Sports Wrap
By Josh LashleyWrestling Kittatinny High Schools successful run in the dual meet portion of the wrestling season came to a close last Sunday when they were narrowly defeated, 34-32, by Bound Brook in the semifinal round of the NJSIAA State Group I Tournament at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River. Kieren Gerrity earned a first period pin at 160 pounds and Jacob Drelich pinned his opponent at 220 for the Cougars against Bound Brook. Garrett Armstrong tallied a second period pin-fall for Kittatinny. At 152 pounds, Clarke Moynihan captured a 12-0 major decision victory and teammate James Elphick won a 12-4 major decision at 120 for Kittatinny. The Cougars close out the dual meet season with an overall record of 14-5. Bound Brook ultimately won the State Group I team title after defeating Hanover Park, 40-24, in the finals. Kittatinny now looks forward to hosting the NJSIAA District III Tournament, which begins on February 17. Kittatinny edged out top seed Emerson Boro, 31-27, to capture the North I Group I Sectional title two days prior to the match against Bound Brook. Moynihan (152) and Drelich (220) both earned pins for the Cougars. Elphick won via major decision at 113 for the victorious squad. The Cougars reached the North I Group I Sectional finals after topping number three seeded Pequannock, 42-22, in the semifinal round. Romyns (138), Moynihan (152), Brook (170), Armstrong (182) and Drelich (220) all won by fall for Kittatinny. Chris Silva won by technical fall at 106 for the Cougars. In a 44-28 loss to second seeded West Essex in the semifinals of the North I Group II Sectionals, Pete Lipari (106) and Magnum Velard (113) earned pin fall victories for sixth-seeded Lenape Valley. Lenape Valley toppled third seeded River Dell, 41-32, in the quarterfinal round of the North I Group II Sectional bracket. Matt Benevenuto (126), Chris Olivo (152), Andrew LaBell (170), Kristian Barrett (195) and Bobby Sperling (285) all won by fall for the Patriots. Lipari won via technical fall at 106 pounds for Valley. River Dell entered the match with a record of 18-2. Girls Swimming Kittatinny was defeated, 115-55, by top seed Northern Highlands in the quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA North I Group B Sectional Tournament. The Cougars entered the bracket as the number eight seed. Sixth seeded Pope John lost, 123-43, to third seeded Bishop Eustace in the quarterfinals of the Non Public North A Sectional Tournament. Boys Swimming In the quarterfinals of the North I Group B Sectional Tournament, sixth-seeded Kittatinny lost a 118-52 meet to number three seed Mountain Lakes. Eric Tracey (100 freestyle) and Brandon Tutty (100 breaststroke) each won individual events for the Cougars. In the quarterfinal round of the Non Public North B Sectionals, Pope John was defeated, 92-78, by Delbarton. The Lions were seeded fourth in the bracket and Delbarton was the number five seed. Girls Basketball Lenape Valley has earned the number four seed berth in the North I Group II Sectional bracket and will face 13th seed Elmwood Park at home on Feb. 27. Newton is seeded 11th in the North I Group II playoffs and will travel to meet sixth-seeded Englewood on Feb. 28. As the number-ten seed in the Non-Public North A Sectional Tournament, Pope John has a road game slated at seventh seed Pingry on Feb. 29. Boys Basketball Newton, the number four seed in the NJSIAA North I Group II Sectional Tournament, will host number 13 seed Pequannock in the preliminary round of the bracket on Feb. 28. In the quarterfinal round of the Non Public North A Sectional bracket, fourth-seeded Pope John is scheduled to host fifth-seeded Saint Peters Prep on March 2. Area Wrestling Standouts Winning a district tournament title is a noteworthy goal for a high school student-athlete. Be assured that there are a countless number of standout wrestlers who have gone through their high school careers without winning the districts. Victors of the district tournament will be back in action this Friday (Feb. 24). For local district champs, that means competing in the Region 1 Tournament at Wallkill Valley High School. The following local high school wrestlers were able to win their district title: Matt Benvenuto (120 pounds, Lenape Valley, District 2), James Elphick (113, Kittatinny, District 3), Steven Churchill (126, Newton, District 3), Nick Romyns (138. Kittatinny, 138, District 3), Joe Emering (145, Pope John, District 3), Clarke Moynihan (152, Kittatinny, District 3), Kieran Gerrity (160, Kittatinny, District 3) and Jake Connelly (195, Newton, District 3). Kittatinny won the District 3 team title with 215.5 points, a half-point ahead of the second place squad from High Point. Lenape Valley placed fifth at the District 2 Tournament with 106 points. Morris Knolls captured the District 2 team crown with 177 points.