By Andy Loigu

As the state wrestling championships get underway at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on March 2, seven Warren Hills Blue Streaks’ star performers will each have the chance to fulfill the goal of winning a state medal in his weight class when the finals take place on Saturday, March 4.

All seven reached the Region 3 semifinals at West Orange last weekend.

Warren Hills will be represented at Atlantic City by Charlie Piccione at 113 pounds (a sophomore), Tyler Redfield at 120 (a sophomore), Josh Lee at 126 (a junior), Shawn Redfield at 138, Cody Miller at 157, Mike Drazek at 175 and Jarett Pantuso at 215.

Hackettstown will be represented by Aiden Scheeringa at 106 pounds and Nick Balella at 132.

In the girls state tournament, already completed, Olivia Raia of Warren Hills placed fourth at 185.

As a team, Warren Hills has enjoyed a superlative season under District 12 Coach of the Year Dave Sbriscia. The Streaks went 17-4 in dual meets and won championships in the  Skyland Conference Valley Division, District 12. North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 and were a Group 3 state finalist for the second straight year.

Warren Hills took home a lot of hardware from the District 12 Championships at Randolph two weeks ago, with six champions, two second places and two third place finishers.

Pantuso won the 215 pound title at District 12 for the second straight year. Also winning titles were both Redfield brothers, Lee, Miller, and 190 pound senior Chris Whitehead.

Ryan Lundy (at 144), Piccione and Drazek took second place honors. Augie Szamreta (at 106) and Davey Rhinehart (132) were third place medalists.

Good luck to all nine young men from Hackettstown and Warren Hills who earned invites to the boardwalk at Atlantic City.

***

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.