First team
106
Joe Rocks, Egg Harbor Township, Sr. (31-4)
Ended his high school career by qualifying for states for the first time with a third-place finish in Region 8. Lost two triple-overtime rideouts to Holy Spirit’s Pat D’Arcy before beating D’Arcy in region consolations.
Pat D’Arcy, Holy Spirit, Fr. (35-3)
Stormed onto the scene this season, winning the first 30 matches of his career while picking up Marinelli and District 32 titles. Beat EHT’s Rocks twice in overtime before falling in the Region 8 consolations.
113
Tom Gattinella, St. Augustine Prep, Jr. (33-6)
Won his second District 32 title and qualified for states for the second time with a second-place finish in Region 8.
120
Billy Ward, Buena Regional, Jr. (36-5)
Won his third District 32 and Region 8 titles in as many years and came just one win short of placing at states. Eclipsed the 100-win plateau in his junior season.
126
Will Elliott, Cumberland Regional, Sr. (30-5)
Became the school’s all-time wins leader and the first to win 100 matches during the state individual tournament. Elliott won his second District 31 title and finished second in Region 8 to qualify for states.
132
Jason Cohen, Egg Harbor Township, Sr. (28-7)
Wrestled back to finish third in District 32 and again in Region 8 to qualify for states. Beat Absegami’s John Willette for third at regions, avenging a loss from the District 32 tournament semifinals.
John Willette, Absegami, Jr. (23-15)
Willette won the District 32 title and came within one win of qualifying for states, losing to Cohen in Region 8 consolations. Willette beat Cohen at districts.
138
Joe Esposito, St. Augustine Prep, Sr. (38-6)
Bounced back from a loss in the District 32 final to win his first Region 8 title before finishing seventh in the state. A four-time state qualifier, Esposito finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in wins with 134.
145
Antonio Mancella, Oakcrest, Sr. (34-4)
Won his 100th match in grand fashion with a major decision in the District 32 finals. He reached states a second time with a second-place finish in Region 8.
152
Steve Johns, Southern Regional, Sr. (31-10)
Won the District 24 title and qualified for states with a third-place finish in the Region 8 tournament.
160
Phil Bakuckas, Hammonton, Sr.,
The Press Wrestler of the Year, who posted a 41-1 record this season, will take his school-record 132 career wins with him to Rutgers University next season. Won the District 30 and Region 8 tournaments before finishing second in the state, becoming the first Hammonton wrestler to reach a state final.
170
Alex Gong, Absegami, Sr. (33-7)
Became a two-time state qualifier with a second-place finish in the Region 8 tournament. Also won his second District 32 title.
182
David Williams, Hammonton, Jr. (36-5)
Won his second District 30 and first Region 8 title to qualify for states for the first time.
195
Cory Damiana, Lower Cape May Regional, So. (30-8)
Won 30 matches in a weight class dominated by upperclassmen. Damiana won his first District 32 title and qualified for states with a second-place finish in Region 8.
220
Lex Knapp, Lacey Township, Sr. (42-1)
Knapp set a school record for wins in a season with 42 and nearly became the second state champ in school history, losing in the state final. Won his second District 24 title and his first Region 8 crown, where he was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. Rutgers, Rider and the Virginia are among the schools interested in Knapp.
285
Dom LaFragola, Holy Spirit, Sr. (31-3)
Won the District 32 title but suffered a knee injury that forced him to withdraw from regions. Won the Marinelli Tournament. Will play football at the University at Albany next fall.
Second team
106: Steven Bergamo, St. Augustine Prep, Fr./Sal Marandino, Buena Reg., Jr.
113: Zach Valcarce, Lower Cape May, Jr.
120: Gabe Zamot, Egg Harbor Township, Sr.
126: Mike Jiampetti, Absegami, Sr.
132: Joe Rodano, Pinelands Regional, Jr.
138: Dillan Berghof, Buena Regional, Jr.
145: Chris Serpico, Southern Regional, Jr.
152: Mark Patterson, St. Augustine Prep, Sr.
160: Tyler Sentman, St. Augustine Prep, Jr.
170: Steffen Rodriguez, Vineland, Jr.
182: Steve Hodgson, Southern Regional, Sr.
195: Matt Schofield, Barnegat, Sr.
220: Roy Lucas, St. Joseph, Jr.
285: Mike Ottaviano, Absegami, Sr.
Honorable mention
Absegami
Brandon Goldberg
Nate Ross
Atlantic City
Cesar Balmaceda
Barnegat
Ryan Kirk
Greg Moran
Buena Regional
Justin Pierotti
Noah Repko
Cedar Creek
Eric Hanusewicz
Egg Harbor Township
Brandon Bower
Shawn Bryant
Nigel Toussaint
Middle Township
Brandon Belger
Ronray Harris
Joe Johnston
James Mooers
Oakcrest
John Benard
Kevin McGloin
Hammonton
Stephen Andrescavage
Brian Beebe
Robert Frederico
Kellen Whitney
Holy Spirit
C.J. LaFragola
Garrett Paolone
Lacey Township
Kevin Enright
Danny Moore
Lower Cape May
James Hall
Mainland Regional
Michael Anderson
Eric Lands
Millville
Ed Shockley
Ocean City
Cooper Gallagher
Josh Johnson
Pinelands Regional
Abdullah Abdelaziz
St. Augustine Prep
James Bennett
Ed Donahue
Jared Hodges
Southern Regional
Jake Campana
Josh Ghigliotty
Nick Hem
Matt Wilhelm
Zach Wilhelm
Vineland
Taiwahn Cosby
Zach Nealis
Josh Pineda
Johnathon Rodriguez
