UPDATED: Eagles Look to Add to Accomplishments at Region 8 Tournament

WEATHER UPDATE: Originally scheduled for today, snow has pushed back the start of the Region 8 tournament to Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

It wasn’t long ago that performances like the one the West Deptford High School wrestling team had last weekend would have seemed unheard of.

On Saturday, the Eagles brought home two District 29 titles–Drew Spector won at 140 pounds and Evan Zuzulock at 119–and advanced eight wrestlers to the NJSIAA Region 8 Wrestling Tournament, which begins Wednesday at Egg Harbor Township.

“I know that years before when (the program) had the old coach they would be lucky to get four wins (a season),” said Zuzulock. “Now with the record we had this year (19-4) and all of the kids doing good in districts, you see the really good progress.”

The wrestling program struggled through hard times much of last decade, with current goal of state championships never in the question. The program started its upswing four years ago when head coach John Craig brought the program back to respectability, and soon after, championship contention.

“I remember about five years ago the team kind of fell apart and then Coach Craig came in and built it back up,” said senior Sean Bonner. “We won a (South Jersey Group II) title last year and made the playoffs this year. I’m proud of everyone.”

Bonner wasn’t the only wrestler to credit Craig and his staff for pointing the program in the right direction.

“Our coach and the assistant coaches just do a tremendous job helping us in the practice room,” said Drew Spector, who earned a first-round bye. “They have helped us become a really good team.”

The group of eight that will be making the trip to Egg Harbor have a chance to help the Eagles make an even bigger name for themselves. Spector, Evan Zuzulock, Dustin Zuzulock, Tyler Kaminski, Josh Gilliano, James Shields, Sean Bonner and Rory Bonner will be aiming for a top-three finish that would assure them a spot in the state tournament in Atlantic City.

The tournament starts Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. with the No. 2 and No. 3 finishers from District 29, 30, 31 and 32 facing off to advance to the quarterfinals. The tournament will continue on Friday and will be brought to completion on Saturday.

Region 8 first-round pairings

103 Pounds

• Alex Eastlack, Gateway 28-5 vs. Joseph Rocks, Egg Harbor 23-3
• Thomas Moss, Williamstown 25-8 vs. Dustin Zuzulock, West Deptford 16-16
• Jake Martin, Millville 21-7 vs. Chris Bucceroni, Triton 21-9
• Zach Valcarce, Lower Cape May 23-4 vs. Tim Donnelly, Pennsville 24-12

112 Pounds

• Tyler Kaminski, West Deptford 26-4
• Steven Passarella, Washington Twp. 20-4 vs. Jacob Samuels, Pennsville 20-15
• Ricky Sassi, Penns Grove 26-6 vs. Ronray Harris, Middle Township 22-8
• William Coleman, Egg Harbor 17-9 vs. Michael Zold, Paulsboro 22-9

119 Pounds

• Juan Rivera, Paulsboro 21-9 vs. Stewart Richardson, Schalick 26-4
• Matt Salera, Washington Twp 21-6 vs. Jovanni Arroyo, Oakcrest 30-3
• Connor Bestwick, Woodstown 26-4 vs. Chris Norris, Gateway 23-8
• Mike Jiampetti, Absegami 27-7 vs. Robert McNeil, Winslow Twp. 26-9

125 Pounds

• Aaron Kalmetsky, Deptford 28-6 vs. Eric Hanusewicz, Cedar Creek 19-8
• Mike Graham, Williamstown 22-13 vs. Robby Wittman, Clearview 14-15
• Ryan Harbeson, Kingsway 17-6 vs. Gabriel Cisneros, Lindenwold 26-3
• Joseph Esposito, St. Augustine 28-4 vs. Tyler Green, Woodstown 21-14

130 Pounds

• Joshua Gilliano, West Deptford 24-8
• Dom Ruggierrio, Timber Creek 25-8 vs. Rian Lamanteer, Cumberland 22-11
• John Ecret, Pennsville 26-10 vs. Jason Cohen, Egg Harbor 14-2
• Steve Rossi, Lower Cape May 19-8 vs. Anthony Bennett, Paulsboro 16-7

135 Pounds

• Paul Koehler, Gloucester Catholic 20-8 vs. Nick Quiles, Millville 19-6
• Christian Matthew Salera, Washington Twp. 26-4 vs. Eric Lands, Mainland 20-11
• Jonathon Rodriguez, Vineland 7-10 vs. Nick Knauer, Paulsboro 20-11
• Nate Enders, Middle Township 19-10 vs. Kellen Whitney, Hammonton 29-7

140 Pounds

• Tylor McIlvaine, Pitman 21-10 vs. Joseph Devone, St. Augustine 25-7
• Anthony Whittick, Highland 23-8 vs. Mike Silvestro, Paulsboro 14-15
• Colton Newsome, Pennsville 28-8 vs. Christian Michael Salera, Washington Twp. 14-7
• Antonio Mancella, Oakcrest 24-3 vs. Richard Morris, Cumberland 23-9

145 Pounds

• Tyree Ellis, Paulsboro 16-6 vs. Keith Bauberger, Timber Creek 21-12
• Steve Struble, Hammonton 22-13 vs. Dylan Dobzanski, Delsea 28-7
• Devon Fennimore, Vineland 18-7 vs. Tyler Sentman, St. Augustine 21-10
• Justin Pierotti, Buena 27-8 vs. Brett Carrero, Deptford 28-4

152 Pounds

• James Shields, West Deptford 26-5
• Philip Bakuckas, Hammonton 29-4 vs. James Bennett, St. Augustine 20-12
• Billy Leone, Kingsway 15-8 vs. Steminto Rowe-Akins, Clayton 26-4
• Cleveland White, Atlantic City 18-5 vs. Ed Spaventa, Triton 16-13

160 Pounds

• Connor Donahue, Clearview 15-3 vs. DeShawn Washington, Oakcrest 14-9
• Caleb Shockley, Timber Creek 23-10 vs. Sean Bonner, West Deptford 25-7
• Brandon Sulik, Woodstown 28-6 vs. Jack Donio, St Joseph (Hammonton) 25-7
• Anthony DeSantis, Ocean City 32-2 vs. Robert Keener, Delsea 12-10

171 Pounds

• Rory Bonner, West Deptford 22-8
• Sean Oliva, Hammonton 19-10 vs. Chris Lail, Kingsway 14-4
• Nick Elmer, Penns Grove 26-2 vs. Jake Terry, Ocean City 25-7
• Frank Zeigler, Lower Cape May 13-5 vs. Andrew Hughes, Clearview 28-3

189 Pounds

• William Cioffi, Pitman 29-4 vs. Steffen Rodriguez, Vineland 21-4
• Bryheim Muse, Timber Creek 24-10 vs. Brandon Belger, Middle Township 15-13
• Tyler Coleman, Pennsville 29-7 vs. vs. Michael Robinson, Clayton17-5
• Cory Damiana, Lower Cape May 19-10 vs. Pat Campbell, St Joseph (Hammonton) 27-6

215 Pounds

• Curtis Nealer, Pitman 27-7 vs. Noah Repko, Buena 24-9
• Brian Beebe, Hammonton 27-8 vs. Jordan Murray, Clayton 17-5
• Anthony Jagielski, Pennsville 29-7 vs. AJ Lear, Timber Creek 25-8
• Lucas Pearson, Ocean City 24-6 vs. William Porch, Delsea 16-6

285 Pounds

• Tom Rementer, Clayton 28-2 vs. Darrius Garey, Triton 18-11
• Carmen Rocco, Williamstown 15-20 vs. Josh Hitchner, Woodstown 26-6
• Steven Paul, Cumberland 24-6 vs. Emad Ziyadeh, Buena 22-8
• Steve Schwartz, Absegami 28-5 vs. Mike Hayes, Deptford 17-13
• Trevant McCloud, Lindenwold 18-8 vs. Ed Shockley, Millville 22-6
• Ryan Wade, Highland 21-9 vs. Justin Fucetola, Hammonton 19-14