Media Credit:
Josiah Sweeney
Isaiah Sweeney
Feb 17, 2026
Middleweight Momentum Carries Crusaders to Key Win
Bergen Catholic used a dominant run through the middle of the lineup to secure a 38-24 victory over St. Joseph (Mont.) in a competitive dual that featured multiple momentum swings.
The dual began at 215 pounds, where Mason Marck delivered a 22-7 technical fall in 5:47 to give Bergen Catholic an early lead. St. Joseph answered immediately at heavyweight, as Cristian Alvarez secured a fall in 45 seconds to put the Green Knights ahead.
St. Joseph Builds Early Lead
Chase Young responded for Bergen Catholic with an 8-0 major decision at 106, but St. Joseph regained control at 113 and 120. Charles Esposito earned a 2-0 decision, followed by JoJo Burke’s 19-4 technical fall to extend the lead.
Mikey Bautista added an 11-8 decision at 126, and Johnathon McGinty followed with a 19-6 major decision at 132, giving St. Joseph a 21-9 advantage midway through the dual.
Bergen Catholic Turns the Tide
The momentum shifted at 138 when Gideon Gonzalez received a forfeit victory. Sowzrawca Tsay followed with an 18-3 technical fall at 144 to narrow the gap.
Joey Rondinelli ignited the Bergen Catholic bench with a pin in just 24 seconds at 150, cutting the deficit even further. Joey Canova then delivered a clutch 7-5 tiebreaker win at 157, giving Bergen Catholic its first lead since the opening bout.
Manny Gusfa extended the advantage with an 8-4 decision at 165, and AJ DiGiovanni added an injury default victory at 175, pushing the Crusaders firmly in control.
St. Joseph’s Adam Sepulvada closed the dual with a 13-7 decision at 190, but Bergen Catholic’s mid-lineup surge proved decisive.
After trailing 21-9, Bergen Catholic won six of the final seven bouts to secure the 38-24 team victory.
Final Team Score
Bergen Catholic: 38 St. Joseph (Mont.): 24
Finals Box Score
215 lb Mason Marck (Bergen Catholic) TF 22-7 Joey Alvarez (St. Joseph (Mont.)), 5:47
285 lb Cristian Alvarez (St. Joseph (Mont.)) p. Ralphie Barca (Bergen Catholic), 0:45
106 lb Chase Young (Bergen Catholic) MD 8-0 Ray Burdette (St. Joseph (Mont.))
113 lb Charles Esposito (St. Joseph (Mont.)) d. Anthony Riotto (Bergen Catholic), 2-0
120 lb JoJo Burke (St. Joseph (Mont.)) TF 19-4 Micah Loudermilk (Bergen Catholic), 4:44
126 lb Mikey Bautista (St. Joseph (Mont.)) d. Matthew Mulligan (Bergen Catholic), 11-8
132 lb Johnathon McGinty (St. Joseph (Mont.)) MD 19-6 Lucas Reeves (Bergen Catholic)
138 lb Gideon Gonzalez (Bergen Catholic) won by forfeit
144 lb Sowzrawca Tsay (Bergen Catholic) TF 18-3 Angelo Paino (St. Joseph (Mont.)), 4:28
150 lb Joey Rondinelli (Bergen Catholic) p. John Eslyok (St. Joseph (Mont.)), 0:24
157 lb Joey Canova (Bergen Catholic) TB 7-5 Ryan Mitchell (St. Joseph (Mont.))
165 lb Manny Gusfa (Bergen Catholic) d. Joseph Paretti (St. Joseph (Mont.)), 8-4
175 lb AJ DiGiovanni (Bergen Catholic) won by injury default over Benjamin Marques (St. Joseph (Mont.))
190 lb Adam Sepulvada (St. Joseph (Mont.)) d. Chad Sadaka (Bergen Catholic), 13-7
View some of the best moments above.