Pettit Pins State Title for Delsea

Delsea Senior Greyson Pettit Dominates to Capture State Wrestling Championship

Atlantic City, NJ – For Delsea High School senior Greyson Pettit, the ultimate reward after a grueling wrestling season was clear: a cookies and cream milkshake. This sweet victory was well-earned, as Pettit stood atop the podium, having conquered the formidable 132-pound bracket at the state tournament held at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.

Pettit secured the championship with a decisive 12-3 major decision victory over Anthony DiAndrea of Watchung Hills in the final match. This triumph marks Pettit as the sole South Jersey champion on the boys’ side for this season, continuing a trend of local success after a shutout in 2024.

What makes Pettit’s victory even more remarkable is his seeding. Entering the tournament as the 21st seed, he navigated a challenging bracket filled with seasoned competitors, including four returning state medalists, a defending state champion, and a third-place finisher in his final two matches. Sources suggest Pettit may be the highest-seeded wrestler to ever achieve a state title.

“I didn’t even look at the seeds,” Pettit stated. “My coaches told me they liked where we were at, and I like where I’m at now.”

Kurt DeWoody, Delsea’s first-year head coach, attributed Pettit’s success to his unwavering focus on improvement. “There were no other distractions,” DeWoody commented. “Wrestling is such a tough sport, with so many things going through your mind, not to mention the weight-cutting aspect. It’s incredibly demanding for high school kids who are grinding through. Taking away those external stresses is what led to this result. The kid is a state champion. I’m so happy for him.”

Pettit’s performance in the finals was a masterclass, coming less than 24 hours after he defeated defending state champion Sammy Spaulding of Camden Catholic in the semifinal. His final match showcased lightning-quick precision, including three well-executed takedowns. DeWoody affectionately refers to Pettit as “the Fox” for his agility and strategic prowess on the mat.

The emotional weight of the victory was palpable for Pettit. “My last match, I went out with a bang,” he exclaimed.

The journey to this championship was not without its setbacks. As a sophomore, Pettit’s first trip to Boardwalk Hall resulted in a 1-2 record. The following year, a torn ACL tragically sidelined him before the individual tournament even began. “It was heartbreaking, it was awful,” Pettit recalled about watching from the stands. “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. My first year here, I went 1-2, I was cutting a lot of weight, and I didn’t enjoy the sport as much.” However, his passion for wrestling was reignited, fueled by a renewed hunger for success and, of course, the promise of championship-worthy milkshakes.

South Jersey’s Top Contenders: Runner-Up Finishes

While Pettit stood alone at the top, South Jersey celebrated two impressive runner-up performances from Paulsboro’s Will Cruz (106 pounds) and Woodstown’s Mateo Vinciguerra (285 pounds). Both wrestlers had remarkable runs but ultimately fell short in their final bouts.

Cruz faced Middletown North’s Thomas Blewett in the 106-pound final, losing 10-4. This result denied Paulsboro a state champion on the boys’ side for the seventh consecutive year. Cruz concluded his season with a 37-7 record, bringing his career total to 90-21 heading into his senior year.

Head coach Paul Morina, who understands the sting of a runner-up finish from his own experience in 1977, offered words of encouragement. “I know the feeling,” Morina said. “At the time, you think it’s the end of the world. But he had a good run. He should be proud of himself. Taking second is pretty impressive, too.”

Cruz’s match saw him give up an early takedown but respond with one of his own in the second period. Blewett secured a reversal to take a 5-3 lead into the third, then sealed the victory with a takedown. Despite being the No. 1 seed in the 106-pound bracket, Cruz proved his worth, advancing through his initial matches with two major decisions and a semifinal pin. “Next year, he’s gotta come back stronger and reach his goal,” Morina advised. “He’ll be all right.”

Mateo Vinciguerra made history for Woodstown, becoming the program’s first-ever state finalist. However, he was unable to overcome top-seeded Cristian Alvarez in the heavyweight division, dropping an 8-1 decision. Alvarez, who held the top ranking throughout the season, demonstrated his dominance, despite a 30-pound weight difference.

“The kid neutralized a lot of things that Mateo does,” commented Woodstown head coach Adam Hyland. Vinciguerra, who will continue his academic and athletic career at Maryland, finished his high school career with an outstanding 150-19 record, including a 33-2 mark this season. He recorded three pins during the state tournament.

“I’m just super proud of him,” Hyland added. “For a kid that doesn’t lift a lot of weights, he’s super strong.” Hyland also had a front-row seat for Vinciguerra’s final high school match, as he is retiring after 25 years of coaching wrestling at Woodstown. “It was awesome,” Hyland said. “I thanked him for getting me there. He’s like a son to me.”

Lower Cape May’s Hansen Concludes Career with State Record

Lower Cape May’s Chase Hansen capped off his remarkable scholastic wrestling career with a victory in the third-place consolation bout at 138 pounds, defeating Nicholas Pallitto of Paramus Catholic 5-2. This win solidified Hansen’s status as New Jersey’s all-time winningest wrestler.

The Rider-bound Hansen concluded his career with an impressive 179-8 record, surpassing the previous state win record held by Andrew Campolattano since 2011. He also tied Campolattano’s state record for career pins with 116. Hansen is a four-time state place winner, having secured third place twice, along with a fourth and a seventh-place finish during his decorated career.

Tournament Notes and Additional Placewinners

Delbarton’s Jayden James, the champion at 165 pounds, received the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler award.
The three-day event saw a total attendance of 21,023 spectators.

South Jersey’s Other State Placewinners: