By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer

    TOMS RIVER -- Sometimes there are athletes that are so spectacular in their craft that their success becomes expected and sometimes taken for granted. Toms River East junior Vinnie DelleFave falls into that category.
    DelleFave entered Saturday's portion of the NJSIAA Region VI Tournament at 38-0 and already with 100 career victories, and if anyone might have forgotten just how talented the Raiders junior is they were reminded on Saturday night.
    With a 3-1 overtime victory over Brick Memorial sophomore Mike Morales, DelleFave won his third straight Region VI championship, this one coming at 119 pounds to go with his previous titles at 103 and 112. The two wrestlers traded escapes in the second and third periods before DelleFave got the only takedown of the bout with 6.2 seconds left in the first overtime for a 3-1 victory.
    "It was actually kind of a boring match," said DelleFave just after stepping off the medal stand. "It was his first time in the region finals so maybe he was a little conservative just trying to catch me."
    Thrilling or not, DelleFave understood the significance of his victory. By winning his third region title in three years, DelleFave joined some select company and put himself in position to become just the sixth Shore Conference wrestler to win four region championships next season.
    "Not a lot of people do it, only five I think have won it four times so next year is going to be big."
    DelleFave has had such a dominant season - Morales held him to a decision for just the third time this season - that a close bout is actually a welcome change heading into the state tournament.
    "He's definitely a tough kid," DelleFave said. "But it will be a lot tougher next week. It was a good test for me this time of year."
    On Friday, DelleFave will be looking to erase the memory of last season when he lost on the first day of the tournament and was eliminated from state-title contention.
    "Last year won't happen again," DelleFave said. "I'm more prepared and I feel very good at very good at 119."

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