Overall Record: 25-5 / Shore Conference: 10-2 / A-North: 5-2
ShoreConferenceWrestling.com Wrestlers of the Year
(Sr) Alex Baran - Manalapan
Weight: 138 / Record: 43-3 (17 Pins)
NJSIAA State Tournament Qualifier (3-time Qualifier)
2nd Place Region 5 (3-time Medal Winner)
District 20 Champion (2-time Champion / 3-time Medal Winner)
Shore Conference Tournament Champion
Walter Woods Tournament Champion
Nottingham Invitational Champion
Team Leader in Wins
Set Record for Wins in a Season at Manalapan
Broke Program Record for Career Wins
| Wgt | Wrestler | Record | Post-Season |
| 106 | (So) Chris Balzano | 22-15 | |
| 106 | (Sr) Bobby Caze | 6-8 | |
| 113 | (So) Calvin Burke | 17-8 | D20-3rd / R5-PQ |
| 113 | (Fr) Drew Gross | 1-0 | |
| 113 | (Fr) Andrew Pierce | 0-1 | |
| 120 | (Sr) Noah Rojas | 6-13 | |
| 120 | (Jr) Zach Simmons | 7-14 | |
| 126 | (Jr) Hunter Konstantoulas | 30-10 | D20-1st / R5-4th / NJ-WB2 |
| 126 | (So) Jason Porcaro | 0-1 | |
| 126 | (Fr) Thomas DeVito | 2-1 | |
| 132 | (Sr) Kareem Ghaida | 24-8 | D20-2nd / R5-WB1 |
| 132 | (Jr) Mike LaRocca | 1-1 | |
| 138 | (Sr) Alex Baran | 43-3 | D20-1st / R5-2nd / NJ-WB3 |
| 138 | (So) James Grande | 9-10 | |
| 145 | (Sr) Ryan McCoy | 13-7 | |
| 145 | (Sr) Andrew Keller | 20-10 | D20-2nd / R5-PQ |
| 152 | (Sr) Paul Santomarco | 38-10 | D20-1st / R5-3rd / NJ-WB4 |
| 152 | |||
| 152 | (Jr) Gabe Pesh | 2-6 | |
| 160 | (Jr) Matt Benedetti | 41-7 | D20-1st / R5-2nd / NJ-6th |
| 170 | (Jr) Dylan Waller | 30-12 | D20-3rd / R5-5th |
| 170 | (Fr) Bryce Enlow | 1-0 | |
| 170 | (Fr) John Castro | 0-1 | |
| 182 | (So) Gavin Claro | 34-11 | D20-2nd / R5-4th / NJ-WB2 |
| 182 | (Sr) John Montgomeie | 16-11 | D20-3rd / R5-PQ |
| 195 | |||
| 220 | (Sr) Jordan Adelson | 6-7 | |
| 220 | (So) George Zavalnik | 13-7 | |
| Hwt | (Jr) Matt Kovacs | 20-9 | |
| Hwt | (Sr) Ahmed Munzer | 4-5 | |
| Hwt | (Jr) Andrew Hasan | 0-1 | |
| | | | |
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| 12/15 | Nottingham Invitational | 1st Place |
| 12/19 | at Freehold Twp | W 62-12 |
| 12/22 | at Perth Amboy | W 50-12 |
| Plainfield | W 63-9 | |
| Montville | L 29-30 | |
| 12/27 | Walter Woods Tournament | 5th Place |
| 12/29 | vs Scotch Plains-Fanwood | W 49-22 |
| Holmdel | W 52-3 | |
| Kearny | W 57-15 | |
| 1/2 | vs CBA | W 57-12 |
| 1/5 | at Marlboro | W 51-9 |
| Freehold Boro | W 63-3 | |
| 1/8 | vs Colts Neck | W 37-25 |
| 1/11 | at Shore Regional | W 51-30 |
| 1/12 | at Dumont | W 47-24 |
| West Morris Mendham | L 30-31 | |
| Old Tappan | W 51-20 | |
| 1/14 | vs East Brunswick | W 65-0 |
| 1/16 | vs Long Branch | L 29-36 |
| 1/19 | at Ocean Township | W 42-24 |
| Bridgewater-Raritan | W 55-12 | |
| 1/23 | at Howell | L 13-45 |
| 1/26 | Shore Conference Tournament | 10th Place |
| 1/30 | vs Middletown South | W 37-32 |
| 2/2 | at South Brunswick | W 62-11 |
| Nottingham | W 74-6 | |
| Highland Park | W 59-21 | |
| 2/4 | CJG5-QF: vs Freehold Twp | W 60-12 |
| 2/6 | CJG5-SF: vs Monroe | W 44-15 |
| 2/8 | CJG5-F: at Hunterdon Central | L 23-39 |
| 2/9 | at Ridge | W 43-33 |
| Morris Catholic | W 47-15 | |
| Sparta | W 62-18 | |
| 2/16 | District 20 | 2nd Place |
| | | |
3/2: Benedetti Places 6th in AC
STATE AGATES
(Jr) Matt Benedetti / NJ-6th (160)
PRELIM: Matt Benedetti (Manalapan) md. Connor Fritsch (Pope John) 10-1
PQ: Matt Benedetti (Manalapan) p. Justin Leonard (Ramapo) 5:51
QF: Matt Benedetti (Manalapan) d. Colin Morgan (West Orange) 8-3
SF: Robert Kanniard (Wall) md. Matt Benedetti (Manalapan) 16-6
WBSF: Corey Fischer (West Deptford) d. Matt Benedetti (Manalapan) 3-1
5TH: Vincent Andreano (Delbarton) d. Matt Benedetti (Manalapan) 4-0
(Sr) Paul Santomarco / NJ-WB4 (152)
PRELIM: Jack Wilt (Seton Hall) d. Paul Santomarco (Manalapan) 2-0
WB1: Paul Santomarco (Manalapan) p. Jack Milazzo (Robbinsville) 5:26
WB2: Paul Santomarco (Manalapan) d. Paul Jakub (Howell) 10-9
WB3: Paul Santomarco (Manalapan) d. Vincent Romaniello (Hunterdon Central) 6-4
WB4: Dante Stefanelli (Delbarton) tf. Paul Santomarco (Manalapan) 4:28 15-0
(Sr) Alex Baran / NJ-WB3 (138)
PRELIM: Craig Cook (Burlington Twp) d. Alex Baran (Manalapan) 3-2 UTB
WB1: Alex Baran (Manalapan) d. Alex Amato (South Plainfield) 6-0
WB2: Alex Baran (Manalapan) d. Robert Woodcock (Southern Regional) 2-1
WB3: Tim Spatola (Delsea) d. Alex Baran (Manalapan) 7-5
(Jr) Hunter Konstantoulas / NJ-WB2 (126)
PRELIM: James Rodriguez (Perth Amboy) d. Hunter Konstantoulas (Manalapan) 6-2
WB1: Hunter Konstantoulas (Manalapan) d. Kameron Jenkins (Timber Creek) 11-5
WB2: Jack Bauer (Hunterdon Central) d. Hunter Konstantoulas (Manalapan) 8-1
(So) Gavin Claro / NJ-WB2 (182)
PRELIM: Christopher Foca (Bergen Catholic) p. Gavin Claro (Manalapan) 0:57
WB1: Gavin Claro (Manalapan) won by forfeit over Michael Jannucci (Colts Neck)
WB2: Curtis Thomas (Delsea) p. Gavin Claro (Manalapan) 4:13
2/23: 5 Braves Advance to Atlantic City
REGION 5 AGATES
(Sr) Alex Baran / R5-2nd (138)
QF: #2 Alex Baran (Manalapan) d. Evan Klimas (North Hunterdon) 7-4
SF: #2 Alex Baran (Manalapan) d. #3 Max Brignola (Rumson) 8-2
1ST: #1 Alec Bobchin (Princeton) d. #2 Alex Baran (Manalapan) 3-1
(Jr) Matt Benedetti / R5-2nd (160)
QF: #3 Matt Benedetti (Manalapan) md. #11 Norman Cella (Hunterdon Central) 14-2
SF: #3 Matt Benedetti (Manalapan) md. #2 Joseph Hatcher (Piscataway) 9-0
1ST: #4 Michael Wilson (North Hunterdon) d. #3 Matt Benedetti (Manalapan) 4-2
(Sr) Paul Santomarco / R5-3rd (152)
QF: #3 Paul Santomarco (Manalapan) d. #6 Anthony DeRosa (Delaware Valley) 4-2
SF: #2 Ray O'Callaghan (Hillsborough) md. #3 Paul Santomarco (Manalapan) 11-2
WB2: #3 Paul Santomarco (Manalapan) d. #4 Marcus Petite (Piscataway) 4-3
3RD: #3 Paul Santomarco (Manalapan) d. #6 Anthony DeRosa (Delaware Valley) 10-3
(Jr) Hunter Konstantoulas / R5-4th (126)
QF: #2 James Rodriguez (Perth Amboy) d. #7 Hunter Konstantoulas (Manalapan) 7-2
WB1: #7 Hunter Konstantoulas (Manalapan) d. #11 Seth Rotondella (St John Vianney) 5-3
WB2: #7 Hunter Konstantoulas (Manalapan) p. #4 Daniel Monahan (Princeton) 5:18
3RD: #3 David Loniewski (South Plainfield) d. #7 Hunter Konstantoulas (Manalapan) 7-0
(So) Gavin Claro / R5-4th (182)
PQ: #11 Gavin Claro (Manalapan) md. #6 Kyle Barrett (Hunterdon Central) 12-1
QF: #3 Nicholas Lodato (Piscataway) p. #11 Gavin Claro (Manalapan) 1:59
WB1: #11 Gavin Claro (Manalapan) by forfeit
WB2: #11 Gavin Claro (Manalapan) d. #4 Christian Perrine (East Brunswick) 10-8 SV
3RD: #3 Nicholas Lodato (Piscataway) d. #11 Gavin Claro (Manalapan) 9-6
(Jr) Dylan Waller / R5-5th (170)
PQ: #7 Dylan Waller (Manalapan) d. #10 Divon Pender (South Plainfield) 11-4
QF: #2 Gabriel Rodrigues (Piscataway) d. #7 Dylan Waller (Manalapan) 6-2
WB1: #7 Dylan Waller (Manalapan) md. #11 Antonino Oneto (Sayreville) 14-2
WB2: #4 Shawne Ramsby (Delaware Valley) d. #7 Dylan Waller (Manalpan) 4-1
5TH: #7 Dylan Waller (Manalapan) d. #3 Zach Dobson (Pingry) 6-5
(Sr) Kareem Ghaida / R5-WB1 (132)
PQ: #7 Kareem Ghiada (Manalapan) d. #10 Brandon Flores (Manville) 9-6
QF: #2 Al DeSantis (Shore Regional) md. #7 Kareem Ghiada (Manalapan) 13-1
WB1: #6 Trevor Mastorio (Sayreville) d. #7 Kareem Ghiada (Manalapan) 4-0
(So) Calvin Burke / R5-PQ (113)
PQ: #11 Deon Pleasant (Piscataway) by injury default over #6 Calvin Burke (Manalapan)
(Sr) Andrew Keller / R5-PQ (145)
PQ: #11 Dominic Riendeau-Krause (Princeton) d. #6 Andrew Keller (Manalapan) 8-6
(Sr) John Montgomeie / R5-PQ (195)
PQ: #5 Ian Gaburo (North Hunterdon) d. #12 John Montgomeie (Manalapan) 7-1
2/16: Braves Finish 2nd at District 20
1st Place
126: Hunter Konstantoulas
138: Alex Baran
152: Paul Santomarco
160: Matt Benedetti
2nd Place
132: Kareem Ghaida
145: Andrew Keller
182: Gavin Claro
3rd Place
113: Calvin Burke
170: Dylan Waller
195: John Montgomeie
Paul Santomarco won his 3rd District Title, the Braves 1st 3-timer since 2004 and 7th overall, and in the process became the 100th District Champion in program history. Alex Baran improved to a perfect 39-0 on his way to winning his 2nd title, and is now one win away from tying the school record of 120 career wins, held by John Appice (2010-2013) . The 39 wins also ties Appice's single season record for the Braves, set in 2013. Also winning titles for the Braves were junior Matt Benedetti, his 2nd and the 101st overall for the Braves, and junior Hunter Konstantoulas, who won his first.
2/9: RIDGE QUAD
Manalapan 43 - Ridge 33 (BOX SCORE)
Manalapan 47 - Morris Catholic 15 (BOX SCORE)
Manalapan 62 - Sparta 18 (BOX SCORE)
2/6: CJG5 SEMIFINALS
#2 Manalapan 44 - #3 Monroe 15 (BOX SCORE)
CJG5 Finals: #2 Manalapan @ #1 Hunterdon Central on Friday nigh
2/4: CJG5 QUARTERFINALS
#2 Manalapan 60 - #7 Freehold Twp 12 (BOX SCORE)
M: Baran (31-0); Benedetti (28-3); Santomarco (26-5) / #3 Monroe @ #2 Manalapan on Wednesday night
2/2: SOUTH BRUNSWICK QUAD
Manalapan 62 - South Brunswick 11 (BOX SCORE)
Manalapan 74 - Nottingham 6 (BOX SCORE)
Manalpan 59 - Highland Park 21 (BOX SCORE)
1/30: A-NORTH
1/26: Braves Finish 10th at 2019 Shore Conference Tournament
1st Place
138: Alex Baran
2nd Place
170: Matt Benedetti
1/14: NON-CONFERENCE
Manalapan 65 - East Brunswick 0 (BOX SCORE)
M: Benedetti (18-2); Kovacs (14-2); Waller (14-5); Burke (13-4)
1/12: DUMONT QUAD
West Morris Mendham 31 - Manalapan 30 (BOX SCORE)
Manalapan 47 - Dumont 24 (BOX SCORE)
Manalapan 51 - Old Tappan 20 (BOX SCORE)
1/11: NON-DIVISION
Manalapan 51 - Shore 30 (BOX SCORE)
M: Benedetti (14-2); Konstantoulas (14-1); Kovacs (12-1)
1/8: NON-DIVISION
Manalapan 37 - Colts Neck 25 (BOX SCORE)
M: Baran (16-0); Santomarco (13-2); Benedetti (13-2); Ghaida (12-3)
M: Simmons, Konstantoulas, Baran, Keller, Santomarco, Waller, Claro, Zavalnik, Kovacs go 3-0 on the day
1/2: A-NORTH
Manalapan 57 - CBA 12 (BOX SCORE)
M: Ghaida (10-3) md. LaCorte; Baran (13-0); Santomarco (10-2); Benedetti (11-2)
12/29: MANALAPAN QUAD
Manalapan 52 - Holmdel 3 (BOX SCORE)
Manalapan 57 - Kearny 15 (BOX SCORE)
Manalapan 49 - Scotch Plains 22 (BOX SCORE)
M: Balzano, Kostantoulas, Keller, & McCoy go 3-0 on the day.
12/27: Braves Finish 5th at Walter Woods Tournament
1st Place
138: Alex Baran
2nd Place
113: Calvin Burke
132: Kareem Ghaida
3rd Place
170: Matt Benedetti
12/2: PERTH AMBOY QUAD
Manalapan 50 - Perth Amboy 12 (BOX SCORE)
Manalapan 63 - Plainfield 9 (BOX SCORE)
Montville 30 - Manalapan 29 (BOX SCORE)
M: Konstantoulas, Baran, Benedetti, Kovacs go 3-0
Manalapan 62 - Freehold Twp 12 (BOX SCORE)
M: Keller, Santomarco, Benedetti, Claro, Zavalnik, Kovacs, Balzano, Grande pin for Braves
12/15: Braves Take 1st at Nottingham Invitational
1st Place
138: Alex Baran
160: Paul Santomarco
2nd Place
132: Kareem Ghaida
170: Matt Benedetti
195: Gavin Claro
3rd Place
182: Dylan Waller
Hwt: Ahmed Munzer
2019 Season Preview
Head Coach: Scott Pressman (12th Season / Record: 261-127)
Returning Wins Leader From 2018
Matt Benedetti (35-10)
Returning Career Wins Leader in 2019
Paul Santomarco & Alex Baran (80 wins)
Milestone Watch
Three Braves have a shot at reaching 100 wins this season, with Paul Santomarco and Alex Baran needing 20 and Matt Benedetti needing 38.
Fun Fact
The Braves are tied with Long Branch for most Shore Conference Tournament Championships for a Monmouth County team with 3.
Where They Open
12/15: @ Nottingham Invitational
Circle The Date
1/5: Quad w/ Long Branch, Freehold Boro, @ Marlboro - The Braves return a strong group from last season, and will give us a look at who will be the #1 contender to Howell in A-North when they face the Green Wave in a quad.
The Braves have racked up 50 dual wins over the past two seasons on the strength of deep lineups with talent spread throughout; a formula that appears to be present with the 2019 lineup, as well.
The team has its most experience in the run from 132-160, as it could be an all senior stretch of Kareem Ghaida (24-13 / 2nd D21), Alex Baran (28-8 / 1st D21, 2nd R6), Ryan McCoy (2-2), Andrew Keller (17-7), and Paul Santomarco (27-11 / 1st D21). There's good depth here as well, including Gabe Pesh, an 18-bout winner at Shore Regional in 2018, and Ryan Harrington, a transfer from Colts Neck, which will give head coach Scott Pressman the ability to juggle the lineup if needed.
There's no let up after the senior run from 32-60 as Dylan Waller and Matt Benedetti, both juniors, project to occupy the 170/182 slots. Benedetti led the team in wins last season, won the District 21 crown, and punched a ticket to AC with a 3rd place finish in the Region. Waller, was 9-6 in 2018, splitting time in the varsity lineup, and could be poised for a breakout season with full time duties.
Up top at 195-Hwt, Matt Kovacs is the lone returning starter. Kovacs is coming off a solid 2018 in which he won 16 bouts wrestling mostly up at heavyweight.
There will be some new starters down low, as well, from 106-126 with Calvin Burke (21-12) the only full timer returning. Among those expected to compete for starting spots are Bobby Caze, Chris Balzano, Zac Simmons, and Hunter Konstantoulas, who all gained some varsity experience a season ago.
There is a good mix of proven veterans and youth in this year's lineup that will be looking to continue the Braves' winning ways.
The team has its most experience in the run from 132-160, as it could be an all senior stretch of Kareem Ghaida (24-13 / 2nd D21), Alex Baran (28-8 / 1st D21, 2nd R6), Ryan McCoy (2-2), Andrew Keller (17-7), and Paul Santomarco (27-11 / 1st D21). There's good depth here as well, including Gabe Pesh, an 18-bout winner at Shore Regional in 2018, and Ryan Harrington, a transfer from Colts Neck, which will give head coach Scott Pressman the ability to juggle the lineup if needed.
There's no let up after the senior run from 32-60 as Dylan Waller and Matt Benedetti, both juniors, project to occupy the 170/182 slots. Benedetti led the team in wins last season, won the District 21 crown, and punched a ticket to AC with a 3rd place finish in the Region. Waller, was 9-6 in 2018, splitting time in the varsity lineup, and could be poised for a breakout season with full time duties.
Up top at 195-Hwt, Matt Kovacs is the lone returning starter. Kovacs is coming off a solid 2018 in which he won 16 bouts wrestling mostly up at heavyweight.
There will be some new starters down low, as well, from 106-126 with Calvin Burke (21-12) the only full timer returning. Among those expected to compete for starting spots are Bobby Caze, Chris Balzano, Zac Simmons, and Hunter Konstantoulas, who all gained some varsity experience a season ago.
There is a good mix of proven veterans and youth in this year's lineup that will be looking to continue the Braves' winning ways.
Possible Lineup in 2019
| Wgt |
Wrestler |
Record |
2018 |
| 106 |
(So) Chris Balzano |
0-3 |
|
| 106 |
(Sr) Bobby Caze |
3-5 |
|
| 113 |
(So) Calvin Burke |
21-12 |
|
| 113 |
(Sr) Noah Rojas |
||
| 120 |
(Jr) Zach Simmons |
1-2 |
|
| 120 |
(Fr) Thomas DeVito |
||
| 126 |
(Jr) Hunter Konstantoulas |
4-1 |
|
| 126 |
(So) Jason Porcaro |
||
| 132 |
(Sr) Kareem Ghaida |
24-13 |
2nd D21 |
| 132 |
(So) James Grande |
1-0 |
|
| 138 |
(Sr) Alex Baran |
28-8 |
1st D21 / 2nd R6 |
| 138 |
(Jr) Mike LaRocca |
||
| 145 |
(Sr) Ryan McCoy |
2-2 |
|
| 145 |
(Jr) Gabe Pesh |
18-13 |
|
| 152 |
(Sr) Drew Keller |
17-7 |
|
| 152 |
(Fr) Bryce Enlow |
||
| 160 |
(Sr) Paul Santomarco |
27-11 |
1st D21 |
| 160 |
(Jr) Ryan Harrington |
||
| 170 |
(Jr) Dylan Waller |
9-6 |
|
| 170 |
(So) Justin Nyers |
||
| 182 |
(Jr) Matt Benedetti |
35-10 |
3rd SCT / 1st D21 / 3rd R6 |
| 182 |
(Sr) John Montgomerie |
3-7 |
|
| 195 |
(So) Gavin Claro |
2-3 |
|
| 195 |
(Sr) Jordan Adelson |
1-6 |
|
| 220 |
(Jr) Matt Kovacs |
16-14 |
|
| 220 |
(So) George Zavalnik |
0-1 |
|
| Hwt |
(Sr) Ahmed Munzer |
0-4 |
|
| Hwt |
(So) Tyler Porter |
||
| |
|
|
|
Graduated in 2018
| Wgt |
Wrestler |
Record |
2018 |
| 120 |
AJ Sortino | 33-9 | 2nd D21 / 3rd R6 |
| 138 |
Josh Goldfarb | 12-7 | |
| 145 |
Anthony Coposky | 23-9 | 2nd D21 |
| 170 |
Andrew Burstyn | 13-13 | |
| 182 |
Anthony Jomo | 20-9 | |
| 195 |
Chadd Jinks | 6-10 | |
| 220 |
Peter Benedetti | 22-10 | 3rd D21 |
| |
|
|
|
Manalapan Braves Wrestling
