Sayreville’s Anthony Porcaro wins Neptune Classic title

Sayreville’s Anthony Porcaro won his second consecutive heavyweight title and the North Hunterdon High School wrestling team crowned five individual champions on the way to a second-place finish behind Highland Regional at Saturday’s Neptune Classic.

In a highly anticipated showdown, North Hunterdon’s Ryan Pomrinca scored a 3-1 decision over Jackson Liberty’s Mike Russo. Both were third-place finishers in last year’s NJSIAA Tournament at 126 and 120 pounds, respectively. Pomrinca used a takedown with 20.2 seconds left in the first overtime to defeat Russo.

Luke Approvato (120), Brian Smolinsky (152), Mike Sicola (160) and Tyler Gapas (182) also won individual titles for the Lions.

Top-seeded Sal Profaci (132) was the lone titlist for defending team champion Monroe, which placed third with 134 points. The Falcons did not boast any other finalists. Monroe’s Chris Muce placed third at 138 pounds.

“We wrestled good competition so we could see where we are at,” Monroe head coach Billy Jacoutot said. “Clearly there are a number of things we need to work on. It’s a nice way to open the season. It allows me to get their attention and we can come back on Monday and get right back to it.”

Sayreville, which struggled in the loaded tournament a year ago, fared better with a seventh-place finish. Five Bombers placed including Tyler Lewis, who finished third at 182 despite weighing in at 174 pounds. Frank Roman (113) and Issac Blagogee (138) were both fifth, while teammate Dylan Alves (132) finished fourth.

“Last year the tournament kind of overwhelmed us,” Sayreville coach Marcus Ivy said, “and this year we definitely belonged.”

Team scores: 1. Highland Regional 165, 2. North Hunterdon 161, 3. Monroe 134, 4. Jackson Liberty 131.5, 5. St. John Vianney 103, 6. Toms River East 99, 7. Sayreville 86, 8. Blair Academy 84, 9. Manalapan 83, 10. Vineland 76, 11. Middletown South 58.5, 12. Central Regional 44, 13. Neptune 24, 14. West Windsor Plainsboro-South 16, 15. Asbury Park 0.

Finals

106: Seth Henry (Highland Regional) d. Luke Ecklof (St. John Vianney) 6-5; 113: Steve Burgamo (Vineland) d. Lucas Siegfried (Highland Regional) 3-2; 120: Luke Approvato (North Hunterdon) d. Yoseph Borai (Toms River East) 5-4; 126: Ryan Pomrinca (North Hunterdon) d. Mike Russo (Jackson Liberty) 3-1; 132: Sal Profaci (Monroe) md. Tyler Machnik (Toms River East) 10-2; 138: Matt Russo (Jackson Liberty) p. Khalil Haskins (St. John Vianney) 2:36; 152: Brian Smolinsky (North Hunterdon) d. Andrew Meyers (Toms River East) 10-3; 160: Mike Sicola (North Hutnerdon) d. Kevin Grady (St. John Vianney) 6-0; 170: Sheldon Morris (Highland Regional) d. Steve Chandler (Manalapan) 12-7; 182: Tyler Gapas (North Hunterdon) d. Jerald Goodman (Jackson Liberty) 5-4 195: George Duddy (Highland Regional) d. Jake Dallago (Toms River East) 6-2 220: Taj Crosby (Vineland) d. Mark Gillis (Highland Regional) 10-6 285: Anthony Porcaro (Sayreville) p. Micah Clark (St. John Vianny) 4:50

Third Place

106: Nick Pellegrino (Jackson Liberty) d. Andy Lombard (Monroe) 5-0; 113: Paul Robinson (North Hunterdon) d. Nicky Lombard (Monroe) 2-1; 120: Zach Jones (Blair Academy) d. Luke Approvato (North Hunterdon) 3-0; 126: Paul Piccione (St. John Vianney) d. Nick Maher (West Windsor-Plainsboro South) 3-1; 132: Jeremy Bollard (Jackson Liberty) d. Dillon Prendergast (Highland) 3-0; 138: Chris Muce (Monroe) d. Shane Brackup (Blair Academy) 2-1; 145: Derek Ciavarro (North Hunterdon) d. Donny Albach (Monroe) 5-2; 152: Ryan Karoly (Blair Academy) d. Aidan Cole (St. John Vianney) 7-1; 160: J.T. Correll (Blair Academy) d. Jake Staklinsky (Manalapan) 4:16 (16-0); 170: Trent Giglio (Middletown South) d. Wyatt Vrancken (North Hunterdon) 5-3; 182: Tyler Lewis (Sayreville) d. Joe Villegas (Highland Regional) 9-4; 195: Jordan Hardy (Central) d. Jake Dallago (Toms River East) 5-3; 220: Dylan Rogers (Middletown South) d. Nick Goff (Monroe) 5-2; HWT: Darius Marrow (Central) d. Nick Fromhold (Monroe) 4:54.