VIDEO: Hansen, Carr-Wing win titles, LCM and MT combine to send 15 through to region tournament

Posted: February 19th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – Chase Hansen wrestled for less than two minutes at the District 32 Tournament at Absegami High School Saturday.

It was long enough for those in attendance to witness greatness.

Hansen, a sophomore from Lower Cape May Regional High School, was named the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler after a dominating performance that saw him win a district championship for the second straight season.

Hansen, who bumped down to 132 pounds for the individual postseason after wrestling at 138 during the regular season, received a first-round bye before recording victories by fall in the semifinal and championship bouts. He needed only 51 seconds to deck Oakcrest’s Heriberto Curtidor in the semi before taking just 1:07 to do the same to Ocean City’s Aiden Leypoldt in the final.

Hansen is unbeaten on the season heading into the Region 8 Tournament, which will be held this week at Egg Harbor Township High School.

Senior Isiah Carr-Wing joined Hansen as a district champion from Lower Cape May. The 190-pounder recorded wins by fall in his quarterfinal and semifinal matches before scoring a 7-4 decision over St. Augustine’s Ron Kraus in the final. Carr-Wing turned the title match in his favor with a takedown followed by two back points late in the second period.

Hansen and Carr-Wing were the leaders of a strong Lower Cape May effort at the tournament, the Tigers sending a program-record 10 wrestlers to the Region 8 Tournament.

Jahcere Harris (138) and Deron Azile (157) each lost championship bouts to place second, while Bryce Paley (113), Connor Barikian (126), Gabe Tosto (144), Logan Haggerty (175), Quinten Hagan (215) and Ben Rue (Hwt.) each won third-place consolations to advance.

They’ll be joined at the Region 8 Tournament by five Middle Township wrestlers. Shaun Watkins (215) and Maurice Matthews (Hwt.) each lost title matches to place second, while Dontae Kelly (120), Tyler King (138) and Max Adelizzi (190) each placed third.

The Region 8 Tournament is set to begin Friday evening at EHT. As district champions, Hansen and Carr-Wing will receive first-round byes. The tournament concludes early Saturday evening.

Middle Township had five wrestlers advance to the Region 8 Tournament. They include (from left): Dontae Kelly, Tyler King, Shaun Watkins, Max Adelizzi and Maurice Matthews.