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Welcome
to this week's Poll! This will be the Final Top 25 this year. As added
goodies, I have ranked the Ten Toughest Districts, The 8 Regions, based
on toughness, and given you a taste of things to come with a Top 3 in
each weight class and a “Top 10 Tournament Teams”. Next week, we
will have a Top 8 according to each weight class (State Place-winner
Predictions), and Team scores for all eight
Regions, just like in the NCAA's! In two weeks, we'll have the NJSIAA
State Tournament scored for the Individual teams, as well as by Region.
Enjoy!
The Final
Statewide Top 25:
1. High Point - They have
turned in a #1 team performance this year. On paper, I feel LB, BM beat
them easily; Phillipsburg, Howell, and Jackson would give them a real
scare too, possibly winning. I feel very funny about ranking a team
#1 in the state when they don't have any wins against any of the next six
teams, however they do deserve it. They have blown their opponents teams out of
the water, focusing on getting pin after pin. They have solid wins over
TRN, Brearley, CC, Sayreville, and Roxbury. For me, the big measure was how they dominated their district.
They put on a Jackson-esque performance this weekend. I must say, their
list of winners are that of a #1 team. They have almost as much of an argument
as anyone else, however they have far less against them. Because
they have less arguments against them, they receive the final and official
#1 spot for this year.
2. Long Branch - At District 23, Brick
Memorial won several matchups that they lost last time, however, LB won several matches that “they were sure to lose
the next time”. I feel LB should have at least won District 23 and
that hurt their case for #1. They still hold a dual meet win over BM,
so they remain where they are, above Brick Memorial. Long Branch wrestles
an “always wrestle the whole six minutes” match and their scores
this year can be deceiving. However, when you look at their matches
won / loss ratio, how little the team gave up pins, and how many
“upsets” they acquired this year; you can safely say this team will be
a force to be reckoned with next year.
3. Brick Memorial - BM
has demonstrated a strangle hold over their district the likes of which
only Paulsboro and Phillipsburg can claim. Seemingly against all odds,
BM easily took the toughest district in the state and in doing so helped
their case for a Top 3 ranking and hurting LB's case for #1. BM proved how deep
of a squad they have this weekend. No bumping needed for this team (although
their wrestlers will weigh in at seemingly half a dozen weight classes
every year). Head-on, this deep and balanced lineup is easily the best
in the state.
4. Phillipsburg- A great
year for Phillipsburg. They struggled a few years ago, but have demonstrated
with great authority that they are back.
5. Howell - Howell had
a great season, beating Southern, Jackson, and the such. All in all, this has to be one of, if not the
best, season in the school's history!
6. Jackson Memorial - The
superior tournament team, Jackson comfortably took District 21, even
with an upset at 103. I would say if Jackson, Phillipsburg, and Howell
wrestled 10 times, every team would have a final record of 10-10.
These three teams are heads and shoulders above the rest of the field,
but just shy of the Top 3.
7. Southern - Again, the
best rebuilding season ever! Southern was supposed to be very, very
weak this year. They lost a lot to graduation. However, they win their section, posting an amazing campaign and beating great teams, and now
they take a wide open district. Southern will be a force to be reckoned
with next year.
8. Toms River North - Surprise
team of the year. Few expected TRN to be super elite good. They are one of only three NJ teams
that can claim victories over Jackson in the past three years, one of
only half a dozen nationally. They gave Southern all they could handle
in the District 24 Title race and they will be awesome next year!
9. Eastern - A great season. Eastern has wins over nationally ranked teams, close losses
to some of NJ's finest, and will be returning a very young squad.
10. David-Brearley - An
up and down season, Brearley showed what they were made of beating
CC, Delsea, and hanging in there with LB. Finally, they took their district
and their wrestlers look poised for individual success.
11. Camden Catholic - A
rebuilding year for The Catholic, in a year that much of NJ is rebuilding.
They held back upstart Collingswood in the districts and rounded off a
great season.
12. Sayerville - District
20 Champions, Sayreville's rise to the top has been brilliant this year.
They have been the team you love to root for and hate to have to root
against.
13. Roxbury - A strong
season with a district title to wrap things up.
14. Randolph - Balanced
and tough through out. A great season for this North Jersey team.
15. South Plainfield - Yet another rebuilding team to make the Top 15 in the State of
New Jersey. South Plainfield will be a force to be reckoned with in due time.
Their district title was well deserved for this hard working team.
16. Delaware
Valley- A few bumps in the road this year, however they erased a tough loss
to North Hunterdon this weekend. Del Val finishes as a strong and balanced
squad.
17. Hackettstown -
Tough breaks this weekend should not mar a great season by this balanced
squad.
18. Ocean - Coming off
of a great weekend, Ocean proved they belong in the Top 20 this year.
19. Raritan - Tough finish
behind Ocean and CBA in the District 22 Tournament, however Raritan
has been a very balanced and tough team.
20. Bergen Catholic- Rounding
off the Top 20 with the team rebuilding the most this year. A great season
for the Crusaders much to everyone's surprise!
21. Delsea - A balanced team and "District Champs".
22. Point Pleasant Boro -
A third place finish in the toughest district in the state isn't half
bad!
23. Kittatinny -
A down and rebuilding year for Kitt, they still managed to take home
a group title!
24. Collingswood - Sectional
Champs, they gave CC all they could handle in districts. A great season
for this squad!
25.
Don Bosco Prep - A strong season, with a few tough days. District Champs,
DBP takes the #25 spot that almost any of 30 teams could have!
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 10 DISTRICTS
CLICK HERE FOR REGION RANKINGS
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 3 INDIVIDUALS FOR EACH WEIGHT CLASS
CLICK HERE FOR TOP 10 TOURNAMENT TEAMS