North Jersey Interscholastic Conference Wrestlers of the Week
Noel Cruz, Hasbrouck Heights, Jr., 285
Cruz walked it off for the Aviators in their 40-33 NJIC semifinals win over then-unbeaten New Milford with a 20-second pin of Thomas Cebe. Cruz went 2-1 on the rest of the week with a pin of Yazan Monem in the team’s win over Passaic Valley (51-29) along with a forfeit victory in the team’s win over Randolph (69-5).
Kishon Hamilton, Manchester Regional, Sr., 215
Hamilton has been featured as a Wrestler of the Week earlier this winter, but it’s hard to ignore his recent efforts. Hamilton went 4-1 last week with four pins, including two walk-off winners. He pinned Emerson-Park Ridge’s Sean Cepeda in the second to last bout to give the Falcons a 41-34 win over the Cavos on Thursday in the NJIC semifinals. It’s the first time EPR will not win the NJIC title in its seven years of existence. Hamilton then decked Montclair’s Kwamaine Terry in the last bout on Saturday to lift Manchester Regional to a 42-33 win over the Mounties.
