Giaccio, McCoy Named Patch Athletes of the Week

Congratulations to wrestler Joe Giaccio and girls basketball player Jessica McCoy as this week's Cranford Patch Athletes of the Week.

Giaccio, a junior, won his second consecutive Union County Tournament championship in the 112-pound weight class last weekend, as he continues to live up to the promise he showed ever since he walked into the high school wrestling room. And to think, it all started in fifth-grade, when a friend introduced him to the sport.

"I really didn't expect it," said Giaccio on his success. "I've gotten a lot better since high school. I wasn't really that good, but now everything is starting to click."

Giaccio defended his county crown by beating Anthony Madonie of Brearley in just :38. What makes the feat all the more impressive is that Madonie won the 103-pound title last year, and was one of the few Brearley wrestlers to lose while capturing the UCT team championship.

"I knew the kid was tough," said Giaccio. "I wrestled him a few times before. I knew I was going to win, but I just didn't expect it to be like that, to be that quick."

And while he's added another trophy to the collection, he won't waste time thinking about the past.

"This year, I got my goals set to place in states," said Giaccio. "Hopefully I can do it. I think I can. A lot of people believe in me, my family and my coaches. I'm kind of focused on taking each day at a time, staying focused and working hard."

Jessica McCoy came in with a game ready-made for the varsity level, and even though she's just a freshman, the talented sharpshooter has helped lead the Lady Cougars to a 10-2 record, including an upset of previously unbeaten Roselle Catholic.

McCoy said the transition has been made easier because of her coaches' confidence and her teammates' acceptance.

"At first it's kind of nervewracking, you don't want to mess up, you don't want to throw the ball away," said McCoy. "I've done that, trust me, but you get used to it, you step up. You want to be there, so you just do what you have to do."

What she started doing was loving the game of basketball at a young age, and her passion for the sport has grown steadily ever since.

"When I first started off, for every little kid, you run around the court with the ball and try and make it in," said McCoy. "And then when you get older, it gets to be a lot more fun. You just put your heart into it. You have your ups and downs, but when I first thought I could go far was last year."

At this point, McCoy couldn't be happier with herself or her team, with a bright future for both on the horizon.

"It's really thrilling. I'm proud of the entire team, we worked really hard to come this far and we want to go a lot farther."