Hammonton wrestlers take down Mainland

Hammonton Blue Devils

LINWOOD—Hammonton High School’s wrestling team sandwiched a pair of wins against Cape Atlantic League rivals between two quad meets in what was a busy week for the Blue Devils.

After hosting a quad meet to open the week’s action, Hammonton went on the road to take on Mainland and posted a 52-15 win.

Beginning at 165 pounds, Hammonton won 10 matches in the meet, including the final nine, to earn the win.

Kevin Watson won the opening match of the night, taking down Vincent Hoag in 2:51 at 165 pounds. Mainland won the next four matches to take a 15-6 lead, but Hammonton began its comeback at 106 pounds where Justin Flood pinned Michael Borini in 1:20.

At 113, the Blue Devils took the lead for good when Shane Way pinned Andrew Siteman in 4:38. Logan Walters followed with a pin in 3:35 against Michael Gerace at 120 and at 126, Gavin Morris scored an 8-0 major decision against Cole Cayanan.

Luca Giagunto pinned Chris Mazue in 3:40 at 132 pounds and at 138, Frank Italiano defeated Nikko Carfagno 12-5. At 144, Brett Stansbury topped Yeshua Martinez 7-1 and Michael Maimone won at 150, pinning Tyler Sheeler in 5:28. Hammonton’s final win came at 157, as Michael Benedetto picked up a forfeit.

The next night, Hammonton won at home, defeating Vineland 51-16.

Vineland took an early lead with wins at 175 and 190 pounds, but at 215, Hammonton’s Serhii Chuhui put the Blue Devils on the board when he pinned Donny Saint Jean.

Mark Hartley followed with a pin against Giovanni Rivera at 285, and at 106, Justin Flood took down Josh Kinchen. Way pinned Leland Cinkowski at 113, and at 120, Walters took down Dominic Bosco. Giagunto had a pin at 126, taking down Kayden Cinkowski and at 132, Vincenzo Cirillo pinned Everett Cronk.

Following a pair of Vineland wins, Maimone pinned Austin Nordberg at 150 and Benedetto topped Noah Cruz 11-8 at 157.

The week’s action began with a quad meet that included Collingswood, Ocean City and Pinelands.

Hammonton’s lone win of the day came against Pinelands, 58-21.

Italiano won at 144, earning a 10-1 major decision against Jake Greenberg. Benedetto and Watson won forfeits at 157 and 165 respectively, and at 175, Julius Witcher pinned Leonaldo Mendoza in 2:44.

At 215, Michael Ryan pinned Anthony Aguanno in 5:17. Hartley followed with a fall at 285, pinning Qasi Goode in 5:50. Flood pinned Wyatt Pharo in 1:57 at 106 pounds and at 113, Way pinned Joseph Wainen in 1:04. Walters won by fall at 120, taking down Paul Renzulli and at 126, Giagunto won by forfeit.

Collingswood edged Hammonton 36-33. Each team won seven matches in the meet. For Hammonton, Flood, Giagunto and Hartley had pins.

Flood took down Mason Musciano at 106 pounds and at 126, Giagunto pinned Nathanial Plotts. Hartley pinned Nyeim Bennett at 285 pounds.

At 113, Way defeated Lino Bataloni 6-1. Benedetto won 10-5 against Chris Leek at 157 pounds and at 215, Chuhui defeated Geremia VanZandt 1-0.

Also for Hammonton, Ryan earned a forfeit win at 190.

Ocean City defeated Hammonton 42-39.

Flood, Way, Walters, Italiano and Watson each had pins. Flood pinned Charlie Hudak at 106 and at 113, Way took down Jacob Melini. At 120, Walters pinned Luke Finnegan. Italiano took down Logan Fearnhead at 138 and Watson pinned Clarence Smith at 165.

At 126, Giagunto defeated Zarian Cabalo 6-0 and at 285, Chuhui won by forfeit.

Hammonton ended the week at a quad meet hosted by Old Bridge, winning two-of-three matches.

The Blue Devils defeated Somerville 52-29, recording four pins. Flood took down Luke Matrovsky at 106 pound and at 113, Way pinned Ahmed Amin. Vincenzo Cirillo pinned Alexander Hernandez at 132 pounds and at 190, Ryan pinned Giovanni Ippolito.

Giagunto scored an 11-2 major decision at 126 against Jason Daleo, and Italiano (138), Benedetto (157), Chuhui (215) and Hartley (285) earned forfeit wins.

Hammonton had 10 victories in its 54-21 win against Woodbridge. At 106, Flood pinned Ma’ki Thomas and at 113, Way scored a technical fall (21-6) against Andrew Roy. Logan Walters win 8-6 against Angelo Campos at 120 pounds and at 126, Giagunto won by forfeit. Cirillo pinned Xzavier Moe at 132, Stansbury took down Davin Kress at 138 and at 144, Italiano pinned Chris Whyte.

Benedetto earned a 12-3 major decision against Lou Castanda at 157, Ryan took down Jonathan Arroyo at 190 and at 215, Chuhui pinned Zackaryus Guzman.

Old Bridge topped Hammonton 49-21.

Ryan downed Zachary Florio 10-6 at 190 pounds and at 106, Flood pinned Joseph Nalewajko in 1:34. Walters took down Daniel Ferraro in 34 seconds at 120 and at 165, Watson pinned Gage Gojani in 1:46.

Earlier this week, Hammonton hosted Absegami, but that meet ended too late for this edition. On January 28, the Blue Devils will join St. Joseph Academy and Audubon in a quad meet at Highland.