Hammonton's Bakuckas falls short in 160-pound final

ATLANTIC CITY - It was a journey of 12 months that ended 30 seconds short of the final destination.

That's how close Phil Bakuckas came Sunday to becoming the first wrestler in Hammonton High School history to win a state title.

"I was so close," Bakuckas said after losing a 7-3 decision to Bergen Catholic's Johnny Sebastian in the 160-pound championship bout at Boardwalk Hall.

Hammonton coach Dave Mauriello said Bakuckas was "focused on this since he left here last year" as a non-place-winner in the 152-pound class as a junior.

Bakuckas held a 3-0 lead early in the third period against Sebastian, a sophomore.

But Sebastian scored an escape with a minute remaining, then scored six points in a flurry with about 30 seconds on the clock on a stalling call against Bakuckas, a takedown, and back points.

"To be that close and have it stripped away is hard to take," Bakuckas said. "But I gave it my all, and that's all you can ask."

Bakuckas was the first Hammonton wrestler to make the state finals. The Rutgers-bound wrestler finished his senior season with a 41-1 record and his high school career with a 132-22 mark.

"So many kids go home disappointed," Mauriello said. "He did great."

Haddon Township senior Steve Nelson and Timber Creek junior Brandon Keller also finished second in the state.

Nelson lost a 7-3 decision to Mendham's Ryan Harrington in the 170-pound bout.

"It's tough, but it's a great accomplishment to finish second in the state," said Nelson, who finished the season with a 37-1 record and his career with a 136-15 mark.

Keller lost a 3-1 decision to South Plainfield's Scott DelVecchio in the 132-pound bout. DelVecchio won the bout with a takedown with 21 seconds remaining in the third period.

Camden Catholic junior T.J. Miller, who won the 140-pound state title as a sophomore, battled back from a loss in Saturday's semifinals with a pair of pins to capture third place at 145 pounds.

Delsea sophomore Bryan Dobzanski won four bouts in the wrestle-backs to capture third place at 195 pounds. Dobzanski defeated Haddonfield senior Carson Stack, 2-0, in the third-place bout.

St. Joseph junior Roy Lucas, who lost a 2-1 decision in overtime in the semifinals, battled back to take third place at 220 pounds.

Burlington Township senior Kevin Devoy also won four wrestle-back bouts to finish third at 126 pounds.

South Jersey's lone winner in the state tournament was Northern Burlington's Cody Melton, who decisioned Jermaine Eluemunor of Morris Knolls, 3-1.

The results

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

106: Anthony Cefalo, Hanover Park, pin Carl Buttitta, JFK-Iselin, 1:28;

113: Brenden Calas, Seton Hall Prep, dec. David McFadden, DePaul Catholic, 3-0;

120: Mike Magaldo, Watchung Hill, dec. Troy Heilmann, South Plainfield, 5-1;

126: Anthony Ashnault, South Painfield, dec. Gary Dinmore, Hunterdon Central, 5-2;

132: Scott DelVecchio, South Plainfield, dec. Brandon Keller, Timber Creek, 3-1;

138: BJ Clagon, Toms River South, pin Tyler Hunt, South Plainfield, 1:37;

145: Lenny Richardson, St. Peter's Prep, pin Ken Thoebold, Toms River South, 0:54;

152: Raamiah Betha, Trenton, pin Sal Mastriani, Don Bosco Prep, 5:31;

160: Johnny Sebastian, Bergen Catholic, dec. Phil Bakuckas, Hammonton, 7-3;

170: Ryan Harrington, Mendham, dec. Steve Nelson, Haddon Twp., 7-3;

182: Dallas Winston, Jackson, dec. Tevin Shaw, Piscataway, 4-3;

195: Razohnn Gross, Don Bosco Prep, dec. Eric McMullen, North Bergen, 5-3;

220: Brandon Hull, Phillipsburg, dec. Lex Knapp, Lacey Twp., 7-2;

Hwt.: Cody Melton, Northern Burlington, dec. Jermaine Eluemunor, Morris Knolls, 3-1.

Other South Jersey finishers

Third place

120: Zach Hertling, Ocean Twp, dec. Ricky Carter, Timber Creek, 3-2; 126: Kevin Devoy, North Burlington, dec. Brian Hamann, Jackson, 6-2; 145: TJ Miller, Camden Catholic, pin Nick Gravina, Northern Highlands, 3:38; 195: Bryan Dobzanski, Delsea, dec. Carson Stack, Haddonfield, 2-0; 220: Roy Lucas, St. Joseph, dec. Anthony Angelone, West Orange, 9-5.

Fifth place

138: Chad Walsh, Camden Catholic, dec. Nick Maselli, Emerson Park, 8-7; 145: Curt Delia, Delsea, pin Corey Stasenko, South Plainfield, 1:42; 160: Rob Schlitt, Haddonfield, dec. Vincent Favia, CBA, 3-1; 170: Robert Shade, Timber Creek, dec. Nick Zak, Jackson, 5-3 OT; 182: Rory Bonner, West Deptford, dec. Tom Forline, Moorestown, 3-1; 220: Mauro Correnti, Holy Cross, dec. Zack Chakonis, Don Bosco, 8-7; Hwt.: Tom Rementer, Clayton, pin Sumir Burns, Linden, 3:41.

Seventh place

120: Max Rogers, Delbarton, pin Collin Mitchell, Eastern, 2:52; 138: Joe Esposito, St. Augustine, win by injury default over Paul Kirchner, Somerville; 220: Nick Pustizzi, Schalick, dec. Colton Bigelow, Ocean Twp., 5-1.