News Flash

Southern tops Rancocas V; Howell soars past Steinert

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

STATE WRESTLING Southern Regional, No. 4 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, took the first step toward becoming only the second team ever from the Shore to repeat as an NJSIAA team champion while it moved closer to a third showdown with top-ranked Jackson.

Southern (16-3), which claimed its first state championship in wrestling last winter when it won Group 4, defeated Rancocas Valley, 43-18, in the semifinals of NJSIAA/The Star-Ledger/Sealed Air South Jersey, Group 4 Tournament last night in Manahawkin.

Southern, which was spearheaded on falls by state place-winners Luke Lanno (19-1) at 135 pounds and Frank Molinaro (24-1) at 140, will host tomorrow's sectional title match. Coach John Stout's club is seeking to become the first Shore team to win back-to-back group state titles since Brick Memorial accomplished the feat in Group 3 in 1998 and '99.

If Southern wins tomorrow night, there's a possibility it might have a third meeting looming on the horizon with Jackson (26-1) in Saturday's Group 4 semifinals or championship at the Ritacco Center in Toms River.

Jackson, which has held the top spot in the last three Top 20 rankings, stretched its winning streak to 21 matches with a 54-6 victory over Old Bridge in the Central Jersey semifinals in Jackson. Jackson will host sixth-ranked Howell (20-1) tomorrow in defense of its sectional title.

Howell (20-1), which suffered its lone loss to Southern in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals, 28-26, on Feb. 4, advanced with a 62-7 victory over Steinert.

Steinert (11-4) got through to Howell after receiving a forfeit victory against Brick Memorial, which had to withdraw due to an outbreak of impetigo in its wrestling program.