Star Ledger
NJIC Wrestling Post Season Honors
BOYS WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Butler’s Justin Chrostowski put together a senior season to remember, but a small footnote in his wrestling history will always include his success against one of New Jersey’s best wrestlers. Chrostowski wrestled his way to a fifth-place finish at 182 pounds at the NJSIAA State Championships. He ran into High Point’s Brian Soldano in the quarterfinals and dropped a 3-0 decision. Soldano pinned every one of his other opponents this season, including against Chrostowski late in the third period when they met at the North 1 regional tournament. Chrostowski, a West Point commit, finished with a 19-3 record.
GIRLS WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: Success came early for Becton’s Izabella Frezzo after spending most of her life competing in jiu-jitsu. Frezzo won the 107-pound state title at the NJSIAA State Championships last month and accomplished her biggest goal of winning gold after taking third last season. Frezzo put on an offensive display in the state final, rolling to a 6-2 win over Belleville’s Alisa Safforld. Frezzo also defeated Safforld in the North regional tournament the week before by decision, 2-0.
TEAM OF THE YEAR: Emerson Borough spent another season as the top team in the NJIC and finished with an 8-0 record. After a COVID shutdown to start the season, Stan Woods’ team gutted out a 36-27 win over Hawthorne and held off two more tough challenges from Pascack Valley and Pompton Lakes. Senior Casey Allen led the way as a state qualifier at 182 pounds while sophomore Louden Mazzeo got a later-than-expected ticket to Phillipsburg, filling in for an injured wrestler at 132.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Even in a season as unconventional as 2021, Joe Mazzacca guided Hawthorne to one of its best seasons in a long time. Hawthorne finished with a 12-1 record and took its only loss to Emerson in a match decided in the final bout. The Hawthorne lineup was balanced from top to bottom and the team’s success stemmed from totality not star powerNJIC Top 10 Final Rankings
- Emerson Boro (8-0)
- Hawthorne (12-1)
- Butler (9-4)
- Pompton Lakes (10-5)
- Cresskill (9-5)
- Hasbrouck Heights (9-3)
- Rutherford (8-3)
- Lyndhurst (8-2)
- Bogota (7-4)
- Glen Rock (3-8)
Patrick Lanni may be reached at planni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatLanniHS and like his Facebook page.
