Camden Catholic Rallies to Edge Pope John in Non-Public B Thriller

Camden Catholic pulled off a dramatic 32-30 victory over Pope John in the Non-Public B state tournament, clinching the win in the final bout of the night. With the match on the line, Chase Martino delivered a crucial pin at 120 pounds, securing the Irish’s spot atop the bracket.

The dual started with a dominant performance from Camden Catholic at 126 pounds, where Lazarus Joyce quickly pinned Frank Spagnola in just 1:22. Sammy Spaulding followed up with a hard-fought 4-1 decision at 132, giving Camden Catholic an early 9-0 lead. However, Pope John quickly responded. Carson Walsh delivered a technical fall (20-3) at 138 pounds, and Don Almeyda followed with a major decision (13-4) at 144, evening the score at 9-9.

Camden Catholic regained control at 150 pounds, as Michael Craft secured a 9-3 decision, and Kage Jones dominated at 157 with an 18-2 technical fall. That stretch pushed the Irish ahead 17-9, but Pope John wasn’t done yet. Braydan Lombreglia (165) picked up an 11-4 decision, and Cole Dunham (175) scored a quick pin in 1:04, flipping the lead in Pope John’s favor at 18-17.

Jaden Simpson put Camden Catholic back in front with a 10-4 decision at 190, but Pope John answered once again. Shawn Baumann edged Tristan Owen 7-5 at 215, and heavyweight Jarrod Cofrancesco delivered a huge pin at 285, pushing Pope John ahead 27-20.

With only three bouts remaining, Camden Catholic needed a big finish. Zach Reali picked up a forfeit at 106, closing the gap to 27-26. Jake Holly then held off Dom Digiacomo in a 5-3 decision at 113, giving Pope John a narrow 30-26 lead. That left it all up to the 120-pound match, where Martino delivered in the clutch, pinning Matthew Reilly in 1:51 to lock in the 32-30 win.

With the victory, Camden Catholic advances in the Non-Public B bracket, surviving a back-and-forth battle that came down to the wire.

View some of the best moments above!

Box Score

126: Lazarus Joyce (CC) pinned Frank Spagnola (PJ), 1:22

132: Sammy Spaulding (CC) dec. Dalton Weber (PJ), 4-1

138: Carson Walsh (PJ) tech. fall EJ Bonnette (CC), 20-3

144: Don Almeyda (PJ) maj. dec. Eric Swanson (CC), 13-4

150: Michael Craft (CC) dec. Lukas Katsigiannis (PJ), 9-3

157: Kage Jones (CC) tech. fall Jake Zerden (PJ), 18-2

165: Braydan Lombreglia (PJ) dec. Terry Terch (CC), 11-4

175: Cole Dunham (PJ) pinned Cole Trotz (CC), 1:04

190: Jaden Simpson (CC) dec. David Thomson (PJ), 10-4

215: Shawn Baumann (PJ) dec. Tristan Owen (CC), 7-5

285: Jarrod Cofrancesco (PJ) pinned Lars Stegner (CC), 3:46

106: Zach Reali (CC) won by forfeit

113: Jake Holly (PJ) dec. Dom Digiacomo (CC), 5-3

120: Chase Martino (CC) pinned Matthew Reilly (PJ), 1:51