The New Jersey high school wrestling season came to an end last weekend and as always, Atlantic City didn’t disappoint.

Top Performers

The state’s highest-ranked wrestler, #4 Anthony Knox won his second title in Boardwalk Hall and held up two fingers in celebration not just for titles won, but also to let everyone in the crowd know he plans on winning two more. Knox was workmanlike all weekend long with high-level re-attacks and super quick finishes to dominate in a 120-pound weight class that featured two other state champs — Dan Jones and Adrian DeJesus. Despite getting the #1 seed, he had to beat both, and Knox did it with no problem. 

Anthony Santaniello was named Most Outstanding Wrestler and deservedly so after a championship run at 132 that included three techs and a pin before a 10-0 major in the finals, proving he was a step above the rest. He’ll bring some of that Jersey dirt to the University of Oklahoma next season.

Richie Grungo put together one of the weekend’s most impressive runs in arguably the state’s toughest weight — 144 pounds — and he did it without giving up a takedown. After beating returning state placer Jamar Dixon in the quarters and for the third time this year, Grungo then decked the #1 seed and #14 in the nation Julian George to punch his ticket to the finals. In the finals, facing one of the state’s most explosive wrestlers, Yannis Charles, Grungo scored a takedown and back points in sudden victory to win it all in dramatic fashion.

Match of the Weekend

In the final match of the night, Delbarton’s Simon Ruiz beat Harvey Ludington in a 175-pound battle between two returning state champs and the premiere bout of the weekend. It was the senior Ruiz’s experience that prevailed, edging the sophomore from Brick 3-2 thanks to a takedown and rideout in the first 30 seconds of the match. Ruiz was one of four champs for a Delbarton team everyone expected to put on a show in Atlantic City. Other Delbarton champs include #6 Louie Cerchio, #10 Alessio Perentin and Tyler Vazquez.

Team of the Tournament

Although Delbarton might have finished first in the unofficial team scoring, it was the state’s #1 team, St Joe’s (Montvale), that really tied the ribbon on a dream season with 10 placewinners, (the most of any team in the state) to go along with two champs in Jim Mullen and Michael Dellagatta. It didn’t come too easy for Mullen, who was pushed to the brink in the finals by Max Acciardi until he hit a beautiful foot sweep at the buzzer for the four-point move and third state title. Dellagatta, meanwhile, won his first title and will be joining Delbarton’s Ruiz at Cornell next year where they could be the next New Jersey pair to hold things down for the Big Red in the upperweights.

Stat of the Weekend

In a season where there was a lot of debate regarding publics vs. privates, public school wrestlers went 4-1 in head-to-head finals matches with private school opponents and won six titles overall. 

There were a lot of eyes on Roxbury’s Fargo finalist #12 Luke Stanich who finally got on top of the podium that long eluded him with a hard fought 1-0 win over St Peter’s Caedyn Ricciardi.

Matt Henrich wrestled an awesome tournament to win a title at 150 pounds to represent for the state’s top public school team, Southern.

Logan Roman of Old Bridge won a wild 113-pound weight class where he navigated what seemed to be a brutal draw in convincing fashion and at 106 pounds, Logan Wadle of North Hunterdon became the first senior to win the lowest weight class since 2002 as part of a big weekend for the Lions.

The debate between public and private schools will likely continue, but there’s no denying that the New Jersey state tournament brings a level of competition that is nearly unmatched in any state across the country, and we saw that this weekend. As anyone in attendance at Boardwalk Hall will tell you, Jersey does it right.

A Moment for the Michigan Champs

New Jersey wasn’t the only powerhouse state in action last weekend. Michigan’s best guys clashed with state titles on the line.

In the absence of any nationally ranked head-to-head, the weekend served as more of a coronation for the state’s best wrestlers.

The state’s standout in the Class of 2023, Josh Barr put on a performance that is sure to have the staff at Penn State excited for him to join their winning ways in Happy Valley. Barr was utterly dominant on a run as one of three Davison wrestlers to win titles in Division 1. His teammate, #3 Caden Horwath, who is staying home to attend University of Michigan next year also won a title. 

The squad that really took over D1 was Detroit Catholic Central, who crowned seven state champs — a group that includes ranked wrestlers #4 Dylan Gilcher and #19 Drew Heethuis.

DCC wasn’t celebrating alone though, as Dundee matched them with seven champs in D3 led by #4 Braeden Davis who won his fourth state title and became the fifth wrestler in MHSAA history to accomplish the feat.

Five Finals Matches We’d Love to See This Weekend in Ohio and Pennsylvania 

Two great wrestling states, Pennsylvania and Ohio, are primed to finish off the 2023 high school season. There’s a lot of great coverage on Flo ahead of these tournaments including in-depth PIAA State Championship previews by Brock Hite you’re going to want to read. In the meantime, here are five potential state championship matches in Ohio and Pennsylvania matches we’d love to see this weekend!

Ohio D1-157 pounds: #6 Ethan Birden, Dublin Coffman vs Chris Earnest, Wadsworth

Lookout for Birden, who enjoyed a breakout season with an appearance in the Ironman finals, to win his first state title this weekend and begin his descent up the 2024 Big Board.

Ohio D1-138 pounds: Omar Ayoub, Dublin Coffman vs Ryan Bennett, St Edward

Ayoub was a state champ last year and placed fourth at Ironman while the returning placewinner Bennett from the state’s #1 team will look to play spoiler.

Pennsylvania AA-145 pounds: Cade Wirnsberger, Meadowbrook Christian vs #19 Vince Bouzakis, Notre Dame Green Pond

Wirnsberger placed for the first time last season and will be wrestling for his father at Bucknell next year, but first he wants to win a state title. Bouzakis has done a lot of winning in only two seasons, but this is the sophomore’s first PIAA tournament after wrestling for Wyoming Seminary last season. This should be a fun, physical bout.

Pennsylvania AAA-139 pounds: #3 Kollin Rath, Bethlehem Catholic vs #9 Pierson Manville, State College

A Rath vs Manville final would be the highest-ranked matchup of the weekend where Rath comes in as the favorite, but the Bethlehem Catholic sophomore certainly has the tougher draw with a likely semifinal with Dalton Webber coming up first.

Pennsylvania AAA-145 pounds: #3 Mac Church, Waynesburg vs #12 Matt Repos, Central Dauphin

The Waynesburg senior Church is going for his third title while Central Dauphin’s Repos presents a challenge on the mat that can really swing a match.

Stay tuned all weekend long from our State Championship Hub!