Wrestlers Claim 14 District Titles, Set Eyes on Regions

River Dell and Bergen Catholic claimed a total of 14 district titles on the mat last week and are now currently battling out in the Region 2 tournament and the right to compete in Atlantic City.

In District 8, the Golden Hawks finished second as a team behind St. Joseph Regional, while Nick Baranello and DJ Tirelli won their third and second career district titles. Drew Nirchio, Cenzo Cariddi, Brendan Campbell and John Arancio all placed second and Tyler Kallansee finished third.

The Crusaders once again claimed the District 7 title and placed 12 wrestlers in the finals. Bergen began its historic run with 10 wrestlers earning a first round bye. This year's District 7 champions were Nick Suriano (106), Tyler Casamenti (113), Matthew Rose (120), JP Ascolese (132), Laurien Anghelina (138), Joe Grello (152), Kevin Mulligan (160),  Gianni Hallak (170), Johnny Sebastian (182), Connor O'Brien (195), Christian Jenco (220)  and Carmine Goldsack (285). Troy Schaafsma (126), and Danny DeLorenzi (145) also appeared in the finals and finished second.

Editor's Note: Due to the Region 2 tournament's ongoing status, a complete recap will be published next week prior to the state tournament in Atlantic City.

Hockey

In their first state appearance since 2008, the Golden Hawks had to fight through regulation and then overtime before falling to Millburn, 1-0, on the ice. Senior goalie Connor O'Reilly finished the game with 53 saves.

Bergen Catholic was eliminated from the 2013 Non-Public State Playoffs as the young Crusaders faltered against St. Augustine Prep, 6-2.

Basketball

Bergen Catholic finished out the regular season on a high note by defeating Wayne Valley, 59-50 prior to starting their North NonPublic Group A race. The Crusaders easily downed Delbarton 62-50 in the state tournament with Nadi Beciri leading the charge with 24 points but Bergen fell to top-seeded Seton Hall Prep, 79-62, for the second consecutive season that the Pirates have knocked the Crusaders out of the playoffs in the quarterfinal round. 

The Golden Hawks fell to Mt. Olive, 85-52 in their state tournament as once again River Dell was ousted early in the state tournament. Dan Desiderio led River Dell with 16 points, and Nick Shanman scored 10 points.

The Lady Hawks held on to defeat Demarest 48-42 in their opening state game as Kayla McGovern banked 14 points and Kayleen Melvin completed a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. However the Lady Hawks were upset in the Round of 16 by rival Pascack Valley 37-25 in a tight game that limited both sides to single digits until the final period when the Indians pulled ahead for good. McGovern led with 13 points.

Indoor Track

The Hawks set two school records this past week as Bridget Brindley vaulted a 10-6 for a seventh place tie in the State Meet of Champions and the girls 4-x-800 relay (Paige Fernandez, Emily Croonquist, Maddie Bonavita, Sam Schleiger) placed third in the Eastern State Championships with a time of 9:34.31. 

Austin Berniger (9th, Shot Put), Calvin Hartman (9th, Pole Vault), Paige Fernandez (16th, 800m), Laura Oh (20th, Shot Put) also competed at the State Meet of Champions.

The following athletes took part in the Eastern State Championships: Boys 4-x-400 relay (Christian DeSanctis, Ryan Oellermann, Zach Hubner, Conor Davidson) in 23rd, DaSanctis (31st, Long Jump; 18th Triple Jump), Michael Boucher (40th, Long Jump), Berninger (10th, Shot Put), Andrew Tummino (28th, Shot Put), Girls 4-x-400 relay (Noreen Bryne, Schleiger, Fernandez, Melissa Gibbons) was 10th, Marina Reilly (10th, Long Jump; 25th, Triple Jump), Bryne (27th, Long Jump; 26th Triple Jump), Brindley (7th, Pole Vault) and Oh (10th, Shot Put).

Kyle Ellerson (20th, 55m dash) and Jack Lippin (30th, Shot Put) represented Bergen Catholic at the State Meet of Champions while the 4-x-800 relay (Joe Ludwig, Dan Lynch, Matt Morano, Craig Scheuring) finished in 17th at the Easter State Championships.

Follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our free daily newsletter.