Wrestling: St. Joseph crowns nine champs, while Don Bosco freshman stands tall at Region 1

WEST MILFORD – Yannis Charles has heard all the hype around Boardwalk Hall. He's even seen a couple of photos.

Now the South Carolina native can start counting down the days until he steps foot in New Jersey's wrestling mecca.

The St. Joseph transfer punched his ticket to Atlantic City and went one step further on Saturday by winning the Region 1 title at 144 pounds. Most of his teammates will be going with him, as the Green Knights crowned nine champions and 13 medalists at West Milford.

Charles could not wipe the smile off his face after beating Dumont's Jeremy Quezada in a 10-4 decision. So what that he's had bigger wins as a two-time state finalist back at Clover High School? The capacity down at Anderson Arena is nothing like what he'll experience next weekend by the shore.

"(My teammates) told me that it's probably going to be one of the best tournaments I've been to in my life. They said it's the environment. It's definitely something that I've never experienced. I don't 100 percent believe them."

Don Bosco and Pope John both had two champions of their own while Newton's Thaylor Sibblies was honored as the Most Outstanding Wrestler for his title run at 157 pounds. There was no doubt about the most outstanding team with the Green Knights outscoring everyone else by a country mile.

Freshman Johnathon McGinty started their parade of champions at 106, while seniors Michael Dellagatta (190) and Jim Mullen (285) collected their third regional titles. Dellagatta and Mullen have been cornerstones in Montvale for the last four years and look to finish it off on a high note.

"I'm happy for the boys," coach Tom Farinaro said. "It just shows where they are and the goals that they have. This is the step for them for the next tournament where their ultimate goal is to be a state champ."

St. Joseph wound up with four other repeat champions with Donny Almeyda (132) and Mateo Sgambellone (138) in the middle and Rocco Dellagatta (175) and Aidan Schlett (215) toward the bottom.

Green Knight sophomore Ryan Burton joined his teammates atop the podium by pinning his way through the bracket at 165.

"My gas tank felt really good," Burton said, after pinning Pascack Valley's Ray Kohan in 2:19. "I was pushing the pace, letting him up and taking him down. It eventually opened up the pin."

Burton is already turning his focus on the state championships. The Westtown, N.Y. native pointed out that a job well done on Saturday will help him earn a high seed and improve his chances of reaching the podium. The DePaul transfer came to a new school this year, looking for an extra push after falling one round short of a state medal.

"I think about it every day," Burton said. "I got to get to the podium."

Don Bosco rookie steals the show

Santino Rodriguez stands out as soon as he steps on the mat.

It's not only the talent in the Don Bosco freshman, who beat returning region champion Vincent Paino (St. Joseph), 3-1, in one of the marquee finals at 120. It's the fact that he towers over his competition as a springy 5-foot-11 wrestler.

Don Bosco coach Jim Azzolina said it's only the second time he's had someone that tall competing at the 120 weight class. The other was state champion and former Rutgers star Sammy Alvarez.

"The similarities between the two of them are actually kind of stunning," Azzolina said.

"When we're in deep water and we're going against someone tough, that kid tends to find a way. He trains real hard and he's battled-tested."

That's exactly what happened on Saturday in a battle of Big North rivals. Rodriguez scored a takedown with under 10 seconds left to break a 1-1 tie and secure his first region gold. It's the second time this season that the Don Bosco rookie has won a nailbiter over Paino.

Rodriguez usually likes to attack and score as much as possible, but had to alter the gameplan this time.

"I was patient," Rodriguez said. "I knew I was going to end up taking him down. I just had to wait for that perfect time."

The East Hanover native is starting to change the outlook at Don Bosco, along with classmate and hometown friend Dante DeLuca (second at 190). Rodriguez played football for a while, but dropped it in seventh grade because of his success on the mat and how much he loved getting his hand raised. He has fond memories of going down to watch the state tournament with his dad, Manny, and staying in Caesars Atlantic City.

"He's probably the nicest kid on my team," Azzolina said. "He's a good young man, a straight A-student, which is the bonus. He's focused. It's about wrestling and school. That's what he works toward. He's a leader."

Tenafly wrestler ends drought

A bloody forehead didn't bother Jeremy Pitcock after giving Tenafly its first state qualifier since the early 90's.

Especially after losing in the Blood Round a year ago as a sophomore.

The 165-pounder sealed the deal this time by beating Jefferson's Joseph DiBiase, 11-6, in the consolation semis on the way to a fourth-place finish.

"It's a big deal for both me and my coaches," Pitcock said. "There's a lot of hard work that goes into it and it's paying off today."

Pitcock puts in work in the class as well with a schedule full of AP classes at the Bergen County Academies. The science major misses part of practice due to a late dismissal in Hackensack, but still impacts the program as a quiet leader.

Coach Chris Marren said this is the first time in "at least 15 years" that the Tigers have had three region qualifiers.

"What an experience," Marren said. "Jeremy deserves everything he's getting. He's showing progression and he's just a good kid and a good wrestler."

Lakeland produced a school-record three state qualifiers, while Pascack Hills led all public schools in the standings.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Wrestling: St. Joseph crowns nine champs at Region 1 tournament