: You’re one of six wrestlers on the team guy in the first period. trict going into the week- state title this weekend.
171 with 20-or-more wins this season. Are the Q: What are your feelings on the fashion end? The answer is at the Only Delbarton’s Mike
Sergio Cortes, Buena 14-11 Colts a team we should be looking at to turn sense of coach Carmine Davis? end of this segment. Grey has ever achieved
189 some heads at districts? A: His fashion sense, I think he’s definitely the ■ High Point knocked four state titles in New
Eric Hensel, Buena 26-3 A: We should place pretty high. This year best-dressed coach in South Jersey, with his off top-ranked South Jersey history.
Bryan Dobzanski, Delsea 24-3 we’ve always done well in individual tourna- own unique style of ties and suits. It’s kind of Plainfield in the state ■ Trivia answer: East-
Steffen Rodriguez, Vine. 16-3 ments. We should shock some people. funny, but it’s professional in the same way. He Group III championship ern has won four straight
Sean Redden, Delsea 17-11 Q: You’re only going to lose two seniors looks at wrestling as a job. He expects us to look last Sunday in a battle of District 26 titles from
215 with winning records this year. How good the same. He always tells us it’s a business. two New Jersey power- 2007-2010. One might have
Nick Pustizzi, Schalick 19-6 can the team be next season? Q: Which of your teammates is most likely houses. The Newark Star- guessed Camden Catholic,
Noah Repko, Buena 21-7 A: We’re gonna have a lot of returners, we’re to have Justin Bieber on his iPod? Ledger awarded High which has won 10 consecu-
Emad Ziyahdeh, Buena 15-5 working on getting the guys together to work all A: I can honestly there isn’t many people on Point the No. 1 team in the tive titles, but nine came in
Chris Johnson, Millville 18-7 summer, and I think we’re supposed to have a this team. (But last year) Mahalo (Camba) defi- state, despite a 31-28 loss to District 28 before the Irish
Hwt. couple new guys coming up that should do nitely would have Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, the state Group IV champion moved to District 27 last
Jeremy Wilson, Millville 20-5 good too, so we should definitely improve. whole thing. Jackson in January. season.
A. Baumgardner, St. Aug. 19-2 Q: You’re also a pinner — 16 of your 22 — Patrick Buganski Paulsboro (Group I), — Tom McGurk
Steven Paul, Cumberland 16-4
Tre Porch, Delsea 13-4
*Wrestlers must have a .500 ning in the finals. You have your
record and a minimum of 11 kids who are good and unique
matches, based on reported like (Camden Catholic’s) Taylor
results through Thursday. Walsh, who does everything

Joe Melchiore is trying to make a

name for himself as a scholastic coach
at St. Augustine, but the three-time
wrong, but wins, but there’s not
many of those kids, the excep-
tions to the rule.
If he’d still pin as much,
Melchiore and use his trademark quar-
How much
offseason work
do you put in?
“ I just prepare
for the season.
I know a lot of
other kids play
ter nelson: other sports, but
state champion and NCAA Division I
finalist established himself as one of
I don’t know, they wouldn’t let me take the D I gave up base-
ball my freshman
the area’s legendary grapplers a long
chin now. I’d have to modify it, but I’m sure I’d
C
12 votes A year to focus on
come up with something else, some other kind 18 votes
27 votes
time ago. Melchiore won his final state

Which team deserves to be

crowned as the No. 1 team in
South Jersey this season?
■ Timber Creek
■ Paulsboro
Cast your vote at The Daily
Journal’s wrestling blog,
“The Mat Pack.”
Visit
blogs.thedailyjournal.com/matpack
championship in 1984. How does he
think he would fair against today’s
of funk.
On how his reputation affects him as a
coach:
B
31 votes
wrestling.
”
wrestlers? I think it hurts me as a coach. The referees
How would the Joe Melchiore of the 1980s
expect more from our kids and other teams get A: Tons, I wrestle in tournaments,
do if he were in high school now? up for us because they expect our teams to be
“I try to be humble when it comes to that kind
lift and train all year.
technically sound. I think it hurts us because B: A little, I wrestle a couple tournaments
of stuff, but I would say I’d win four. I was too we’re supposed to be technically better, but I and maybe attend a camp.
mentally tough. There’s some different tech-
don’t see us being better all the time. C: Whatever my coach makes me. Tom Gattinella
niques that have developed, but the good stuff is — Patrick Buganski D: None, I only focus on wrestling during St. Augustine, Soph.
the old school stuff. That’s the stuff that’s win- the season. 103 pounds

THE DAILY JOURNAL’S REGION 7 AND 8 RANKINGS

103 5) Isaiah DeGuzman, Pennsauken (30-1) 4) Curt Delia, Delsea (29-4) 3) Robert Shade, Timber Creek (30-2) 2) Eric McMullen, Paulsboro (26-3)
1) Tom Gattinella, St. Augustine (23-4) 125 5) Kevin Birmingham, Timber Creek (28-4) 4) Dymere Rappa, Paulsboro (21-9) 3) Carson Stack, Haddonfield (28-1)
2) John Gentile, Paulsboro (26-5) 1) Coley O’Brien, Ocean City (26-0) 140 5) Kenny Emmons, Pennsville (28-4) 4) Brian Flacco, Audubon (25-4)
3) Connor Muli, Shawnee (27-0) 2) Donte Scott, Paulsboro (18-4) 1) Wayne Stinson, Northern Burlington (23-4) 160 5) Eric Hensel, Buena (23-2)
4) Matt Carr, New Egypt (31-1) 3) Joe Esposito, St. Augustine (25-3) 2) Travis McDowell, Delran (32-4) 1) Ben Fanjoy, Cherokee (31-0) 215
5) Zach Valcarce, Lower Cape May (20-3) 4) Jason Gallagher, Bishop Eustace (30-5) 3) Drew Spector, West Deptford (24-2) 2) Steve Nelson, Haddon Township (32-0) 1) Kris Rahn, Haddonfield (27-4)
112 5) Brandon Keller, Timber Creek (27-3) 4) Bryce Shade, Timber Creek (27-5) 3) Codie Spatz, Burlington Twp. (22-2) 2) Mike Zeuli, Cherokee (19-0)
1) Kyle Klaus, Haddonfield (28-3) 130 5) Austin Wetterau, Shawnee (26-2) 4) Robert Schlitt, Haddonfield (27-3) 3) Dan Garwood, Clearview (30-1)
2) John Hennelly, Delsea (24-1) 1) Matt Sausman, Camden Catholic (21-2) 145 5) Anthony Dawson, Paulsboro (25-6) 4) Kevin Stadtmueller, Absegami (25-3)
3) John Van Brill, Clearview (30-1) 2) Chalie Huff, Washington Township (24-1) 1) C.J. Cobb, Williamstown (27-1) 171 5) Mauro Correnti, Holy Cross (32-3)
4) Ricky Carter, Timber Creek (3-3) 3) Matt Hennelly, Delsea (23-0) 2) Eric Hamrick, Collingswood (29-4) 1) Matt Cosgrove, Paulsboro (26-6) HWT
5) Josh Dickinson, Lower Cape May (20-3) 4) Ron Hoover, Haddon Township (30-3) 3) Will Dengler, Haddonfield (26-3) 2) Bryan Rozier, Pennsauken (33-4) 1) Greg Webb, Paul VI (24-0)
119 5) Dan Pak, Delran (32-3) 4) Daniel Eckley, West Deptford (23-4) 3) Declan Devaney, Seneca (29-2) 2) Andrew Baumgardner, St. Augustine (18-2)
1) Robert Deutsch, Eastern (32-0) 135 5) Monty Krough, Pennsville (28-5) 4) Alex Gong, Absegami (26-5) 3) Tom Rementer, Clayton (25-1)
2) Kevin Devoy, Burlington Twp. (23-1) 1) Tyler Scotton, Willingboro (25-0) 152 5) Conor Wasson, Lenape (25-5) 4) Trent Hampton, Pennsville (28-1)
3) Chad Walsh, Camden Catholic (29-3) 2) T.J. Miller, Camden Catholic (32-0) 1) James Green, Willingboro (19-0) 189 5) Nick Curl, Paulsboro (25-6)
4) Billy Ward, Buena (30-2) 3) Dillan Berghof, Buena (28-4) 2) Phil Bakuckas, Hammonton (27-3) 1) Brian Lussier, Cherry Hill East (26-1) *Records through Thursday.