Sammy Spaulding, Michael Craft and Jaden Simpson all placed fourth in their respective weight classes, while freshman Stephen Bagocius ended up in sixth place at the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships, held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City from March 12-14.
Spaulding, who was the top seed and the defending state champion at 132 pounds, started strong with a technical fall and a pin before earning a 2-1 pin over Peter Terranova of Delbarton in the quarterfinal round. But Spaulding ran into the upset story of the tournament in 21-seed Greyson Pettit of Delsea in the semifinal round. Pettit came out with a 4-3 victory in a match that featured several controversial calls for stalling. Pettit continued his incredible run by winning the state title.
Spaulding rebounded to defeat Colton Hagerty of Washington Township in the wrestleback semifinal but lost to Johnathon McGinty of Saint Joseph (Montvale) in the third-place match.
Spaulding, a United States Naval Academy commit, ended his high school career as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in school history as a four-time district and four-time regional champ. In addition to his state title last year, he placed fourth in the state during his sophomore year, giving him three straight years of fourth place or better.
Camden Catholic’s Michael Craft (right) wrestles Christian Brothers Academy’s William Sakoutis in a 150-pound quarterfinal bout March 13 during the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Craft won by decision, 5-2, and went on to place fourth in the state.
Craft, a four-time district champ who won a regional championship last year, ended up fourth in the state for the second straight year. After winning his first three matches of the state tournament in the 150-pound bracket, Craft was bumped off by top-seed and eventual state champion Sonny Amato of Rumson-Fair Haven in the semifinal round. Craft pinned Rhett Washleski of Immaculata to earn a spot in the third-place match, where he fell, 3-2, to Delran’s Jackson Weller for the second straight year.
Simpson also won three consecutive matches before falling in the 190-pound semifinal round to Nevin Mattessich of Don Bosco Prep. Simpson earned a 7-1 decision over Tornick Kajaia of Long Branch to earn a spot in the third-place match, where he was defeated 6-0 by Alexander Reyes of Holmdel.
Simpson, who will wrestle at Hofstra next year, is a three-time district and regional champ who placed fourth in the state in back-to-back seasons.
Spaulding, Craft, Simpson and the rest of the 2026 senior class helped the Irish win three team state titles including back-to-back Non-Public B championships to end their careers.
Bagocius is just beginning his climb. The 106-pounder won a district championship and was runner-up for the Region 7 championship this season. Seeded sixth, he won his first three matches at states before falling to the No. 2, 3 and 5 seeds in his bracket. Bagocius’ loss in the semifinal round of the championship bracket was to eventual state champ Thomas Blewett of Middletown North.
Overall, Camden Catholic’s nine wrestlers had a busy and positive showing, going a combined 24-19. Saint Augustine’s eight wrestlers went a combined 8-16, highlighted by 215-pound senior Daniel Francis’ impressive run as a 24-seed. Francis scored a 20-second pin over Old Bridge’s Zachary Florio to open his tournament before taking an 8-6 decision over Shawn Retta of Keansburg in the pre-quarterfinal round. He then ran into top seed Dante DeLuca of Don Bosco Prep in the quarterfinals, who won by tech fall.
Paul VI’s lone participant Iyon Townsend won his first match at 113 pounds by pin over Nick Banos of Southern before he was eliminated by No. 2 seed Charles Esposito of Saint Joseph (Montvale).
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