The new wrestling District 9 went smoothly Saturday in its maiden voyage at Phillipsburg High School.

An impressive crowd showed up to watch wrestlers from Hackettstown, Phillipsburg, Barringer, Bloomfield, Caldwell, Glen Ridge, Lyndhurst/North Arlington, Mendham, and Montclair take the first steps on the road to Atlantic City.

The Stateliners beat out Mendham for the team title and P’burg’s Robert Melise (220 pounds) was named Outstanding Wrestler. Melise also broke Max Elling's school record for career pins; Elling had 68, Melise, with 3 falls Saturday, has 70.

Overall, P’burg had five champions -- Melise, Cullen Day (106), Travis Jones (113), Cody Harrison (126) and Brian Meyer (145) -- and Hackettstown two in Alex Carida (138) and Kyle Connelly (220).

Mendham coach Stephen Baig was voted the District 9 coach of the year with the Stateliners’ Scott Silvis winning the Assistant Coach of the Year award.

Follow the links below for full coverage of the tournament and district Saturday.

Melise's record-smashing pins boost Phillipsburg to District 9 wrestling title

Phillipsburg's Harrison riding wave of wrestling success

Connelly, Hackettstown wrestlers getting after postseason success

NJSIAA district wrestling: crowns for Del Val, North Hunterdon, Voorhees

Brad Wilson may be reached at bwilson@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradwsports. Find Lehigh Valley high school sports on Facebook.

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