Nine of the Knights advanced to Region 2 out of District 8 where Clausi was OW and Markey was named the District 8 Coach of the Year, and Nick Hughes,a 13-year assistant in the program, was named District 8 Assistant Coach of the Year.

“I think we have the best coaching staff in the state,” said Clausi. “They put in a lot of time and they always find new stuff to work in with us in the room.

“I know that my teammates have all benefitted from the extra work, and I believe that we’re ready to go down to AC and have a great tournament!”

Clausi pinned all three of his opponents in the Districts and he then recorded back-to-back pins in 1:54 and just 37 seconds in the quarterfinals and semis during this past weekend’s Region 2 action in Mount Olive.

He then earned a 4-1 decision vs. third-seeded Manny Gusfu of Bergen Catholic for the Region 2 title.

Other Knights qualifying for the states were Bastante (fourth at 126), freshman Joseph Fortmosa (third at 113) and Joe Cutruzzula (second at 190). 

Clausi was recently the No. 4 ranked wrestler in the 165-pound weight class according to nj.com, with only 1-Jayden James of Delbarton, 2-Josh Piparo of St. Peter’s Prep and 3-Morgan Schwarz of St. Joe’s of Metuchen ranked above him.

‘Reid is in a tough weight class for sure, but they are all tough now,” said Markey. “He’s been a very good wrestler since he came aboard with us as a freshman, and he just keeps getting better and better.”

Clausi, who visited Columbia University in October, and has an appointment to visit Harvard in April, could very well wind up at an Ivy League school.

“He’s a Division I wrestler, no doubt about it, and he will make any college’s wrestling program just that much better with him in the room,” added Markey. “We’re excited to see what he can continue to accomplish this weekend, and we’re also fortunate to have him for another season next year as well as he continues to etch his mark in the great history of West Essex wrestling!”

Caldwell Led By OW Soriente In Region 3 at West Orange

Solomon Soriente’s terrific senior season simply continued to grow in stature as the Chiefs’ senior earned OW in Region 3 at West Orange with his 138-pound championship as he earned a 22-11 major decision against Brodie Neill of West Morris.

Neill was leading in the second period of their 138-final before Soriente took control in the third period with escape points and then a key takedown to assume a 14-9 lead en route to his major decision.

State-ranked 120-pounder Carmine Sipper lost to No. 1 seeded and top-ranked Cam Sontz of Delbarton in their Region 3 title bout, but the Chiefs’ Navy-bound senior star placed second in a very tough bracket and joins Soriente, Michael Rankin (third at 106) and three fourth-place finishers in Yankee Mabee (126), Anthony Barrett (144) and Nicco Capaldo (165) in qualifying for the state tournament for coach Sean Romano’s fine Caldwell squad which captured its third straight state-sectional title this season.

Among other Essex wrestlers also headed to AC is Cedar Grove’s Rocco Capaldo (first at 106 in Region 2), and from Region 3 were also Nutley’s duo of Antonio Maiden (third at 165) and Nolan Brewer (fourth at 285), and St. Benedict’s trio of Tuguldur Bayarkuu (second at 215), Danny D'Arcy (second at 113) and Jenier Soto Pastrana (third at 157).

SHP Impresses With 7 State Qualifiers in Region 6

The Seton Hall Prep wrestling team traveled to Jackson Liberty High School for the NJSIAA Region 6 wrestling Tournament and had a very productive weekend as seven of its 11 wrestlers who made the trip qualified for the state tourney in AC.. SHP finished in second place in the final team standings with 158 1/2 points.

State Qualifiers For Pirates From Region 6:

120 lbs. - Fr. Noah Hernandez (27-10) finished in 2nd place when he lost to Ethan Michaels (Colts Neck) 13-1.

126 lbs. Sr. Joseph Viola (23-11) took 3rd place when he pinned Jason Marasco (Northern Burlington) in :23.

132 lbs Sr. Andre Morero (31-8) captured 1st place when he defeated Steven Ham (Lawrence) 13-3. Ham was undefeated (43-1) going into the final

144 lbs. Jr. Tyler Yildiz (29-9) took 3rd place when he pinned Justin Marcello (Northern Burlington) in 1:27.

157 lbs. Sr. August Katz (22-5) captured 1st place when he pinned James Jakub (CBA) in 1:49.
Katz lost twice to Jakub at the Catholic Duals and the State Team Tournament.

165 lbs. Sr. Brandon Papa (28-11) finished in 3rd place when he decisioned Dean Natale (Colts Neck) 15-2

215 lb. Sr. Rocco Salerno (33-5) captured 3rd place when he pinned Ivan Yultukhovskyi (Notre Dame :48.                       

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