Union County wrestling is well-represented at Region 4 at Union High School’s Louis J. Rettino Gymnasium after producing several stellar performances at this past weekend’s district competition – those districts being 13-16.
Region 4 commences Wednesday night (Feb. 21), continues Friday night (Feb. 23) and wraps Saturday (Feb. 24).
The top four wrestlers from each of the 14 weight classes advances to the season’s final weekend of wrestling, which is the NJSIAA Tournament, set for March 2-4 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
The seeding for the states is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 27.
Here’s a recap of what wrestling took place at districts 13-16:
DISTRICT 13: at Scotch Plains – 2 days
Team champion: St. Peter’s Prep
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Rahway junior Rhise Royster, the 145 champion. Royster won his second straight title, he was the champion at 126 last year. In last year’s 126 final, Royster defeated top-seeded Charles Cunningham of Seton Hall Prep 5-2. In last weekend’s 145 final he defeated Jack Wilt of SHP by fall in just 55 seconds.
Scotch Plains senior Sam Wustefeld – the 195 champion – captured his third district title – all three pinning his way through.
DISTRICT 14: at South Plainfield – 1 day
Team champion: South Plainfield
Most Outstanding Wrestler: South Plainfield senior Joe Heilmann, the 126 champion.
South Plainfield captured its 34th consecutive district championship.
After hosting District 12 and winning it for many years, South Plainfield moved over to District 14 last year. Woodbridge hosted District 14 last year and South Plainfield this year. Those two schools will host on a rotating basis.
Heilmann won his fourth district title as South Plainfield won nine of the 14 title bouts.
GL senior Quinn Haddad won his first title, defeating Dominic Zecchino of Woodbridge in the 170 final by the technical fall score of 18-2. Haddad was third at 160 as a sophomore at District 12 two years ago and last year at District 13 was also third as a junior in his weight class.
Brearley senior Rebecca Pizuto placed second at 113 to advance to region competition for the first time.
She lost third-place bouts the last two years to fall just short her sophomore and junior seasons.
DISTRICT 15: at Westfield – 1 day
Team champion: North Hunterdon
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Westfield sophomore CJ Composto, the 106 champion.
Coach of the Year: Ryan Rooney, Roselle Park
Rooney guided Roselle Park to a 24-2 record.
Roselle Park was second with 183 points.
Roselle Park had eight wrestlers advance to Region 4 at Union, including junior Mark Montgomery, who enters Region 4 competition still undefeated this year.
Montgomery was at 34-0 prior to competing at District 15.
He defeated IRvington’s Carl Banks by the major decision score of 14-1 in the 126 final. It was Montgomery’s third district title and he has yet to lose a match in district competition.
Montgomery won the 113 title as a freshman at District 10 at Millburn as a freshman and last year as a sophomore won the 113 title at District 15 at Westfield.
DISTRICT 16: Millburn – 1 day
Team champion: Watchung Hills
Most Outstanding Wrestler: Colonia sophomore John Poznanski, the 160 champion.
Watchung Hills produced its first-ever district championship.
Union Farmer wrestlers who qualified for Region 4 out of District 16 include Elijah Waldron, Dan Torres, Bobby Emanuel and Abdurahman (Abood) Oudeh.