Camden Catholic switches wrestling districts
ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. - In a move that will make a dramatic impact on two South Jersey wrestling districts, the NJSIAA announced Wednesday that perennial power Camden Catholic has been moved to a new district.
ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. - In a move that will make a dramatic impact on two South Jersey wrestling districts, the NJSIAA announced Wednesday that perennial power Camden Catholic has been moved to a new district.
The Irish, who were the No. 1 team in The Inquirer Top 10 last season, will compete in District 27 at Cherokee, starting in February 2010.
Camden Catholic has competed in District 28, at Collingswood, in the past.
NJSIAA assistant director Bob Baly said the organization's wrestling committee made the change to "balance" district competition.
Baly said it was the first change in district alignment in more than 10 years.
"We'd like to do this every five years," Baly said. "You don't want to have a situation where all the strong teams are in the same district."
Baly said the move also was made for geographic reasons.
"Camden Catholic is in Cherry Hill, and it makes sense that they are in the same district with Cherry Hill East and Cherry Hill West," Baly said.
The other teams in District 27 are host Cherokee, Lenape, Bishop Eustace, Maple Shade, Seneca, and Shawnee.
Camden Catholic's arrival will make things tougher in District 27. Team championships are awarded in district competition, and the top three individual finishers in each weight class advance to regional competition.
The Irish's departure will create opportunities for other teams and individuals in District 28. In addition to host Collingswood, the district features Haddonfield, Haddon Township, Haddon Heights, Audubon, Paul VI, Pennsauken, and Sterling.
District 27 and District 28 both feed to Region 7 competition.
More wrestling. Palmyra was moved from District 27 to District 26, which is held at Holy Cross.
Gloucester, which will have a new program this season, was added to District 29, which is held at Gloucester County College.
Hall of Fame. South Jersey sports figures Bob Fredrick, Madelyn "Bunny" Chimento, and Cathy Rush are among the 2009 inductees in the NJSIAA's Hall of Fame.
Fredrick compiled a 299-7-2 record as wrestling coach at Paulsboro. Chimento won 412 games as the longtime field hockey coach at Pitman. Rush, an Oakcrest graduate, led Immaculata to three women's college basketball national championships.
This and that. The executive committee approved a proposal to split boys' volleyball competition into four sectionals - South, Central, North I and North II - starting in the spring. The sport previously had been divided into North and South in the state tournament. . . . The field hockey tournament of champions final will be held at Toms River on Nov. 21-22, as the College of New Jersey is not available. . . . The executive committee approved a proposal to add sectional championships for Non-Public A and B in boys' and girls' outdoor track, starting in the spring. In the past, nonpublic competition has been held only at the state championship level.
