Overall Record: 16-7 / Shore Conference: 9-4 / B-North: 4-2
2020 Ocean Township Wrestling
CJG3 State Sectional Champions
District 24 Champions
8th Place Shore Conference Tournament
Tied 2nd Place B-North
4th Place Delaware Valley Tournament
ShoreConferenceWrestling.com Wrestler of the Year
(Sr) Jack Nies - 132
Record: 41-4
State: NJ-7th Place
Region: R6-Champion
District: D24-Champion
Shore Conference Tournament Champion
Delaware Valley Tournament Champion
Nies's 41 wins was one short of the program record. He capped his career with the Spartans by earning his first State Medal in Atlantic City, and capturing his first Region and District Titles. For his career, Nies's 136 career wins puts him at #4 on the Spartans' all-time wins list.
2020 Season Recap
Jack Nies wrestled his way to a 7th Place finish at 132-pounds at this year's State Championships in Atlantic City. It marks the 3rd time in four seasons that the Spartans have had at least one State Medal, and brings their all-time total medalists to 33, 2nd most in Monmouth County history.
STATE AGATES
106: (Jr) Blake Tarnowski - (NJ-WB1)
PRELIM: Dominic Tafuri (Cedar Grove) md. Blake Tarnowski (Ocean Twp) 11-3
WB1: Justin Murray (TR South) p. Blake Tarnowski (Ocean Twp) 2:43
113: (Jr) Demetri Poniros - (NJ-WB2)
PRELIM: Demetri Poniros (Ocean Twp) p. Franco Mazza (Roxbury) 2:21
PQ: Kelly Dunnigan (Don Bosco) md. Demetri Poniros (Ocean Twp) 12-3
WB2: Chris Tringali (West Morris Mendham) d. Demetri Poniros (Ocean Twp) 3-2
132: (Sr) Jack Nies - (NJ-7th Place)
PRELIM: Jack Nies (Ocean Twp) d. Giovanni Rivera (Morristown) 5-1
PQ: Jack Nies (Ocean Twp) d. Austin Jack (Jefferson Twp) 7-1
QF: Dylan Cedeno (Bergen Catholic) d. Jack Nies (Ocean Twp) 7-1
WB4: Jack Nies (Ocean Twp) d. Jake Gentile (Kingsway) 4-1
WBQF: Simon Ruiz (Delbarton) d. Jack Nies (Ocean Twp) 4-3
7TH: Jack Nies (Ocean Twp) d. Austin Jack (Jefferson) 3-0
138: (Sr) Alex Poniros - (NJ-WB3)
PRELIM: Alex Poniros (Ocean Twp) d. Joshua Palacio (North Bergen) 2-0
PQ: Hunter Gandy (Woodstown) d. Alex Poniros (Ocean Twp) 8-2
WB2: Alex Poniros (Ocean Twp) d. Eric Freeman (Paramus) 7-2
WB3: Tanner Peake (Hunterdon Central) md. Alex Poniros (Ocean Twp) 10-2
160: (So) Jared Tracey - (NJ-WB1)
PRELIM: Harrison Hinojosa (Camden Catholic) d. Jared Tracey (Ocean Twp) 7-2
WB1: Salvatore Mainiero (Nutley) p. Jared Tracey (Ocean Twp) 5:31
Hwt: (Jr) Joe Teresi - (NJ-WB3)
PRELIM: Joseph Teresi (Ocean Twp) p. Brandon Perot (Parsippany Hills) 3:28
PQ: Hector Lebron (Dwight Morrow) d. Joseph Teresi (Ocean Twp) 4-2 SV
WB2: Joseph Teresi (Ocean Twp) p. Cody Cruts (Phillipsburg) 2:43
WB3: Thomas Lidondici (Colts Neck) p. Joseph Teresi (Ocean Twp) 2:24
2/29: REGION 6 TOURNAMENT
Jack Nies and Joe Teresi each won their first Region Championships, and their 2nd medals, as part of six Spartans, tied for 2nd most among Shore Conference teams, advancing to Atlantic City. They will be joined by returning qualifiers Alex and Demetri Poniros, and first-timers Blake Tarnowski and Jared Tracey. The six qualifiers is tied for the most in the program's history with the 2007 team.
REGION AGATES
106: (Jr) Blake Tarnowski - (R6-2nd Place)
PQ: #7 Blake Tarnowski (Ocean Twp) md. #10 Jack Kinsella (Wall) 9-0
QF: #7 Blake Tarnowski (Ocean Twp) d. #2 Angelo Messina (Freehold Boro) 7-6
SF: #7 Blake Tarnowski (Ocean Twp) d. #3 Shailen Savur (Robbinsville) 3-2
1ST: #1 Evan Tallmadge (Brick Twp) p. #7 Blake Tarnowski (Ocean Twp) 1:41
113: (Jr) Demetri Poniros - (R6-3rd Place)
QF: #4 Demetri Poniros (Ocean Twp) d. #5 Vincent Principe (CBA) 9-2
SF: #1 Tyler Klinsky (Middletown North) tf. #4 Demetri Poniros (Ocean Twp) 20-5 3:34
WB2: #4 Demetri Poniros (Ocean Twp) d. #7 Dylan Kelleher (Long Branch) 4-2
3RD: #4 Demetri Poniros (Ocean Twp) by medical forfeit over #2 Cole Meyer (Wall)
120: (So) Gio Poniros (R6-5th Place)
PQ: #5 Gio Poniros (Ocean Twp) d. #12 Dylan Cifrodelli (Robbinsville) 8-2
QF: #5 Gio Poniros (Ocean Twp) d. #4 Dorian Hall (Jackson Liberty) 6-4
SF: #1 Joey Lamparelli (Allentown) tf. #5 Gio Poniros (Ocean Twp) 20-4 3:43
WB2: #7 Blake Geibel (Northern Burlington) d. #5 Gio Poniros (Ocean Twp) 10-9
5TH: #5 Gio Poniros (Ocean Twp) d. #4 Dorian Hall (Jackson Liberty) 11-7
126: (Jr) AJ Benner - (R6-PQ)
PQ: #8 Ethan Wisnewski (Burlington Twp) p. #9 AJ Benner (Ocean Twp) 3:48
132: (Sr) Jack Nies - (R6-CHAMPION)
QF: #1 Jack Nies (Ocean Twp) d. #8 Angel Bonnano (Long Branch) 7-2
SF: #1 Jack Nies (Ocean Twp) md. #4 Riley Simon (Pt Beach) 11-3
1ST: #1 Jack Nies (Ocean Twp) d. #2 Joseph Fiordaliso (Monroe) 5-1
138: (Sr) Alex Poniros - (R6-3rd Place)
QF: #3 Alex Poniros (Ocean Twp) d. #6 Kip Lovgren (Pt Beach) 6-3
SF: #2 Ryan Zimmerman (Long Branch) d. #3 Alex Poniros (Ocean Twp) 4-1
WB2: #3 Alex Poniros (Ocean Twp) tf. #8 Mason Louderback (Notre Dame) 15-0 4:09
3RD: #3 Alex Poniros (Ocean Twp) d. #7 Zachary Zuckerman (Delran) 4-2
160: (So) Jared Tracey - (R6-4th Place)
PQ: #6 Jared Tracey (Ocean Twp) p. #11 Kwanie Edwards (Nottingham) 0:26
QF: #6 Jared Tracey (Ocean Twp) d. #3 Alex Stavrou (Hightstown) 7-3
SF: #2 Nicholas Golden (Allentown) p. #6 Jared Tracey (Ocean Twp) 0:52
WB2: #6 Jared Tracey (Ocean Twp) d. #5 Chris Fanelli (Monroe) 10-5
3RD: #10 Joseph Barsky (Colts Neck) p. #6 Jared Tracey (Ocean Twp) 3:19
170: (Jr) Tah-Jay Phillips - (R6-PQ)
PQ: #5 John Liotta (Pt Beach) d. #12 Tah-Jay Phillips (Ocean Twp) 13-10
Hwt: (Jr) Joe Teresi - (R6-CHAMPION)
QF: #1 Joseph Teresi (Ocean Twp) p. #9 Matt Cody (RBC) 1:51
SF: #1 Joseph Teresi (Ocean Twp) d. #5 Thomas Lidondici (Colts Neck) 3-2 UTB
1ST: #1 Joseph Teresi (Ocean Twp) d. #3 Liam Buday (Pt Beach) 3-1 SV
2/22: DISTRICT 24 TOURNAMENT
D24 CHAMPIONS / 4 Champs; 9 Medal Winners
1st: Demetri Poniros (113) / Jack Nies (132) / Alex Poniros (138) / Joseph Teresi (Hwt)
2nd: Blake Tarnowski (106) / Gio Poniros (120) / Jared Tracey (160) / Tah-Jay Phillips (170)
Hwt: AJ Benner (126)
Brothers, Alex and Demetri Poniros, each won their 3rd District Titles, becoming the 14th and 15th Spartans to win three titles. Joe Teresi won his 2nd championship, and Jack Nies won his first, to help lead the Spartans to their 18th District Title, which is the most for any Monmouth County team. They also extended their streak with a District Champ to 17 seasons, which is currently the 5th longest streak in the Shore.
2/16: GROUP 3 SEMIFINALS
Montville 45 - Ocean Township 23 (BOX SCORE)
2/14: CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP 3 FINALS
#2 Ocean Township 38 - #1 Wall 29 (BOX SCORE)
8th Sectional Title for Ocean Township
2/10: CJG3 QUARTERFINALS
OT: Career Win #100 for Alex Poniros
2/6: NON-DIVISION
Ocean Township 35 - CBA 27 (BOX SCORE)
OT: D Poniros techs in return to lineup; Nies (26-2); Teresi (26-3); Tracey (21-3); A Poniros (21-3)
Nies Wins Title; Spartans Finish 8th at SCT
1st Place: Jack Nies (132)
3rd Place: Joe Teresi (Hwt)
4th Place: Alex Poniros
1/29: NON-DIVISION
Ocean Township 54 - Freehold Twp 25 (BOX SCORE)
OT: Nies (21-5); Teresi (21-2); A Poniros (17-2); Tarnowski (15-3)
1/27: NON-CONFERENCE
Ocean Township 38 - Sayreville 27 (BOX SCORE)
OT: Nies (20-2); Teresi (20-2); A Poniros (16-2); Phillips (17-5); G Poniros (17-5)
1/24: NON-CONFERENCE
Ocean Township 44 - Emerson 29 (BOX SCORE)
OT: Nies (19-2); A Poniros (15-2); Phillips (16-5); G Poniros (16-5); Tarnowski (13-3)
1/21: B-NORTH
Wall 33 - Ocean Township 32 (BOX SCORE)
OT: Nies (18-2); Tracey (15-1); A Poniros (13-2); Tarnowski (12-3)
1/18: OCEAN TOWNSHIP QUAD
Ocean Township 36 - Raritan 25 (BOX SCORE)
Ocean Township 48 - Watchung Hills 27 (BOX SCORE)
Ocean Township 51 - Maple Shade 26 (BOX SCORE)
1/15: NON-DIVISION
OT: Nies (14-2); Tracey (11-1); Tarnowski (11-2)
1/13: NON-DIVISION
Ocean Township 60 - Shore Regional 14 (BOX SCORE)
OT: Teresi (14-1); Nies (13-2); Tracey (10-1)
1/11: ROBBINSVILLE TRI
Monroe 33 - Ocean Township 27 (BOX SCORE)
Ocean Township 58 - Robbinsville 23 (BOX SCORE)
1/10: B-NORTH
Middletown North 36 - Ocean Township 27 (BOX SCORE)
OT: Teresi (11-1) pins; Nies (10-2); A Poniros (8-1); Tracey (7-1)
1/8: B-NORTH
Ocean Township 37 - Colts Neck 31 (BOX SCORE)
OT: Teresi avenges loss to Lidondici with 5-4 UTB victory; Tarnowski, Benner, & Phillips pin
1/4: RED BANK REGIONAL QUAD
Ocean Township 51 - Red Bank 24 (BOX SCORE)
Ocean Township 51 - Matawan 19 (BOX SCORE)
Ocean Township 68 - Neptune 12 (BOX SCORE)
12/27: MUSTANG CLASSIC
2nd: Teresi (Hwt) / 3rd: A Poniros (145), Villaraga (220)
12/21: WENDY-PANDY LEH INVITATIONAL
Westfield Wins Team Title; Ocean Finishes 4th
1st: Nies, Teresi / 2nd: Tarnowski, G Poniros, Tracey, Villaraga / 3rd: Phillips
12/19: NON-DIVISION
Pt Boro 48 - Ocean Township 22 (BOX SCORE)
OT: Nies wins by tech; Gio, Demitri, and Alex Poniros win by major
2020 Season Preview
Head Coach: Cippy Apicelli (9th Season / Career Record: 135-65)
2019 Overall Record: 15-8 / Shore Conference: 11-5 / B-North: 5-1
#9 ShoreConferenceWrestling.com Top 11
Group 3 Semifinalists
Sectionals: CJG3 Champions
District 24 Champions
Tied 1st Place B-North
9th Place Shore Conference Tournament
Down Low (106-132): There's depth, proven talent, and promising newcomers, which is always a good thing. The Spartans can put out four returning District Medal Winners, and a 20-match winner in these five weight classes. The 20-bout winner, Blake Tarnowski is back at 106, and should be one of the top wrestlers in the Shore at this weight. There's a pair of Benners down here with Nick, who had a 20-win freshman season and placed 3rd at Districts, and AJ, a junior who missed most of last year but returned in time to finish 2nd at the Districts. The Spartans also have a pair of Poniros down low, with junior Demetri, a 2-time District Champ and returning State Qualifier, and sophomore Gio, who took 3rd in the Districts last season. Senior Nicholas Schneider won 10 bouts last season, adds to the great depth and gives the Spartans maneuverability.
In The Middle (138-160): More strength here led by the 1-2 senior punch of Alex Poniros and Jack Nies. Poniros was a State Medalist in 2018, but missed most of last year with an injury. He came back right at the post-season and gutted his way to a 2nd Place finish at the Regions. At 100%, he should be one of the top wrestlers in the Shore for the Spartans. Nies, a 3-time District finalist and returning State Placer, enters the season with 95 career wins. They are joined sophomore Jared Tracey, who took 3rd in the District as a freshman, and junior Tah Jay Phillips, a home run hitter who picked up some huge wins last season.
Up Top (170-Hwt): This will be a bit of a question mark area for Ocean, but it ends with an exclamation point with junior heavyweight Joe Teresi. Teresi is back after an outstanding sophomore season in which he recorded 33 wins and was a single victory away from a spot on the Boardwalk Hall Podium. While you would expect at times to see either Tracey or Phillips, or perhaps both, make appearances in the upperweights, the rest of the uppers are an unproven bunch and a bit of an unknown commodity.
Possible Lineup in 2020
| Wgt |
Wrestler |
2019 |
Post-Season |
| 106 |
(Jr) Blake Tarnowski |
20-6 |
|
| 106 |
(Fr) Noah Bard |
||
| 106 |
(Fr) Nate Fazio |
||
| 106 |
(Fr) Jake Schwartz |
||
| 113 |
(So) Gio Poniros |
10-11 |
3rd D24 / R6-PQ |
| 113/120 |
(Jr) Chris Loyola |
0-1 |
|
| 113/120 |
(Fr) Caleb Thompson |
||
| 113/120 |
(Fr) Joe Dellomo |
||
| 120 |
(Jr) Demetri Poniros |
28-14 |
D24-1st / R6-4th / NJ-WB1 |
| 120/126 |
(Sr) Alex Taylor |
0-5 |
|
| 120/126 |
(So) Andres Tovio Pabon |
||
| 126/132 |
(Jr) AJ Benner |
3-4 |
D24-2nd |
| 126/132 |
(Jr) Frantz Derose |
||
| 132 |
(Sr) Nick Schneider |
10-9 |
|
| 132 |
(Jr) Nick Napolitani |
||
| 132/138 |
(So) Nick Benner |
20-13 |
D24-3rd / R6-PQ |
| 132/138 |
(Fr) Santino Cuppari |
||
| 132/138 |
(Fr) Gio Masotti |
||
| 138/145 |
(Sr) Jack Nies |
35-8 |
D24-2nd / R6-2nd / NJ-WB1 |
| 138/145 |
(Sr) Alex Poniros |
8-5 |
D24-3rd / R6-2nd |
| 138/145 |
(Fr) Christopher Luc |
||
| 145 |
(So) Najib Noorzaie |
||
| 152 |
(Sr) Williams Larosliere |
0-2 |
|
| 152 |
(Fr) Ben Trench |
||
| 152 |
(Fr) JP Silva |
||
| 152/160 |
(Sr) Michael Petito |
0-3 |
|
| 160 |
(So) Jared Tracey |
15-12 |
D24-3rd / R6-PQ |
| 160 |
(So) Ethan Brandimarte |
||
| 160/170 |
(Jr) Tah Jay Phillips |
15-18 |
|
| 170 |
(So) Lucas Rodriguez |
||
| 182 |
(Sr) Christian Petit |
||
| 182 |
(Fr) Iqbal Ahmadi |
||
| 182 |
(Jr) Kervens Barthelus |
||
| 195 |
(Sr) Isaiah Cooper |
1-9 |
|
| 195 |
(Jr) Mateo Chavarriaga |
||
| 195 |
(Sr) Moise Locean |
||
| 195 |
(So) Jaskaran Sandhu |
||
| 195 |
(Sr) Jaron Gordon |
0-1 |
|
| 220 |
(Sr) Alejandro Villarga |
0-1 |
|
| 220 |
(Jr) Jim Riano |
||
| Hwt |
(Jr) Joe Teresi |
33-10 |
D24-1st / R6-3rd / NJ-WB4 |
| Hwt |
(Jr) Darron Jean Beauvis |
||
| Hwt |
(Jr) Ryan Ross |
||
| Hwt |
(Fr) Tyler O'Connor |
||
| |
|
|
|
Graduated in 2019
| Wgt |
Wrestler |
Record |
2019 |
| 120 |
Will Tisony |
27-14 |
D24-2nd / R6-6th |
| 160 |
Anthony Esposito |
33-10 |
D24-2nd / R6-4th / NJ-WB1 |
| 170 |
Shawn Francois |
1-8 |
|
| 182 |
Evan Romein |
4-14 |
|
| 182 |
Ryan Moran |
8-11 |
D24-3rd |
| 195 |
Dino Poniros |
14-18 |
D24-3rd / R6-PQ |
| 220 |
Anthony Perez |
3-9 |
|
| Hwt |
HGabe Bayari |
1-2 |
|
| |
|
|
|
Ocean Township Spartans Wrestling
