LAWRENCEVILLE—Throughout his 20-year tenure as Hammonton High School’s wrestling coach, Dave Mauriello has typically deflected credit for the program’s success.
That was the case again last weekend, as Mauriello collected the 350th victory of his career when the Blue Devils defeated Hunterdon Central 56-24 as part of a quad meet hosted by Notre Dame.
“I’m very pleased to achieve this milestone. I have had the amazing, good fortune to have great assistant coaches, the support of our school community and, most important, a lot of young people who were willing to buy in and work hard for us to be successful,” Mauriello said.
Mauriello was joined by his wife, Gia, and son, Brock as they and his father Paul, a Hall of Fame coach himself, celebrated with Hammonton’s wrestlers following the milestone win. Hammonton’s coach, who was presented with a banner and balloons, spoke having his dad with him on the bench.
“The milestone is really gratifying, but the cool thing for me is that I have been able to spend these years with my dad and sharing his love of the sport,” Mauriello said.
Hammonton defeated both Hunterdon Central and host Notre Dame last Saturday and lost to Toms River South.
Shane Way, Nate Clauhs, Scott Engelke, and Luca Giagunto each won three matches during the day.
The win against Hunterdon Central began with Mark Hartley pinning Vance LiBrizzi in 1:34 at 215 pounds. Two matches later, Tyler Police pinned Jackson Sabo in 1:45 at 106. Clauhs followed with a 24-9 major decision against Joseph Cassidy at 113 pounds and at 120, Way pinned Joshua Buck in 1:33.
After two Blue Devils losses, Giagunto scored a 15-0 technical fall against Jake Masterson at 138. At 144, Matthew Gehres won a 9-0 major decision against Andrew Zinko and at 150, Engelke pinned Kelson Brunner in 53 seconds.
Michael Maimone pinned Sai Gudi in 1:08 at 157 and at 165, Vincent Palermo won by forfeit.
Hammonton’s final victory came at 190, where Joseph Martinez pinned Joseph Rawlins in 5:50.
In a 54-18 win against Notre Dame, Police defeated Andrew Castro 10-8 at 106, beginning a run of six-straight wins for Hammonton. Clauhs pinned Daniel Gonzalez in 2:55 at 113 pounds and at 120, Way took down Jake Mulray in 1:44. Gavin Morris earned his first win of the season at 126 pounds, defeating Sebastian Molina 6-2.
At 132, Gavin Kovacs pinned Johnny Celli in 24 seconds and at 138, Giagunto scored a 16-1 technical fall, 16-1, against Luca Franzen.
Engelke won at 150, pinning Jaden Hunt in 1:33, and Palermo won a 10-0 major decision against KJ Honnig at 165. Matthew Kane pinned Jayden Leon in 1:09 at 175, Hartley took down Jeffrey Merendino in 2:08 at 215 and at 285, Zachary Goehringer won 7-5 against Zach Hammerstone.
Toms River South defeated Hammonton 42-35.
Clauhs won at 113, pinning Jonathan Correa in 3:09. Nic Cirillo pinned Yahir Cordero at 120, winning in 1:22.
Way had an 18-3 tech fall win against Ian Torres at 126 and at 138, Giagunto pinned Cullen Burr in 1:47. Engelke pinned Aiden Hanlon in 1:21 at 144 pounds and at 175, Palermo pinned William Logan in 1:20.
Earlier in the week, Hammonton celebrated its wrestling alumni prior to a match against Ocean City. The Blue Devils lost the meet 50-21.
Police won an 18-6 major decision against Sawyer Gayeski at 106. Cirillo pinned Sean Hoag in 2:50 at 113 pounds and at 120, Way took down Bryce Hanin in 1:03.
Giagunto earned a 17-2 technical fall against Luke Finnegan at 138 pounds.
The Blue Devils also dropped a match to Cape Atlantic League rival Lower Cape May on January 16, losing 48-25.
Hartley earned an 11-5 decision at 215, defeating John Hearon. At 106, Police pinned Landon Shivers and at 120, Way took down Cade Heacock.
Engelke took down Daniel Byrne at 150 pounds and at 165, Palermo earned a 13-4 major decision against Shane Morrell.
“I was very pleased with how we wrestled tonight (against Lower Cape May),” Mauriello said.
“We won some tough matches and in most of the ones we lost, we competed very well,” he said.
On January 22, Hammonton visits Mainland at 6 p.m.
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