South Jersey Catholic high schools will have plenty of representation at the State Wrestling Finals after a strong showing at Regions 7 and 8 over the weekend.
Saint Augustine Preparatory School, Richland, had seven state qualifiers, led by Jake Slotnick, who took home the 150-pound bracket by defeating Josh Palmucci of Kingsway, 3-2, in the championship match at Region 8 at Egg Harbor Township High School.
In addition to Slotnick’s region championship, the Hermits had four runners-up in Kayden Naame (113 pounds), D’Amani Almodovar (126), Dennis Virelli (165) and Trey McLeer (175). Joining them in Atlantic City will be third-place finishers Richie Grungo (144) and Alex Marshall (190). The top four in each weight class advance to the State Championship, which will be held March 3-5 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Holy Spirit High School, Absecon, and Haddonfield’s Paul VI also competed at Region 8, and both schools will have a rooting interest during the last week of the season.
Paul VI High School only sent two wrestlers to regions, and both made it through. Isaiah Shafer (132 pounds) and Branden Palcko (138) both suffered a defeat in the semifinal round of their respective brackets but rebounded for third-place victories. Shafer won his third place bout, 3-2, over Kevin Stubbs of Sterling while Palcko won by injury default over Ryan Datz of Pitman.
Holy Spirit’s Carter Pack won the 106-pound bracket to account for the Spartans’ lone individual region championship. Pack was the two-seed in his bracket and scored decisions over Justin Flood of Hammonton, Gage Summers of Delsea and top-seeded Jason Meola of Kingsway to claim the bracket.
Pack will be joined by KJ Sherman, who took second place in the 144-pound bracket, as well as Max Elton, who finished third at 113, and Bryce Manera, who took fourth at 120.
At Region 7 at Moorestown High School, Camden Catholic continued its outstanding season by earning eight state qualifications, including three region champions.
Jurius Clark (165 pounds), Chris Olah (175) and Martin Cosgrove (215) all stood atop the podium in their respective weight classes the afternoon of Feb. 26.
Clark defeated James Circle of Lacey, 8-1, followed by Olah’s 7-5 decision over Matt Bryant of Manchester Township. Cosgrove then pinned Scott Lynch of Audubon in 2:38 to give the Irish their third individual championship.
Camden Catholic had a pair of runners-up in Jackson Young (120 pounds) and Wayne Rold (126); two third-place finishes in Dom Digiacomo (106) and Jonathan Graham (285), and a fourth-place finish by Chase Casey at 144.
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