Region 7 and 8 Wrestling Rankings

B4 – Saturday, February 13, 2010 SPORTS www.thedailyjournal.com/sports The Daily Journal

SOUTH JERSEY
It takes time for refs to earn their stripes
MEAN 15
1. Paulsboro (21-1)
New cadets wait three years
to get onto the varsity mat
o you’re at every match, constantly dis-
2. Washington Twp. (21-6)
3. Absegami
4. Haddonfield
(22-3)
(25-5)
5. Camden Catholic (19-4)
S agreeing with the calls the guy in stripes
is making and you say to yourself, “I could
do a better job.”
Think so? Here’s your shot.
6. Eastern (14-6) Every year the New Jersey Wrestling Offi-
7. Timber Creek (19-3) cials Association is looking for new recruits.
8. Delran (19-1) While understanding and implementing
9. West Deptford (15-2) the rules is a big part of a referee’s job, there is
10. St. Augustine (15-7) a No. 1 requirement of a cadet.
“You have to be committed to the sport,”
11. Delsea (11-6)
veteran referee and vice president of the New
12. Pennsville (17-4) Jersey Wrestling Officials
13. Cinnaminson (15-6) Association Rob Roberts
14. Collingswood (20-5) said. “One hundred per-
15. No. Burlington (16-7) cent committed.”
*Records through Thursday Becoming a ref isn’t
quick or easy. In fact, new
LOCAL RECORDS* cadets wouldn’t see a var-
sity mat until their
103 third season at the ear-
Tom Gattinella, St. Augustine 22-4
liest. Roberts said new
Billy Ward, Buena 22-4
John Hennelly, Delsea 19-4 refs should also expect patrick
Jor-EL Cartagena, Vineland 12-10 a nearly six-year wait BUGANSKI
Dominic Pizzo, Cumberland 11-9 if they want to offici-
112 ate a playoff match.
Curt Delia, Delsea 25-3 The process begins with an application Staff photo/Charles J. Olson
Wil Garner, Schalick 16-6 that is available on the NJSIAA’s Web site Referee Ron Roberts (back right) officiates a match between former St. Augustine wrestler A.J. Fisher and former
Connor Palmieri, Buena 10-8 (njsiaa.org). There’s an $80 application fee and Hammonton grappler David DeStefano in 2009.
Jake Derella, Millville 12-11 it’s due by Oct. 1 of each year. Applicants must
119 evaluation covers appearance, attitude and “I would say someone who is decent, they’ll
Joe Esposito, St. Augustine 16-6
be at least 18 years old. New applicants must hustle, knowledge and application of the be eligible by their third year,” Roberts said.
Will Elliott, Cumberland 14-4 attend one of the six mandatory rules inter- rules, controlling the match, position and “If they’re decent.”
Christian Trainor, Vineland 16-5 pretations meetings throughout the state — hand signals. Being a decent referee is no easy task.
Justin Pierotti, Buena 16-9 also a requirement for any returning referee. At the end of the year, each cadet must pass Roberts said improving as an official requires
Jesus Cosme, Millville 12-8 From there, each first-year referee, or cadet, a written exam. The exam has 100 questions extra work on their part, going to matches,
Dylan Dobzanski, Delsea 14-9 must attend 12 meetings that take place and a passing grade is 86 percent or above — a watching matches you’ve officiated on film
125 throughout the season, usually once a week. standard that is rising one percent over each of and critiquing yourself and reading the rule-
Zach Burgin, St. Augustine 16-7 “You try to cover everything in the rule
Jonathon Rodriguez, Vineland 14-6 the next couple years. Returning referees also book a few times each season.
book,” Roberts, who trains new cadets, said. must pass a 100-question exam (Roberts scored Roberts, who is also a college football refer-
130
Rob Jillard, Delsea 25-4 “You want them to have a total understanding a 99 on this year’s). ee, said wrestling is a unique sport to officiate.
Dillan Berghof, Buena 22-6 of the rule book.” Should a cadet complete that process, they “I would say it is the toughest sport to offi-
Ricky Azeglio, Vineland 18-3 Cadets are assigned one of seven chapters become a provisional referee and do the entire ciate, because you’re alone,” Roberts said,
Matt Hennelly, Delsea 20-6 based on geography. Vineland Millville and process over again. After a successful season as pointing out how every other high school sport
Joe Devone, St. Augustine 14-7 St. Augustine are part of the Southern Shore a provisional referee, they can then officiate a has multiple officials for regular season
135 chapter, while the remaining area schools fall varsity match. events.
Mike Gleisberg, Vineland 20-1 into the Southern chapter.
Mark Patterson, St. Augustine 19-6
Currently, referees are paid $76 for each So next time you assume you could be out
The meetings include classroom sessions regular season varsity dual match. Those fees there doing a better job than the ref, remem-
Richard Morris, Cumberland 10-7
140
and time in a wrestling room where they have reach as high as $95 per session in the individ- ber the process he went through to be out
Paxton Burgin, St. Augustine 16-7 hands-on training and demonstrate different ual state tournament in Atlantic City. Refer- there.
145 situations. ees are judged by coaches, who rate the top-10
Rob Elliott, Cumberland 19-3 During the year, new cadets will officiate officials from each chapter. The highest-scor-
Gary Mosley, Cumberland 11-9 junior varsity matches and must be evaluated ing officials earn the right to work postseason Patrick Buganski covers high school wrestling
Nick Santiago, Vineland 13-6 by a varsity referee at least 10 times. That for The Daily Journal. Contact him at (856) 563-
matches. 5255 or pbuganski@thedailyjournal.com.
152
Eric Reger, Delsea 23-3
Adam Schroeder, St. Augustine20-5
160
Connor Donohue, St. Augustine19-7 THE INSIDE STUFF NEWS AND NOTES
Paul Pierson, Delsea 16-9 By PATRICK BUGANSKI ■ According to the

Q &A
feated wrestlers compete in
171 Staff Writer
(no wrestlers) NJSIAA website, two the same weight class at 119
189 South Jersey champions with Camden Catholic’s
Eric Hensel, Buena 21-6 Vineland’s Nick Santiago, who had a would host the state finals Matt Sausman, Ocean
Steffen Rodriguez, Vineland 12-7 sub .500 record earlier this season, is if the tournament can’t be City’s Coley O’Brien and
215 now 13-6 and a big reason why the Nick Santiago held at Toms River North’s Gateway’s Chuck Zeisloft.
Mahalo Camba, Cumberland 19-0 Fighting Clan is on the right side of the Vinelnad Ritacco Center on Sunday. ■ If everything goes
Chris Johnson, Millville 12-11 .500 mark as a team this year. The jun- 152/Junior Group II and Parochial A according to blueprints,
Hwt. ior 152-pounder recently spoke with would have the honor this District 26 will have a pair
Dom Hinrichsen, Buena 22-4 The Daily Journal about his season and
Andrew Baumgardner, St. Aug. 18-6
season thanks to a rotating of top-notch finals. At 130
the future of the program. A: It’s helped a lot. It’s a lot of weight lifting, it’s
Dain Dixon, Millville 13-10 helped my strength and endurance.
host site schedule, which pounds, Willingboro’s
Q: You’re 13-6 after going 8-9 last year, how would be used in the event Tyler Scotton (26-0) will
*Based on reported results, QUESTION: Vineland is above .500 this year, the Ritacco Center couldn’t likely meet Delran’s Travis
holding a 10-8 record and a couple of tight loss- have you been able to be so successful individ-
wrestlers must have a .500 record ually? be used. However, the McDowell (22-0) but the
and at least 17 matches es to good teams. What’s this season been like? NJSIAA has said the post- main event should occur at
ANSWER: I think it’s been an improvement from last A: From practicing hard and listening to what the
coaches say. ponement schedule is high- 140 where Eastern’s Hank
year, a big improvement. ly unlikely to be needed. Stinson (24-2) is likely to
Q: If you go 152 at districts, how difficult will it
Now on the Web Q: Has it been more enjoyable?
A: It’s always fun because it’s like a family. be to advance to regions? ■ There are 14 undefeat- meet Willingboro’s James
A: I’m not sure, but I’m just going to push as hard ed wrestlers (minimum of Green (22-0). Both
Q: Is the team closer this year?
A: Yeah, definitely. as I can. 10 bouts) left in the South matchups would be No. 1 vs.
Q: You’ve bought into coach Dave Homiak’s off- Q: What’s your first meal going to be when the Jersey area. Cumberland’s No. 2 ranked wrestlers in
season routine. What difference has that made season is over? Mahalo Camba is the lone South Jersey. District 26 is
for you? A: I’m not sure, I’ll probably go out with a couple area unbeaten as the senior held at Holy Cross.
friends or something. carries a 19-0. Three unde-

on the bottom. Then we talk

about the top guy and always try
BLOG to remind them of the proper
sequence. I try to round out the
High school wrestling last thing about sportsmanship,
news and notes that it’s the most important How many years did you
blogs.thedailyjournal.
com/matpack Each week, The Daily Journal will
thing, they’re representing their
school and that their going to
wrestle before high school?
speak with referee Ron Roberts for an

“
have fun.” Everybody
Are you a high school inside look at the rules of the mat. Roberts
Hygiene check
4-6 years 10 or more years
12 votes 10 votes said I should have
wrestling junkie? Can’t Roberts, a 1992 Buena graduate, is a 13- “I go one at a time, I look at the started sooner. I
get enough of stalling year refereeing veteran and the current facial hair, make sure they don’t have any facial
vice president of the New Jersey hair standing out, nothing that would be abrasive. I would have been
chants and cauliflower Wrestling Officials Association. None way better.
ear? Check out “The Mat
Pack” online blog for This week: Pre-match
check the finger nails and thumb nails, and I do
that by touch, I make sure it’s nothing that I would-
n’t want digging into me. I also check the length of 33 ”
your daily dose of South “I typically check the visitors first. We’ll talk about, the hair, if it extends to the normal shirt collar, they
7-9 years
in order, neutral, when picking a person up off the need to put a hair cap on. I look at the shoes to 19 votes
Jersey grappling info. 1-3 years
Visit mat, no slams. (About) headlocks, we’ll make sure make sure the laces are taped. I’m checking for 27 votes
blogs.thedailyjournal.com/ they’re not using headlocks as punishment. Then I anything obvious, skin condition wise. If they have
would talk about how to properly set themselves anything suspicious, they have to have a note Sergio Cortes
matpack. clearing them.” Buena, Junior

THE DAILY JOURNAL’S REGION 7 AND 8 RANKINGS

103 5) Sean DiEmma, Paulsboro (27-3) 4) Wayne Stinson, No. Burlington (22-3) 3) Ray Schlitt, Haddonfield (26-1) 2) Jared Holliday, Burlington Twp. (21-2)
1) Chad Walsh, Camden Catholic (19-5) 125 5) Michael Gleisberg, Vineland (20-1) 4 Justin Danfield, Camden Cath. (17-5) 3) Cliff Farrell, Mainland (23-2)
2) Ricky Carter, Washington Twp. (23-2) 1) Joey Duca, Paulsboro (29-0) 140 5) Joe Renard, Kingsway (23-2) 4) James Owens, West Deptford (9-0)
3) Billy Ward, Buena (22-4) 2) Dan Pak, Delran (23-1) 1) Hank Stinson, Eastern (24-2) 160 5) Brian Lussier, Cherry Hill East (21-2)
4) John Hennelly, Delsea (19-4) 3) T.J. Miller, Camden Catholic (24-3) 2) James Green, Willingboro (22-0) 1) Preston Keiffer, Eastern (27-1) 215
5) Sal Giacomo, Absegami (22-3) 4) P.J. Schmidt, Moorestown (18-4) 3) Mike Bakuckas, Hammonton (22-0) 2) Jeff White, Middle Township (19-0) 1) Zach Greenwald, Paulsboro (28-1)
112 5) Don Dennis, West Deptford (18-2) 4) Josh Jones, Northern Burlington (22-2) 3) Nick Palumbo, Seneca (22-1) 2) Mahalo Camba, Cumberland (19-0)
1) Kevin Devoy, Burlington Twp. (23-0) 130 5) Brian Hairston, Collingswood (26-2) 4) Conor Wasson, Lenape (15-1) 3) Kyle Lloyd, Kingsway (18-2)
2) Curt Delia, Delsea (25-3) 1) Tyler Scotton, Willingboro (26-0) 145 5) Robb Loeffler, Deptford (20-3) 4) Dylan Gannon, Lower Cape May(19-2)
3) Kyle Klaus, Haddonfield (24-3) 2) Travis McDowell, Delran (22-0) 1) Taylor Walsh, Camden Catholic (25-3) 171 5) Michael Haines, Cinnaminson (23-3)
4) Brendan Keller, Timber Creek (23-1) 3) Chalie Huff, Washington Twp. (22-1) 2) Anthony Baldosaro, Eastern (22-2) 1) Zach Agostino, Egg Harbor Twp (24-3) Hwt
5) Justin Mayer, Deptford (21-3) 4) Dan Cornew, Clearview (21-2) 2) C.J. Cobb, Williamstown (16-2) 2) E.J. Goree, Burlington Township (18-1) 1) Chaz Lear, Lower Cape May (21-0)
119 5) Rob Jillard, Delsea (25-4) 3) Shane Robinson, Absegami (24-4) 3) Jake Poeppel, Woodstown (25-0) 2) Dom Hinrichsen, Buena (22-4)
1) Robert Deutsch, Eastern (26-2) 135 4) Khalid Shakir, Bordentown (24-2) 4) T.J. Shea, Bishop Eustace (26-2) 3) Bill Bilo, Timber Creek (24-2)
2) Matt Sausman, Camden Cath. (11-0) 1) James Higgins, Washington Twp. (20-2) 152 5) Dylan Bushby, Haddon Heights (26-3) 4) Nick Curl, Paulsboro (25-4)
3) Chuck Zeisloft, Gateway (22-0) 2) Drew Spector, West Deptford (19-1) 1) Ben Fanjoy, Cherokee (25-1) 189 5) Kevin King, Collingswood (23-4)
4) Coley O’Brien, Ocean City (21-0) 3) Eric Hamrick, Collingswood (25-3) 2) Eric Reger, Delsea (23-3) 1) Colin Walsh, Washington Twp. (21-2)