The South Plainfield High School wrestling team, whose five core seniors led the Tigers to three state championships in four state finals appearances, was unanimously named the Garden State’s No. 1 team in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association’s final 2012-13 poll.
The Tigers, who finished with a 30-0 record including their first title in the prestigious Virginia National Duals, led the weekly rankings from wire to wire, receiving a No. 1 vote from all of the association’s 17 members on every weekly ballot.
South Plainfield averaged an astounding 52.2 points per dual meet and defeated opponents by an average margin of 37.9 points.
St. Peter’s Prep and Bergen Catholic, who lost by 11 and 14 points, respectively, gave the Tigers their toughest matches among New Jersey foes, while McDonogh of Maryland dropped a two-point decision to South Plainfield in the Virginia National Duals final.
The Tigers own a 43-match winning streak and have defeated 50 consecutive in-state opponents, falling last to a New Jersey school with a 29-28 loss to St. Peter’s Prep on Jan. 6, 2012.
South Plainfield has recorded 192 pins and its wrestlers boast a combined 387-128 record.
The Tigers, who Amateur Wrestling News ranks 12th nationally, defeated Toms River South last weekend to win the Group III championship. South Plainfield rolled through the NJSIAA Team Tournament, defeating four playoff foes by an average of 36 points.
South Plainfield looks to extend its state-record district tournament winning streak to 29 in this weekend’s District 12 Tournament, where the host Tigers are heavily favored to run away with the team title.
Senior Anthony Ashnault continues his quest to become the state’s first four-time undefeated state champion, while four classmates also look to represent South Plainfield on the medal stand in Atlantic City.
They are Scott DelVecchio (defending state champion), Troy Heilmann (incumbent state runner-up), Corey Stasenko (sixth in the state last winter) and Dylan Painton.
|
Record |
Pts |
Pvs |
|
|
1. South Plainfield (17) |
30-0 |
340 |
1 |
|
2. Bergen Catholic |
19-1 |
323 |
2 |
|
3. Brick Memorial |
24-2 |
306 |
3 |
|
4. Don Bosco Prep |
13-5 |
278 |
4 |
|
5. Bound Brook |
23-3 |
272 |
5 |
|
6. TR South |
24-4 |
266 |
7 |
|
7. St. Peter’s Prep |
18-5 |
228 |
9 |
|
8. Southern |
13-6 |
218 |
12 |
|
9. Hunterdon Central |
18-2 |
203 |
6 |
|
10. Phillipsburg |
13-4 |
183 |
8 |
|
11. High Point |
20-4 |
183 |
14 |
|
12. Delbarton |
14-3 |
146 |
10 |
|
13. Howell |
26-4 |
122 |
16 |
|
14. Jackson Memorial |
15-7 |
94 |
13 |
|
15. Hanover Park |
13-6 |
93 |
NR |
|
16. Kittatinny |
21-3 |
88 |
11 |
|
17. Delsea |
24-3 |
77 |
15 |
|
18. Long Branch |
19-6 |
66 |
NR |
|
19. Voorhees |
23-5 |
28 |
17 |
|
20. St. Joseph (Montvale) |
13-4 |
27 |
NR |
Others Receiving Votes: Brick 16, Shawnee 10, Camden Catholic 6, Warren Hills 2, North Hunterdon 1.
