GMC wrestling tournament weight class preview 106 through 145 pounds

Following is a weight class preview of the 2018 Greater Middlesex Conference Wrestling Tournament from 106 pounds through 145 pounds.

Check out MyCentralJersey.com's preview of the 152- through 285-pound weight classes, which was posted online Tuesday.

Wrestlers are listed alphabetically in their projected weight classes and subject to change.

Official weight classes will be announced during Thursday’s seeding meeting, from which MyCentralJersey.com will provide live updates.

The tournament will be contested on Friday and Saturday at Piscataway High School.

COMPLETE TOURNAMENT INFORMATION: Home page for previews and full coverage of the 2018 GMC wrestling tournament

106 POUNDS

The anticipated final in this weight class between South Plainfield freshman Anthony White (20-0) and Perth Amboy senior Joseph Pacheco (19-1) promises to be among the tournament’s best. White is undefeated and ranked eighth in the state, according to Wrestling Full Circle. White has quality wins over Seton Hall Prep’s Larry Melchionda, Brearley’s Patrick Phillips and Hanover Park’s Jack Burese. White decisioned Melchionda 5-0 in the finals of the Morris Knolls Invitational, where Pacheco endured his only loss of the season to Seton Hall Prep’s Conner Decker, a 6-2 decision at 113 pounds. Pacheco has only wrestled once at 106 pounds this year. He was a conference, district and region runner-up at 106 pounds last year. The battle for third place will likely be between South Brunswick freshman Matthew Klimkiewicz (14-5), Sayreville freshman Dylan Acevado (13-4), Old Bridge freshman Vincent Nadera (14-7) and Middlesex junior Ken Beck (15-3). Klimkiewicz decisioned Nadera 6-3. Acevedo decisioned Nadera 3-2 in ultimate tiebreaker. Beck decisioned Bishop Ahr sophomore Cristian Diaz (16-8), who cannot be discounted. Beck, who finished 17-15 in this weight class a year ago, is among the most improved wrestlers in the field.

THE PROJECTED FIELD

Dylan Acevado, Sayreville, Fr., 13-4

Stephen Baszak, South River, Fr., 7-6

Ken Beck, Middlesex Jr., 15-3

Angelo Botteon, Highland Park, Fr., 5-9

Tyler Boyum, Monroe, Fr., 1-0

Joseph Caroscio, Colonia, Fr., 5-8

Jonathan Chen, Edison, Jr., 5-12

Cristian Diaz, Bishop Ahr, So., 16-8

Alexis Irizarry, Woodbridge, Fr., 7-5

William Irwin, Piscataway, So., 3-13

Shiva Kakumanu, East Brunswick, Fr., 0-1

Jaedon Kearns, Metuchen, Fr., 7-5

Matthew Klimkiewicz, South Brunswick, Fr., 14-5

Vincent Nadera, Old Bridge, Fr., 14-7

Joseph Pacheco, Perth Amboy, Sr., 19-1

Thomas Perpente, Spotswsood, So., 5-8

Anthony White, Fr., South Plainfield 20-0

113 POUNDS

The weight class projects to be among the conference’s most wide open. Monroe sophomore Joseph Fiordaliso (13-5), who placed seventh in the conference tournament at 106 pounds last year, appears to be the favorite along with Sayreville sophomore Darren Figueroa (9-7). Fiordaliso has a quality 2-0 decision over Raritan’s Robert Taddeo, who defeated Perth Amboy’s Joseph Pacheco in last year’s 106-pound District 20 final. At 106 pounds, Fiordaliso placed second in the Walter Woods Holiday Classic and fourth in the Neptune Classic. Fiordaliso and Figueroa (9-7) have wrestled the toughest schedule of any competitors in this weight class. Figueroa is on an eight-bout winning streak. He placed second in the Bear Invitational and did not place in the Neptune Classic at 113 pounds. Fiordaliso’s only head-to-head meeting in this weight class is an 11-2 major decision over Spotswood’s Zachary Weiner. Figueroa’s only head-to-head opponent is South River sophomore Isaac Cruz (10-6), who he decisioned 3-0 at the Bear Invitational and 9-1 in a recent dual. Metuchen’s Arun Chezian (12-4) decisioned Weiner 12-9 and also decisioned Cruz 8-2. Chezian placed eighth in the conference tournament at 106 pounds last year, losing by fall to Fiordaliso. Edison freshman Brett Miller (7-4) pinned Chezian in 5:50 this season. Based on those comparative scores, expect Miller to contend for the title.

THE PROJECTED FIELD

Armando Cerasani, Bishop Ahr, Fr., 6-9

Arun Chezian, Metuchen, Sr., 12-4

Issac Cruz, South River, So., 10-6

Darren Figueroa, Sayreville, So., 9-7                                      

Joseph Fiordaliso, Monroe, So., 13-5

Adrian Gaspar, South Brunswick, Fr., 7-11                                          

Ahmet Kerimoglu, J.P. Stevens, So., 8-10

Frank Mannino, South Plainfield, Sr., 0-16

Tyler McCrimmon, Middlesex, Fr., 6-11

Daniel Mikita, Piscataway, So., 6-9           

Brett Miller, Edison, Fr., 7-4

Taofiq Price, Old Bridge, So., 1-0

Anne Solmarwar, Highland Park, Jr., 1-8 

Jesse Warth, Colonia, So., 4-7    

Zachary Weiner, Spotswood, Fr., 9-3

Andrew Zuckerman, East Brunswick, Jr., 4-5

120 POUNDS

East Brunswick senior Mitchell Polito (12-0), who placed third in the state at 113 pounds a year ago, decisioned Old Bridge’s Jake Wiatrowski 7-3 to win last year’s 113-pound conference tournament title. A rematch is possible in this year’s 120-pound final, but South Plainfield’s David Loniewski may stand in Wiatrowski’s way. Loniewski placed fifth in the 2017 GMCT at 120 pounds, which was a loaded weight class featuring South Plainfield’s Joe Heilmann, East Brunswick’s Mark Schleifer, Perth Amboy’s Norberto Torres and Old Bridge’s Michael Botte. An incumbent state tournament qualifier, Loniewski (6-2) has quality losses this season to Kurt McHenry of Saint Paul (Md.), who is the consensus No. 1 ranked wrestler in the nation at 113 pounds, and to undefeated Darby Deidrich of Howell. Loniewski lost 10-7 to McHenry and 6-3 to Deidrich. Similarly, all of Wiatrowski’s losses are to nonconference opponents. Wiatrowski (17-6) pinned Monroe standout Nick DePalma, an incumbent district runner-up who placed third at 113 pounds in last year’s conference tournament, during which DePalma recorded the most pins (four) in the least amount of time (9:29). DePalma’s only other loss was a 6-3 decision to Point Pleasant Boro’s Ben Sabo, who own a 22-1 record. DePalma, who could still enter this year’s tournament at 113 pounds, possibly bumping teammate Joseph Fiordaliso down to 106 pounds, may not compete due to an injury. Monroe junior Michael Bilardo (11-6) placed sixth at 120 pounds last season, falling 3-2 to Loniewski in the fifth-place bout, and cannot be discounted.

THE PROJECTED FIELD

Erwin Abreu, Perth Amboy, Fr., 2-6         

Ricardo Avellan, Edison, Jr., 3-2 

Michael Bilardo, Monroe, Jr., 11-6           

Zion Blanco, New Brunswick, So., 13-3

Andrew Carmona, Highland Park, Fr., 6-12           

Joseph Dimperio, Colonia, Sr., 4-5            

Chris Dulog, Piscataway, Jr., 3-8

Joseph Gonce, Sayreville, Sr., 8-6

Arjun Khatri, South Brunswick, Jr., 11-8  

Brandon Kick, Metuchen, Fr., 8-6             

John Kubis-Badilla, Woodbridge, Fr., 1-8

David Loniewski, South Plainfield, Jr., 5-2             

Luis Marquez, J.F. Kennedy, Jr., 8-7

Alijah Pitts-Germain, Carteret, So., 1-1

Connor  Platt, Spotswood, Jr., 9-5             

Mitchell Polito, East Brunswick, Sr., 12-0

Samori Simon, Bishop Ahr, Sr., 13-7

Zachary Weist, South River, Fr., 6-5

Jake Wiatroski, Old Bridge, Sr., 17-6

126 pounds

Owner of a 143-10 career record, South Plainfield senior Joe Heilmann (21-0) looks to win his fourth conference tournament title. He was voted Outstanding Wrestler for the lower weights in last year’s tournament at 120 pounds. The three-time district champion, who has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of North Carolina, went on to place third in the state tournament (he was fifth the previous year). Heilmann is currently ranked second in the state, according to Wrestling Full Circle. Seeding will play a major factor regarding Heilmann’s opponent for the final. Edison junior Mike O’Brien (15-2), a district runner-up who placed fourth in the conference and fifth in the region last year at 106 pounds, could be seeded second if he defeats Old Bridge’s Mike Botte in a dual meet on Wednesday. Under the aforementioned scenario, Monroe’s Corey Fernandez, by virtue of a win via injury default over South Brunswick senior Jonathan Lamprecht (9-3), is expected to garner the No. 3 seed. Lamprecht, who placed third in last year’s conference tournament at 106 pounds, will then likely be seeded fourth, one spot ahead of Old Bridge’s Mike Botte, who he decisioned 8-7 earlier this year. As a result, Lamprecht and Botte, a reigning district champion who placed fourth in last year’s conference tournament at 120 pounds, could have a rematch in the quarterfinals. Botte would earn the No. 2 seed with a win over O’Brien on Wednesday.

THE PROJECTED FIELD

Brandon Alicea, Sayreville, Sr., 8-8

Julian Arteaga, Colonia, Sr., 7-4

Mike Botte, Old Bridge, Sr., 19-5

Jaden Catalano, Woodbridge, Jr., 8-7

Ian Coleman, J.F. Kennnedy, So., 14-6

Matt Curto, J.P. Stevens, Sr., 4-5

Corey Fernandez, Monroe, Jr., 12-5

Tyler Haynes, Metuchen, Fr., 8-7

Joe Heilmann, South Plainfield, Sr., 21-0

Jonathan Lamprecht, South Brunswick, Sr., 9-3

Louis LaRocca, East Brunswick, Jr., 5-9

Cesar Lopez, North Brunswick, Jr., 15-5

Fernando Lugo, New Brunswick, Sr., 8-5

Nelson Mercado, Perth Amboy, Fr., 10-10

Jacob Oster, Spotswood, So., 5-6

Michael O`Brien, Edison, Jr., 15-2

Tristan Palyha, Bishop Ahr, Jr., 4-15

Thiago Silva, South River, Fr., 1-11

Erick Valentin, Piscataway, Sr., 5-7

132 POUNDS

Perth Amboy sophomore James Rodriguez (16-2), who placed third in the conference, third in the district and third in the region at 132 pounds last year, is the favorite. Rodriguez has a quality loss to Montville’s Connor Meytrott, to whom he dropped a 1-0 decision. Meytrott is ranked fifth in the state at 138 pounds, according to Wrestling Full Circle. Rodriguez decisioned South Plainfield junior Thomas Fierro 5-2, decisioned Old Bridge senior Dylan Ur 12-6 and decisioned South Brunswick senior Mathew Castimore 5-3. Based on those comparative scores, Fierro and Castimore appear to be battling for second place. They could square off in a dual meet on Wednesday with the winner getting the No. 2 seed. Fierro won a GMCT championship at 106 pounds last year, while Castimore placed fifth at 126 pounds. Middlesex junior Troy O’Connor (18-2), who placed seventh in last year’s conference tournament at 120 pounds, is 58-12 over the past two seasons and cannot be discounted. Sayreville’s Alex Coelho, who dropped a 7-2 decision to Ur, also hopes to be in the mix.

THE PROJECTED FIELD

Steven Almanzer, New Brunswick, So., 11-5

Dan Caberera, J.F. Kennedy, Jr., 2-7

Mathew Castimore, South Brunswick, Sr., 12-7

Anthony Ceras, Monroe, Fr., 2-2

Alec Coelho, Sayreville, Jr., 11-3

Thomas Fierro, South Plainfield, Jr., 14-6

Joshua Grunberg, East Brunswick, Jr., 2-8

Connor  Johnson, Spotswood, So., 3-8

Sean Lambert, Colonia, Sr., 8-4

Remervi Mendez, Highland Park, Fr., 2-3

Ryan Mohabeer, Bishop Ahr, Sr., 4-14

Bryan Mora, Piscataway, So., 5-11

John Orellana, South River, Fr., 2-9

Troy O`Connor, Middlesex, Jr., 18-2

Vincent Roche, J.P. Stevens, Sr., 8-11

Christopher Rodriguez, North Brunswick, Sr., 9-8

James Rodriguez, Perth Amboy, So., 16-2

Julian Santana, Carteret, Fr., 7-8

Joe Small, J.F. Kennedy, Fr., 3-12

Dylan Ur, Old Bridge, Sr., 16-6

Evrin Virola, Edison, Fr., 0-0

138 POUNDS

Aaron Coleman is bidding for his third conference tournament title. The incumbent district champion and state qualifier owns a 9-0 decision over Monroe’s Andy Lombard, who is expected to reach the final. Lombard, who placed fourth in the GMCT and qualified for regions at 126 pounds last year, owns a 5-2 decision over South Plainfield’s Alex Amato, an incumbent district runner-up and state qualifier who placed fifth in last year’s GMCT at 132 pounds. Amato’s losses include a 7-0 decision in the Morris Knolls Invitational final to Montville’s Connor Meytrott, who is ranked fifth in the state at 138 pounds, and a 7-3 decision to Perth Amboy standout James Rodriguez. Sayreville’s Trevor Mastorio, a region qualifier, is expected to battle Old Bridge’s Alec Meyers, a district runner-up, and Piscataway’s Jake Sisk for a Top 4 finish.

THE PROJECTED FIELD

Mohammad Ahsan, Carteret, Fr., 3-7

Alex Amato, South Plainfield, Jr., 11-8

Jarazell Bull, New Brunswick, Fr., 0-4

Aaron Coleman, J.F. Kennedy, Sr., 19-2

Joseph Fazzino, Perth Amboy, So., 10-11

Shae Griffin, Spotswood, So., 3-10

Gilbert Hill Sosa, Woodbridge, So., 3-7

Shreyas Keerthi, Bishop Ahr, Jr., 2-13

Andrew Lombard, Monroe, Sr., 16-3

Spencer Longo, East Brunswick, Fr., 1-4

Sean Lubiak, South Brunswick, Sr., 9-8

Trevor Mastorio, Sayreville, Jr., 14-4

Alec Meyers, Old Bridge, Jr., 16-6

Dominic Moccio, North Brunswick, So., 4-8

Mark Pacheco, South River, Sr., 10-6

Jeffery Reyes, Highland Park, Sr., 5-6

Jake Sisk, Piscataway, So., 10-8

Elijah St. Phard, Edison, So., 5-13

Matthew Sternesky, Colonia, Sr., 6-5

Luke Tunison, Middlesex, Sr., 3-14

Nico Vargas, J.P. Stevens, So., 15-6

145 POUNDS

Middlesex senior Jeff Johnson (18-1), who has wrestled all but two bouts at 152 pounds this season, is expected to make a return trip to the 145-pound conference tournament final. In last year’s championship bout, Johnson dropped a 3-2 decision to Monroe’s Nick Lombard, who is now wrestling at the University of Michigan. Johnson is an incumbent district champion and region runner-up. His only loss this year came to Hackettstown’s Alex Carida in the Hunterdon Central Invitational final. Carida, who is ranked second in the state, scored a 3-2 decision. South Plainfield junior Joe Sacco will likely meet Johnson in the final. Sacco won a conference tournament title, placed second in the district and qualified for states at 138 pounds last season. He has wrestled the toughest schedule of any wrestler in the weight class. Sacco’s four losses are to a quartet of wrestlers who have combined for 65 wins. The defeats include a 4-3 loss to Southern’s Nick Pepe, a 7-4 loss to Howell’s Paul Jakub, a 3-1 loss to Hanover Park’s Sean Conley and a 3-2 loss to Watchung Hills’ Jake Stasil. Colonia senior Luke Pero will likely be seeded third. He was a district champion and conference tournament runnerup at 132 pounds last season. Pero has four losses including one by injury default. He went 1-2 in the prestigious Beast of the East tournament, upsetting Cruise Baker, a seeded wrestler. His other setback was a 6-3 decision to J.F. Kennedy’s Aaron Coleman, a two-time reigning conference tournament and district champion. At least three other wrestlers will be competing for a Top 4 finish. Monroe’s Ian McCabe, who placed fifth in the GMCT at 152 pounds last year, leads that trio with a 1-0 decision over Piscataway’s Marcus Petite, who scored a 4-3 decision over Old Bridge’s Justin Gonzalez. While Marcus Petite placed fifth in the district and qualified for regions at 138 pounds last year, Gonzalez has no criteria. However, he is among the most improved wrestlers in the conference, having already more than doubled his win total from last season (7-13 at 138 pounds) by fashioning a 16-6 record.

THE PROJECTED FIELD

Muavia Ahsan, Carteret, Jr., 9-6

Alexander Angeles, North Brunswick, Sr., 13-6

Matthew Bohinski, So., 5-8

Diego Candelario, Sayreville, Jr., 3-10

Justin Farago, Woodbridge, Sr., 1-4

Justin Gonzalez, Old Bridge, Jr., 16-6

Jeff Johnson, Middlesex, Sr., 18-1

Jaydin Mayhon, New Brunswick, So., 7-6

Ian McCabe, Monroe, So., 14-4

John Miller, Edison, Jr., 5-6

Luke Pero, Colonia, Sr., 12-4

Marcus  Petite, Piscataway, So., 13-5

Edwin Rojas, Highland Park, Fr., 8-8

Brandon Roman, Perth Amboy, Fr., 3-6

Joe Sacco, South Plainfield, Jr., 18-3

Daniel William Sacristan, East Brunswick, Jr., 1-5

Leandro Santos, South River, Sr., 9-5

Joe Schroll, Bishop Ahr, Fr., 4-10

CJ Smith, South Brunswick, Jr., 10-10

Luka Stepanashvili, J.P. Stevens, Jr., 11-4

Liam Walker, Metuchen, Jr., 6-8