2026 Sectional Wrestling Tournament Predictions - Group 2
Group 2 enters the sectional team tournament with a mix of established programs and teams that have shown steady progress throughout the season. Across the four sections, several brackets feature clusters of teams with similar profiles, setting up matchups that could be decided by small swings, key lineup battles, and in-dual adjustments. As the postseason begins, Group 2 projects as a group where paths to the finals are varied and outcomes may hinge on execution more than reputation.
Central
Central Group 2 enters the postseason with a few teams positioned as favorites, but the overall depth of the bracket suggests there is real potential for movement along the way. Several programs outside the top tier have shown the ability to be competitive in dual formats, creating a section where upsets are very much in play and finalists may not be locked in until the final whistle.
Point Boro enters the Central Group 2 tournament as the favorites. Led by the #5 ranked wrestler at 165lbs, Jake Clayton, Point Boro has been a tough team all season. After a rough 0-3 start to their season, they finished 12-5, holding key wins over Brick Memorial and Haddonfield.
The next four teams in this bracket are genuinely extremely close in talent and rank. In seed order, Wall, Ocean Township, Delran, and Manasquan, hold similar records and schedules, some teams having faced each other in the regular season. Wall holds wins over Manasquan and Ocean, Ocean scored key wins over Depaul and Hopewell Valley, Delran remained undefeated in their division, and Manasquan holds a win over Point Boro. This side of the bracket can get very dicey to say the least.
Rumson-Fair Haven, the #6 seed, is the most interesting team in this bracket. Many see Rumson as the true #1 seed, as they have the best record, the toughest schedule, and are currently ranked #18 in the state. They stand at 13-4, all 4 losses coming by way of Top 20 ranked programs, their most recent loss coming by way of a razor thin 1-point loss against #14 Phillipsburg. Rumson holds key wins over Brick Memorial, Red Bank Catholic, and Old Bridge. The Bulldogs currently have 3 wrestlers who carry state rankings. Sonny Amato is ranked #1 at 150lbs, Joaquin Duque #6 at 138lbs, and Luke Dougherty #8 at 190lbs. While this bracket is very deep, many question how Rumson-Fair Haven ended up as the #6 seed.
Prediction: Rumson-Fair Haven over Point Boro
South
South Group 2 appears to have a clear favorite entering the postseason, along with one primary challenger positioned to test them in a potential finals matchup. While the top of the bracket is more defined than in some other sections, the battle between these two programs projects as the deciding factor in determining the sectional champion.
The #1 seed, Lower Cape May, has had one of the more impressive seasons in the state this season. The Tigers enter the tournament with an 18-3 record, taking down tough programs like Red Bank Catholic, Caldwell, and Washington Township. Led by top state ranked wrestlers Chase Hansen and standout transfer Tristan Rosemeyer, Lower Cape May is projected as the favorite to take home the South Group 2 Championship.
Collingswood enters as the #2 seed, and projected to be the most likely opposition to Lower Cape may in a potential finals matchup. Collingswood has put together a very impressive season thus far, holding a 24-2 record with two matches left in their regular season. The Cougars have been hammers in their respective division and has dominated their schedule all season, including key wins over Haddonfield and Paulsboro. Collingswood and Lower Cape May both share a loss over St. Augustine, both in fairly close matches. LCM lost 35-25, while Collingswood fell 45-24. While this common loss isn't the end all be all, it gives some interesting insight on what we can expect from these two teams, should they meet in the finals.
Prediction: Lower Cape May over Collingswood
North 1
North 1 Group 2 enters sectionals with a defined top tier, featuring a clear favorite and a projected challenger on a collision course toward the finals. While other teams in the bracket are capable of being competitive, the section largely shapes up around how these two programs match up and which side is able to control the key swing points in a dual format.
Taking the top spot in the bracket is #1 seeded High Point. Although they hold an 11-11 record, they've had one of the toughest schedules in the section with many losses coming from Top 20 and fringe Top 20 programs. 7 of their 11 losses came down to one match, so their record could look very different had one match gone their way on multiple occasions. The Wildcats are a scrappy bunch, and look to prove they are deserving of their top seeded position.
Pascack Valley is seen by many as the favorites to take home the North 1 sectional title, and rightfully so. Their strength of schedule matches that of High Point, however, Pascack Valley was able to amass a 17-4 record. They have impressive wins over Ocean Township, Rahway, PCTI, and Ramapo. They also hold two close losses to Howell and Don Bosco, who are among the top programs in the state. The Panthers are led by state ranked wrestlers Jacob Inserra and Luke Stempkowski, who have been the hammers in their lineup all season.
Prediction: Pascack Valley over High Point
North 2
North 2 Group 2 sets up with two programs that appear to be on relatively equal footing entering the postseason, creating the potential for a tightly contested path to the sectional title. At the same time, a third team remains firmly in the mix and could disrupt projections with the right matchups and momentum. With little separation at the top, this section projects to be decided by small swings and execution in key bouts.
West Morris enters the sectional tournament as the top seeded program, holding a 15-7 record. The Wolfpack have been exceptional this season, even with a strong schedule. 4 of their 7 losses come by way of Top 20 programs, and they secured solid wins over Pascack Valley, Hanover Park, and Montville. West Morris is led by state medalist and current #3 ranked heavyweight, Tommy Borgia.
Caldwell, the #2 seed, currently sits at 13-5 entering the postseason. They are led by returning state medalist and current #5 at 120lbs, Carmine Sipper. The Chief's 138lb wrestler, Solomon Sorriente is also another name to note, as he is a returning state qualifier and has improved since his last appearance. With the help of these two, along with the rest of their lineup, they were able to pick up some crucial wins down the stretch over the likes of solid programs like Union, Hanover Park, and Cedar Grove. The returning Group 2 runner ups are looking to finish the job this year, and they would need to get through a few tough teams to do so.
Hackettstown is a team that has the potential to make some noise in this bracket. Although their schedule was not as strong as the first two seeds, they still amassed an impressive 17-4 record. The Tigers are scrappy, and have the opportunity to pull off some upsets this postseason.
Prediction: Caldwell over West Morris