Chatham Youth Wrestlers Win Three In A Row

Chatham wrestling has always been about developing and nurturing our youth around the strength of our more experienced wrestlers. Unfortunately, every year we lose experienced wrestlers who graduate or quit. Last season we lost seven experienced wrestlers to graduation.

As a result, there were much more young wrestlers than experienced ones in the wrestling room at the start of the season. Early on I questioned whether we could compete in our league, the North Jersey Youth Wrestling League.

A decision had to be made, withdraw from the league or throw our young wrestlers to the lions. Fortunately, our young wrestlers are tenacious, focused, determined and work hard at practice.

They were thrown to the lions and now they and the team are more successful  because of it. After losing close matches to Montville (47-45), Jefferson (49-45) and Berkeley Heights (51-45) our wrestlers turned it up a notch to win three in a row.

On January 19, the Cougars traveled to Wharton beating them 51-42 before a hostile crowd. Teddy Joel (50) pinned his opponent, Jake Fortuna (55) beat his opponent 7-1, PJ Joel (75) pinned his opponent, Eric Davis (102) pinned his opponent and Niccolo Colucci (116) pinned his opponent.

Forfeits were awarded to John Rohe (60), Michael Rohe (65) and Aedan Joel (70). Following this match, the Cougars traveled to Boonton to wrestle before another hostile crowd. Teddy Joel (50) beat his opponent 21-11, Brendan Pizzi (70) pinned his opponent, PJ Joel (75) pinned his opponent and Eric Davis (102) pinned his opponent.

Forfeits were awarded to Jake Fortuna (55), Jack Oneill (123), Jake Holman (123) and Alex Wilson (HWT). Brendan Pizzi's pin in the third period was spectacular. Brendan faced a more experienced wrestler who was beating him by a significant margin until, with seconds left, Brendan reversed his opponent and pinned him with a cradle.

Had Brendan lost that match, the Cougars would have fallen to Boonton instead of beating them 46-45.

On Feb. 2, Chatham played host to Hanover Park. This victory (54-48) was particularly sweet because Chatham never beat this powerhouse prior to this match.

Jake Fortuna (55) pinned his opponent, John Rohe (60) beat his opponent 8-2, Aedan Joel (70) beat his opponent 5-0, PJ Joel (75) pinned his opponent, Eric Davis (102) pinned his opponent, Stephen Bondurich (109) and Alex Wilson (HWT) also pinned their opponents. Connor Cortese (65) and Jack Oneill (123) were awarded forfeits.

There were many bright spots in our near wins against Montville (pins by Aedan Joel, PJ Joel, Eric Davis, Stephen Bondurich and a win from Philip Hoerrner 4-3); Jefferson (pins by Connor Cortese, Eric Davis, Stephen Bondurich and a win from Luke Ciccarelli 3-0) and Berkeley Heights (pins by Teddy Joel, John Rohe, Connor Cortese, PJ Joel, Drew Mitzak, Eric Davis, Timothy Rohe and a win from Luke Ciccarelli 8-2).

Unfortunately, the loss of 96-pounder Luke Ciccarelli to a dual meet season-ending injury did not help. Luke, a veteran on the team, suffered a freak injury while wrestling at an early qualifier. This was a significant loss as Luke was undefeated at the time.

Fortunately, Luke just got clearance from his doctor to participate in the last qualifier before the state championships and is back at practice. Next year our young wrestlers will be a year older and more experienced. I predict wins against all of the teams mentioned above.