In Region 3 semifinal action that took place Saturday morning at Union High School’s Louis J. Rettino Gymnasium, wrestlers from Brearley, Cranford and Summit advanced to Saturday afternoon’s finals.
As a result they all qualified for the NJSIAA Tournament, which is scheduled for March 8-10 at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
For Brearley, reaching the finals were John Balboni at 160, Joe Balboni at 170 and Jeff Velez at 182.
For Cranford, Jess Weiss at 220 reached the finals, as well as Summit senior Anthony Iarussi at 195.
GL had Jon Mele at 120 and Shane Haddad at 195 reach their title matches.
Other Union County wrestlers that reached the finals were Colin Barber of Westfield at 152, Brian Bulger of Westfield at 182 and senior Anthony Tufaro of Scotch Plains at heavyweight.
THIRD-PLACE MATCHUPS
TO SEE WHO ELSE – BESIDES THE CHAMPIONS AND FINALISTS –
ADVANCE TO ATLANTIC CITY
106: Ryan Walsh, South Plainfield vs. Casey Egan, Seton Hall Prep
113: Nick Tekula, Linden vs. Alex Pollera, Watchung Hills
120: Christian Innarella, Delbarton vs. Anthony Cefalo, Hanover Park
126: Gennaro Cucculo, Hanover Park vs. Frank Crippen, Morristown
132: Gavin Murray, Cranford vs. Matt Barber, Westfield
138: Christian Bassolino, Hanover Park vs. Travis Vasquez, Delbarton
145: Dan Reed, Delbarton vs. Pete Hilburn, Roselle Park
152: Anthony Bassolino, Hanover Park vs. Brian Matthews, Roselle Park
160: Inan Sikel, South Plainfield vs. Justin Becker, Rahway
170: Phil Woods, Roselle Park vs. Mike Weiss, Parsippany Hills
182: Corey Markovitch, Cranford vs. Nicholas Pizzuta, Parsippany
195: Daniel Van Brunt, Scotch Plains-Fanwood vs. Nick Haboj, Madison
220: Tory Russell, South Plainfield vs. Steven Hill, Parsippany Hills
Heavyweight: Nick LaShell, Hanover Park vs. Joe Romero, Elizabeth
– JR PARACHINI