THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - NJSIAA Wrestling Championships Central
Seven wrestlers from the Shore Conference were crowned as state champions on Sunday at Boardwalk Hall, including the undefeated Scott Winston.
Published: 03/11/2008
By Bob Badders - Senior Staff Writer
Records were falling left and right at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall this past weekend as the Shore Conference broke its record with seven champions being crowned. Region VI won weights 103 to 119 with Jackson junior Tyler Biscaha, Howell senior Joey Langel and Toms River East junior Vinnie DelleFave all winning their first state titles. Jackson's Sean Byrnes defeated Brick Memorial's Steve Santos for the third time this season to win the 145-pound title, his first, while Ocean's Nick Menditto won his second straight state title, this one coming at 152 pounds. Manchester sophomore Jimmy Lawson became the Hawks' first ever state champ when he beat Howell's Harry Turner to win the heavyweight title.
And last but not least of course, Jackson senior Scott Winston capped perhaps the greatest career in New Jersey history when he pinned Sacred Heart's Scott Kelly to win the 160-pound championship, his third in a row, and finish his career at 137-0. He is the only New Jersey wrestler to finish his career undefeated with more than 100 wins. Winston was named as the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Below there are links for stories and video highlights on each champion as well as a story about the 15 other Shore Conference wrestlers that placed in the top eight. For complete brackets click on the link at the very bottom of the page.
NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships
Then and Now - 103: Tyler Biscaha (Jackson) d. Rob Deutsch (Eastern) 4-2.
Ending the Drought - 112: Joey Langel (Howell) d. Mike Berardesco (Ocean) 6-2.
Forward Progress - 119: Vinnie DelleFave (TR East) d. Taylor Walsh (Camden Cath.) 9-7.
Funkmaster - 145: Sean Byrnes (Jackson) d. Steve Santos (Brick Mem.) 7-1.
Humble Hero - 152: Nick Menditto (Ocean) md. Greg Zannetti (JP Stevens) 10-2.
Mr. Perfect - 160: Scott Winston (Jackson) p. Scott Kelly (Sacred Heart) 2:14.
Super Sophomore - HWT: Jimmy Lawson (Manchester) d. Harry Turner (Howell) 4-3.
Van Dyk helps Shore complete 145 sweep - Consolation story.
E-mail: badders@digitalsports.com