Hopatcong Youth Wrestling 1st Night Huge Success

More than 70 kids showed up for the first night of the Hopatcong Youth Wrestling Club's first night of practice, parent Laura Damelio said.

"A lot of new faces and the majority of our wrestlers from last season were in attendance," she said.

Varsity head coach Anthony Luciani, JV head coach Keith LaBrunda and novice group head coach Roger White were extremely pleased by the turnout.

The biggest treat for the wrestlers? The unveiling of Hopatcong's brand new wrestling mats.

"It's the first time they have been rolled out for practice," Damelio said.

Luciani, President Paul Mastroeni and Hopatcong High School wrestling coach Eric Fajerman played key roles in obtaining the mats.

The Hopatcong Youth Wrestling Club has two more open houses Tuesday and Wednesday from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. for Hopatcong children from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade. Registration costs $65, but it's waived for eighth-graders.

"We are all so excited to get this season rolling!" Damelio said.