Basketball
Don Bosco Junior Vaughn Gray and his coach Kevin Diverio
As a junior- Vaughn was the highest rated player by the coaches in the "old NNJIL- or new state conference"
This is a tremendous honor in itself because of the level of competition night in and night out. At 6'5 Vaughn excels in the open court with his size and quickness. He averaged 21.4ppg 5.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds.
A three year varsity player and repeat first team all county selection.
Wrestling
119- junior, Joe Orecchio, Don Bosco, Coach Nunzio Campanile
(25-5) Joey Orecchio had another outstanding season for the Ironmen. Despite missing almost a month due to injuries Joe managed to win 25 matches this season. With an injured knee he placed 6th in the prestigious Beast of the east tournament. He followed that up with his 3rd district title and his 3rd region title. Joe finished his season with 2nd state medal, earning 4th place in the NJ state tournament. Joe is currently wrestling at the junior nationals, in preparation for his senior campaign as well as his college career. Only a junior Joey is on track to be the most decorated wrestler in Don Bosco history
140- sophomore, Sal Mastriani, Don Bosco, Coach Nunzio Campanile
(33-7) Only a sophomore Sal has amassed over 65 wins for his career. He placed 3rd in the BCCA, 2nd in the District, and won his 1st Region title. Sal made his 2nd trip to Atlantic City this season to cap a tremendous season. More importantly, Sal Mastriani is undoubtedly the hardest worker on the Don Bosco team. His toughness and work ethic were a major catalyst behind the ironmen earning their 1st team state championship. The Ironmen expect Sal to continue to lead them to great things in the next two years.
160- freshman, Frank Mattiace, Don Bosco, Coach Nunzio Campanile
(32-12) Frank Mattiace is the definition of perseverance and the beneficiary of hard work. Only a freshmen Frankie took some tough losses early the season and they benefited him greatly as the season went on. Frank placed 5th in the BCCA, 3rd in the District, 1st in the Region, and finally 6th in the NJ State tournament. Despite some heartbreaking losses Frank continued to believe in his abilities and worked harder every week. That work paid off in the end. Frank peaked at the end of the season and earned a medal in Atlantic City. A tremendous accomplishment for any freshmen, but astounding at 160lbs.
189- freshman, Razohan Gross, Don Bosco, Coach Nunzio Campanile
(26-8) Razohnn is another outstanding freshman for the Ironmen. Razohnn is another wrestler that steadily improved over the course of the season. Razohnn, placed 3rd in the BCCA, 1st in the Districts, and 1st in the Region. A gifted athlete, Razohnn combined raw talent with a tough aggressive style that often overwhelmed opponents. That style should continue to help Razohnn as he expands his wrestling arsenal. Also a football player Razohnn looks to be a 2 sport standout for Don Bosco next year.
Basketball
Don Bosco Junior Vaughn Gray and his coach Kevin Diverio
As a junior- Vaughn was the highest rated player by the coaches in the "old NNJIL- or new state conference"
This is a tremendous honor in itself because of the level of competition night in and night out. At 6'5 Vaughn excels in the open court with his size and quickness. He averaged 21.4ppg 5.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds.
A three year varsity player and repeat first team all county selection.
Wrestling
119- junior, Joe Orecchio, Don Bosco, Coach Nunzio Campanile
(25-5) Joey Orecchio had another outstanding season for the Ironmen. Despite missing almost a month due to injuries Joe managed to win 25 matches this season. With an injured knee he placed 6th in the prestigious Beast of the east tournament. He followed that up with his 3rd district title and his 3rd region title. Joe finished his season with 2nd state medal, earning 4th place in the NJ state tournament. Joe is currently wrestling at the junior nationals, in preparation for his senior campaign as well as his college career. Only a junior Joey is on track to be the most decorated wrestler in Don Bosco history
140- sophomore, Sal Mastriani, Don Bosco, Coach Nunzio Campanile
(33-7) Only a sophomore Sal has amassed over 65 wins for his career. He placed 3rd in the BCCA, 2nd in the District, and won his 1st Region title. Sal made his 2nd trip to Atlantic City this season to cap a tremendous season. More importantly, Sal Mastriani is undoubtedly the hardest worker on the Don Bosco team. His toughness and work ethic were a major catalyst behind the ironmen earning their 1st team state championship. The Ironmen expect Sal to continue to lead them to great things in the next two years.
160- freshman, Frank Mattiace, Don Bosco, Coach Nunzio Campanile
(32-12) Frank Mattiace is the definition of perseverance and the beneficiary of hard work. Only a freshmen Frankie took some tough losses early the season and they benefited him greatly as the season went on. Frank placed 5th in the BCCA, 3rd in the District, 1st in the Region, and finally 6th in the NJ State tournament. Despite some heartbreaking losses Frank continued to believe in his abilities and worked harder every week. That work paid off in the end. Frank peaked at the end of the season and earned a medal in Atlantic City. A tremendous accomplishment for any freshmen, but astounding at 160lbs.
189- freshman, Razohan Gross, Don Bosco, Coach Nunzio Campanile
(26-8) Razohnn is another outstanding freshman for the Ironmen. Razohnn is another wrestler that steadily improved over the course of the season. Razohnn, placed 3rd in the BCCA, 1st in the Districts, and 1st in the Region. A gifted athlete, Razohnn combined raw talent with a tough aggressive style that often overwhelmed opponents. That style should continue to help Razohnn as he expands his wrestling arsenal. Also a football player Razohnn looks to be a 2 sport standout for Don Bosco next year.
TOMS RIVER – The match already had been sewn up three bouts earlier, but the Don Bosco bench remained calm and focused Sunday.
After going down to the final bout on the road in each of their State sectional matches, it was as if the Ironmen needed proof that they actually were the Non-Public A wrestling champions.
But when that proof finally came, out poured the emotions.
Sal Mastriani pinned in 4:19 at 140 pounds to clinch the match and Frank Mattiace closed it out with a 3-2 decision in the final bout at 160 to give the Ironmen a convincing 45-15 victory over St. Augustine and the first Non-Public A championship in program history.
The bench, which had been calm throughout the Mattiace bout, exploded with wrestlers thrusting their arms in the air, leaping into one another’s arms and coaches hugging in the center of the mat.
"It felt amazing to get the chance to close the deal," Mastriani said, a huge smile lighting up his face.
"This was six years in the making," Bosco coach Nunzio Campanile said. "It was tremendously gratifying to see all their hard work pay off."
Bosco is the first team other than Camden Catholic to win the Non-Public A title since Bergen Catholic won back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003. The Ironmen reached the State final in 2007, losing to Camden Catholic, 32-25.
Seniors Jason Dack and Chris Dombroski are the only two starters returning from that team, and Sunday they each came away with a win to put their mark on the championship trophy.
Dombroski followed up Mastriani’s clinching pin by beating Paxton Burgin in two overtimes, 6-2, at 145, and Dack came back with a tough 2-0 victory over Connor Donahue at 152 for his 99th career win.
"This one is definitely going to be more memorable than my 100th," Dack said. "Because the State championship is all that I want. I couldn’t ask for more."
Eddie Johnson, who won the final bout a week ago in Bosco’s 25-24 victory over St. Joseph, got the Ironmen off to a great start with a 12-4 major decision over Thomas Abbot at 171.
Back-to-back forfeits at 189 and 215 by St. Augustine and a tough 8-6 victory by Kurt Schmitz at 285 gave the Ironmen a 19-0 lead. And they never looked back.
Billy Reardon, Joe Orecchio and James Dawson also won as the Ironmen heeded the words Campanile had been spouting all week and made their mark on school history.
"It feels great to be the first," Dombroski said. "When we finally knew we had the win, it was a feeling of relief."
"We were so concentrated on just getting down here," Campanile said. "These guys were great at focusing on one match at a time. I was proud of how well we wrestled as a team. That was as good a performance as we’ve put together top to bottom all year."
E-mail: schutta@northjersey.com
TOMS RIVER – The match already had been sewn up three bouts earlier, but the Don Bosco bench remained calm and focused Sunday.
After going down to the final bout on the road in each of their State sectional matches, it was as if the Ironmen needed proof that they actually were the Non-Public A wrestling champions.
But when that proof finally came, out poured the emotions.
Sal Mastriani pinned in 4:19 at 140 pounds to clinch the match and Frank Mattiace closed it out with a 3-2 decision in the final bout at 160 to give the Ironmen a convincing 45-15 victory over St. Augustine and the first Non-Public A championship in program history.
The bench, which had been calm throughout the Mattiace bout, exploded with wrestlers thrusting their arms in the air, leaping into one another’s arms and coaches hugging in the center of the mat.
"It felt amazing to get the chance to close the deal," Mastriani said, a huge smile lighting up his face.
"This was six years in the making," Bosco coach Nunzio Campanile said. "It was tremendously gratifying to see all their hard work pay off."
Bosco is the first team other than Camden Catholic to win the Non-Public A title since Bergen Catholic won back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003. The Ironmen reached the State final in 2007, losing to Camden Catholic, 32-25.
TOMS RIVER – The match already had been sewn up three bouts earlier, but the Don Bosco bench remained calm and focused Sunday.
After going down to the final bout on the road in each of their State sectional matches, it was as if the Ironmen needed proof that they actually were the Non-Public A wrestling champions.
But when that proof finally came, out poured the emotions.
Sal Mastriani pinned in 4:19 at 140 pounds to clinch the match and Frank Mattiace closed it out with a 3-2 decision in the final bout at 160 to give the Ironmen a convincing 45-15 victory over St. Augustine and the first Non-Public A championship in program history.
The bench, which had been calm throughout the Mattiace bout, exploded with wrestlers thrusting their arms in the air, leaping into one another’s arms and coaches hugging in the center of the mat.
"It felt amazing to get the chance to close the deal," Mastriani said, a huge smile lighting up his face.
"This was six years in the making," Bosco coach Nunzio Campanile said. "It was tremendously gratifying to see all their hard work pay off."
Bosco is the first team other than Camden Catholic to win the Non-Public A title since Bergen Catholic won back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003. The Ironmen reached the State final in 2007, losing to Camden Catholic, 32-25.
Seniors Jason Dack and Chris Dombroski are the only two starters returning from that team, and Sunday they each came away with a win to put their mark on the championship trophy.
Dombroski followed up Mastriani’s clinching pin by beating Paxton Burgin in two overtimes, 6-2, at 145, and Dack came back with a tough 2-0 victory over Connor Donahue at 152 for his 99th career win.
"This one is definitely going to be more memorable than my 100th," Dack said. "Because the State championship is all that I want. I couldn’t ask for more."
Eddie Johnson, who won the final bout a week ago in Bosco’s 25-24 victory over St. Joseph, got the Ironmen off to a great start with a 12-4 major decision over Thomas Abbot at 171.
Back-to-back forfeits at 189 and 215 by St. Augustine and a tough 8-6 victory by Kurt Schmitz at 285 gave the Ironmen a 19-0 lead. And they never looked back.
Billy Reardon, Joe Orecchio and James Dawson also won as the Ironmen heeded the words Campanile had been spouting all week and made their mark on school history.
"It feels great to be the first," Dombroski said. "When we finally knew we had the win, it was a feeling of relief."
"We were so concentrated on just getting down here," Campanile said. "These guys were great at focusing on one match at a time. I was proud of how well we wrestled as a team. That was as good a performance as we’ve put together top to bottom all year."
E-mail: schutta@northjersey.com
TOMS RIVER – The match already had been sewn up three bouts earlier, but the Don Bosco bench remained calm and focused Sunday.
After going down to the final bout on the road in each of their State sectional matches, it was as if the Ironmen needed proof that they actually were the Non-Public A wrestling champions.
But when that proof finally came, out poured the emotions.
Sal Mastriani pinned in 4:19 at 140 pounds to clinch the match and Frank Mattiace closed it out with a 3-2 decision in the final bout at 160 to give the Ironmen a convincing 45-15 victory over St. Augustine and the first Non-Public A championship in program history.
The bench, which had been calm throughout the Mattiace bout, exploded with wrestlers thrusting their arms in the air, leaping into one another’s arms and coaches hugging in the center of the mat.
"It felt amazing to get the chance to close the deal," Mastriani said, a huge smile lighting up his face.
"This was six years in the making," Bosco coach Nunzio Campanile said. "It was tremendously gratifying to see all their hard work pay off."
Bosco is the first team other than Camden Catholic to win the Non-Public A title since Bergen Catholic won back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003. The Ironmen reached the State final in 2007, losing to Camden Catholic, 32-25.
ORADELL – Don Bosco's Jason Dack wasn't going to call it the toughest minute he ever endured in a wrestling match.
After all, it wasn't a district final. It wasn't being contested in front of a packed house in Atlantic City.
But you wouldn't know it by the roar in the packed house at Bergen Catholic.
Wrestling the final bout of the day Saturday, the senior rode out BC's Lucas Iorio for the final 1:05 of the third period to score a 2-0 victory at 160 and clinch the Ironmen's thrilling 36-31 victory in the NJSIAA North Non-Public A final.
"I knew it was my time to have to step up being a senior captain," Dack said after beating the hero of BC's 39-25 victory over Bosco last month.
The win capped an amazing run through the tournament for fifth-seeded Bosco, which beat the fourth, first and third seeds on the road in the final bout while avenging regular-season losses to Bergen Catholic and St. Joseph.
ORADELL – Don Bosco's Jason Dack wasn't going to call it the toughest minute he ever endured in a wrestling match.
After all, it wasn't a district final. It wasn't being contested in front of a packed house in Atlantic City.
But you wouldn't know it by the roar in the packed house at Bergen Catholic.
Wrestling the final bout of the day Saturday, the senior rode out BC's Lucas Iorio for the final 1:05 of the third period to score a 2-0 victory at 160 and clinch the Ironmen's thrilling 36-31 victory in the NJSIAA North Non-Public A final.
"I knew it was my time to have to step up being a senior captain," Dack said after beating the hero of BC's 39-25 victory over Bosco last month.
The win capped an amazing run through the tournament for fifth-seeded Bosco, which beat the fourth, first and third seeds on the road in the final bout while avenging regular-season losses to Bergen Catholic and St. Joseph.
Monday night he took it a step further, downing St. Joseph’s Ryan Casey, 6-3, in the final bout of the night to lift the fifth-seeded Ironmen to a 25-24 victory over No. 4 St. Joseph in the first round of the North Non-Public A tournament. They will face top-seeded Delbarton on Wednesday in the semifinals.
"It really feels great," the senior said after Bosco avenged a nine-point loss to the Green Knights just 10 days ago. "The whole team worked so hard for moments like these."
After a scoreless first period, Johnson stunned the large crowd by turning Casey with an arm bar and nearly pinning.
The score was 3-2 after two periods and Casey let Johnson up to start the third trailing, 4-2. Johnson then held off Casey’s repeated attempts at a tying takedown, clinching the bout and the match on a takedown with five seconds left.
Monday night he took it a step further, downing St. Joseph’s Ryan Casey, 6-3, in the final bout of the night to lift the fifth-seeded Ironmen to a 25-24 victory over No. 4 St. Joseph in the first round of the North Non-Public A tournament. They will face top-seeded Delbarton on Wednesday in the semifinals.
"It really feels great," the senior said after Bosco avenged a nine-point loss to the Green Knights just 10 days ago. "The whole team worked so hard for moments like these."
After a scoreless first period, Johnson stunned the large crowd by turning Casey with an arm bar and nearly pinning.
The score was 3-2 after two periods and Casey let Johnson up to start the third trailing, 4-2. Johnson then held off Casey’s repeated attempts at a tying takedown, clinching the bout and the match on a takedown with five seconds left.
