Strong Start Sets the Tone for Washington Township’s Dominance

Washington Township High School’s wrestling team has consistently shown their dominance in New Jersey, especially in the weight classes ranging from 106 to 132 pounds. However, it is their performance in the middle and upper weight classes that will determine whether they can replicate their success from last season when they reached the South Jersey Group 5 final.

On Saturday, the Minutemen demonstrated their strength by securing a 55-23 victory over Rancocas Valley in the championship match of the Hammonton Blue Devil Duals. This win marked the fourth consecutive championship for Washington Township in the annual early-January tournament.

The Minutemen started strong with a 24-0 lead after four matches, thanks to pins from Dylan Hetzel (120), Colin Hoopes (126), Christian Hoopes (132), and Colton Hagerty (138). The Hoopes brothers, in particular, made a significant impact by defeating two of Rancocas Valley’s top lightweights, Alex Kinney and Louis Simone, who is a 30-win district champion.

“We didn’t have our full lineup and RV didn’t either,” said Township coach Eric Ring. “When all that comes together, we’ll be in a better spot, but we definitely know where the strength of our lineup is.”

Ring also emphasized the importance of the middleweights improving throughout the year, as the team relies on them to make a difference in close matches.

Key Performances in Crucial Matches

Rancocas Valley managed to stop the Minutemen’s run with a pin from Argento Bakay (144), but Township quickly responded with two straight falls in matches they were trailing. Senior Jacob Gledhill (150) showcased his determination by overcoming a 7-1 deficit to pin Eli Vidal in the second period.

“I was just trying to chip away, little by little, get some shots in, fakes, hit a little underhook and got him to his back,” said Gledhill. “I don’t get bothered at all (being down). I treat the match as if it’s 0-0, go out and believe in my ability. I feel a lot more confident than last year.”

In the next bout, Gio Zurzolo faced a challenge when he gave up a third-period takedown and the lead, but he ultimately took Oluwele Kuko to his back for a pin that extended the Minutemen’s lead to 40-6.

Rancocas Valley tried to rally with bonus points in the upper weights, including wins at 175, 190, and 285 pounds. However, Washington Township junior Jaylen Suarez broke up the run with an 8-0 major decision at 215.

Team Effort and Individual Growth

The Minutemen finished off the dual with bonus points at 106 and 113 pounds. Both Gledhill and Suarez showed significant growth from the previous season. Gledhill went 17-14 a year ago, while Suarez was 9-18, but both qualified for regions, giving them a sense of momentum and added responsibility this year.

“I feel my responsibility to this team, to play my role, has gone up, especially because some upper guys are out or not mature enough yet, so just follow my footsteps,” said Suarez. “I’ve been preparing for this. I feel better this year, I feel confident in myself individually and have confidence in the team. I think we’re one of the best teams in Jersey.”

Challenges and Future Outlook

Both teams were without several key contributors. Washington Township forfeited the heavyweight class due to the absence of Gunner McFall, who was injured in the state football final. Coach Ring joked about the condition of the turf at MetLife Stadium.

Middleweight Michael Horn is also out, and some upperweights who had played key roles in the past opted to focus on football. Rancocas Valley was missing state qualifier Thiago Maldonado and region 6th place finisher Ray Miller.

Despite these challenges, Washington Township improved to 4-0 after a 3-0 day that included wins over third-place Gateway and Winslow. Rancocas Valley finished the day with a 6-2 record, defeating Buena and Hammonton.

“Washington Township is a top four or five team in South Jersey,” said Rancocas Valley coach Tommy Callahan. “They were better today, but the nice part is it’s only January. The team score didn’t necessarily reflect it; a couple back-and-forth battles went their way. Could have been like 37-34 going into the last bout, but we just have some things to clean up. You always want more, but we’re walking into next week 6-2 with our losses to Seneca and Washington Township.”