Wrestling: Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings as state team tournament nears
With just over two weeks to go in the regular season, division races are heating up and postseason position is taking shape ahead of the start of the team state tournament, scheduled for the first week of February.
The 14th annual Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament was contested over the weekend and six Sussex County individuals won titles. Pope John finished with three champions, the most among Sussex County teams.
There's plenty of action on tap this week that will go a long way in determining NJAC division champions.
As division races heat up and the Morris County Tournament nears, here's a look at this week's Morris/Sussex Top 10 team rankings.
10. Butler (9-3)
Previous ranking: 10
The Bulldogs went 3-1 last week with wins over St. Mary, 45-29, Mendham, 40-28 and Ramsey, 51-28 and a setback to No. 8 Jefferson, 55-22. The race for the NJIC-Meadowlands is in focus this week with division leader Hasbrouck Heights in town on Wednesday.
9. Montville (7-4)
Previous ranking: 9
The Mustangs’ three-match win streak was snapped by Delbarton on Monday in a 71-6 road loss. The recent setback comes after a sweep at a weekend quad with wins over Sayreville, 40-24, Pingry, 61-15, and Kinnelon, 69-3. Montville went back-and-forth against Pope John last week in a 37-31 loss that came down to the final match of the night.
8. Jefferson (11-4)
Previous ranking: 8
The Falcons are one of the hottest teams in the area, having won eight straight. The Morris County school had a loaded schedule last week, picking up wins against North Warren, Hackettstown, Ramsey, Mendham and No. 10 Butler.
7. Sparta (5-1)
Previous ranking: 7
Following a quiet week on the dual meet front, the Sussex County school had a respectable showing at the competitive Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament on Saturday, finishing seventh in the team standings. Connor White captured the 215-pound title and four others earned medals.
6. Pope John (3-2)
Previous ranking: 6
The Sparta parochial school finished sixth as a team in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament and produced the most gold medalists out of all the Sussex schools with three individual champions and a runner-up. The Lions lost dual matches to parochial rivals Delbarton, 79-0 and Bergen Catholic, 52-24.
5. Hanover Park (8-4)
Previous ranking: 5
The East Hanover school maintained its lead in the NJAC Liberty by beating division rivals Madison, 57-12, and Boonton, 53-28, last week. The Hornets could lock up the division with a win over Pequannock on Wednesday.
4. High Point (4-3)
Previous ranking: 4
The Wildcats came up short against rival No. 3 Kittatinny, 33-24 last Friday, and won matches against Morris Hills, 44-9, and Newton, 55-18. Four individuals earned medals at the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament. A big home match against division rivals Jefferson is on tap on Wednesday.
3. Kittatinny (11-1)
Previous ranking: 3
The Cougars have been on a roll having won 10 of 11 matches. Last week, the Sussex County school defeated rival High Point, 33-24, to take the lead in the NJAC Freedom. Another stiff test is on the docket when Kittatinny travels to No. 7 Sparta on Friday for an intriguing NJAC crossover match.
2. Mount Olive (8-2)
Previous ranking: 2
The Flanders school sits tied atop the NJAC American with Delbarton. Last week’s match between the schools was postponed due to weather and rescheduled for Feb. 2. The Marauders travel to Sparta on Wednesday for a big dual against No. 6 Pope John.
1. Delbarton (8-3)
Previous ranking: 1
After dominating parochial rival Pope John, 79-0 last Friday, the Green Wave hung tough with the nation’s top-ranked team, Wyoming Seminary, in a 34-24 loss in Kingston, Pennsylvania. Two days later, the Morristown parochial school rolled over division rival Montville, 71-6.
Also considered: Lenape Valley (6-3), Mountain Lakes (11-2)
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Morris/Sussex wrestling rankings as state team tournament nears
