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History was made last weekend at Eastern Regional High School, as Luca Giagunto became the all-time leader in victories by a Hammonton wrestler.
By beating Washington Twp.’s Chaz Melton to win the District 31 championship at 144 pounds, Giagunto won for the 138th time in his career as a Blue Devil, passing Ryan Figueroa for the top spot on Hammonton’s list of all-time winners.
Giagunto has used the record as inspiration throughout his career. Family members tell the story of how before he began high school he would look at the banner in Hammonton’s gym listing all the wrestlers who have won more than 100 matches, visualizing his name at the top of the list.
The talented senior has won more than 30 matches in every season he’s worn a Blue Devils singlet, and having won the district championship last week, Giagunto has a chance to add to his total, first this week at Region 8 and, hopefully, later at the state championships.
“I’m happy to be remembered in Hammonton history as a wrestler just like Phil [Bakuckas], Kellen Whitney and [all those guys],” Giagunto said.
Last weekend’s district title was the third-straight for Giagunto, who also finished second as a freshman in 2022.
After two-straight fifth-place finishes at Region 8, Giagunto placed fourth last year, earning his first trip to Boardwalk Hall for the state championships.
That experience, along with his desire to advance even farther this season, have Giagunto on the cusp of another trip to states.
“I put a lot of work in just to stay healthy for every match since freshman year. I’ll get back to work this week, the job’s not finished,” Giagunto said.
Giagunto will lead a group of four Blue Devils at Region 8 this weekend. Fellow seniors Vincent Palermo, Shae Way and Gavin Morris also qualified.
Palermo won the District 31 championship at 165 pounds, continuing a season that has seen him compile a 34-2 record.
Way placed second a 120 pounds and will look to earn his second-straight visit to the state championships.
Morris has fought his way back from a serious elbow injury and also placed second last week, competing at 126 pounds.
“Every one of those guys is a hard worker and they’ve shown the ability to compete in every match,” Hammonton coach Dave Mauriello said of his group of seniors.
It takes a special type of athlete to wrestle, and only the most dedicated and focused are able to be successful.
The Hammonton wrestlers who will compete at Region 8 this weekend at Williamstown have shown they are ready for the challenges ahead as they seek to add victories and continue on the road to a state championship.
Dan Russoman is the news/sports director of The Gazette. Follow Russoman on X @DanRussoman.
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