Overall Record: 0-0 / C-Division: 0-0


2025 Jackson Liberty Wrestling

Liberty is coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Lions won their 4th divisional title in program history, and first since 2016, with a thrilling criteria win over Pt Boro. A week later, a walk-off pin by William Huchko gave the Lions their first ever win over crosstown rival Jackson Memorial. Their 6th-place finish as a team was their highest ever at the Shore Conference Tournament, and they sent four wrestlers to the State Tournament in Atlantic City for the 2nd consecutive season.

While 2024 Region 6 113-pound champ Anthony Urso was lost to graduation, just about everyone else is back down low, and there is a very promising freshmen group coming in that looks like it should give Liberty a very solid lower half of the lineup. Juniors Tucker Pazinko and Armani McCann are both returning District Champions, and each advanced to States last season. For Pazinko, it was his 2nd trip to the boardwalk in as many seasons. The pair have combined for 114 wins through their first two seasons and are a part of strong junior class core down low that includes Chris Tranucci (12-5 last season) and William Huchko (19-9 in 2024), who in addition to his walk-off pin over Jackson Memorial last year, also recorded a decision in the final bout against Pt Boro in the Lions B-South criteria clincher.

That group of juniors gives 2nd-year head coach Gianni Ghione a strong base to break some very promising freshmen into the lineup. Among that group is Intermediate State Champion Landen Chapman, Tri-County Champion Anthony Salais, and Intermediate State runner-up Finley Panzinko, among others.

In the upper half of the lineup, the Lions graduated their three starters at the 190-Hwt stretch, but still have some experienced upperclassmen back, led by senior Jordan Ayyash, who punched a ticket to Atlantic City last season after finishing 3rd at Regions. If fellow seniors Erdne Garyaev and Elijah Virgil, and junior Mason Ciccariello can take the next step forward after getting a lot of action last season, it will provide a big boost as it looks like the Lions will be inexperienced at the 13 & 14 slots.

The new division format this season means Liberty won't be able to defend their B-South crown, but instead, they figure to have just as good a chance as anyone else at claiming the inaugural C-Division championship in a race that also features Lacey, Wall, Holmdel, & Colts Neck, and should be in the mix for a spot in the Shore Conference Top 10 11.
 

Jackson Liberty High School
125 North Chapel Rd.
Jackson, NJ 08527
732-833-4700

@jlhswrestler

Program Established
2005

Mascot
Lions

Colors
Red, Silver, & Blue

Head Coach
Gianni Ghione
(2nd Season in 2025)

Assistants
Connor Bohringer
Ethan Liptzin

Volunteers
Nick Pellegrino
Dylan Waller
TJ Liquori
Brandon Kosheff

Section
CJG3

Division
C-Division

District
23

Region
6



4 - Division Titles
Last: B-South - 2024

5 - State Medalists
Last: Mike Russo - 2015

7 - Region Champions
Last: Anthony Urso - 2024

22 - District Champions
Last: Armani McCann & Tucker Pazinko - 2024

8 - SCT Medalists
Last: 5 in 2024

Career Wins Leader - 157
Mike Russo
(2012-2015)

Season Wins Record - 41
Matt Russo
(2015)