Correction: This is the second year that the top four finishers in each weight class qualify for the state finals.
NUTLEY, NJ – Nutley High School wrestlers Frank DeMaio and Frank Gabriele advanced to the NJSIAA state finals after finishing in the top four of their respective weight classes at the Region 3 tournament held at West Orange High School, Feb. 21, 23 and 24.
DeMaio finished in third place in the 160-pound weight class, while Gabriele placed fourth in the 170-pound class.
The top four finishers in each weight class qualified for the state finals, which will be held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, March 2, 3, and 4.
The Raiders, under heach Mike DiPiano, had four other wrestlers at the Region 3 tournament, which consisted of the top three finishers in each weight class from the District 9, 10, 11 and 12 tournaments. NHS competed at District 10. The other Raiders at the region tournament were 106-pound Dominick Cofone, 126-pound Jacob Gonzalez, 138-pound Sal Maniero, and 220-pound Joey Dalessio.
Cofone finished in sixth place.
Region 3
Feb. 21
First round
106: Cofone pinned Dean Savercool, Whippany Park, 3:13.
126: Yousef Salem, North Bergen, pinned Gonzalez, 1:25. Gonzalez eliminated.
138: Alex Jones, Caldwell, pinned Maniero, 3:19. Maniero eliminated.
160: DeMaio pinned Nicholas Hildebrandt, Warren Hills, 1:34.
170: Gabriele decisioned Shawn Burke, Hackettstown, 11-4.
220: Dalessio decisioned Daniel Jimenez, Hanover Park, 7-2.
Feb. 23
Quarterfinals
106: Michael Rodriguez, Becton, decisioned Cofone, 6-0.
160: DeMaio decisioned Josh Ramos, Phillipsburg, 5-0.
170: Gabriele decisioned Robinson Reyes,Secaucus, 5-3.
220: Trey Zgombic, Delbarton, major decisioned Dalessio, 11-1.
Feb. 24
Semifinals
160: Matthew Liberato, Hanover Park, pinned DeMao, 1:50.
170: AJ Lonski, Delbarton, pinned Gabriele, 1:09.
Wrestleback quarterfinals
106: Cofone decisioned Logan Maczko, Phillipsburg, 10-4.
220: Stephen Murphy, Caldwell, decisioned Dalessio, 2-1 tiebreaker-2. Dalessio eliminated.
Wrestleback semifinals
106: Nicholas Nardone, Delbarton, technical fall over Cofone, 18-3, 3:29.
160: DeMaio decisioned Thomas Stigliano, Whippany Park, 8-2.
170: Gabriele decisioned Nick Zarra, Hanover Park, 3-2.
Fifth-place consolation
106: Michael Rodriguez, Becton, decisioned Cofone, 8-5.
Third-place consolations
160: DeMaio decisioned John DeVito, West Morris, 7-6.
170: Lance Wissing, Phillipsburg, pinned Gabriele, 0:56.
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