Credits: All 2002-03 previews and comments were compiled by "Sayer of Truth" and posted on Bestonmat.com forum.
Note: Wrestling season is several months away.  The following previews are strictly a pre-season guess.  Please bear that in mind and don't send anyone e-mail telling them that they are crazy, morons, or anything else derogatory. If you have something constructive to say, then glad to hear from ya!

October 08, 2002

1. Absegami - Well folks...they are still loaded so they are my preseason #1. With state champions Ryan Bridge and Jeff Black and state place winners Nick Bridge, Ryan Goodman and Zach Hammond back, this team is primed for another run at the top spot. They also have 6 other district place winners to add to the list...and then you can throw in Jordan Alcoba back from injury. It's impossible for me to not consider them #1 in NJ and a top team in the nation.

Now it gets interesting....

2. Jackson - Here's another loaded G4 team from South Jersey. Returning for Jackson are Jeff Pascarella (32-7) 7/8 state, Jeremy Edwards (32-4) 7/8 state, and John Loff (31-8) 5th state. Also back are district placewinners Joe Eurell (3rd district), Giro Borgia (1st district), Adam Berking (2nd district), Dom Demeola (3rd district), Kevin Shelly (3rd district), and Pat Richards (2nd district). This team has talent and balance...look for them to have an outstanding season.

3. Delsea - Last years runner up in G3 has some major talent returning. Led by state champion Don Fisch Delsea returns 8 wrestlers with 20+ wins and has balance throughout the lineup. Frank Gayeski (22-10), Anner Arroyo (2nd district), Eric Reyes (2nd region), Robert Pierson (2nd district), Dave Emick (3rd district), Jason Bilinski (7/8 state), James Stevenson (4th region), and Jeff Tyler (7/8 state) will lead Delsea to a G3 title...and a top 5 rating in NJ.

4. Washington Township - Here we go again, another loaded G4 team in south Jersey. Wash. Twp. only lost 3 starters to graduation and returns some major talent. Dave Tomasette (3rd state), Steve Buckley (20-12), Chuck Williamson (1st district), Mark Ring (1st district), Chaney Brouster (2nd district), Tyler Tisdell (30-8 3rd region), Nick Curcio (1st district), Chris Niszcak (27-8), and Ryan Cantwell (2nd district) should lead Twp. to a strong season. The only problem is Absegami and Jackson are also in this section..so it's a tough road to the finals. But this is a fine team.

5. Phillipsburg - P'Burg is as usual one of the stronger teams in NJ...and will be in the G3 finals with Delsea. P'Burg returns talented starters Robert Au (28-6), Brandon Stillo (21-10), Kyle McRoberts (17-13), PJ Budd (26-5), Justin Koeller (24-11), Dave Post (34-5), and the hopeful return of talented Mike Fania to boost the upperweights. P'Burg is always in the mix, and this season will be no different.

6. North Hunterdon - The defending G3 champion, but they have a new opponent in G3...P'Burg. Until NH beats the Liners I have to rank P'Burg ahead of them. NH only loses 2 starters from their championship team and returns, Greg Eisenhart (25-7), Josh Prado (22-9), Allen Cozze (22-5), Andrew Cosgrove (26-5), Ricky Frondorf (39-0 state champ), and Dan Gargas (18-14). I question thier upperweights a little and their depth...but this is a fine team. Look for them battling for a G3 title with Delsea and P'Burg once again.

7. Manalapan - Here's another strong G4 team in NJ. Manalapan returns some serious talent in the lower and middle weights next season. Nick Monochio (35-2 4th state), Dan Hilt (34-2 3rd state), Scott Beckerman (24-8), Sean Burns (25-5), Joe Anastasio (21-11), Mike Gaeta (28-5), and Brenden Provow (23-5) will lead the team. If they can solidfy the upperweights this team will be very dangerous.

8. Paulsboro - After significant graduation losses people may think Paulsboro is going to be hurting next year....well don't count on it. They return some excellent talent, David Smith (29-4), Howard Lounsberry (21-5), Leroy Parker (14-8), Chuck Martell (14-10), Pat Byrne (10-11), Trevor Suter (33-6), Nino Polimeni (15-11), Eric DiTonno (19-11), and Zach Garren (35-3 4th state) will lead them to another G1 title. Also add the possible return of Issac Redman and you have another excellent Paulsboro team.

9. Kingsway - After losing only 2 starter to graduation Kingsway should have a fine season this year. But moving up to G3 is not good news for the Dragons. They should make it to the sectional finals but I feel Delsea is a more balanced team at this time. Kingsway returns Lou Tirado (24-7), Steve Gray (22-9), Mark Barber (20-10), Brandon Becker (36-1 state champ), Jared Villecco (26-4), Nick Barber (20-8), Nick Boles (16-10), and Josh Rhodes (16-13) to give the Dragons fine balance.

10. Bergen Catholic - It's hard for me to know exactly where to put BC because I have heard rumors of practically every wrestler in NJ transferring there this summer. Other than Zach Tanelli from Millburn I'm not certain of who else is there...so I'll start with them at 10 and see how it goes. Back for BC are Bryan Nunziato (36-2 2nd state), Derek Sickles (22-3), Nick Matteo (16-3), Matt McConville (25-7), and throw in state runner-up Tanelli and BC is certainly very strong is certain weights. I'm not sure their overall balance is top 10 material but they should have a good team and repeat as sectional champs.

11. Kittatinny - Hit hard by graduation but this deep program will simply reload and battle for another G2 title. Back for the Cougars are Tyler Branham (21-6), Mike Gummerson (32-8 7/8 state), Joe Zdaniewicz (15-15), Jared Roe (12-9), Mike Shadis (22-9), Bryant Wanamaker (28-8), and Brad Bischoff (19-10). For those of you that go to the various novice tournaments around North Jersey know the talented backups Kittatinny has so look for them to reload for another successful season.

12. Camden Catholic - I know this program lost a ton of talent to graduation but there are names you will hear from this year. Here's some you know already, Ryan McCormick (28-9), Pat Russo (2nd district), Ed Giosa (36-2 2nd state), Dennis Kelley (district champ), and Jerry Bowne (4th region).
Some of the kids to look for this year are Matt Franchi, Justin Schmul, Bill Platt, and Matt Herrmann as well as any impact freshman who arrive. I overlooked CC last year....it won't happen again...they will probably finish in the top 10 by seasons end.

13. Buena - Probably the best G2 team in South Jersey is right there in the mix with Kittatinny and Del Val. Buena returns some fine talent in Bobby Shea (16-7), Mike Wilcox (24-5), Chris Grusemeyer (19-7), Anthony Badaracco (9-4), Phil Asencio (16-8), Ricky Wilcox (27-6), Calvin Motte (17-9), Jimmy Thomas (10-5), Greg Neder (18-10), and Paul Zemanik (23-7). Look for them in Trenton looking for a G2 title this year.

14. Toms River East - TRE had a nice year last season and with 9 returning starters they should be tough again. Back for TRE are Troy Bayer (3rd district), Fred Pontoriero (27-7 3rd region), Vinnie Salek (36-1 2nd state), Anthony Pontoriero (20-8), and Kevin Davis (17-11). They should get into the South G4 sections...but then it's time to face the stud teams in NJ.

15. Hunterdon Central - One of the toughest teams to figure out last year once again has talent, but what will they do with it? Back for HC are Ross Gitomer (18-11), Jordan Nettuno (20-9), Greg Alperone (20-10), Eric Beitz (21-5), Kyle Brewer (28-6), Mike Somma (20-9), and Mark Eberstein (35-6 6th state). Also Nick Alperone is supposed to have come home to HC from Peddie and he will certainly help. HC could be a top 10 team or they could struggle like last season...stay tuned.

16. South Plainfield - Another program that just seems to reload each year. SP still has talent in Danny DeAndrea (17-8), Pete DeAndrea (20-11), Guy Severini (14-10), Glen Gross (26-6), Steve Johnson (23-9), and Ryan Elliot (23-6). Also add to the list the return of Phil DeBiase from injury and stud freshman (Conroy). This team will one again be in the G3 central mix.

17. Toms River South - TRS looks like a team that could make some noise this year. Back for TRS are Travis Bogan (18-9), Doug Fisher (17-14), Cameron Wuesthoff (17-7), Joe Adelizzi (23-9), Anthony Sorrentino (12-11), James Haywood (3rd district), Kyle Bilquist (31-5 3rd region), Shaun Wilbert (25-10 3rd region). This team should be balanced and they have two studs uptop...good team.

18. Hillsborough - With 9 returning starters Hillsborough should be strong again this season. back are Andrew Gewain (6th state), Tye Wagner (15-9), Kein Herlihy (3rd district), Mike Detsis (18-7), Chris Damiano (3rd district), Pat Jastrzebski (21-6), Mark Amerman (3rd district), and Antonio D'Amelio (1st district). Hillsborough has some upperweights to replace but they should be a fine team this season.

19. Delaware Valley - Del Val also lost some excellent talent to graduation but this program simply reloads with strong JV's and a quality feeder program. Back for Del Val are Brian Costello (18-14), Chris Kelly (20-12), Keith Markus (24-10), Ricky Kurtz (18-5), and Frank Kurtz (17-13). If Del Val can replace the upperweights they lost to graduation they should compete for a sectional title once again.

20. Roxbury - I think Roxbury will be the strongest team in Morris county this season and should win their section now that P'Burg is G3. Back for Roxbury are Ryan Naczi (17-13), Ryan Bisson (28-6), Joe Perfetti (25-7), Sean Clarke (29-8), Mike Maddaloni (16-14), Steve Palma (30-7), and Kevin Marchut (19-13). The battles with Livingston will be interesting this season.

Well there you have it...enjoy...feel free to add anything I may have missed...take care folks.