Wrestling Brackets Released: Irish a No. 1 Seed, Lions a No. 4

The Cherry Hill West wrestling program got the official word on what it already suspected: The Lions are going to the playoffs for the first time in program history.

The NJSIAA released the wrestling playoff brackets today revealing that west had earned a No. 4 seed in South Jersey Group 3. The Lions (17-8) will host No. 5 Lacey Township, on Monday.

West, which takes on Schalick Thursday, won eight of its last nine matches to grab the final first-round home slot.

Following a squad meet sweep on Saturday, West head coach Zach Semar said the road to a playoff berth started in the offseason.

“It started last spring, summer and into the fall,” Semar said. “It took a lot of work in the offseason and a lot of guys being committed to obtaining not only individual goals, but team goals. We have been working hard for about a year now to put ourselves in that position to make it.”

Lacey reached the playoffs on the back of its difficult schedule more than its record. At 8-17, Lacey is hardly a juggernaut, but in a Shore Conference that features schools like Toms River and Southern, the team should not be overlooked.

In the Non-Public bracket, Camden Catholic earned the No. 1 seed in South Group B. Holy Cross is the No. 2 seed, finishing nearly a full nine power points behind Camden Catholic in the last power points standings. That represents the biggest separation of a No. 1 and No. 2 seed in any of the South sections.

The Irish will get a first-round bye in the team tournament, then host the winner of St. Joseph (Hammonton) and Bishop Eustace. That semifinal match is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Cherry Hill East missed the Group 4 playoffs.