It’s now 2026 and with the change on the calendar comes a key part of the wrestling campaign.
It’s officially dual meet season — the stretch of the year where schools can focus on the team aspect given the lack of individual tournaments on the docket.
Friday and Saturday’s N.J. Catholic School Duals at Christian Brothers headlines a long list of premier meets being held over the next few weeks. We’re going to find out soon who’s No. 1, and the rest of January is typically when we see which teams belong in our rankings and which don’t.
Where do the best in the state stack up ahead of the anticipated chaos? Below, find the first N.J. wrestling Top 20 of 2026.
1-Delbarton (4-0)
Previous ranking: No. 1
The Green Wave began their season with four wins over Ponaganset (RI) (61-9), No. 12 North Hunterdon (57-6), Green Farms Academy (CT) (52-6) and Massillon-Perry (OH) (47-17) at the Fab 50 Duals at North Hunterdon on Dec. 20. Both Massillon-Perry and Green Farms rank as Top 30 teams in the country per FloWrestling and MatScouts. Individually, Delbarton has shined with titles for senior 165-pounder Jayden James at Ironman as well as golds for freshman 106-pounder Finn Andersen and junior 126-pounder Cam Sontz at the Sam Cali.
Up next: Friday and Saturday at N.J. Catholic Duals at CBA
2-St. Joseph (Mont.) (3-2)
Previous ranking: No. 2
The Green Knights opened their season with a 68-12 victory over Tenafly on Dec. 9 before going 2-2 in their matches at the Fab 50 Duals at North Hunterdon on Dec. 20. SJR defeated two of the country’s best teams in Green Farms Academy (CT) (37-31) and Ponaganset (RI) (52-20) to go with a pair of close losses to national Top 20s in Massillon-Perry (OH) (36-34) and Wyoming Seminary (PA) (33-31).
Up next: Friday and Saturday at N.J. Catholic Duals at CBA
3-St. Peter’s Prep (4-0)
Previous ranking: No. 3
The Marauders kicked off their season 4-0 with three wins at a quad at Northfield Mount Hermon (MA) on Dec. 13. SPP defeated host Northfield Mount Hermon (41-24), Belmont Hill (MA) (65-12) and New York Military Academy (42-24). The Marauders also defeated North Bergen 62-18 on Dec. 16. On the individual front, a 120-pound Sam Cali title from sophomore Robby Rodriguez and a 165-pound runner-up finish at the Beast of the East from senior Josh Piparo highlight some of the top accolades.
Up next: Friday and Saturday at N.J. Catholic Duals at CBA
4-Christian Brothers (3-0)
Previous ranking: No. 4
The Colts are off to a 3-0 start, recording victories of Red Bank Catholic (68-6), Toms River East (56-16) and St. Benedict’s (51-23). CBA wrestlers also competed at the Beast of the East, Ironman and Powerade tournaments. The Colts were eighth at Ironman in Ohio with Paul Kenny placing second at 126 and Bobby Duffy fourth at 144. CBA was fourth as a team at the Powerade Tournament in Pennsylvania earlier this week. Kenny placed first, Tyler Palumbo (215) second, Shiloh Joyce (114) third and Santino Edgar (107) and Duffy fifth. Palumbo, a Rutgers commit, was third at the Beast of the East.
Up next: Friday and Saturday at N.J. Catholic Duals at CBA
5-Camden Catholic (1-0)
Previous ranking: No. 5
The Fighting Irish will likely face their stiffest test of the season this weekend with a quad meet against three other ranked teams. The matchup against No. 15 Pope John projects as a possible preview of the Non-Public B final in February. Camden Catholic hasn’t lost a dual meet since the 2024 Non-Public B final against St. John Vianney. After an underwhelming performance at the Beast of the East, the Irish put on a show at the Mustang Classic that included six champions and 10 finalists. State champion Sammy Spaulding returned to the lineup, winning the title at 138 pounds, while Madden Rosario continued his progression with a championship at 215 as the Irish upper weights seem to be the best they’ve been in years.
Up next: Saturday quad-meet at No. 15 Pope John with No. 8 Paramus Catholic and No. 10 Don Bosco Prep
6-Bergen Catholic (1-0)
Previous ranking: No. 6
The Crusaders’ lone dual was an impressive one on Monday against St. John Vianney — a 70-6 win with the only bout loss coming via a forfeit. Bergen Catholic has shown face at multiple individual tournaments, including a 10-title effort at the Caldwell Tournament. At the Beast of the East, freshman 106-pounder Ryan Halal placed sixth.
Up next: Friday and Saturday at N.J. Catholic Duals at CBA
7-Southern (1-0)
Previous ranking: No. 7
Southern’s lone dual meet victory was a thriller. The Rams rallied for a 36-29 victory over No. 12 North Hunterdon. The Rams scored falls in four of the final five bouts. Southern opened the season at its own Robin Leff Invitational with freshman Jonas Lusker placing first at 106 pounds. Cade Collins was second at at 126. A Southern split-squad was the team champion at the Ron Mazzola at Old Bridge. Nick Banos (113), Henry Zimmerman (138), Anthony Molinaro (144), Vincent Esposito (165), Nick Daddona (175) and Levi Foote (215) all won individual titles. Southern was also second at the Hunterdon Central Christmas Tournament. Banos (113), Zimmerman (138) and Daddona (175) won gold.
Up next: Saturday tri-meet at No. 9 Mount Olive with West Essex
8-Paramus Catholic (1-0)
Previous ranking: No. 8
The Paladins wrestled their only dual on the third night of the season — a 65-8 win over Dumont on Dec. 10. Paramus Catholic has been making headway individually as sophomore 126-pounder Joey Pellicci notched eighth at the Beast of the East before finishing runner-up at the Sam Cali on Sunday. Seniors Nicky Pallitto (144) and Nick Barone (150) each notched titles at the Sam Cali.
Up next: Saturday quad-meet at No. 15 Pope John with No. 5 Camden Catholic and No. 10 Don Bosco Prep
9-Delsea (2-0)
Previous ranking: No. 10
The Crusaders will take the long ride to Newton for the Boresch Duals, which they’ve dominated in recent seasons. They wrestled in two top individual tournaments in the Robin Leff and Sam Cali and still have the Escape the Rock in a few weeks but also have a chance to showcase their strength as a dual-meet team this weekend, likely meeting a ranked Howell or North Hunterdon team in the final. Transfer Dante DePaul is off to an impressive 6-1 start in the lightweights. Senior transfers Anthony DePaul and Adam Froelich won’t be eligible this weekend but are close to making their Delsea debut, which will make this team even stronger.
Up next: Saturday at Boresch Duals at Newton
10-Don Bosco Prep (4-0)
Previous ranking: No. 13
The Ironmen opened their season with a sweep at Iona Prep (NY) with wins over the host Gaels (44-31), St. Anthony’s (NY) (63-14) and Bishop Hendricken (RI) (50-26). On Tuesday, Don Bosco Prep wiped out Monsignor Farrell (NY) 51-18 in a home dual. At the Beast of the East, senior 175-pounder Santino Rodriguez gold medaled and senior Nevin Mattessich placed fourth at 190. Both wrestlers also won their weight at the Sam Cali with Mattessich earning Most Outstanding Wrestler honors.
Up next: Saturday quad-meet at No. 15 Pope John with No. 5 Camden Catholic and No. 8 Paramus Catholic
11-Howell (4-0)
Previous ranking: No. 14
The Rebels are off to a fast start. On Tuesday, they swept a quad, defeating Freehold Township (76-6), Williamstown (56-16) and North Brunswick (73-6). Howell also scored a 61-15 victory over Westfield. Junior 190-pounder Tanner Hodgins was third at the Beast of the East. Shane Maghan (132), freshman Trevor Hodgins (138), Ray Purrelli (165) and Tyler Going (175) placed first at the John & Betty Vogeding Tournament in Paulsboro.
Up next: Saturday at Boresch Duals at Newton
12-North Hunterdon (2-4)
Previous ranking: No. 12
Don’t let the Lions’ sub-.500 record to begin the year fool you. Coach Dave Bell’s group is every bit still the title contender it was to begin the year as they made it a point to test themselves against nationally ranked competition at the Fab 50 duals, where they took on Delbarton and nationally-ranked out-of-state powers Massillon Perry (OH), Green Farms (CT) and beat Ponaganset (RI). Few public schools in the state are wrestling a dual schedule like that and from 106 to 150, the Lions are an incredibly tough out and have hammers all throughout those weights. They’ll head up to Newton for the Boresch Duals this weekend, where they’re the No. 3 seed and could see either of state-ranked Delsea or Howell in a semifinal or final.
Up next: Saturday at Boresch Duals at Newton
13-Rumson-Fair Haven (3-0)
Previous ranking: No. 11
The defending Group 2 champions are still something of a mystery. It has dominating dual meet wins over Plainfield (51-21) and Red Bank Regional (56-18). It also has a closer-than-expected 36-33 win over Red Bank Catholic, which fell out of the Top 20 after being No. 20 in the preseason. RFH entered multiple December tournaments with split squads. It was 11th in the team standings at the Rick I Memorial at Gov. Livingston, 18th at the Ron Mazzola Memorial at 10th at the East Brunswick Bear Invitational. Sonny Amato, a former state champion, was third at 150 pounds at the Beast of the East.
Up next: Friday tri-meet at North Brunswick with Middle Township
14-St. Joseph (Met.) (1-0)
Previous ranking: No. 15
The Falcons have only wrestled one dual so far this year, beating Monsignor Farrell (NY), but the real impressive showing came at the Beast of the East, where coach Mike Carbone’s group had two medalists in Bloomsburg commit Morgan Schwarz at 165 and Clarion commit Tyler Whitford at 175, making them one of only three NJSIAA schools with multiple medalists. Schwarz also won his 100th career match in the final bout of the 2025 John Goles Tournament to clinch the team title for the Falcons in a tight race with Delaware Valley. They’re back in action and open their GMC slate on Wednesday at defending Central, Group 5 champs Monroe before a big quad with Delsea, Paramus Catholic and DePaul next weekend.
Up next: Wednesday at Monroe
15-Pope John (3-0)
Previous ranking: Unranked
The Lions have begun their season strong with victories over Kellenberg (NY) (71-6) and previously-ranked Immaculata (44-31) on Dec. 13 before a 41-25 win over NJAC rival and No. 16 Mount Olive on Dec. 17. Pope John has also turned in positive results at individual tournaments as senior 132-pounder Dalton Weber was runner-up at the Sam Cali and seventh at the Beast of the East. Junior 165-pounder Lukas Katsigiannis gold medaled at the Sam Cali.
Up next: Saturday quad-meet vs. No. 5 Camden Catholic, No. 8 Paramus Catholic and No. 10 Don Bosco Prep
16-Mount Olive (0-1)
Previous ranking: No. 9
The Marauders dropped their lone dual on Dec. 17 to Pope John in a 41-25 final in Sparta. The Lions won nine bouts against Mount Olive, which is currently operating without several starters. At individual tournaments, the Marauders saw a 215-pound title from senior Nico Gonzalez at the Sam Cali on Sunday and a 285-pound gold medal from senior Jared Martini at the Robin Leff at Southern on Dec. 13.
Up next: Saturday tri-meet vs. No. 7 Southern and West Essex
17-St. Augustine (2-0)
Previous ranking: No. 17
The Hermits are a balanced team without stars which is why they finished under the radar in tournaments like the Beast of the East and Mustang Class but they should be a very good dual meet team without many holes. St. Augustine never backs down from a challenge and will be tested this weekend at the Catholic Duals, then faces a stiff test in the Cape-Atlantic League on Wednesday when it hosts Middle Township. The Hermits have just one loss in the CAL since 2012.
Up next: Friday and Saturday at N.J. Catholic Duals at CBA
18-Phillipsburg (0-0)
Previous ranking: No. 18
After skin issues shut down all team activities for the last 10 or so days, the Liners returned to action at the Bethlehem Holiday Classic where they notched a Top 10 finish in the team race. They had two finalists in Massimo Gonzalez and Gavin Geleta, while Owen Garriques took third and Zack Swingle took fourth. The Liners are one of the few teams not to have wrestled a dual meet yet this year, but that changes this weekend when they’ll travel to Union County to take on perennial state power Cranford as well as GMC power Old Bridge before hosting a state-ranked Howell team in its annual match at “The Pit” on Monday.
Up next: Saturday tri-meet at Cranford with Old Bridge
19-Lower Cape May (2-0)
Previous ranking: No. 19
The Caper Tigers have lived up to early-season expectations including a strong showing at the Sam Cali which saw Chase Hansen (138 pounds) and Tristan Rosemeyer (113) win individual titles. Impressive freshmen Eli Glover and Ryan Morgan have added to what was already a strong team. The Caper Tigers will look to win a dual-meet tournament this weekend at Williamstown.
Up next: Saturday at Williamstown Duals
20-Middletown North (3-0)
Previous ranking: Unranked
The Lions had three individual champions and finished third as a team last Sunday at the Mustang Classic at Brick Memorial. Brothers Thomas Blewett (106) and Ryan Blewett (113) won back-to-back individual titles. Daniel Benbrook (175) also wrestled to a championship. Middletown North also won the team title at the Mike Dessino Invitational in Middlesex. Thomas Blewett, Ryan Blewett, Shane Mylow (132), Jackson Fearon and Benbrook all placed first. The Lions’ dual meet victories have come against Red Bank Regional (69-9), Raritan (61-13) and Ramapo (50-20)
Up next: Saturday tri-meet vs. High Point and Nutley
Dropped out
- Then-No. 16 Immaculata
- Then-No. 20 Red Bank Catholic
NJ.com wrestling writers Jake Aferiat, Bob Badders, Bill Evans and Joe Zedalis contributed to these rankings.
