Media Credit:
Josiah Sweeney
Isaiah Sweeney
Jan 21, 2026
Late Momentum Shift Lifts Crusaders in Tight Dual Battle
Bergen Catholic and Paramus Catholic delivered one of the most competitive duals of the season, with Bergen Catholic securing a 30-27 victory in a back-and-forth showdown that came down to the final bouts.
Paramus Catholic came out strong, building early momentum at 144 and 150 pounds. Seach Hibler opened the dual with a fall in 3:32 over Gideon Gonzalez, followed by Nicholas Barone’s pin in 1:58 over Joey Rondinelli to give Paramus an early 12-0 lead.
Bergen Catholic Responds
Bergen Catholic answered at 157 pounds, where Manny Gusfa earned a 7-3 decision over Harry Asatrian to get the Crusaders on the board. Daniel Washburn followed with a 10-2 major decision at 165, trimming the deficit.
AJ DiGiovanni delivered a pivotal technical fall at 175 (15-0 in 3:30), tying the dual and shifting momentum toward Bergen Catholic. However, Paramus regained control in the upper weights. Guy Oelsner secured a 6-2 decision at 190, and Grayson Abbruzzese and Isiah Rodriguez followed with decisions at 215 and 285, pushing Paramus ahead 21-12.
Lower Weights Turn the Tide
The dual flipped once the lineup returned to the lower weights. Ryan Halal ignited Bergen Catholic with a fall in 3:37 at 106, followed by Anthony Riotto’s pin at 113 in 5:24 to give Bergen its first lead of the night.
Paramus Catholic evened the score at 120 when Jacob Paulter won an 8-6 decision over Micah Loudermilk, setting up a tense final stretch.
Matthew Mulligan delivered a clutch 7-6 decision at 126, and Lucas Reeves followed with a narrow 2-1 win at 132, extending Bergen Catholic’s advantage.
Paramus Catholic’s Nicholas Pallitto closed the dual with a 7-0 decision at 138, but Bergen Catholic’s earlier bonus points proved decisive, securing the 30-27 victory.
In a rivalry matchup defined by momentum swings and tight decisions, Bergen Catholic’s ability to capitalize in key moments ultimately made the difference.
Final Team Score
Bergen Catholic: 30Paramus Catholic: 27
Finals Box Score
144 lb Seach Hibler (Paramus Catholic) p. Gideon Gonzalez (Bergen Catholic), 3:32
150 lb Nicholas Barone (Paramus Catholic) p. Joey Rondinelli (Bergen Catholic), 1:58
157 lb Manny Gusfa (Bergen Catholic) d. Harry Asatrian (Paramus Catholic), 7-3
165 lb Daniel Washburn (Bergen Catholic) MD 10-2 Giammaria Giordano (Paramus Catholic)
175 lb AJ DiGiovanni (Bergen Catholic) TF 15-0 Nick Konopka (Paramus Catholic), 3:30
190 lb Guy Oelsner (Paramus Catholic) d. Chad Sadaka (Bergen Catholic), 6-2
215 lb Grayson Abbruzzese (Paramus Catholic) d. Mason Marck (Bergen Catholic), 9-5
285 lb Isiah Rodriguez (Paramus Catholic) d. Ralphie Barca (Bergen Catholic), 4-2
106 lb Ryan Halal (Bergen Catholic) p. Sam Mazin (Paramus Catholic), 3:37
113 lb Anthony Riotto (Bergen Catholic) p. Alessandro Camargo (Paramus Catholic), 5:24
120 lb Jacob Paulter (Paramus Catholic) d. Micah Loudermilk (Bergen Catholic), 8-6
126 lb Matthew Mulligan (Bergen Catholic) d. Joseph Pellicci (Paramus Catholic), 7-6
132 lb Lucas Reeves (Bergen Catholic) d. River Hibler (Paramus Catholic), 2-1
138 lb Nicholas Pallitto (Paramus Catholic) d. Sowzrawca Tsay (Bergen Catholic), 7-0
View some of the best moments above.