CONTENDERS: Kittatinny is a stacked team this year. They have seven wrestlers who won at least 20 matches last year. Dylan Wunder, Kieran Gerrity, Nick Romyns and Garrett Armstrong all won at least thirty matches while Christian Silva chipped in 28. The team lost junior Tom Murphy (34-5 last year) to a transfer to Pope John but has more than enough depth to cover that loss. The team looks poised for another great year. Lenape Valley will return, with a loaded squad as well. Juniors Joey LaBell, DJ Barrett and Glenn Haines combined for 72 wins last year. All three look on track to exceed that success. Jefferson is another team to keep an eye on. Bryan Damon leads the team at the lower weights after completing a 41-4 campaign and a 5th place finish at 113 last year. That in addition to Luke Bohn, Tyler Zimmerman, Matt Tripodi and Rob Hajnos make Jefferson a formidable lineup.  

DARK HORSE: North Warren Team returns a state qualifier is senior Matt Richie and should see improvement from a solid group of wrestlers. Key is the development of the underclassmen

OTHERS: Hackettstown, Hopatcong, Newton, Wallkill Valley

OUR PICK: Kittatinny: The team looks to be even better than last year's state sectional championship team. They have enough tools to win the Freedom Division and make it to the Group 1 finals. The biggest test will be against Jefferson on January 21st but they have the depth to pull it out.