The Express-Times All-Area first team indicates bright future for local wrestling

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

FINAL RANKINGS:

REGION TOP 10

1. Easton (23-2)

2. Nazareth (20-5)

3. Bethlehem Catholic (13-2)

4. Parkland (15-6)

5. Pen Argyl (18-7)

6. Northampton (14-5)

7. Phillipsburg (13-6)

8. Delaware Valley (19-3)

9. Hunterdon Central (16-4)

10. North Hunterdon (15-6)

The 2010-2011 Express-Times All-Area first-team wrestling squad recognizes the achievements of the recent past while showing off a potentially bright future.

Of the 14 All-Area choices only five are seniors, including Nazareth Area High School 130-pound state champion Zach Horan.

Nine picks will return for next season. Two of them, Easton 140-pound junior Mitch Minotti and Pen Argyl 135-pound sophomore Mike Racciato, will attempt to repeat as state champions.

In addition to the three state champs, three state runners-up highlight the team: Bethlehem Catholic's Randy Cruz, a two-time state runner-up in PIAA Class AA, and North Hunterdon senior Jack Delia (285), another two-time state runner-up, plus Voorhees sophomore Jadaen Bernstein at 160. The area has not produced a New Jersey state champion since Dan Kelly of Delaware Valley in 2007.

Randy Cruz (119) is one of three Golden Hawks on the team, along with 103-pound sophomore Darian Cruz and 112-pound freshman Zeke Moisey, all members of the PIAA Class AA team tournament champions.

Three teams have two picks: Easton (Minotti and 152-pound senior Mason McIntyre), North Hunterdon (Delia and 145-pound senior Chris Cancelliere) and Saucon Valley (171-pound sophomore Ray O'Donnell and 189-pound senior Ian Gimbar).

Liberty junior Devon Lotito at 125 gives the Lehigh Valley Conference seven of the 14 picks. Phillipsburg junior Brandon Hull, a New Jersey state medalist (eighth) at 215, gives the Skyland four choices and the Colonial League has three.
Darian CruzView full sizeDarian Cruz

103 — Darian Cruz, Bethlehem Catholic, So.

PIAA Class AA third place medalist ... Lost in state semifinals on ultimate- tiebreaker to Kittanning's Jason Nolf ... Beast of the East and Christmas City Tournament champion; runner-up at Walsh Ironman Tournament ... District 11 and Southeast Region champion ... Ranked No, 2 in nation by Amateur Wrestling News and No. 3 by Intermat ... All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team.
Zeke MoiseyView full sizeZeke Moisey
112 — Zeke Moisey, Bethlehem Catholic, Fr.

PIAA Class AA fifth-place medalist ... Career record of 42-7 ... Beast of the East and Escape the Rock runner-up ... Christmas City Tournament champion ... Eighth place at Ironman ... District 11 and Southeast Region champion ... Ranked No. 15 in nation by Intermat ... All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team. ... Slowed all season by separated shoulder that he wrestled through.
Randy CruzView full sizeRandy Cruz

119 — Randy Cruz, Bethlehem Catholic, Jr.

Two-time PIAA Class AA runner-up ... Career record of 120-19 ... Lost 6-5 to Derry Area's Jimmy Gulibon, ranked No. 1 in the nation, in state final ... Escape the Rock runner-up ... Beast of the East fifth-place ... Seventh place at Ironman ... Christmas City Tournament champion ... District 11 and Southeast Region champion ... All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team.
Devon LotitoView full sizeDevon Lotito

125 — Devon Lotito, Liberty, Jr.

Third-place at PIAA Class AAA ... A two-time state placewinner; has lost in state tournament last two seasons to two three-time state champs (Jimmy Gulibon and Nico Megaludis) with combined record of 121-4 ... Fifth-place at Beast of the East ... Third place at Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic ... District 11 and Northeast Region champion ... All-Lehigh Valley Conference honorable mention.
Zach HoranView full sizeZach Horan

130 — Zach Horan, Nazareth, Sr.

2011 PIAA Class AAA champion and four-time placewinner after three runner-up finishes ... Defeated Tanner Hough of Westmont Hilltop 5-1 in state final to become Nazareth's 18th state champion ... 169-12 career record, tied for most victories in Nazareth history with Tim Darling ... Two-time Express-Times Wrestler of the Year ... Ranked No. 2 in the nation by AWN and Intermat ... 2010 Beast of the East champion and four-time placer ... Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic champion .., Nazareth’s first four-time District 11 champ and never lost to a District 11 foe ... Plans to continue wrestling at Central Michigan.
Mike RacciatoView full sizeMike Racciato

135 — Mike Racciato, Pen Argyl, So.

2011 PIAA Class AA champion and two-time placewinner ... Defeated Reynolds' Adam Matthews 10-2 in state final to become Pen Argyl's third state champion ... Career mark of 93-7 ... Finished third at 2010 states ... Bethlehem Holiday Classic runner-up ... District 11 and Southeast Regional champion ... All- Colonial League first team ... A delight to watch with a funky and unusual style that often leads to pins.
Mitch Minotti headshotView full sizeMitch Minotti

140 — Mitch Minotti, Easton, Jr.

2011 PIAA Class AAA champion and three-time placewinner ... Defeated Central Dauphin's Kevin Gooding 12-6 in state final to become Easton's 35th state champion ... Career record of 119-17 ... District 11 and Northeast Regional champion ... Reno Tournament of Champions and Manheim Tournament champion. ... Ranked No. 12 in the nation by Intermat. All-Lehigh Valley Conference first team.
Chris CancelliereView full sizeChris Cancelliere

145 — Chris Cancelliere, North Hunterdon, Sr.

2011 New Jersey state qualifier, a two-time qualifier ... Fell one match short of medaling at states as a senior ... Two-time District 17 champion; helped lead Lions to district crown ... Region 5 runner-up ... John Goles Tournament champion ... Easton Lions Classic champion at 145.
Mason McIntyreView full sizeMason McIntyre

152 — Mason McIntyre, Easton, Sr.

Compiled 22-1 record for Easton before breaking his collarbone in practice before the District 11 tournament and missed the postseason ... Would have been favorite in both District 11 and Northeast Regional Tournaments and had solid chance for state medal ... All-Lehigh Valley Conference honorable mention.
Jadaen BernsteinView full sizeJadaen Bernstein

160 — Jadaen Bernstein, Voorhees, So.

2011 New Jersey runner-up ... Dropped a 3-2 decision to Mendham senior Ryan Harrington in state final ... Entered finals unbeaten after going 15-14 as a freshman ... 54-15 career record ... District 17 and Region 5 champion ... One of quickest and most aggressive 160-pounders around.
O'Donnell.JPGView full sizeRay O'Donnell

171 — Ray O'Donnell, Saucon Valley, So.

2011 PIAA Class AA fourth-place finisher ... Lost third-place bout to Burrell's Dakota DesLauriers 4-2; DesLauriers had defeated him in a quarterfinal by same score ... Runner-up at Northeast Regional and District 11 ... Fourth place at Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic ... One of area's most improved wrestlers.
Ian GimbarView full sizeIan Gimbar

189 — Ian Gimbar, Saucon Valley, Sr.

2011 PIAA Class AA third-place finisher ... Lost to defending state champion Stephen Ceremuga of Commodore Perry in semifinal ... Career record of 139-31 ... Three-time District 11 champion and two-time Southeast Regional champion ... Two-time Express-Times All-Area pick ... Bethlehem Holiday Classic runner-up ... Could be Division I wrestler but wants to play football in college.
Brandon HullView full sizeBrandon Hull

215 — Brandon Hull, Phillipsburg, Jr.

2011 New Jersey eighth-place medalist ... District 1 champion and took fourth at Region 1 ... clinched his state medal with a pair of pins in the consolation round ... Bethlehem Holiday Classic runner-up ... Fifth place at King of the Mountain Tournament.
Jack DeliaView full sizeJack Delia

285 — Jack Delia, North Hunterdon, Sr.

2011 New Jersey runner-up for the second year in a row ... Fell 3-1 in the state final to Billy Smith of High Point; his only two losses as a junior and senior came in state finals ... Career record of 109-27 ... Two-time District 17 and Region 5 champion ... Ranked No. 13 in the nation by Intermat .. Two- time John Goles Tournament champion ... Will attend and wrestle for Lehigh University.






SECOND TEAM:

103: Cody Barbiche, Del Val, Sr.

112: Anthony Cabrera, Liberty, Sr.

119: Mike Pongracz, Del Val, So.

125: Jaydon Rice, Becahi, Sr.

130: Matt Lane, Phillipsburg, Sr.

135: Joey Rizzolino, Easton, Sr.

140: Ryan Todora, Becahi, So.

145: John Lynch, Saucon Valley, Sr.

152: John Lambert, Northampton, Sr.

160: Elliot Riddick, Becahi, Jr.

171: Will Van Doren, Del Val, Jr.

189: Dylan Evans, Pen Argyl, Jr.

215: Tyler Greene, Easton, So.

285: Jalal Paige, Easton, Sr.
THIRD TEAM:

103: Brett Marino, Liberty, Sr.

112: Ryan Nicotra, Hackettstown, Sr.

119: Evan DiSora, Easton, So.

125: Robbie Rizzolino, Easton, So.

130: Rich Cruz, Becahi, Sr.

135: Jason Stephen, Northampton, Jr.

140: Luciano Burriesci, Pen Argyl, Sr.

145: Cole Sheptock, Northampton, Jr.

152: Dan Brockerhoff, Phillipsburg, Sr.

160: Ryan Krecker, Nazareth, Sr.

171: Zack Bambary, Easton, Sr.

189: Evan Kauffman, Freedom, So.

215: Kyle Nerger, N. Hunterdon, Sr.

285: Nick Sharga, Northampton, Jr.































HONORABLE MENTION:

103 — Fr. Dante Albanese, Pius X; Fr. Kyle Baker Easton; So. Jaryd Flank, Wilson; So. Bryan Israel, Saucon Valley; So. Matt Moncourtois, North Hunterdon; Fr. Matty Ritchie, North Warren; Jr. Brandon Sommer, Northampton; So. Matt Williams, Pen Argyl.

112 — Fr. Justin Pidoto, Warren Hills; Jr. Peter Stanley, Easton, Fr. Vinnie Vonelli, Pius X; Sr. Jamie Welsh, Pen Argyl; Fr. Chase Zemenak, Nazareth.

119 — Sr. Mike Fleck, Wilson; So. Grimaldi Gonzales, Liberty; So. Andrew Kaluzny, Phillipsburg; So. Tyler Kozimor, Hackettstown; So. Jesse Thorsen, Belvidere.

125 — Sr. Chris Davis, Voorhees; Sr. Franco Ferraina, Nazareth; Jr. Paul Sloand, Saucon Valley; Jr. Dylan Thorsen Belvidere.

130 — Sr. Calvin Daly, Easton; So. Mason Ryzoff, North Warren.

135 — Sr. Colby Barrett, Pius X; Sr. Greg Noll, Nazareth; Jr. Derek Zehnbauer, Delaware Valley.

140 — Sr. Billy Butka Warren Hills; Sr. Ronnie Honickel, Voorhees; Sr. Rylan Watson, Phillipsburg; Sr. Zack Wilson, Northampton.

145 — Jr. Steven Baker, Voorhees; Jr. Victor Embardino, Notre Dame; Sr. Josh LaBar, Pius X; Sr. Rex Lutz, Pen Argyl; Sr. Anthony Minotti, Easton.

152 — Sr. Kyle Dehaut, Bethlehem Catholic; So. Travis Buddock, Saucon Valley; Jr. Mike Staufenberger, North Warren; Sr. Mike Rogers, Delaware Valley; Sr. Jason Rothman, Hackettstown; Jr. Beau Vrancken, North Hunterdon.

160 — Jr. Jon Blank, Notre Dame; Jr. Billy Christensen, Wilson; Jr. Nathan Dow, Belvidere; Jr. V.J. Delmonico, Phillipsburg; Sr. Tim Kunkel, Northampton; Jr. Justin Marsh, Palisades.

171 — So. Evan Bray, Belvidere; Sr. Tyler Horn, Pen Argyl; Jr. Eric Wolak, Nazareth.

189 — Sr. Zach Bohn, Voorhees; Sr. Ben Bradley, Nazareth; Sr. Kyle Kathenes, Hackettstown; Jr. Marcus Newsom, Northampton; Jr. Anthony Pare, Phillipsburg.

215 — So. Josh Alpha, Bethlehem Catholic; Jr. Ryan Barry, Pen Argyl; Sr. Brian Guevara, Voorhees; Jr. Dan Smith, Warren Hills; Jr. David Wilke Nazareth.

285 — So. Aaron Bradley, Nazareth; Sr. Steve Giraldo, Hackettstown; Jr. Kirby Mutton, Pen Argyl; Jr. Shaquone Williams, Pius X.

WHO’S ELIGIBLE?

Athletes from schools in The Express-Times circulation area where the newspaper is home-delivered are eligible for our All-Area teams. They include Bangor, Belvidere, Bethlehem Catholic, Delaware Valley, Easton, Freedom, Hackettstown, Liberty, Moravian Academy, Nazareth, North Hunterdon, North Warren, Northampton, Notre Dame of Green Pond, Palisades, Pen Argyl, Phillipsburg, Pius X, Saucon Valley, Voorhees, Warren Hills, Warren Tech and Wilson.

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