Morris County wrestlers move on in Regions

Morristown's Chase Champi got hot at Region 3 and punched his ticket to the NJSIAA wrestling tournament in Atlantic City last winter.

He'd like nothing more than to return to Boardwalk Hall, and to bring along some of his Colonials teammates.

Champi and the Colonials went 4-0 at the region preliminaries Wednesday, so five Morristown wrestlers aim to advance at the quarterfinals at Union at 6 p.m. today.

"This is my last year, so I want to make the most of it," said Champi (152), who'll face Cranford's Brian McGovern in a quarterfinal after beating Scotch Plains' Michael Ramos by fall in 1:48 in a preliminary.

Last year, Champi transferred in from Seton Hall Prep and placed third in the region, which qualified him for states.

"Wrestling here last year gives me confidence because of what happened," he said. "My seed is better and that gives me confidence. Everyone is always nervous before they wrestle, no matter what, but I have the experience of wrestling here, so that definitely helps."

Morristown teammate Justin Contreras (160), who pinned Chatham's  Jake Holman in just 14 seconds in a prelim, will face Delbarton's Luke Anselmi in a quarterfinal.  Contreras' experience at Union is a distant memory, which is why his victory continued a Cinderella story of sorts.

The senior qualified for the regions as a freshman but was knocked out in the Wednesday night preliminary. As a sophomore, he didn't get out of District 9.

Last year, he tore his ACL and spent his entire offseason trying to get healthy for his senior season.

"He did so much just to get back here," Morristown coach Robert Pellechio said.

Contreras is trying to make up for lost time. He sure did in his preliminary match.

"If I never got back, I'd be devastated," he said. "I got here and I was feeling anxious, but then I heard them playing Frank Sinatra over the PA system (Union High School's annual pre-tournament warmup music). I was ready to go."

Morristown's Dylan Allison (120), Brandon Diaz (220), and Brian Fajardo (285) all have quarterfinal matches as well. The Colonials are making their presence felt at Union.

"We had a great night," Pellechio said. "Hopefully it can continue."

Self-made wrestlers

Delbarton's Mike Grey, Antonio Mangione and Ty Agaisse  came in as talented wrestlers who quickly made their presence felt at the NJSIAA Tournament over the years.

But some members of the Green Wave have taken years to work their way up the ranks, like twin brothers Nick and Luke Anselmi, Val Miele, and A.J. Lonski.

Those wrestlers paid their dues and struggled before tasting any kind of success.

The Anselmis didn't thrive when they began wrestling. But through time and effort, the two have ground it out and will try and make their way to the state tournament this weekend.

Both captured back-to-back District 9 championships last weekend at Morristown.

"The Anselmis are a true testament to what Delbarton wrestling is all about," Green Wave coach Bryan Stoll said. "They weren't heralded when they first got here. They're program guys. Seeing them get to the top of the podium at districts makes it special for us."

The Mendham residents followed in the footsteps of their father, Andrew, a Delbarton graduate.

Both of them were clutch, using conditioning to win the district.

Nick had a takedown in the final 18 seconds to beat returning state qualifier Chase Champi of Morristown. Luke had a takedown with just seven seconds left in the first overtime to beat Parsippany's Mike Ilic, 3-1.

Nick Anselmi was fifth-sixth at Region 3 last year. Luke qualified for A.C.

Miele placed in the Top 12 at states last year and wants to advance much further this time. He was a district champion when he beat Hanover Park's Matthew Liberato, 4-0.

"This was a good place for me to see where I am," Miele said. "I'm striving for a region title and then placing high in the state. I've been behind Nick Farro and Ty Agaisse. They've been in the spotlight and it's nice to get my chance."

Lonski is one of the more unlikely standouts Delbarton has had. Before coming to Delbarton, the freshman attended Saddle River Day, not exactly a wrestling powerhouse. He also wasn't anything special as a youth wrestler.

He had reconstructive surgery on his ankle in Dec. 2014 after injuring it while wrestling. He didn't walk for a year as his weight rose from 112 to 160.

He hopes to make a name for himself this weekend.

"I just want to wrestle as hard as I can and if that's good enough, then great," Lonski said. "If it's not good enough, then there's always next year."

Comeback wrestler

Anthony Olivieri (170) had shoulder and knee woes that were so painful that he was forced to miss Hanover Park's sectional semifinal match against Caldwell two weeks ago.

But Oliveri is back and ready to repeat as Region 3 champion.

"It's my senior year, so I have to deal with it and move on," he said. "I wanted to wrestle in the sectionals, but I wasn't cleared, so I couldn't. It just makes me work harder. Everyone in front of me now is good, and no one is gonna roll over. I just need to out work everyone and work harder than everyone else."

Hornets teammate Dom DiFrancescantonio (106) has already built himself quite a freshman season. First, he won a Morris County Tournament title. Then last week, he won District 9. Now, it's on to Region 3.

Last year, he sat in the Morristown stands watching some of his heralded teammates win districts. Now, he gets his chance to add to his resume at the regions.

"I have to take it match by match and take every match the same," he said.