New Jersey has advanced eighteen wrestlers into the quarterfinal brackets at the NHSCA High School Nationals held in Virginia Beach. The tournament attracts wrestlers from throughout the country, with some brackets boasting exceeding 64 wrestlers. There are four high school divisions, broken down by grade.
Five wrestlers from Bergen County have moved on to the quarterfinals, including two from St. Joseph’s Regional in Montvale. Freshman Adam Sepulveda scored a technical fall , 19-3, over Ezrah Schonrog in the pre-quarters at 195; another win could potentially set up a semifinal match against fellow New Jersey wrestler Matty Gorbatuk of Manville.
Sepulveda’s Green Knight teammate, Teddy Harris, also advanced to the quarterfinals in the sophomore division at heavyweight. Harris has two pins in the tournament so far.
On the other side of Sepulveda’s bracket is Matthew Morrissey. The Old Tappan sophomore is coming off a seventh-place finish in Atlantic City at the New Jersey State Tournament two weeks ago.
Another Bergen County wrestler who medaled at Boardwalk Hall and remains in the running in Virginia Beach is Manny Gusfa. The Bergen Catholic Crusader is competing in the sophomore division at 160. Two weeks ago, Gusfa placed sixth in the state tournament.
New Jersey State silver medalist Joey Monticello is competing in the junior division, and has put on a dominating performance so far, with two pins and two technical falls to secure a place among the eight remaining contenders for gold.
Paramus Catholic sophomore River Hibler has secured four consecutive victories so far in the 132 pound division. Anthony Stover of the Peddie School is another Garden State sophomore who has advanced to the quarterfinals at 132.
Also advance to the quarterfinals are freshmen Eli Glover of Lower Cape May (132), Landon Lill of the Peddie School (138), Ryder Bernholz of Delbarton (170); sophomores Anthony Curlo of Blair (113), Dominic Dorrman of Ridge (195); juniors Chad McConnell of Pompton Lakes (165), Brock Oizerowitz of Christian Brother’s Academy, Levi Foote of Southern Regional (195); and seniors Jeremy Negron of Edison (132) and Cole Dunham of Pope John (160).
The quarterfinal round picks up Saturday morning.